Tuesday 4th November 2025
Home
With just under two weeks until we go to Vietnam, we have seen news reports of serious flooding in Hoi An.
The clean-up looked well coordinated but the main rail line that the Reunion Express runs on has been disrupted.
As we will be traveling south to Hoi An on the Reunion we are monitoring the situation.
The weather forecast reports another storm is expected when we arrive in Vietnam.
Friday 14th November 2025
Leaving Home
Here we go again...adventure time.
Off to Vietnam and Cambodia.
We planned to do this tour in 2020 but it got cancelled due to Covid19 shutting the world down.
Step one today, drive to Heathrow for our flight tomorrow.
With a full charge in our car battery we left home and started the three and a half hour drive south.
Taking the scenic route out of town due to a road closure we were soon heading south.
Driving through the heavy rain and strong winds of storm "Claudia" we made slow progress.
Arriving in Garston we plugged the car into a fast charger and had lunch while it charged.
It's recommended to leave the car with 80% battery when it won't be used for a while.
Driving on to Heathrow we parked in Terminal 4 long stay carpark.
Being a Heathrow Airport retiree gets Martin free long stay parking at the airport.
Jumping the shuttle bus to the terminal we only had to walk along the connecting walkway to our hotel for the night.
We are staying at the Premier Inn Heathrow T4.
As we were a little early we got a coffee and chilled for a while.
Checking in we found our room and cleaned up before dinner.
Saturday 15th November 2025
Heathrow
Travelling day two, flying to Ho-Chi-Minh City in Vietnam.
Waking up in the Premier Inn Heathrow T4.
We were awake before our alarm went off. As it was half six we decided to get up get washed and go down for breakfast.
Collecting our cases from our room we took the 10 minute walk along the raised and covered walkway to terminal 4.
Dropping our cases at the Vietnam Airlines desk we were told that they are checked through to Hanoi, so we don't have to collect them in Ho-Chi-Minh City when we transfer.
Collecting our boarding passes we made our way through security.
Everything went smoothly until the bag x-ray machine.
Jackie's bag got pulled for a secondary search due to problem on the x-ray.
Turns out that the two bananas Jackie got from breakfast were flagged as a possible drug concealment.
After a drug wipe test we were free to go, as bananas are not a prescribed drug lol.
Now airside we had a couple of hours to chill.
Walking around the shops and people watching.
There was a man walking around wearing a pilot's uniform.
His uniform wasn't a great fit and he came past several times.
Unlike the other aircrew who are business like heading towards their flight.
Maybe he is pretending to be aircrew, we will never know.
After an hour our gate was displayed on the information board.
So we made our way to gate 3, at the very end of the terminal.
A short while later we started boarding and 15 minutes later us economy peasants got to board.
Taking our seats we taxied out and took off.
The flight is almost full, but the third person in our row moved seats to be with her family.
As we were left with two of us with three seats, we spread out and settled in for the 12 hour flight.
The cabin crew came and asked Jackie if she had ordered a vegetarian meal.
We had talked about it but not done it.
It makes sense as a lot of Vietnamese food is cooked with shellfish seasoning.
We think that Explore may have done it as they are aware of Jackie's allergy.
We were trying to explain Jackie's allergy to the cabin crew and not doing well, when we remembered Jackie's allergy cards that we had printed out.
Showing the card cleared everything up, so getting the cards has proved to be a great idea.
After a nap we hit a patch of turbulence and were bounced around for a while.
Then with a plus six hour time change it was tomorrow.
Sunday 16th November 2025
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Day three, flying to Hanoi for the start of our tour.
With eight hours flight behind us and two hours before landing it was time for hot towels to wake us up and then breakfast was served.
We are currently over Myanmar having just passed over the Bay of Bengal.
Landing at Tan-Son-Nhat Airport at six fifteen in the morning local time, only 5 minutes late.
We have a connecting flight in two and a half hours from terminal 3 and we are in Terminal 2
We took the usual 15 minutes to get off of the plane.
After a short walk through the terminal we arrived at the passenger transfer stand.
Here we were each given a sticker for last minute passenger.
This didn't make any difference as we had to join the massive queue for immigration.
An hour later we had made it to within twenty people from the desk when.......shift change.
All the immigration staff stood up and left.
Ten minutes later we were back in action.
An hour and a half after landing we made it to the baggage reclaim.
Although we were told at Heathrow that our bags would go straight to Hanoi, they didn't.
Finding our bags we then proceded through customs and handed the bags back to the airline.
Leaving terminal 2 we walked the five minutes to terminal 1 and found the transfer check-in.
Boarding passes checked and after a security screening we arrived in the gate room.
