octubre 2023

Indochina 2023

Una aventura de 21 días de Dean Leer más

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4 de octubre de 2023
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Día 1–3
4 de octubre de 2023, 18:25 - 6 de octubre de 2023
2 noches
🌧 21 °C
Altitud: 10 m
Australia Curtin Reserve -33.931692, 151.19017933°55’54” S 151°11’25” E
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Chiang Mai
4–6 oct. 2023, Australia ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Hop skip & jump to get here. Flew to Sydney the night before -- perhaps presciently as many domestic flights were cancelled the next day due to strong winds. Flew to Singas for another overnight. Then the 3 hr flight today to Chiang Mai. It's Thailand's second biggest city but much smaller than Bangkok. Humid. You don't have to go far if you want a coffee shop, a tailored suit, a temple, a massage parlour or a currency exchange. The travel group seems pretty good -- so far at least.Leer más
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Viajero Sue celebrates arrival in Sydney
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Viajero Good pix
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Día 4
sábado, 7 de octubre de 2023, 20:46
🌧 25 °C
Altitud: 315 m
Tailandia Night Bazaar 18.786206, 99.00006618°47’10” N 99°0’0” E
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Still in Chiang Mai
7 de octubre de 2023, Tailandia ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
Morning excursion was to an elephant park. It was billed as a sanctuary/training ground but was more like elephants doing tricks for humans and for tips. Not quite my cuppa.
Afternoon excursion was to the Wat Phar That Doi Suthep Ro Ma Ha Wi Han; a.k.a Doi Suthep temple. It is touted as the most significant temple in northern Thailand. It was certainly lavish and opulent in a specco setting on a mountain top.
Food here is great - fresh tasty and cheap.Leer más
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ViajeroGoing to bring back some of that gold? An obvious surplus.
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Pleased to hear you guys have arrived safely - enjoy the trip. Large group? [PetervR]
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Viajero Cute!
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Día 5–7
8 de octubre de 2023, 17:53 - 10 de octubre de 2023
2 noches
☁️ 26 °C
Altitud: 406 m
Tailandia Chiang Rai 19.90354, 99.83417519°54’13” N 99°50’3” E
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Chiang Rai
8–10 oct. 2023, Tailandia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
We bused for about 3 hrs up to Chang Rai to stay the night close to the Mekong River so that we can get there early enough to catch a boat in the morning. We stopped on the way for lunch at a great place by a river. A walk in Chiang Rai suggested it is not that inspiring. As in Chiang Mai you also don't have to walk far to find a cannabis shop. And of course we found a temple.Leer más
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Viajero Haha
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Día 6–10
9 de octubre de 2023, 17:32 - 13 de octubre de 2023
4 noches
☁️ 26 °C
Altitud: 384 m
Laos Pak Beng 19.891936, 101.12017519°53’31” N 101°7’13” E
A day on the Mekong
9–13 oct. 2023, Laos ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
An early start -- 4:45am -- to prepare for the bus ride to the Lao border and the Mekong. One thing. The coffee has got a lot worse. At the hotel it was like diluted tar and on the boat it is instant with funky tasting water. Goodbye to the good coffee in Chiang Mai. Anyway, the boat trip was excellent. Long but very relaxing. It's pretty remote with a few villages dotted here and there. We stopped at one village and exchanged gawks with the locals. Lunch was served on the boat and, eventually, we tied up in a small town, Pakbung, where we were surprised to find we were booked into a good hotel overlooking the river. It's still rainy season here which means it's been raining and the river is high, fast and muddy. And if you want to know its pronounced Maykong not Meekong.Leer más
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Día 7
martes, 10 de octubre de 2023, 21:18
🌙 25 °C
Altitud: 305 m
Laos Nam Khan 19.897248, 102.14218119°53’50” N 102°8’32” E
Another day on the Mekong
10 de octubre de 2023, Laos ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Another early-ish start to get to our destination -- Luang Prabang -- before dark. We did about 380 km in 2 days by boat. Stopped at another village -- a little more prosperous with a monastery/temple. We also stopped at a cave which is said to be the spiritual home of the Mekong. So it was a bit like going to the MCG really.Leer más
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Día 8–12
11 de octubre de 2023, 10:57 - 15 de octubre de 2023
4 noches
⛅ 29 °C
Altitud: 288 m
Laos Ban Natha 19.891763, 102.13459519°53’30” N 102°8’5” E
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Luang Prabang
11–15 oct. 2023, Laos ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Luang Prabang used to be the capital of Laos before it was shifted (to Vientiane) due to vulnerability to attack from neighbours. One of its main features is French colonial architecture after the French were invited in around the 1850s to provide stability but also set up a lot of baguette outlets. We did a palace/temple crawl in the morning and finished at a weaving station where we also had a spot of lunch.Leer más
