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A 42-day adventure by Travel with the Burges Read more

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Trip start
October 24, 2025
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Chiang Rai
October 25, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Good flight and transfer. Located by river Kok which is a tributary of the Mekong. Weather hot and sunny
TravelerHave a fantastic trip x
10/29/25Reply
TravelerYou look very relaxed already xx
10/29/25Reply
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Across the border
October 27, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Today we crossed the border into Laos and started our journey via boat down the Mekong. This part of Laos is very green and rural . We visited a hillside village where they had satellite TV but primitive sanitation with some families using the woods. Food is fresh and tasty, weather remains hot and sunny. Overnight at Pakbeng with rest day tomorrow but it seems the only tourists ever seen during the day are those that missed their boat! So we may have the hotel to ourselves.Read more
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Luang Prabang
October 31, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Spent the last 2 days here seeing more temples and flights of steps than we can mention. Trip to the amazing waterfall was very memorable. Excellent guide has taught us all about Lao, shown us exotic food markets selling all sorts including live frogs, beetles, and crickets along with dried rat and even a squirrel. Do not expect any of these at our Anniversary dinner this evening!Read more
TravelerHappy anniversary! Hope no dried rats made it into your starter. Annie has requested a photo of Grandad please! 😂 Looking forward to your next update. Xx
11/1/25Reply
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Phonsavan
November 1, 2025 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
Today we have been driven here from Luang Prabang. Fair to say it is the most awful road either of us have ever been on, has taken 10.5 hrs. Being very mountainous the views were incredible and it was a great insightinto the Laotian way of life. However the potholes were continuous many times coming to a grinding halt, the bouncing constant , the Chinese lorries were over loaded and blocking the road as unable to get enough traction to climb the hills, landslides were common place as were dogs, children, cows, ducks, hens etc.
Unfortunately we have had further sight of Chinese influence in the wider world.Read more
Traveler We hope your backs stood up to all that bumping but agree the views must have made up for that - hopefully!!!
11/2/25Reply
Traveler Stunning
11/2/25Reply
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Plain of Jars
November 2, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
Visited 3 sites where huge "jars" were discovered which are over 2000 years old, the origin of which is unclear. It is thought that after death bodies were placed in them until decomposed, then the bones buried nearby. They were carved out of solid rock several miles away! The area is riddled with bomb craters from the "secret war" when more US bombs fell on Loas than any other country. Evening meal at restaurant called Bombies, the local name for cluster bombs, and many examples around the dining room!Read more
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Vientiane
November 3, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Arrived after 35 min flight at Laos capital. Much more cosmopolitan than anywhere so far, situated on the banks of the Mekong river with Thailand on the other bank. Chilled afternoon by the rooftop pool and watching the sunset. Only here 2 nights with no planned excursions so aim to explore the city tomorrow.Read more
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Rock Lodge
November 5, 2025 in Laos ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
Drove much of the day past fields of rice and corn with the odd temple and then through spectacular mountain scenery to stay in a "capsule" lodge room in the forest. Cosy with outside toilet and communal shower block. The reception/restaurant area led to a metal walkway extending down through the forest of trees literally growing out of the rocks. Fortunately the zip wire was closed!Read more
TravelerLooks great
11/6/25Reply
Traveler Looks lovely x
11/7/25Reply
TravelerThe zip wire would have been amazing with those views!
11/8/25Reply
TravelerNot sure the safety aspects are UK standard, but the Thai people especially do love a zipwire
11/8/25Reply
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Caves by canoe
November 6, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Drove across a flat plateau surrounded by limestone mountains to a river where we boarded a motorised canoe for a 7.5km trip to the next village through a mountain. To go by road was over 120k and would take approx 8 hours. Sailed along in total darkness apart from weak light from our head torches. Stopped twice inside to walk through spectacular floodlit caves and then emerged on the other side at another local village before returning whence we came. From there we drove south along the best road so far to Thakhek, a busy town on the banks of the Mekong in time for dinner overlooking the river.Read more
TravelerHave you missed the Typhoon we're hearing reports of?
11/7/25Reply
TravelerWe think is passing us by but very wet and windy today so we may be on the outskirts.
11/7/25Reply
Traveler Seems a good idea!
11/7/25Reply
TravelerThat's good. It seems to have been causing chaos.