For the shuttle bus to terminal 3.
After ten minutes the shuttle arrived and five minutes later it dropped us off at gate one in terminal 3.
Our flight was boarding from gate 24.
Yes we had to walk the full length of the terminal and arrived at the gate as last call was announced.
With our boarding passes inspected again we boarded the bus to be taken to our aircraft.
At last, boarding by the back stairs we gratefuly sat in our seats as the doors shut and we taxied out.
Arriving in Hanoi we collected our cases and found the tour representative.
Climbing into the minibus for the 45 minute drive to the Nesta Hotel for the next few days.
Waiting in the hotel lobby for an hour until our room was ready.
We were given a welcome drink, a yellow sweetish concoction.
Having done the research it was Artichoke Tea (Trà Atisô).
When our room was ready we went up.
Time for a quick wash and we are going exploring.
Battling the mopeds and scooters we managed to cross the road.
We checked out the local supermarket to see what is available if Jackie cannot eat safely.
Walking on we found train street.
With a train due in half an hour we found a table in a cafe and settled in for a coffee.
The train was late but it was still a shock how close it was when it eventually arrived.
In the evening we met the rest of the group before going out for dinner.
A nice meal in a local resteraunt before retiring to bed, exhausted after three long days.
Hanoi
Out on a tour of the old town today. A leisurely breakfast at 07:00. Down in the lobby for nine o'clock and on the coach. A 15 minute drive brought us to Ba Dinh Square. Queueing to get through security took about fifteen minutes.
This is the square where the Independence Day Parades happen and is overlooked by Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Having taken in the sight and watched the guard changing we proceded around the back to the Presidents house.
We also saw Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, where he lived and worked. He refused to use the palace and wanted a simple house. Next was the One Pillar Pagoda.
Jumping back on our coach we drove through the old town. We were dropped off and made our way to a Street cafe where we tried Street food. Nice food but nothing special. Walking on we arrived at "Bun Cha Dac Kim", one of only 3 Michelin "Selected" restaurant in Vietnam. We had their signature dish "Bun cha hang manh" Pork strips and patties in a spicy broth with egg noodles.
Leaving the resteraunt we took a ride in local rickshaw. Weaving through the traffic around the old quarter of Hanoi was crazy. It rained a little and the driver offered us a plastic sheet to keep the rain off. We thanked him but declined. We knew that as soon as the rain stopped we would dry out quickly.
At the end we pulled up outside the Water Puppet Theatre. Getting in for the three o'clock performance, we took our seats. Water puppets were a traditional entertainment amongst the workers in paddy fields. It was great. The puppets are controlled using long poles under the surface of the water.
Then it was time to head back to our hotel. Stopping at an ATM for some local cash (dong), we became millionaires instantly. A million dong is about £30.
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Hanoi
Moving day today, so we repacked our bags last night.
Our main bag is in storage and we have our overnight bag for our stay on a junk in Haylon Bay.
On the coach and driving out of town, it's about a three and a half hour drive.
Once we cleared the morning rush hour traffic and hit the main road it was plain sailing.
We only had to stop twice once for a tour of a pearl business, and once for the driver to bolt the windscreen wiper back on that was waving out of the side of the coach.
Pulling into the cruise port we got through the check-in process quickly and boarded a tender to get to our junk.
On board we got the key to our cabin and dropped off our bags before lunch.
Once we had eaten and the junk had moved we went for a ride on a small boat through a cave and into a lagoon in the centre.
Although it rained it didn't dampen our spirits because some of the ladies had a few with lunch and were happily singing any song that came into their heads.
Back on board we chilled out.
We should have had some time on a beach, but with the weather, who wants to sit on a beach in the rain?
In the evening we met for dinner.
After a few drinks and food Jackie decided to order a cocktail and picked a "Flaming Lambogini".
Wow, what a performance.
A burning tower of glasses finishing off a cocktail.
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Halong Bay
Early start today, up at half five.
First breakfast, coffee and a croissant before taking a tender to Sung Sot Cave.
Climbing the steps into the cave we spent the next hour exploring the cave.
Back down to the landing for the trip back to our boat.
Then it was time to pack and vacate our cabin.
Second breakfast otherwise known as brunch followed while we sailed back to find our coach.
Driving back to Hanoi we stopped at Hong Ngoc Fine Art.
Art produced by disabled people, a legacy of agent Orange in the Vietnam war.
Back in Hanoi we stopped at our hotel to collect our cases before heading to the station for the overnight train to Da Nang.
With our train departing at 19:45, we will be travelling through the night and tomorrow morning.
Boarding the train we settled in for the night.
