Kikooboo.com - Carnet de voyage - Les Pérégrinations

Hoi An - a.k.a. Y.M. looks for Y.F. for passionate rubber exchange (flip flops >> boots!)

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:03:40 +0100

A stop in Hoi An, a well preserved example of what harbour towns looked like in 16th century. Lots of nice houses [2].

It's pouring down here and the city is partly flooded! [3]

My Son is nearby. We went there to have a look at the site. It was the capital of the Champa kingdom - The Chams people were ruling the centre of Vietnam up until 14th C. [8]

Tomorrow: Hanoi

Quy Nhon

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:56:12 +0100

A stop in Quy Nhon on the way to Hoi An - Pleasant little fishing town. A shame the weather is not good! Tomorrow: Beach and Ruins (maybe)! [3]

Saigon

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:17:07 +0100

First stop in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh or Saigon. It's quite a change after Phnom Penh - Very big city (~6 millions inhabitants), traffic is hectic and it's quite dangerous to cross the roads! We have enjoyed the local cuisine (spring rolls, noodle soups...). Today we walked in town and checked out a couple of museums. We are leaving tomorrow for Quy Nhon, a 17 hour bus ride. This will remind me of Argentina!!

Kampong Chhnang

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:05:55 +0100

A Grand Day Out: Kampong Chhnang, countryside [9], Tonle Sap river and floating village [2]

Phnom Penh

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:41:25 +0100

A few days in Phnom Penh, not my favourite place! Hectic traffic (even had to bribe the cops!), dull buildings ...

Angkor

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:27:40 +0100

We arrived safely in Siem Reap after an interesting trip from O'smach (Thai/Cambodian border): battered roads (I should say trails!), flat tyre and leaking tank!!

[13]

Siem Reap is the base to visit Angkor. Just one word - amazing... temples after temples built between IX and XIII centuries when we, in Europe, were hidden into our dark castles!!!

[5] [7]

Surin: Khmer temples and countryside

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:18:59 +0100

Surin is our last stop in Thailand before entering Cambodia. It was the opportunity to visit a couple of Khmer temple as an introduction to Angkor

[11]

and to stroll in the countryside!

[9] [10]

Vientiane

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:57:28 +0100

A few days in Vientiane. Very quiet town, again! We met some locals and I had the priviledge to be taken to a Lao wedding (1,000 people!) and to be taught Lao dance moves! Unfortunately no pictures!

Back in Thailand now.

Down the Mekong: From Houessai to Luang Prabang

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 07:51:11 +0100

We left Thailand 3 days ago, entering Laos in Houessai. Guide books should warn tourists that arrive from Thailand that they are about to face a dramatic change as they cross the border... Laos is as big as the UK but it has about 6 million inhabitants. It is a communist country (although it does not feel like it) and, as such, has remained very, very rural (this reminds me of Cuba). Life is on slow motion here, people do not have any notion of urgency, clubs close at 23.30 and what seems a very quiet town for a westerner is rated as highly busy for locals!! (Luang Prabang).

After crossing the border, we cruised down the Mekong for 2 days to arrive in Luang Prabang. The city is enclosed between the Mekong and the Khan rivers. Declared a World Heritage site, lots of buildings have been /are being refurbished. Pace of life here is quiet calm, the main attractions are (...)

Trekking around Chiang Rai

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:36:06 +0100

Last stop in Thailand before entering Laos: Chiang Rai, 200km north east of Chiang Mai. The region is well know for its former poppy production (we are in the Golden Triangle!!) and its mountainous landscapes where several hill tribes* live. After a quick tour of the town and the now traditional temple and bar visits [13] [14], we went for a 3-day trek in the mountains: elephant ridding in a Karen village (not very comfortable!) [2], stunning landscapes, taking part in pre-harvest celebrations [4], picking fruits [8] and veggies for subsistence, sleeping surrounded with chickens, pigs and cows [15] and surviving tropical rains!

*Hill tribes: Thailand hosts 9 different hill tribes, the most represented tribe is the Karen, coming from Burma and chased by the military government as they are requesting an independent state. Some Karen women wear rings to elonguate their neck - Other tribes include Hmong, Lahu, Akha coming from Ti (...)