Phong Nha Cave is one of the biggest in the world and features an underground river and impressive heights. The inside of the cave is reached from the town of Phong Nga by boat. After a short ride 1km deep, you get to walk for a few hundred meters in one of the biggest grotto. Although this is a big tourist spot (at least for Vietnamese people, not many western tourists) and the cave is very... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 23/06/2013 Vietnam

Hué used to be the capital of the Empire and thus the Imperial City was located there. Surrounded by the Citadel it still needs a lot of restoration work (due to US bombing) but is worth a visit. There are also many shrines and emperor tombs in the region. I found the Tuduc Tomb to be quite impressive, especially because of the beautiful park which surrounds it. Avoid the tour operators... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 20/06/2013 Vietnam

Hoi An is the place everybody is raving about. I met so many travelers who tell you how great Hoi An is so I couldn’t wait to visit. After spending 3 days there, you can count me as one of the fans. Hoi An is a small peaceful town located alongside a river, a few kilometers away from the beach. It has a very laid back atmosphere. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is incredibly ... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 10/06/2013 Vietnam

Short stop in Nha Trang between two night buses to try out diving in Vietnam. The place is famous for its beaches and is a very big touristic location. I had heard good things about the diving there and after more than 2 months without going underwater, I wanted to do some dives. I booked a 3 dives trip with Rainbow Divers for 90$. I would happily recommend them as the equipment was new and t... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 07/06/2013 Vietnam

After three weeks in Cambodia, is was time to discover a new country! Vietnam here I am, starting with a few days in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), ex-Saigon. HCMC is a busy, modern and quickly growing city. I was very surprised how modern it was. It’s also huge, something you can particularly appreciate from the top of the Bitexco tower, the tallest in town (where it is also a perfect place to hav... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 04/06/2013 Vietnam

Second day in Angkor. This time waking up at 4h30 to witness the sunrise in front of Angkor Wat. This is early but trust me, you don’t want to miss it. As the sun rises, the sky lights up in shades of red and purple, the shadow of Angkor Wat in front. The view from the left side of the temple, where most people gather, is beautiful in the very early morning. But as the sun emerges from the hor... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 25/05/2013 Cambodia

Last stop in Cambodia but the one I was waiting for the most. Angkor is one of those places that make you feel something, where ancient civilizations talk to you through time and where your imagination goes wild. To visit the Angkor National Park, you first have to set up base in Siem Reap, the fifth largest city in Cambodia. It has an incredible concentration of hotels, guest houses and resta... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 23/05/2013 Cambodia

Some sunshine after this depressing last post! Cambodia’s coast has some long white beaches and a few not-yet-developed islands. While not as beautiful as the islands in Thailand, the beaches of Cambodia are much cheaper! Sihanoukville is surrounded by a few beaches and has a large choice of accommodations and restaurants. Independence Beach I found most of the beaches to be not as clean a... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 20/05/2013 Cambodia

Cambodia went through a very dark 20th century. After being under French rule, the country was at war with Vietnam, bombed by the US and suffered from millions of death under the Khmer Rouge. The Democratic Kampuchea period (1975-79) under Khmer Rouge control is an horrifying part of history which led to the loss of 25% of Cambodia’s population. This event being only 40 years ago, a large par... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 17/05/2013 Cambodia

Kampot is a (very) peaceful town near the coast of Cambodia, world famous amongst food loving people for its pepper. On the side of the Stoeng Keo river, Kampot is a small town with some nice colonial buildings, guesthouses and restaurants. It’s a gateway to tours to the Bohor National Park and to the countryside. I had first plan to go for a tour of the Bohor National Park but it was abr... read more »

Visited: May 2013 Posted: 14/05/2013 Cambodia