Da Nang
Waking up on the train. The night passed reasonably well, being rocked to sleep then woken by a slamming door or a station announcement.
We ate our breakfast bars that we brought with us from home, knowing we would need them on this train journey. Then Huan, our tour guide arrived with bananas and apples, so we had a nice breakfast. At the end of the carriage was a water dispenser that supplied hot and cold drinking water. So we had a coffee with breakfast.
With another three hours before we arrive, we watched the paddy fields and houses passing.
Arriving in Da Nang we disembarked and made our way to our coach for the 45 minute drive to our hotel in HoiAn. Stopping on the way for Banh Mi (a baguette filled with spicy beef, pork, egg and pickles).
HoiAn flooded earlier this week and locals are still cleaning up. The road outside our hotel was still flooded so the driver parked with the door over the curb, so we could get off. After freshening up in the hotel, we dropped a load of laundry at the front desk.
Leaving the hotel for a walking tour of the old town. With the flood waters receding we waded through the occasional flooded road and muddy streets. We passed numerous work teams busily cleaning.
Visiting the Japanese Covered bridge and Cantonese Assembly Hall and The Old House of Phung Hung. Making our way back to the river we waded across the bridge to a resteraunt for dinner.
The staff met us a the door with buckets of water to wash the mud off of our feet, which was a nice touch. After a fantastic meal, we walked back to the hotel for the night.
Friday 21st November 2025
HoiAn
We had two activities planned for today.
First we took a golf cart buggy out to a farm.
When we arrived we were given smocks and coolie hats and went out into the fields.
Walking around we saw many plants that we have ingredients from, but never before seen the actual plant.
Helping the farmer plant a crop was interesting.
Back inside we were treated to a cooking lesson.
Making spring rolls, mackerel in banana leaf and pork pancake.
While the mackerel and spring rolls were cooking we had a head and foot massage.
When our food was cooked we sat down to a great meal.
Heading back into town we stopped at a lantern making company for a lesson in making traditional lanterns.
We had fun making our own lanterns and seeing the final result lit up.
Back at the hotel our laundry returned and we went for a other walk through the old town.
The street clean-up is nearly complete with a few areas still being worked on.
In the evening we went out for dinner and then walked back across the river enjoying the lanterns as we went.
Saturday 22nd November 2025
HoiAn
Another moving day.
We are flying to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon at lunch time.
So breakfast, pack and check-out by nine and waiting for the coach to take us to Da Nang airport.
Checking in, we all made our way through security and waited at the gate.
Boarding went smoothly and we were soon sat at the back of the aircraft, only separated by two rows.
In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) we retrieved our bags and found our coach for the drive to the hotel.
Checking in we walked to a local cafe gor a late lunch of Pho.
This is meat and noodles in a broth.
Very tasty.
After eating we found an ATM and replenished our millionaire status.
Deciding on a walk we found the Cafe apartment.
Then walked doen to the river.
This is where Martin's sandal decided to part company with its sole.
Fortunately we always have duct tape and could patch it enough to get back to the hotel.
Sunday 23rd November 2025
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
On a walking tour this morning.
Meeting in the hotel lobby, we were soon out exploring Saigon.
The weather has improved and the sun is shining, so factor 50 and a hat is the "rig if the day" (navy slang).
It's nice after the rain and floods in HoiAn.
Walking through the streets we passed the Opera House and Notre-Dam cathedral.
Arriving at the Reunion Palace, we entered and had an hour exploring.
Seeing the tanks that crashed the gates to force the surrender of South Vietnam and ending the war.
Moving on, a short walk further we came to the war museum.
Lots of American weapons and vehicles.
The agent Orange section was particularly hard to see, but important to understand.
Stopping a cafe for lunch, we returned to the hotel.
Later Martin went on a Vespa scooter tour.
Jackie went on a solo sight seeing tour up to the Sky Deck of the Bitexco Tower.
Later we met in the rooftop pool and bar of the Kin Hotel for a cocktail and a catch-up.
Then back to our hotel for the night.
Saigon
Slightly earlier start today, out of the hotel at eight and on the coach for the two and a half hour drive to the Mekong Delta.
Boarding our river boat we cruised up the Mekong River for a while. Pulling up to the bank we transferred four at a time onto Sanpans for a tour up a side channel.
We had to stop a couple of times as cloth got stuck in the propeller. After a while the water got so shallow that four drivers got out and pulled and pushed one boat through. It was decided that wasn't the way to go and we disembarked at a very steep bank and steps. Completing the trip on foot we arrived at a farm/cafe for fruit and tea.
