Great Indochina Loop Itinerary

Days 1-2 Bangkok -Escape the clamour of the capital with a boat ride down the khlongs then temple-hop or hit the shops. Day 3 Chiang Mai - Climb 300 steps to the Doi Suthep temple to see a panorama of the city. Have a snack at the night bazaar - kao soy is a local specialty. Day 4 Chiang Khong -Explore remote border towns and soak up the riverside serenity.
Days 5-6 Mekong River - Watch village life pass by while cruising across the border to Laos. Call in at the Pak Ou Caves, adorned with thousands of carved Buddha images. Days 7-8 Luang Prabang - Get acquainted with Laos' history and culture at the Traditional Arts Museum. The spectacular Kuang Si Falls are the perfect place for an afternoon dip. Days 9-10 Vientiane - Explore the laidback capital on foot, by bicycle or by jumbo - Laos' answer to the tuk-tuk. Day 11 Homestay - Travel through stunning mountain scenery and enjoy a night as a guest in a traditional village home. Day 12 Ninh Binh - Enter Vietnam and follow the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail to the friendly town of Ninh Binh. Day 13 Halong Bay - Be enchanted by the ethereal beauty of Halong Bay. Perhaps explore a cave then share a seafood feast. Day 14-16 Hanoi - Experience Hanoi's seductive French charm and watch an evening performance of traditional water puppets. Catch the Reunification Express to Hue.
Day 17 Hue - Wander the Imperial Citadel, discover the wealth of the Nguyen emperors and board a dragon boat to cruise down the serene Perfume River. Days 18-20 Hoi An - This port town's rich heritage is evident in the shuttered windows and pitched roofs of the traditional merchant houses. Packed with artisans, tailors and food stalls, this is a bargain-hunter's heaven.
Days 21-22 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Browse the bustling Ben Thanh Market then jump in a cyclo and get acquainted with the tangle of Ho Chi Minh City's streets and alleyways.
Days 23-24 Phnom Penh - Learn about Cambodia's violent past at the Killing Fields. Later, appreciate the peace of present-day Phnom Penh with a beer at a bar on breezy Sisowath Quay.
Days 25-27 Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat - The enigmatic ruins of Angkor provide endless photo opportunities. Explore the wealth of temples dotted around Siem Reap. Days 28-29 Bangkok - Slurp spicy specialties or shop up a storm back in the energetic capital.

Traveling in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam

I am 71 years going on 18 and love to travel. I have been retired for 9 years and have cruised the oceans, visited Europe, Asia and New Zealand. Usually my wife accompanies me on our many sojourns however in this case I will be solo and join a small travel group of 12. I will use this blog to chronicle my travels with some words but mostly pictures. You are welcome to follow my travels.

From late January to early March , 2010, I will be one of twelve travelers who will be visiting the hidden treasures of Thailand, the laid back lanes of Laos, the fabulous vibrance of Vietnam and the engaging charisma of Cambodia. I will depart Washington's Dulles airport on January 27 arriving in Bangkok at midnight on Thursday, January 28. I will be spending the next six days volunteering at the Human Development and Children Foundation Mercy Center. Mercy Center has been in existence for decades providing protection and educational services to the poorest of Thailand slum children. In addition, Mercy Center has expanded its services to support families that have contracted HIV/AIDS as well as assisting young women who are attempting to leave the life of a prostitute. I have never done volunteer work like this before and look forward to a rewarding experience.

Our trip begins in Bangkok on February 3 and ends where it began on March 3. We spend 4 days in Thailand, 7 days in Laos, 10 days in Viet Nam, 5 days in Cambodia and finally our last 2 days back in Bangkok. "We will get to know the locals, sample sumptuous cuisines, sail over pristine waters and scramble through a wealth of temples on this great adventure through the heart of enthralling Indochina. We will ride a longtail boat down Bangkok's klongs, explore the ancient temples of Chiang Mai, cruise down the Mekong River, swim under a waterfall in Luang Prabang, unwind in Vientiane, enjoy Hanoi's French fancies, be enchanted by beautiful Halong Bay, discover imperial elegance in Hue, channel the spirits of old traders in Hoi An, tantalize our taste buds in Ho Chi Minh City, ponder Phnom Penh's volatile past, and see the incredible temples of Angkor Wat. Come along and experience what I see during my five week adventure.”