Final Post

This will be my final posting which include general comments about my trip.

1. I plan on having this BLOG printed in book form as a memento of this wonderful trip. The attached pictures will remind me of the enjoyment I experienced during my travels.
2. Earplugs and sleeping mask made sleeping easier. A sheet sleeping bag, gift from my daughter Laura, made sleeping in questionable beds comfortable.
3. Mosquitoes were never a problem…treating my exterior clothes with "Sawyer Permethrin" prior to the trip probably helped.
4. Intrepid Travel (www.intrepidtravel.com) runs a great operation and the price is definitely affordable. Their concept of small group travel includes transportation, sleeping accommodations and enough group activities at each destination to make one comfortable in exploring other opportunities. You are not tied to group activities which allow you time to explore on your own.
5. Prior to the trip, I put significant effort into reading about the various countries and locations that we visited. I borrowed a number of travel books from my local library. I also carried various travel books along on the trip to refresh my knowledge. My reading investment made the trip more meaningful and enjoyable.
6. Since travel time to Bangkok was 24 hours, arriving days before the trip began allowed me to get my internal clock in synch with Asia time.
7. The five foreign words that I learned to use in each country…”hello”, “thank you”, “toilet”, “water” and “beer”….”hello” and “thank you” in the local language are appreciated by the locals.
8. People in each country were friendly and were gracious when we asked them for assistance.
9. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well throughout Indochina. Although life is hard, you get a feeling that the people are working towards a brighter future…they do hustle.
10. I tried all local foods, beer and some local whiskies ….enjoyed them all. I had only two disappointing meals during the entire trip.
11. Education is of utmost importance to the people of Indochina. Each country has mandatory schooling up to the eighth grade. Students study since going beyond the eighth grade is dependent upon their initiative and success in the classroom.
12. People in all of the countries that we visited have a great desire to learn English. Besides being taught in school; television, movies, and music are used as learning tools. It is not uncommon to be approached by an individual who wants to have a conversation so that they can practice speaking English…I used these conversations to learn about them and their country.
13. I took close to 2,000 digital pictures which I am currently sorting through.
14. Purchasing an inexpensive Nokia cell phone in Cambodia allowed me to communicate with family members at inexpensive international telephone rates. I hope to use the phone during future travel …buy a “SIM” card and minutes in the countries that I will be visiting…I will be connected locally and internationally.
15. The trip was everything that I expected and more. I would love to revisit these countries…. I learned quite a bit during my travels…as always, there is more to learn which reinforces my desire to travel.

Until my next trip.........happy travels....Tom Worosz