There was traditional singing and music. Auld lang syne and Frère Jacques if you could pick out the melody. Back on our river boat we continued our cruise. Crossing the main channel we headed up a connecting canal.
Puttering along we overtook a couple of cargo boats. At lunchtime we pulled into a home stay resteraunt for "Elephant Ear Fish and rice.
Just along the canal we dropped into a family business making coconut sweets and puffed rice. Then on the boat for the last leg to our bus pickup point.
Returning to our hotel we shopped for picnic stuff as we have a long day travelling tomorrow. Tuesday 25th November 2025
Saigon
Up even earlier today as we have a long drive ahead of us. We are going to Phnom Penh in Cambodia
Slogging through the morning rush hour we drove back past the airport and out of town. Two and a half hours later we arrived at Cu Chi Tunnels. These are VietCong Tunnels left from the war.
Walking around the site we saw displays of how things were in the war. There is a section of tunnel that has been enlarged for western tourists. However it is still tight and requires walking in a squatting position.
We only did 20 metres but by the end the thighs were burning. Making our way back to the bus, we got back on the road for another hour, to Bavet and the border for Cambodia.
Arriving at the border we got off of our coach and said goodbye to our driver, before entering immigration with our bags. Getting our exit stamp from Vietnam we walked the 200 metres to the Cambodian border control.
With our eVisa we only had to fill out an entry card and get an entry stamp. Outside we met our local guide "Boral". Boarding our Cambodian coach we settled in for the three and a half hour drive to Phnom Penh. With Boral chatting in the speakers this allowed Huan to sit and relax.
Martin has finally made it to Cambodia. 50 years and 9 months late.
In 1975 he was serving aboard HMS Blake a Royal Navy Cruiser, on a nine month deployment to the far east.
In April of 1975, Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge overthrew the government and over the next four years between 1.5 and 2 million people died.
HMS Blake was tasked to rescue the British Embassy staff and other civilians from Phnom Penh if the RAF evacuation flights couldn't land in Cambodia.
As it turned out the RAF evacuation flights managed to land and the task was cancelled after two days hard steaming at 30 knots across the South China Sea.
The picture is H.M.S.Blake steaming back into Hong Kong with four 820 Squadron seakings. Three flying and one on the flight deck. The Union Flags painted on the side of the helicopters were for identification and had been added as we steamed towards Cambodia.
Three and a half hours later, we were approaching Phnom Penh and traffic was building.
It will be rush hour as we get into our hotel.
Our driver ducked off the main road and wove through the waterfront to avoid the worst traffic.
We are staying at the HM Grand Central Hotel for two nights.
Checking in at a very nice hotel, we had a quick shower and then jumped a tuctuc to go to dinner.
The meal was excelent and returning to our hotel we sat in the rooftop bar for a nightcap.
Phnom Penh
Starting at nine o'clock, we all gathered in the lobby before heading out on busy day sightseeing.
First stop, The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. After a lecture by our local guide we were free to wander. So taking off our shoes we entered the temple and weaving between the school parties looked around. Then taking a few photographs we returned to our coach.
Our next stop was the Cambodian museum. Loads of statues and bronze that have been returned to the country after being looted during the French colonial years and the Khmer Rouge period.
One last stop before lunch, Wat Phnom. A temple on a man-made hill in the city, that gave the city it's name.
After lunch we visited the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields. Very sobering and sad, the sheer number of people murdered.
If that wasn't bad enough, our final stop for the day was at Tuol Sleng. This the school that the Khmer Rouge used as a prison and torture centre.
Listening to the survivors was heart breaking. Then it was time to return to our hotel.
After a quick shower we grabbed a tuctuc for the trip to dinner. Up to a Sky Bar for a pre-dinner drink. Then walking through Bassac Street we stopped in at Bat Muk Yu for a bite to eat. After a night cap in a very loud bar we returned to the hotel in another tuctuc. Thursday 27th November 2025
Phnom Penh
Another travelling day today. Five and a half hours on the coach, travelling to Siem Reap. We have a 52 seater coach and only 16 of us, so we can spread out and have two seats each.
After a couple of hours driving we pulled in for a comfort break and were ambushed by children with tarantulas.
Some of our party were chased back on to the bus by the spiders.
Another two hours and we stopped for lunch in a nice roadside restaurant.
Our Khmer Chicken Curry arrived served in a coconut.
With another twenty minutes drive we arrived at Tonle Sap Lake. Boarding a boat we cruised through the Stilt houses and floating houses. We emerged onto the lake and switched off the engine to enjoy the scenery for a while.
At that a motorboat shop pulled up next to us, selling beer and soft drinks. After a while we headed back to the Dock.