11/8/25Reply
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Pakse
November 7, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Driven all day via visit to an important stuka (super dooper stuka?) were Melanie had a close encounter with 2 monks who decorated her with bracelets and soaked her with Holy water. Think that makes her the closest thing to a nun that she will ever get! Stopped for lunch overlooking a lake but the wind blew and the rain lashed down ? curtousy of the Typhoon. Eventually made it to Pakse where we will stay one night before more adventures tomorrow.Read more
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Waterfalls, wedding and coffee
November 8, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Drove up to a plateau 1500m above sea level and visited 3 waterfalls, one travelling in a jeep that must have been twice as old as the driver. Strolling through a local village we stumbled across a wedding ceremony and were immediately greeted as important guests, plyed with Beerlao and asked to be in photos with all and sundry. Went on to visit a coffee plantation, had the best meal of the last 2 weeks thanks to the owners wife, and shown all about growing, harvesting, and roasting coffee beans. Drank a cup of the finished product as well as a glass of coffee wine made from fermenting the bean cases, which are sweet. Arrived at our next hotel by boat to an island in the Mekong under perfect starlit sky.Read more
Traveler Well you two looked more like the ‘happy couple’ than the bride and groom did! Was the pot she was holding for donations? xx
11/10/25Reply
TravelerYes!. It is fair to say she didn't look impressed by the whole affair. Some women are forced into marriage so who knows? X
11/12/25Reply
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Wat Phou
Nov 9–12, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Spent the morning visiting Wat Phou which is second only to Angkor Wat in age and importance to Buddhists. Seemed much hotter today, well into the 30s so we took advantage of the My Little Pony sun umbrellas available to rent. Spent the afternoon at the hotel in the pool until driven indoors by a sharp shower but managed a short bike ride before dusk dodging the rain-filled potholes.Read more
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4000 islands by bike
November 10, 2025 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Drove south close to Cambodian border taking a boat to the area known as 4000 islands, which there may be when the Mekong is low and you count every bush. Once landed on the main island we hired sit-up-and-beg bikes to ride around reaching one of 6 dramatic cascades. At this point the river is 14km wide! We walked the rope bridges to get the best view. A good way to spend our last full day in Laos.Read more
Traveler There is absolutely no way you would get me on that bridge🥺
11/10/25Reply
Traveler Well, you are in the wrong country for that 🤣🤣
11/10/25Reply
Traveler It’s when you get to the middle and you don’t want to go on but you don’t want to turn back!! Not only is the bridge wobbling your stomach is also!
11/11/25Reply
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Siem Reap
November 11, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Flight to here this morning where we will spend 4 days which will include viewing Angkor Wat. Started with 2 terrifically loud thunderclaps which made us jump followed by a lazy afternoon by the pool in what is quite a plush hotel. During dinner we were entertained by a traditional dance group.Read more
TravelerThis message must have got hung up somewhere - arrived today. All look good! xx
11/15/25Reply
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Angkor Wat and other Temples
November 12, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
So today we have seen 4 of the 1000 temples in Siam Reap and 6000 in Cambodia. We went to Angkdor Wat by tuk tuk this afternoon which are actually like 2 wheeled carriages drawn by a motorbike here. It was built in the 12th century as a mausoleum to the then king.The stair case up the centre was extremely steep...not for vertigo sufferers.
However for us the most atmospheric temple we saw was that filmed in the film Tomb Raider, Ta Prohm. It is interwined literally with nature with trees growing out of it and around it.
Back to the hotel for a swim and we are now off out to "pub street" to look for some food. We are being adventurous and eating all local food but draw the line at crickets and frogs.!Read more
TravelerYes the bit where the trees grow through the buildings is fascinating
11/13/25Reply
TravelerI went a bit overboard on photos in Cambodia visiting the various temples but still enjoy seeing one when it pops up on Screensaver.
11/13/25Reply
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Temples in the rain
November 13, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Further temple visits this morning. They are all in quite a small area outside the city but are huge, often surrounded by a moat, which may be several kilometres long. A thunderstorm brought heavy rain, but fortunately, we were in a section of the temple with a roof. At least the rain is usually short-lived.Read more
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Bike tour and circus
November 14, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
Took a guided bike tour this morning visiting a pottery and a cultural museum but most importantly a Killing Fields site. Learnt much about the history of Pol Pot and the Khmere Rouge from the guide but also from dramatic illustrations of the brutality that wiped out nearly 50% of the Cambodian population. After an afternoon at the pool we went to the "circus" which was more of a combination of dramatic representation of the Killing Fields and acrobatics and was very impressive.Read more
Traveler I like the idea of a floating village
11/15/25Reply
TravelerNo formal sewage though so all goes straight into the lake/river.....however easy to move if you dont like your neighbours 🤣
11/15/25Reply
TravelerWere you able to go down any of the tunnels?
