Siem Reap, Cambodia

Norm and Ellen spent their first days in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where they visited the Angkor Archaeological Park. The park is filled with Buddhist temples from the Khmer Empire around the 9th to 16th century. Afterward, they had dinner and attended a performance of the Siem Reap Cambodian Circus.

​"Spent our whole first day of our Luxury Gold tour at the 11th century temples of Angkor Wat, the largest temple complex in the world."

Saigon, Vietnam​

After traveling to Saigon, the two went on a Củ Chi Tunnels Visit with a Viet Cong Veteran. On the tour, they learned more about the network of tunnels where thousands of troops trained and lived under difficult conditions during the Vietnam War. Following the tunnel visit, they went on a Ho Chi Minh City Tour and ate some local street food, including Vietnamese coffee!

​“Afternoon tour of the city. A lot of early 20th century French architecture - Opera House and Post Office. Also saw the rooftop where some of the evacuations of Saigon took place in 1975.”

Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

The next day, Norm and Ellen went down the Mekong River Delta on a private river cruise, visited the home of a former soldier and his family for dinner, and went on a tri-motorcycle ride!

“We had a leisurely boat ride and were served delicious fruit and drank from coconuts. Off the boat for a tour of a coconut processing center. It was so interesting to see how every part of the coconut is used for something. Then we went to a brick making factory where the bricks are baked using the husks of rice. The burnt rice husks are then used for fertilizer. Our last stop was at the home of Mr. SauTuong, a former soldier who fought the Khmer Rouge. He taught us how to make rice paper for spring rolls.”

Hương Trà & Hue, Vietnam

In Hue, the two went on a nice bike ride through rice fields to Thanh Toan village where you can see the countryside and visit a local market. In the evening, they went to a private dinner and performance at the Ben Xian Garden House Theater. On the second day, they went to the Imperial Citadel to learn more about the Nguyen Dynasty, and it's first ruler, Gia Long.

​“In the evening we visited the Ben Xian Garden House Theater, a magnificent structure built in the Hue royal architectural style and located by the Perfume River. We were greeted by the owner Mrs Camille Huyen, a celebrated painter and singer with royal ancestry and her husband, a former Swiss banker. After a tour of the premises, we were treated to a small concert by local musicians and Mrs Huyen. Then we were served a delicious dinner cooked and served by Mrs. Huyen which included vegetables and herbs from their gardens. A spectacular evening!”

Hoi An

Now in Hoi An, they experienced the city like locals. They stopped by a traditional 18th century Japanese covered bridge and ate traditional Vietnamese cuisine. After they visited the city, they got into a bamboo basket boat, and headed down to the beautiful Cam Thanh Village, where they learned to farm sweet potatoes.

​

“A morning bike ride through small villages and rice paddies. We are so grateful to be having experiences with local villagers. Today we visited a local organic farm and became farmers. I wore the farming clothes but they were much too small for Norm. Then we paddled down the river in fishing round basket boats called "thung chai". The boats are also used to store their belongings during the flooding season. We paddled through the dense coconut jungles that were once a shelter for the local people and soldiers during the war.”

Hanoi & HaLong Bay, Vietnam

In Hanoi, they went on a Foodie Walk with a local to try various different street foods, like pho and spring rolls. For the next two days, Norm an Ellen went on a private cruise along HaLong Bay. They spent their time dining, watching sunsets and exploring the Tien Ong cave! After the cruise, they arrived back in Hanoi, and visited the Hanoi Temple of Literature with a local scholar. 

​

“This morning, We drove to HaLong Bay, stopping at a pearl factory. In HaLong we boarded the Paradise Sail for a two day one night cruise into HaLong Bay, the bay with a thousand islands, BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL. Only 27 passengers. The highlight for me was a tour of Tien Ong Cave, the Surprise Cave on one of the islands. Enormous! Artifacts found dating back to 10,000 BC. Also a cooking class on the top deck. Learned how to make spring rolls the Vietnamese way. On the way back to Hanoi we stopped at a large facility where handicap people are taught crafts which are sold there. Beautiful work.”​​

Laos

On their last stop, Norm and Ellen rose with the sun to participate in the Alms Giving Ceremony. Afterward, they went up Mount Phousi to get a view of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers. In the evening, they went on another boat cruise along the Mekong River, but at sunset this time! And finally. And on the last day, they went on a Luang Prabang City Tour. 

“Now in Laos, March 2nd. Very early in the morning we participated in alms giving. You put food in the monk’s basket as they pass by. We had warm sticky rice to contribute. Afterward we went to the morning market. Laos is very different from Vietnam and Cambodia.”