Arriving at our new hotel in Siem Reap we settled in and then went for a walk.
Finding "Pub Street" we had a drink in the Red Piano. Angelina Jolie drank here while filming Tomb Raider. Then a walk around the Night Market and visit to 7-eleven for supplies before bed.
Friday 28th November 2025
Siem Reap
Temple Day number one.
Full on Angkor area temple tour today.
Leaving the hotel on a small coach as the large one that we have been using is not allowed in the temple area.
After a 15 minute drive we arrived at the entry station. US$65 per person for a three day ticket to access all of the sites.
With our photos on our tickets and our tickets in lanyard pouches we drove the twenty minutes to our first temple.
For the rest of the morning we visited Preah Ko, Bakong and Banteay Srei Temples.
After lunch we visited East Mebon Temple and Anchor Wat itself.
We arrived at Anchor Wat an hour before sunset and enjoyed the atmosphere and spectacle of sunset.
We will be visiting again tomorrow, for a more in depth tour.
Then we drove back to our hotel for a shower before making it to the rooftop bar for the very end of happy hour.
After a couple of drinks we walked onto town for dinner.
Dodging the tuctuc drivers both ways as it's only a five minute walk from the hotel.
Saturday 29th November 2025
Siem Reap
Temple Day number two.
Back on the coach for the short drive to the East side of Angkor Wat.
We are entering from this side this morning because, with the light behind us it will be better for photographs.
Working our way through and up to the top level.
We climbed a very steep and hot stairway.
At least these stairs had even, normal sized steps and a handrail.
The original stairs didn't.
Leaving Angkor Wat we rode the coach to our next stop, Angkor Tom.
Again weaving through the temple we eventually arrived at the "Elephant Terrace".
Not it's real name but there are many elephants in the freize on the wall and elephant heads protruding from the wall.
This was what Jackie had come to see.
After lunch we did one last temple, Ta Prohm.
This is the temple in tomb raider with the tree.
Back at our hotel we had a shower and cooled off before hitting the rooftop bar for happy hour.
After a couple of drinks it was time to meet up for the end of tour meal.
We had a lovely meal and said goodbye to Huan, out tour leader
Walking through the market we ended up in the Red Piano Bar again.
After a nightcap we headed back towards the hotel, only to realise that we had left without paying for our drinks.
Martin returned to the bar to settle the bill and Jackie carried on to the hotel.
With much laughing and joking with the staff and fellow travelers, Martin paid his bar tab and returned to the hotel.
Sunday 30th November 2025
Siem Reap
Last day today, time to start the long journey home.
Our flight doesn't leave to about six o'clock this afternoon.
So after breakfast and packing we decided to go for a walk.
Dropping our cases off at reception, we checked out and left the hotel.
Walking along the River we saw the "Elephant Well" and the Royal Palace.
As it was hot we allowed one of the tuctucs to take us to the APOPO visitor centre.
This is the base for mine clearance using Giant African Pouch Rats.
The rats are trained for nine months and then work for seven years, as long as they pass the medical and re-qualification tests.
We watched a demonstration of a rat called Ronin finding a simulated land mine.
Then we got to hold another rat.
We had to wash first as insect repellent can hurt the rats.
Taking another tuctuc back in to town we wandered around the market for a while.
On our way back to the hotel we stopped in Pub Street for a streak at the Red Piano.
Back at the hotel we got cleaned up and changed, ready for our flights.
The coach turned up and we took the fourty minute drive out to the new Siem Reap airport.
Checking in there was a delay on our flight as the previous one was running late.
The check-in staff saw Jackie's stick and bumped us out of our seats to a non reclining seat on the long leg from Hanoi to Heathrow.
Boarding our first flight we settled in for the hour and a half back to Vietnam and Hanoi.
Through security and finding a seat at the gate room for our next flight we waited.
The clock moved on and the day ended.
Hanoi Airport Vietnam
At one in the morning we started boarding our flight to Heathrow. Looks like a full flight again.
Boarding our aircraft we found our seats. They did recline a bit, but not very well.
After a meal and a sleep we watched a movie and before we knew it we were half way and over Azerbaijan. With six hours to go we were getting a little uncomfortable, so had a walk.
Another nap and we were woken with a hot towel and breskfast. Only two and a half hours to landing.
Touching down at Heathrow airport and taxiing to Terminal 4 we disembarked.
With immigration cleared and our baggage collected we jumped on the car park shuttle bus. Getting out of the carpark, we didn't have to pay as Martin is a Heathrow pensioner. Driving out into a rainy Monday morning rush hour and joined the M25 for the four hour drive home.
The end of another epic adventure, with memories that will last a lifetime.