11/16/25Reply
TravelerWe are visotibg the tunnela in Ho cHi Min. xx
11/17/25Reply
Traveler Oh David what big feet you have!! Ha ha. XXX
11/19/25Reply
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Cruise day 1
November 15, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Transferred to the boat that will be our home for the next 7 nights. Set off from a lake that is fed by the Mekong which swells it from 3,000 sq km in the dry season to 15,000 in the wet season, and is home to floating villages that migrate as the lake changes. The boat is quite sumptuous, only half full and the food so far is excellent.Read more
TravelerEnjoy the luxury xx
11/15/25Reply
TravelerTime to put your feet up then - do you make frequent stops along the way? xx
11/16/25Reply
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Cruise d2
November 16, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Visited another pottery venue this morning, the 3rd we have seen and each one used a different technique. This lady did not use a wheel instead she rotated around the pot! Then on to watch rice being harvested by hand before watching local snacks being made which we were encouraged to try. Yuck! In the afternoon we had a different method of transport, ox cart, to visit a local school where over 100 pupils entertained us with "Old Mcdonald", "If you're happy and you know it" before mingling with us to practice their English.Read more
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Prison and dance
November 18, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
All day tour of Phmom Pehn today with Palaces and Temples but by far the most dramatic was "S21" which was one of the prisons set up by the Khmere Rouge. Whilst it is important to be aware of the Killing Fields and the genocide the amount of detail about torture and death was a bit too much. Fortunately it was followed by watching dance students and Melanie dressing up in costume, even dancing. The evening entertainment on board was very professional dancing and then the heavens opened, washing out the open air BBQ.Read more
TravelerMel dancing?!! Had she been on the wine?? 😂
11/18/25Reply
TravelerNo never
11/20/25Reply
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Vietnam
November 19, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Crossed into Vietnam yesterday and having been the only boat on the river we were surrounded by dozens, most playing dodgems with each other. Apparently they are dredging sand primarily for export to Singapore. Pre-dinner drinks last night gave the on-board staff the opportunity to dance to YMCA and other classics.Read more
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Cultural Vietnam
November 21, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Last day on the Mekong Delta today. Various excursions to visit boat builders, incense-stick makers, mango sellers etc. Offered the most foul smelling fruit called Durian, didnt taste great either.....one to avoid at all cost.Read more
TravelerRick Stein was on TV this morning talking about this fruit. He said it smelt horrible like drains but when you ate it that went and it tasted absolutely delicious. Different opinions there then!
11/22/25Reply
TravelerHmmmm, I thought it tasted as it smelt , maybe if you didn't have sense of smell you may experience a different taste
11/23/25Reply
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Ho Chi Minh
November 22, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Early morning transfer to the city. 8 million motorcycles, 10 million people. Traffic heavy and to cross the road you cross your fingers and hope. Wandered round this afternoon and went up the Bitexco Financial Tower to the 49th Floor for amazing views over the city.Read more
Traveler Won't ask what the controls are for the 🙄
11/23/25Reply
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Tunnels and more
November 23, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Went on a trip to the Viet Kong tunnel complex a few miles outside the city. Very extensive network with ingenious ways of both hiding their existence and boobytrapping the US "enemy". They lived for weeks or months underground and amongst other things diverted smoke from cooking fires by means of channels so that it came out many yards away. Sandals made from car tyres could be worn back to front making confusing footprint tracks. Quite gruesome exhibits there and in the war museum we visited later.Read more
Traveler The bikes are amazing to see
11/23/25Reply
TravelerSo many, though they are now manufacturing 1 car type in Vietnam which is much cheaper , all other car imports are subject to 200% tax!
11/25/25Reply
TravelerI do remember that war museum being particularly gruesome. Certainly no holding back
11/26/25Reply
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Koh pha Ngan
November 24, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Journey from Saigon to Koh pha Nang went smoothly although the "ferry" from Koh Samui travelled at 50 knots over a lumpy sea! Settled into a very comfortable villa which will be our home for the next week and met up with Alice for dinner. Weather windy and cloudy at the moment with rain forecast but warm. Hire car arriving this morning so plan to explore the island.Read more
TravelerWhoopee have a super time xxx
11/25/25Reply
TravelerWil do. X
11/25/25Reply
TravelerHave a great week and give our love to Alice.
11/25/25Reply
TravelerThanks mum. Will do. X
11/25/25Reply
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Relaxing by the beach
November 25, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
Quiet day, windy and cloudy but warm enough for a dip in the pool. Alice arrived at 11am with a hire car (more of that later) and we walked 5 min down the road for brunch at a beachside venue into which the high tide made an appearance. Lazy afternoon then made to set off for dinner. David couldn't get the hang of the Prius hybrid car brake system, so after a few failed attempts, Alice drove us to an excellent Indian restaurant. Back in time for a swing in the hammock.Read more
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