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Viajero Haha
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Día 9
jueves, 12 de octubre de 2023, 17:45
⛅ 22 °C
Altitud: 1.131 m
Laos Muang Phonsavan 19.457225, 103.21134619°27’26” N 103°12’41” E
Phonsavan
12 de octubre de 2023, Laos ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The stories of the day were picturesque countryside and the state of infrastructure. We moved 300 km inland and into the mountains to Phonsavan. The scenery and the villages along the way were captivating. But it took us about 8 hours of driving. The road was shocking, even though half of it was the main road joining Luang Prabang and Vientiane. We went in 2 minibuses which were more nimble and able to dodge huge potholes and landslides and overtake the phalanx of trucks in spectacular fashion. Laos doesn't have a lot of resources for infrastructure. The Chinese are building stuff but that leaves a loan servicing burden.Leer más
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Día 10
viernes, 13 de octubre de 2023, 17:21
⛅ 22 °C
Altitud: 1.128 m
Laos Muang Phonsavan 19.457306, 103.21162819°27’26” N 103°12’42” E
1 1
Plain of Jars
13 de octubre de 2023, Laos ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Seeing the Plain of Jars was the main point in coming to these parts. They are hollow cylinders made out of sandstone. They date back to the 5th century or so but are shrouded in mystery. Nobody knows who put them there or why -- perhaps as burial chambers.
It was a bit of an ordeal to get to them, walking along a muddy path through rice paddies. One of our number unfortunately took a dive into the mire but apparently the rice was too raw to enjoy. Again beautiful scenery.
Afterwards, we took in the remains of a temple and an ancient stupa, severely damaged in the American war. Apparently the Americans dropped 2+ million tonnes of bombs in the area, attempting to cut Nth Vietnanese supply lines. They are still trying to clear unexploded ordnance. The Plain of Jars had to be cleared.Leer más
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Viajero Great pic
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Viajero Wow, who’s job is it to dress him?
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Día 11–15
14 de octubre de 2023, 18:02 - 18 de octubre de 2023
4 noches
⛅ 28 °C
Altitud: 169 m
Laos Vientiane 17.966165, 102.59549417°57’58” N 102°35’44” E
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More jars
14–18 oct. 2023, Laos ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
A trip to the markets started the day. Just about every living thing -- or part of a formerly living thing -- was up for sale. Too many wriggly things. And you would need to get in early because there was no refrigeration.
We then went off to the main site of jars. Many of them. Some bigger than yesterday. In a field pocked by bomb craters.
Then to a silk farm which was a mulberry-to-scarf operation. We got a fascinating tour of the place. Labour intensive but they train/employ lots. Or should they be more productive?
After lunch we took to the skies for a short flight to Vientiane.Leer más
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ViajeroShame you could not take the bits back for a cook up
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ViajeroThe swallows, hornets, moles and wild cats weren't quite as appealing!!!
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Viajero Great pic
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ViajeroThis sounds/looks like a fun day
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Día 12
domingo, 15 de octubre de 2023, 16:31
☁️ 29 °C
Altitud: 169 m
Laos Vientiane 17.966215, 102.5954617°57’58” N 102°35’44” E
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Vientiane
15 de octubre de 2023, Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
They say Vientiane doesn't offer a lot as a city. They're probably right. It has some monumental government buildings, some wide streets and some parks. We visited the victory arch, the golden stupa that is the symbol of Laos and a couple of temples. Yep, Buddha was there. Went for a walk and found a coffee shop and not a lot else.Leer más
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ViajeroNext trio to Brazil? Lots of coffee there!
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Viajero=trip
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ViajeroWell, you can at least cross it off your bucket list.
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Viajero So gold
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Día 13
lunes, 16 de octubre de 2023, 18:09
☁️ 27 °C
Altitud: 102 m
Laos Ban Vangxay 14.892609, 105.8964814°53’33” N 105°53’47” E
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1 2
Pakse
16 de octubre de 2023, Laos ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
A very early start to catch a plane to Pakse in the south of Laos. This plane had jet engines but must have been one of the first to come off the Airbus assembly line. Once on terra firma we headed off to Wat Phou (pronounced 'Poo' which was apt given the ailment experienced by one of our number). It's a Khmer temple constructed back in the 11th C to one of their gods. The Khmer empire was pretty grand at the time and they constructed about 4000 temples. Only 3999 to go.
