Month: November 2025

Yet another early start, and the On the Go group are off to the brand new Phnom Penh airport, and a short domestic flight to Siem Reap, in the north of the country. The airport is huge, and amazingly quiet. Looking to a busy future!

We are met at Siem Reap airport by our guide, and head the Angkor area for lunch. First stop in the afternoon, is the Angkor National Museum. This is dedicated to the collection, preservation and presentation of Angkorian artifacts and Khmer civilisation, with collections mainly dated from Khmer Empire’s Angkor period circa 9th to 16th century.

After a nice group lunch at a tourist restaurant, we moved on to the legendary Angkor Wat. This is a massive temple complex, built in the 12th century by King Suriyavarman II, originally dedicated Hindu god Vishnu. It was later converted to a Buddhist temple and is now a major tourist attraction, a symbol of Cambodia, and the world’s largest religious monument.

After a few chores and chilling back at the hotel, we dine at a restaurant directly opposite. Very nice and as per usual, reasonably priced.Probably half the price of a comparable evening out in New Zealand.

Today Day 13, is “Temple Day.” Firstly we visit the temples of Banteay Srei, stopping at an exotic butterfly sanctuary, and the village of Preak Dak. At Preak Dak, each of us will have the opportunity to plant mango or Jack fruit saplings as part of a tree planting initiative by the company.

At Banteay Srei we see some of the finest stone carvings in the world, dedicated to Shiva.

Before lunch and Ankgor Thom, we visit a silk factory. Very interesting, and a silk scarf purchase for Sue.

Post lunch, it is Angkor Thom. We see the Bayon Temple, Baphuon, the royal enclosure, and the terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. There are also an abundance of monkeys in the area, which are fascinating to watch.

The last stop on the tour of the Angkor complex is Tra Prohm Temple, which has been left in the ruined state in which it was discovered.

A decent buffet breakfast in the Caravan Hotel, then a busy day of excursions. First up, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the latter so named as the floor consists of solid silver tiles. Also a gold Buddha, encrusted with diamonds. All very impressive.

Next up, it is the horrific atrocities of the Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge regime. We visit Tuol Sleng (Security Prison – S21), a school that was gruesomely transformed into a torture chamber. We visit the Killing Fields about 14kms away, where over 10,000 people were executed. Choeung EK was a former orchard and Chinese cemetery, turned into a killing field by the Khmer Rouge, between 1975 and 1979. Pol Pot is widely believed to be one of the most brutal despots in modern world history.

The group take their luncheon at a nearby restaurant, catering for local and western palates.

We then battle the traffic again, for our final visit for the day, the National Museum of Fine Arts. This is a graceful terracotta building of traditional design, housing the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. The day has been very warm and humid, so it’s back to the hotel for a swim and cold beer.

The Pharts decide to venture out for dinner, to a restaurant recommended by our guide. Unfortunately the heavens open, and despite an umbrella, they get wet on the walk back to the hotel.The food was pretty good, and pretty cheap. US dollars seem to be the preferred means of payment, either by cash or electronic. Off to the airport tomorrow to fly to Siem Reap.

A fairly bureaucratic and lengthy border crossing, and we are on the bus with our new guide, to Phnom Penh. It is a 4 hour bus ride, and we reach the city in time for rush hour traffic. It is a very busy city of 3 million people, and the traffic is chaotic!

We decide to eat first, then check into our hotel after. A good decision, and the restaurant food is delicious.

Our first stop in Ho Chi Minh City is lunch at, in the opinion of our guide, the best Pho restaurant in Vietnam! It is delicious, with the added greens and chilli, to flavour it up.

Next stop is the War Remnants Museum, a stark reminder of the horrors and futility of the Vietnam War. Notre Dame and the Post Office Building are next, then checking in at our centrally located hotel.

A group meeting in the hotel in the evening is an opportunity to say goodbye to group members leaving the tour, and a time for reflection on highlights thus far. Dinner at a nearby restaurant recommended by Kien. This is a huge city, with traffic to match.

Our final excursion with tour guide Kien, as we drive to the infamous Cu Chu tunnels. A sprawling network of tunnels and living quarters used by the Viet Kong during the war. Amazing how ingenious they were, particularly to avoid detection by the US soldiers.

Back on the bus to the Cambodian border, and goodbye to Tour guide Kien, and 6 other tour group members. Just 12 of us now continuing the journey to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

A horrendously early start sees the group catching a 6am flight from Da Nang airport to Ho Chi Minh City airport. Into the city two pick up two new additions to the group, then bus down into the Mekong Delta.

