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In Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

31 Days Exploring Cambodia and Vietnam

June 11, 2017 By Julie

Overview Wanna go to Cambodia and Vietnam? Ummm sure…I guess… This trip was Chris’s idea. To me, Cambodia and Vietnam seemed exotic, unfamiliar, and to be honest, a bit scary. We forged ahead since Chris really really wanted this trip (he’s a huge history and war buff) and I love to explore so I figured…

Our replacement boat!

A Siem Reap Tour that Gives Back: Community First Kompong Khleang Floating Village Tours

June 4, 2017 By Julie

If you’re traveling to Siem Reap and would like to take a meaningful, responsible floating village tour, look no further. The Community First Kompong Khleang Floating Village Tour is the real deal. Paren, the main guide, grew up in Kompong Khleang, a portion of each tour fee (currently 45%) supports the local school and community,…

My clothing for a month traveling Cambodia and Vietnam.

Packing Checklist for a Month in Southeast Asia

May 28, 2017 By Julie

When it comes to packing, most travelers would agree: If there are regrets, it’s usually from packing to much, not too little. It stinks to pack, haul, un-pack, and re-pack a bunch of stuff you don’t need. This article shares everything I packed for over 30 days of travel through Cambodia and Vietnam. Lessons learned…

Bằng and Chris walking out to the C-130 at the Khe Sahn Combat Base.

Vietnam Motorbike Tour Day 3: Khe Sanh to Hue

May 17, 2017 By Julie

This article is the third in a 3-part series. Also read about Day 1 and Day 2. This is it! The third and final day of our 3-day motorbike trip, and the one that ultimately convinced us to book this tour. Day 3 was billed as “DMZ day” where we’d travel near the demilitarized zone…

Passing a zebu; one of a dozen times or more that we dodged cattle on the road.

Vietnam Motorbike Tour Day 2: Phong Nha to Khe Sanh

May 8, 2017 By Julie

This article is the second in a 3-part series.  Read about Day 1 here. Starting at the end: I finished day two of our three-day motorbike tour with knees aching, face coated with gritty grime, and butt sore, chafed, and bruised in twin lines tracing the outline of my underwear (!). It took almost 10 hours…

Our first glimpse of Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park. With overcast skies and flat light this pic doesn't do the place justice. It is drop- dead gorgeous with rich deep greens, expansive rice paddies, and lush foliage draped over rugged, rocky hills.

Vietnam Motorbike Tour Day 1: Dong Hoi to Phong Nha

April 17, 2017 By Julie

This article is the first in a 3-part series.  Read about Day 2 here. What a day! After day one of our much anticipated 3-day motorbike tour from Donh Hoi to Hue, Chris was hinting at buying a bike once we get home. I’m pretty sure he’s kidding. He’d better be - one of us has to be…

Julie and Savat

Cambodians speak Khmer. Julie speaks Khmer. Speak Julie Speak.

April 9, 2017 By Julie

Two weeks before our trip to Cambodia and Vietnam I realized I hadn’t learned any Khmer. Yikes! I’d focused solely on Vietnamese, partly because we’d spend four of our five weeks in Vietnam and partly because Duolingo (which I was using for Vietnamese) didn’t have a program for Khmer. In retrospect, I should have searched…

One of many mass graves at Choeung Ek.

Cambodia’s Tortured Past: It’s never too late to learn

April 2, 2017 By Julie

No gain in keeping, no loss in weeding out. So said Pol Pot, speaking of his own people. Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge and the man responsible for one of the worst genocides of the 20th century. Pol Pot, a name I’d heard, yes, but knew embarrassingly little about. A precious gift of…

The DEET product we plan to use in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Travel Health and Vaccinations: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

March 26, 2017 By Julie

My first trip to Southeast Asia has been eye-opening and I even haven’t left home yet! Previous international travel required little in the way of health precautions, but Cambodia and Vietnam are a whole ’nother kettle of fish. Over the past month we’ve had gotchas, close calls, and myths busted. This article offers advice gleaned…

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