Helen Ogden

Helen2911

Helen Ogden

First time traveller.........bring it on!!



Asia » Cambodia » North » Siem Reap August 14th 2015

Day 27 Up early and down to a wonderful buffet breakfast. Lesley seems to be on hunger strike, as she's not eaten since yesterday breakfast, but I'm eating for England! We've booked a cycling tour of the countryside and our guide Kosol was waiting in reception for us at 7.45am. The bikes we had before were just "lady bikes" with a basket in the front. These were full on mountain bikes! I didnt know how to change gear! We headed off from our hotel. The road was a bit busy and I felt like the bike was in control of me instead of the other way around! We soon turned off on to small country roads but, oh my, they bumpy! My bottom took some hammering I can tell you. The scenery was amazing. Rice fields, ... read more
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Asia » Cambodia » North » Siem Reap August 13th 2015

Day 26 We were up at 4.30am to catch the sunrise at Ankor Wat and oh my it was worth it. Pros, the tuk tuk driver arranged by Trevor last night was waiting for us at 5am. We were both very excited. There were many people in tuk Tuks and on buses doing the same thing. We arrived at the entrance gate and queued for a short while we were given passes with our photos on. The temples are spread over 400 km you need to show your pass to get in them. Also you need transport to take you to each one. We arrived in good time as the sun just started to come up over Ankor Wat. It was truly beautiful. There were thousands of people there but there was a hush. The temple ... read more
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Asia » Cambodia » North » Siem Reap August 12th 2015

Day 25 Up at 7 packed ready for internal flight to Siem Reap. Breakfast, then 30 mins taxi to airport. Glided through and sought out the costa coffee. My bag weighs 17kg I came with 13 so I'm not doing bad and I do have many of Lesley's purchases in mine! The flight was pleasant and quick, 40 mins as a posed to a 5 hour bus journey. The views of the Mekong were great. There was a pick up service by the hotel. A jolly man held up a sign with Lesley's name on and whisked us to a tuk tuk. Were travelling with 2 back packs again now. Lesley can manage hers on one shoulder. Yesterday she used my travel bag strap as a sling which worked perfectly but today more improvements and she ... read more
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Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh August 12th 2015

Day 24 We slept in until 9am today then down for a hearty breakfast. We then ventured to the roof top pool. The infinity pool was amazing with the views all along the Mekong,pure heaven. A feeling of peace even though below was bustling with people and traffic. There was a jacuzzi, well it would be rude not to! The bubbles were great therapy for Lesley's arm. We sun bathed for a short while but whilst hot it was cloudy. It would have been perfect had it not been for 3 young lads from London who brought the 3 girls (workings girls I'd say!) who they picked up last night. It was cringe worthy. Nearly noon so we decided to get ready to go out. Taxi booked for 8.30am tomorrow as flying to Siem Reap. My ... read more
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Asia » Cambodia » South » Phnom Penh August 11th 2015

Day 23 Up at 7am sat on the balcony watching the large market stalls below. It's like a lily pond with green umbrellas. Everyone selling and having breakfast street side. In Vietnam people take great pains to cover up their faces, wear hats gloves and socks even in sweltering heat so as to keep their skin as white as possible. They believe the whiter they are the wealthier they look. The body cream has whitener in it. I suppose it's no different to our fake tan creams. In Cambodia they don't do this. Breakfast was really nice I had cheese, tomatoes and veg samosas sat on a mezzanine overlooking the lobby. Lesley has decided to go cold turkey today and take her arm support off. It's still badly bruised and limited movement. We're going to look ... read more
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Asia » Cambodia August 10th 2015

Day 22 Up 5.30am to get the boat to cross into Cambodia. I'm half asleep this morning. Lesley helped me pack. Huong and the driver took us to pick up the boat. No such luxury today. We are on a busy boat with everyone else. It was a high speed boat but will still take us hours to get there. We were given papers to complete for the visa and a little goody bag of water crackers and a sponge roll !? Thankfully we've remembered to bring 2 passport photos and some U.S. Dollars. We're told to get off the boat onto another boat which is border control. Our hand luggage is scanned. Our back packs are still on the boat. We are only there 20 mins then told to her back on the boat and ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Mekong River Delta August 9th 2015

Day 21 Mekong Up at 5.30am for the floating markets. We had breakfast then walked down to the pier with Huong our guide. Many tourists were waiting for boats, but like yesterday Lesley and i had a private boat to ourselves! Houng continued with the colourful stories of tigers, crocodiles and legends. We sailed for about 30 mins to the floating markets. It wasn't what I expected. I'd seen photos of people in little boats selling. All crowded next to each other. These boats were much larger and more spread out. Houng explained that they hang from their mast what they are selling, many were selling pineapples. We moored up further down the river and stopped for tea and more fruit tasting. This time I ate a papaya that I've never had before which was ok, ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Mekong River Delta » Can Tho August 8th 2015

Day 20 Another good nights sleep. omelette, bread and watermelon for breakfast. The bus was picking us up for the tour to the Mekong river at 9am. A young girl Huong arrived and said she was our guide. We all got in a car, we thought to take us to the coach.... no, this is a private tour just me and Lesley, Mr Brave our driver and Houng. No wonder it was expensive! 4 star hotel tonight ! Houng provided much information about Vietnam on the way. Politics and the economy seem to be a favourite with tour guides. She explained that if you wish to get to management level within a school, hospital or any government office you had to say you had no religious beliefs. Being a communist party in power if you have ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City August 7th 2015

Day 19 Up early for the Cu Chi Tunnels trip. Croissants and watermelon for breakfast. The tour guide, Thanh talked to us on the journey about the history of the Vietnam war, the current mixed feelings for USA and the current problems on the Mekong river. 6 countries currently have 16 million people living by the Mekong and rely on it. China is building dams which is restricting the water, especially to Vietnam who are at the end of the river. The bus trip was incredibly bouncy which was difficult for Lesley. There were 15 of us on the trip including a very annoying and political canadian woman. We arrived in Cu Chi in the jungle. Thanh explained about the different levels of tunnels. How they were dug, kitchens, schools etc all underground. The air came ... read more
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Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City August 6th 2015

Day 18 Great nights sleep and no rush for breakfast. Croissants today! The other option was Pho (soup and noodles) or hot rice and beef. I just can't face the equivalent of a Chinese meal at 8am in the morning. We made our way to Notre Dam cathedral 2 mins walk where we were last night and found tourist information. We wanted to book a Mekong river 2 night 3 day trip ending in Phnom Penh but they don't end in PP they come back to Saigon. The guide was very helpful and suggested a tour that was 3 days 2 nights but we don't return, we get a boat to PP. the tour takes us to My Tho enjoying sampan boat rides, pagodas, temples, orchard and beekeeping. Then a boat cruise on the Mekong to ... read more
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