9 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok

I flew from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) to join a G Adventures tour which takes us through Cambodia and ends up in Bangkok over the course of 9 days.

I love joining a group tour as you meet such awesome people with the same love of travel and adventure.  Last year in India and Nepal and met friends,  I have since met up with some in Canada and planning to climb Mt Kilimanjaro next Feb with a friend from Norway and then go on safari. 
Please feel free to join us as I have a group departure booked for Feb 2, 2019

http://www.littletravel.co/kili.html 

http://www.littletravel.co/serengeti-safari.html

Travel is awesome!!

https://www.gadventures.com/trips/cambodia-experience/AVCW/

Stand in awe of the architectural achievement of Angkor Wat and contemplate the horrors of the Killing Fields at Phnom Penh. This nine-day trip is ideal for the traveller who is short on time but wants to soak up the colours, culture, and history of this incredible region. Its natural beauty coupled with tumultuous history make Cambodia a truly fascinating destination. With your accommodation, transportation, and entrance to Angkor arranged by our CEOs, you can concentrate on making this the time of your life.

Ha Long Bay - descending dragon bay.

The reason I went to Hanoi was to visit Ha Long bay which is about 3 hours from the city, only 150 km to the border with China.   Ha Long Bay has been designated as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world.

I took a two day one night cruise, there are longer options but I think it was long enough for me.

Arriving at the harbour was a little overwhelming, lots of boats, people, construction and more people.    I am sure that it will become even busier in the future, it is quite a developing area.

The boats are all quite old, or maybe they should be referred to as 'authentic', but once on board it was lovely.  I had a nice cabin with an ensuite and a view that would be hard to top - best shower view ever.   Once away from the harbour, maybe 20 minutes, the legendary beauty of the area became apparent.  Pictures do not do it justice.  

The area consists of  over 1500 square km with over 1600 monolithic limestone islands which create the recognizable features we see on Instagram and travel shows.

We were taken to the 'surprising caves ' a series of 3 large caves.   Then to one of the islands where you can hit the beach or climb to the top of  the island, 425 steps, for a spectacular view.     After  a night in one of the bay's we went for an early morning kayak.   After a short cooking class and a good brunch we headed back to the harbour.

A wonderful experience to see this natural wonder up close and in person.

Make use of your long layover to explore the city

Make the most of a long layover and go out and explore the city.

I had 11 hours Hong Kong.   Taking the airport express train into the city was easy, fast and efficient, only 25 minutes to one of the main shopping  and hotel areas, Kowloon.

From here I took a 5 hour city tour with a pick up from one of the hotels.   Again, very easy to do.

I saw some of the main attractions in Hong Kong.   To the top of Victoria Peak to a get an amazing view down over the city.  Very worth while.    From there we took a boat ride around Aberdeen fishing village and then on to Stanley Market.

I learned a lot about Hong Kong in that short time.   60% of the land is mountain,  I didn't know that there were so many islands, and had no idea that there were beaches.   They drive on the same side as in England which I guess makes sense as it was under British rule until 1997.

It was a very worth while way to spend an otherwise boring wait at the airport.   So don't just sit there next time. You have a long wait, go and experience a little of the city.

Hanoi and Halong Bay

I wanted to check out Hanoi and Halong Bay but prefer a tour, especially when I am travelling alone.   I find you enjoy the place so much more when someone is telling you about it,  the culture,  the history,  the reason that things are the way they are.    

So I am using G Adventures independent tour of Hanoi and Halong Bay,  which means it will just me me and the tour guide.     I even get to spend a night on board a boat in the bay, take in the sunset and the sunrise.  Sounds amazing 


https://www.gadventures.com/trips/hanoi-and-halong-bay-independent-adventure/TAVHHN/

A city of Parisian charm and grace with an Asian edge, Hanoi is an enthralling blend of East and West and a rising star in Southeast Asia. Check out the local cuisine and buzzing bars with a night in this busy city. Next, visit stunning Halong Bay and overnight on a junk boat (a traditional Asian vessel) while cruising among the bay's 3,000 islands that rise dramatically from the emerald waters. Get a closer look by cruising the waters in a kayak or dive right in for a refreshing swim.

Heading to SE Asia :)

Starting my trip to SE Asia with an 11 hour layover in Hong Kong.    

I decided not to waste the time sitting in the airport lounge but instead I am going to do a 5 hour city tour. 

Toronto direct to Hong Kong,  leaving at 1am and arriving the next day at 6am, although it's only a 14 hour flights,  I loose more than a day - time travel is weird. 

I have to take the Airport express train to Kowloon,  I'm sure this will all make more sense when I do it.   It takes 25 minutes and then I pick up the tour close to the train station at 8.10am.    

This is the tour outline that I have prepaid using Viator; You will go to Sky Terrace on the summit of Victoria Peak and enjoy a Peak Tram ride. In addition, you will visit Aberdeen Fishing Village, Tse Sui Luen Jewellery Factory and Stanley Market.

Airlines comparisons

As I sell flights I like to try out the different Airlines whenever I travel,  just to see how they vary so that I can pass the information on to my clients. 

It turns out that you really get what you pay for. 

I have dreamed of flying with Virgin as it is always promoted as such a different experience but I never get the chance living near Toronto, Canada which isn't on their route.   But fortunately last year I was in India and decided to fly to the UK,  a route which Virgin flies.  
  
I wasn't disappointed,  having flown Air Canada to Delhi,  then Jet Airways to and from Nepal, Virgin was like being upgraded.   The seats seemed more comfy,  the inflight entertainment was fabulous with so many movies or music to choose from,  a menu was handed out before the meal service and ice cream bars delivered to your seat half way through the really boring part of the flight.  It really was a wonderful experience and I wish I could fly Virgin all the time. 
At the other end of the scale was Wow Airlines which I took as a budget flight from London via Iceland to Toronto.    Now I know that it was a cheap flight,  and maybe going from Virgin to Wow wasn't a fair comparison, despite having a week inbetween,  but it really proves the point that you get what you pay for.    No entertainment, no food, nothing extra at all,  and of course you have to pay for checked luggage.  It seemed like the longest transatlantic flight I have ever taken.  Since then I have flown via Iceland with Icelandair which was actually less expensive than Wow and it was a much better flight.  

I am trying out Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong this week,   I hear very good things about them.  I hope I'm not disappointed. 

Annapurna, Himalaya, Nepal - simply amazing

Last year I hiked with G Adventures to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) high in the mountains of the Himalaya.    It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.   Reaching basecamp was very emotional so much so that it has pushed me to crave that feeling again. 

I have just booked to climb Mount Kilimanjaro,  Africa's highest mountain next Feb, 2019.     I have arranged a private group with G Adventures, with a friend from Norway who climbed to ABC with me.     If you would like to join us please check out the info. 

http://www.littletravel.co/kili.html 

This was the G Adventures hike we did; 
https://www.gadventures.com/trips/annapurna-sanctuary/ANAS/ 

Don't just visit the roof of the world – climb all over it. Take a ten-day trek through the remote and imposing mountains of the Annapurna Range. Begin and end the journey in Kathmandu with its colourful temples, city squares, and great shopping. With the support of a team of expert Sherpas, the challenging trails of Annapurna will reward you with a stunning combination of towering peaks and dramatic valleys. Rest and relax overnight in teahouses, where you’ll reconnect with ancient ways long forgotten by the modern world.