Cambodia and Vietnam

Last week we spent 4 days in Siem Reap Cambodia, visiting Angkor Wat. A totally opposite experience from Singapore, but we loved it. Although Siem Reap is much more built up than when I visited it 7 years ago, it still has a really innocent feel to it. Prices are still really low, streets are still made of dirt, and none of the people hassle you too much! A must visit for anyone out there looking to come to SE Asia. Although the temple of Angkor Wat and all the surrounding temples are more crowded, they are still awe-inspiring to visit. Chris and I rented a guy and his motorcycle rickshaw for 3 days to tour the sights. It was great to have our own private chariot take us from temple to temple!

 

Sunset

 

 

Amazing Angkor Wat

 

I forgot just how enormous the temples are and how many temples there really were. They just go on forever. And the detail of the carvings are stunning. It’s amazing to compare these temples to the sights in Egypt and Petra, temples in India, and the Roman ruins previously visited on the trip. How similar everything is in so many ways, and how far apart they were built, in time and distance. It’s so amazing what Chris and I have been able to experience in this once in a lifetime adventure.

So this brings me to our next topic….
Chris and I have decided to come home!
It wasn’t an easy decision, or a fast one. But in the end we think it’s the right one for us.
We have had the most wonderful trip so far. But unfortunately, we’re getting tired of traveling. We want to make sure when we see each of the amazing sights and countries this world has to offer, we see it with the same excitement and amazement that we set out with. We feel like these days our energy is running low and we’re growing tired of making ALL the decisions traveling brings. We’re tired of the scams and the hassle, and well truthfully we really miss our friends and family! I’m sure once we get home and feel the cold, we’ll want to get right back on the road, but we still think this is the right decision at this time.
We know we’ll get back out here again. Maybe not for as long… but there are still so many places we can’t wait to visit. (We are already planning our next trip!)

Anyways, back to the trip… we’re not done yet! We wanted to make sure to see Vietnam before we came home. (As I write this I’m in a big sweater, a scarf, and under 2 thick blankets, and I wonder if this final destination was the right choice for our last leg (I hear the beaches in Bali are nice this time of year)… but alas, we are here, so we are making the best of it!)
Chris and I flew to Ho Chi Minh City from Cambodia leaving the small city and sunshine behind. We spent our time there dodging the motorbikes as we walked around the city! It’s a crazy place to try to cross the road. If you are looking for a break in the bikes, think again. You just have to walk straight and they will dodge you. Some old lady saw Chris standing a the side of the road waiting for a clearing and grabbed his arm to help him walk across! It’s so crazy! We loved it!

While we were there we went on a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels. They were tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the wars. It was a really interesting tour and Chris got the chance to fire a AK47. That was ridiculous. He might tell the guys it was cool, but seeing how powerful and loud that gun in up close, in the middle of the Vietnam jungle, made me sick to my stomach. I can’t imagine what people who have seen war up close have been through. Just being here 40 years later and hearing a first had experience is hard.

Our next stop was up in Hoi An. It’s a cute little town with hardly any cars and Chris and I rented bicycles for $0.75 a day to get us around. Hoi An is famous for their tailor shops (I think there is about 200 shops in total) where you can have anything you want made to measure! It was a fun experience to have something made that fit perfectly the first time we slipped it on. I have to admit, once we each had one thing made, we went back for more!

Vietnam is currently preparing for ’Tet’, their Lunar New Years (like Chinese New year). It is their biggest holiday of the year and the cities and towns are vibrant. There are flowers for sale everywhere, shops and restaurants are hanging bright lanterns and flags, and everyone is buying new clothes, furniture, and appliances to start the new year off right! It’s amazing to see. Sadly it’s also the worst time to travel as everyone is closing up and going home for vacation. Chris and I were lucky enough to be recommended a guide who has been fabulous in taking care of us. We are currently on a 3 day motorcycle trip from Hoi An to Hue along the Ho Chi Ming trail. It’s a pretty cold ride in the rain but Mr. Tu came prepared with rain boots, rain pants, jackets, ponchos and gloves to help keep us warm. Sadly it’s not quite enough and both Chris and I are freezing! We would kill for a hotel with a heater!!! Maybe the hotel in Hanoi will have heat?!? Although chilly, the trip has been beautiful and we’re glad we found Mr. Tu. He has even invited us to spend Tet with him and his family as all the restaurants will be closed! I think it will be a really fun night! Stay tuned for photos!

Me handing out candy to some village kids.

Us at the DMZ. We were really cold at this point.

The rain didn’t help.

Breakfast time!

That’s all for now,

Looking forward to seeing you all again soon. (We come home on the 14th of February)
Miss you,
Ashlyn and Chris.