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Monday December 30, 2024 EST |
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 November 2014 Blogs
 Exploring Chau Doc, Vietnam (Nov 27-28, 2014) Even though Chau Doc was only a stop-over, it was in the heart of the Mekong Delta and representative of the West's cultural life. Tuyen and I decided to stay a day more and explore the city....more »» 
Boatride Through the Mangrove Forest of Tri Ton, Vietnam (Nov 27, 2014) The mangroves of Tri Ton is a 3.4sq km forest that was spared from becoming a rice field. It is covered in swampy water with a thick canopy of mangrove trees that is now home to an assortment of bird wildlife. The boatride through its isolated channels is reminiscent of the jungle penetration scene from the movie, Apocalypse Now....more »» 
The Road Trip to Phu Quoc Island (Nov 24-26, 2014) Phu Quoc Island is now being developed into 'the next' Singapore - big name hotel resorts, an international airport, wide paved roads, etc. Phu Quoc Island has long been a destination of those straying into the Kampot and Kep area of Cambodia or those exploring the West of Vietnam. Finally, I get to see what lies on the eastern tip of Vietnam....more »» 
Exploring Ha Tien, the Eastern Tip of Mainland Vietnam (Nov 23-24, 2014) Ha Tien is the jumping board on the way to Phu Quoc Island on the east. But Ha Tien also has its own charm - a city by the river, just 5 kms from the Cambodian border. With only an overnight stay, I tried to explore as much of the city as I could as a passenger on a pedicab....more »» 
Exploring Sa Dec, Vietnam (Nov 21-23, 2014) Sa Dec was a stop-over on the way to Phu Quoc Island, our final destination. Sa Dec is also our first stop in what is known as the 'West' of Vietnam. The West has its own culture setting it apart from the rest of Vietnam. For the overnight stay, Tuyen and I took a motorbike to explore the river city for what it has in store....more »» 
Saigon's Fascinating Motorbike Culture (Nov 18, 2014) Every country has its fair share of motorcycles and its riders. Saigon however, defies every known convention of motorcycle culture by virtue of its sheer number, density and omnipresence, creating its own unique challenges and norm. At some point, pedestrians, commuters, car drivers and the general public had to adjust to the motorbike craze that has taken over and shaped the city....more »» 
Exploring Da Lat, Vietnam (Nov 15-17, 2014) When people described Da Lat to me, I thought about a remote mountain village much like Sagada, Philippines, where the climate is cool, isolated, rural and remote. Upon arrival at Da Lat, except for the cool climate, everything I thought of was way off the mark. The first thing that crossed my mind was, "are we in Da Lat? or Geneva?". Da Lat was far more beautiful than I expected....more »» 
 Counsel with the Wise Old Man of Bao Loc - Nguyen Duc Son (Nov 12-15, 2014) At 78 years old, secluded in his forest hamlet where he remained for the last 40 years, Nguyen Duc Son is heralded as one of the three great minds of Vietnam - celebrated poet, an eccentric, a recluse, an anti-war activist, a philosopher, provocateur, social commentator, political analyst, author, environmentalist and sadly, the last of his kind...more »»
How Long was the Vietnam War?(Nov 10, 2014) It was my first time in Vietnam and I was traveling with a Vietnamese friend. Casually, I asked how long the war was. Her answer blew me away.....more »»
Exploring Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) (Nov 9, 2014) Vietnam has always remained a curiosity for me. The only lingering thoughts I have about the place was about the war - that happened a long time ago. Now I hear that Vietnam is a looming Asian dragon whose economy is on the fast rise. With a standing invite by my Vipassana meditation friend, Tuyen, to savor the culinary indulgences of Saigon, I was already on my way for a Vietnam immersion....more »» 
The Killing Fields of Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Nov 5-6, 2014) My compelling reason to visit Phnom Penh was to get a sense of the barbaric genocide that took place. As recently as 1975-79, 2-3 million Cambodians were brutally and senselessly killed by the maniacal Pol Pot and his ruthless Khmer Rouge - that's one in every 4 Cambodians! The torture chambers of Tuol Sleng and the killing fields in Choeung Ek now stand as a monument to the horrors that took place...more »» 
Exploring Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Nov 4-9, 2014) My coming to Phnom Penh coincides with the annual Water Festival. I heard that there was a tragedy that happened on that event a few years ago. But hotels were booked and bus fares increased by $2 from Kampot, so I guess the crowds have come back. This would be my last destination in Cambodia before my visa runs out. This is my last hurrah...more »» 
 Fried Crab on Kampot Pepper Sauce in Kep, Cambodia (Nov 2, 2014) Kep is a sleepy beach town just 30 mins south of Kampot that's blessed with the abundance of crabs. One indulgence in that place is Crab on Kampot Pepper sauce. The freshest crab cooked with the best pepper on the planet. How over-the-top is that?....more »» 
Tour of Bokor Mountain, Kampot, Cambodia (Nov 1, 2014) People say the best way to see Bokor Mountain is to rent a motorcycle and roam around the top of the mountain which offers plenty - that's also a 84km loop. I've heard stories of engine failure, not enough gas, drenched in the driving rain, etc. I took the easy way - a packaged tour in the comfort of a minivan and a guide....more »» 
Exploring the Pepper Capital of Asia, Kampot (Oct 26-Nov 4, 2014) After the isolation at Arcadia Backpackers, I wanted to go back to Kampot City Proper and check-out the place for its fabled charm.....more »» 
Exploring Bao Loc, Vietnam (Nov 12-15, 2014) Bao Loc is a never-heard destination in Vietnam. From Saigon, tourists only pass through Bao Loc on their way north to Dalat or Hanoi. But Bao Loc is ideal for many reasons - the climate is cool almost all year round - it doens't get too cold like Dalat, and it doesn't get too warm like Saigon. The soil is fertile. Coffee and tea grow in abundance. It's clean, spacious and the people, gentle and unhurried....more »»
«« back to October 2014 ARCHIVE 2024:
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HOTEL
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MOON CAKE
Phnom Penh Hotel
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 One Up Banana Hotel Phnom Penh, Cambodia 
Natural Coffee Kampot, Cambodia 
ToGether Restaurant French Italian Khmer Cuisine  Titch Riverside Guest House Kampot Hotel  Swiss French Cuisine French Colonial House Auberge du Soleil Kampot Hotel  Capt. Chims Tours Kampot, Cambodia  Dorsu Clothing Kampot, Cambodia 
Banteay Srey Women's Spa Spa | Yoga | Cafe Cambodia 
Epic Arts Cafe Kampot, Cambodia 
Eden Eco Village Return to Paradise 
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