Laos In Laos we only travelled in tourist areas and so our judgement may be clouded but we did not receive the friendliness that we had from the Cambodians and Vietnamese. We felt that to many people, we were just money machines. It would be wrong to say that there are not nice people in Laos, we met many, however, compared with the Vietnamese and Cambodians we cannot feel that they were as friendly. Vietnam The Vietnamese surprised us after what had happened to their country during what they call the ‘American War’, with their genuine welcome to westerners, especially in Hanoi which was devastated by bombs. An American suggested to us that it was because they had won the war, or that they were just after our money, but this was definitely not the case. ... read more

We arrived at Chang Cliff Resort Hotel at White Sand Beach on the Thai island of Koh Chang by tuk tuk, two mini buses, songthaew (a form of taxi/truck), boat and finally another songthaew. We had been told what a beautiful island it was and it certainly is. We were shocked though to see that the island has already taken on the worst of Thailand. The majority of ‘couples’ are western men (usually older Russian, German or British) with a beautiful young Thai girl whom they had obviously met and fallen in love with on arrival! Every bar in the town is a ‘girlie bar’ with drinks at exorbitant prices. If you are buying a drink you are also paying for the several girls in micro skirts dancing at the front of the bar. Luckily there ... read more

Although we complained about the organisational skills here in Cambodia, especially in getting the boat from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, we must point out that in general all bus trips somehow manage to work perfectly and no better example than the bus to Kep, a little laid back seaside village. We had used a small travel agent in Phnom Penh for our trip to Siem Reap so we went in search of her again for our bus ticket to Kep. She was not there but, accommodating as the Cambodians are, the man from the next shop telephoned her for us and 20 minutes later she arrived hurriedly on the back of a motorbike. Two tickets to Kep cost a total of US$9 and her commission comes out of that. Next day, exactly on time at ... read more

We were settled in the $75 per night Almond Hotel, for that money it should be good, and it was. After we had unpacked a few things, we showered and went out for a meal. It hit us right away this was not Vietnam as prices had nearly doubled. We had a nice meal though and decided next day to go to the ex-school and Pol Pot’s torture prison known as S-21. A tuk tuk took us for $2 and waited the three hours for us to go back for a further $2, (everything in Cambodia is in US$ and the Cambodian Riel is only used for small change). We have been to Auschwitz but, although this was on a much smaller scale, it was almost as bad. It hit Michelle more because, as she said, ... read more

Saigon is more prosperous than Hanoi. There are more tourists and nicer buildings (the Americans devastated Hanoi). We went to the shocking war museums showing the lasting devastation done by Agent Orange and such like and to recover we again walked the whole city centre. A half day trip took us to the Cu Chi tunnels where the Vietnamese tunnelled a total of 250 kilometres. At the beginning is a short 10 meters stretch of zigzag tunnel, with a surface entrance of 30cms by 20cms and no light. Our tour guide asked our group would anyone volunteer to enter the tunnel and go along. Three volunteered - yes - don’t ask, he did. “It was incredible as it was 80cms round and totally black. The zigzags made you lose any idea of where you were and ... read more