The Mekong River is one of the longest in the world .. about 4900 kms! After negotiating heavy traffic, we take a sampan to Cai Be village, and cruise on the Mekong. We stop to visit some of the local cottage industries, and have lunch at a traditional home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.

Back on the bus for Can Tho. A slow journey, due to road works on one of the bridges over the Mekong. Finally we arrive at the impressive Victoria Hotel, with an olde worlde charm. Two large swimming pools and a very impressive restaurant. The Pharts are tired, due to the early start, so are boring and eat in. Delicious none the less!

Another early, but not quite as early start, and we depart the hotel for a river boat tour of the river markets. This is a local wholesale market, with the river boat people selling direct to restaurant owners etc. We clamour on to a boat selling pineapple, with some prepared for us for eating. Back on dry land, we explore the local fish market, before back on the bus, heading for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Day 5 of the tour, and it’s on the bus to travel to Hoi An. Just outside of Hue, we stop at the ornate mausoleum of the Emperor Tu Duc, one of the Nguyen kings. Shortly afterwards, an Incense factory, with an opportunity to buy locally made products and souvenirs.

Lunch is at a restaurant close to the beach in Da Nang. Very nice, and then an opportunity to check out My Keh beach, often called China Beach, made famous by a TV series of the same name.

A short bus journey from Da Nang, and we are in Hoi An. The town is only just recovering from significant flooding, so the hotel pool is not available. However, the hotel is comfortable and close to the old town. Hoi An is very popular with tourists, with the charming ancient town area particularly busy. Our guide Kien took us in to the Old Town, recommended restaurants and places in which to have clothes made, leather to buy and spectacles and sunglasses. The Old Pharts get measured up, and order shirts to be made. Very reasonable prices. We dined at one of his suggestions, and were happiness filled. The walk back to the hotel takes us through the night markets, where Blair purchased a bag. The coloured lanterns, narrow lanes and wooden houses are highlights.

Day 6 and an early start, as most of the group are cycling into the countryside, to Tra Que village. Here, we discover age old farming practices, with hands on experience of tending gardens and cooking lunch.

The activity for the evening, is an optional Street Eats tour, each of us on the back of Vespas. Most of the group turn up, and it is a great success. Lots of food and drink, fun riding on Vespas and a river cruise to boot!

Another early breakfast and departure, this time to Bana Hills Resort, a creation for tourists about an hour inland from Hoi An.

It is famous for the Golden Bridge, held in place by giant hands. There are six cables all heading up, with the peak being at 1500m above sea level. The weather is cool and misty, but we proceed in the hope it will clear.

After a sunset river cruise, we said goodbye to 6 of our group, who were heading off to other holiday destinations. We dined once again at Morning Glory restaurant. An outdoor table with great views of the river and lights of Hoi An.

The “On the Go” tour group is reunited again, and are off to explore the nearby Citadel and Imperial City. This is a vast 19th century imperial citadel, full of shrines and palaces. It was the home of the Nguyen dynasty. The Citadel contains the Imperial City, which in turn contains the forbidden Purple City. The complex had fallen into a state of disrepair, but in 1993 the site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the remaining buildings preserved and restored.

The group had lunch at a restaurant organised by our tour company. It was located within the Citadel walls, and was fantastic food. Numerous courses beautifully prepared and presented.

After lunch we visited Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city. The 21 metre high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue and the citadel.

Back to hotel, a swim in their pool, and dinner also at the hotel. Bus to Hoi An tomorrow.

The next morning, it’s on to the Coach, and the group are off to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay. It has thousands of limestone islands, diverse karst formations, and numerous caves.

After a few hours on the coach, we reach the main town servicing the Bay area, and board our boat. We each have our own cabin, and will be very comfortable for the next 24 hours.

After an excellent lunch, a number of us go kayaking, and also explore one of the beaches on the many islands. Halong Bay is a very busy and touristy area, and unfortunately there is a bit of debris floating around.

A demonstration by chef on how to make spring rolls, is followed by a wonderful 4 course dinner. The food cannot be faulted!

The cabin on the boat is air conditioned, and we sleep well. For those who wish, there is Tai Chi on the boat deck at 6:15 am. After breakfast, a number of us are transported to a nearby island, featuring the Sung Sot Cave. It is massive, with impressive stalagtite and stalagmite formations.

It was then back to the boat, Halong City, bus and back to Hanoi. The group then had a rickshaw ride around the Old Quarter, with Kien also showing us the sights on foot. The group then divided into two. The train travellers taking the overnight express to Hue City, and the remainder, who were flying. We were the latter, and very pleased with ourselves!