After lunch beside the Mekong we were ferried over to an island to our hotel. Nice pool.Leer más
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Viajero Lovely pic
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Viajero So it’s narrowest point
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Viajero Do those chairs pass Australia OH&S standards?
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ViajeroA haha ha. This is Laos where they might think OH&S is a rap artist or movie title
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Día 14
martes, 17 de octubre de 2023, 17:03
☁️ 27 °C
Altitud: 102 m
Laos Ban Vangxay 14.892602, 105.89645714°53’33” N 105°53’47” E
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Rest day
17 de octubre de 2023, Laos ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Nothing much happening today. Nothing organised. Just chilling on the island resort. A walk through the local village and massages all round. Tough I know.
The Lao are pretty laid back. Apparently the French said the Vietnamese plant the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow and the Lao listen to the rice grow.Leer más
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Sounds like the people from Lao would enjoy cricket! PetervR [PetervRens]
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Viajero Beautiful
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Día 15–17
18 de octubre de 2023, 16:51 - 20 de octubre de 2023
2 noches
☁️ 29 °C
Altitud: 71 m
Laos Không 14.119789, 105.8561314°7’11” N 105°51’22” E
Somewhere else on the Mekong
18–20 oct. 2023, Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
We drove downstream for about 1.5 hours and went to cascade in the river. It stretches over 10km meandering across the river. Because it made the river impassable, the French built a railway to transfer freight to/from upstream. The old track has been made into a road/cycle path. It's the best bit of road in Laos for sure.
We had a boat ride to an island for a nice lunch and then another cascade.
Back on the bus and a drive to another island to our hotel. And wouldn't you know it -- it's by the Mekong.
Two observations. 1) The south is more prosperous than the north. 2) Lao hotels use light globes with filaments that provide the same light as would come from one of those old push bike generators ridden by a frail grandma. Bring a torch or be prepared to fumble.Leer más
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ViajeroLao = light amplitude ordinary?
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Hate to think what the restaurant would be like if the river was up more …. [PetervR]
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Día 16
jueves, 19 de octubre de 2023, 17:48
⛅ 29 °C
Altitud: 100 m
Camboya Sra’aem 14.242789, 104.72231314°14’34” N 104°43’20” E
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Into Cambodia
19 de octubre de 2023, Camboya ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
A long day in the bus today. A little excitement at the Cambodia border as, some days ago, Laos immigration did not stamp the entry of 1 of our number. So this lot weren't going to let her exit -- not without a long delay, lots of jabbering and a US$50 payment. USDs are used more here than the local Rial.
We are now in a remote part of nth Cambodia in a hotel with the original Edison filament lamps.Leer más
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ViajeroSue i like the royal wave
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Viajero Sue is having fun!
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Día 17
viernes, 20 de octubre de 2023, 15:43
⛅ 32 °C
Altitud: 100 m
Camboya Sra’aem 14.242791, 104.72231414°14’34” N 104°43’20” E
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Preah Vihear
20 de octubre de 2023, Camboya ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
So we are in this town Sa Em nearish to an ancient Khmer temple, Preah Vihear. It was built from the 9th C to the Hindu god Shiva. It was inaccessible in recent times as ownership was disputed between Thailand and Cambodia, with bullets and other things exchanged in claim. An international court ruled in favour of Cambodia. Still not many tourists come to see it. But with international funding assistance it is being restored. It occupies a spread of 800m on top of a mountain.
2 Kmer temples down. 3998 to go.Leer más
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ViajeroShiva your timbres?
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ViajeroOnly 3998? Sure?
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Beautiful! [PetervR]
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Viajero And still the blue and white paintwork In great condition
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Día 18
sábado, 21 de octubre de 2023, 7:53
☁️ 26 °C
Altitud: 100 m
Camboya Sra’aem 14.242792, 104.72231814°14’34” N 104°43’20” E
A travel ouch moment
21 de octubre de 2023, Camboya ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
At some public toilets there is a fee. The fee was 1000 Riel or about 40c At the temple toilets. One of our number dropped a note in the honesty box and realised later she had deposited US$100!! Ouch!!Leer más
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ViajeroI’d be tempted to smash the box or just resign to knowing it will support good work 🤨🧐
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ViajeroWhat they call a long drop toilet??
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ViajeroOof!
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Día 18
sábado, 21 de octubre de 2023, 17:59
☁️ 28 °C
Altitud: 26 m
Camboya Siem Reap 13.359437, 103.85774513°21’34” N 103°51’28” E
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Siem Reap
21 de octubre de 2023, Camboya ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Off to Siem Reap with a stop-off at an ancient Kmer complex known as Koh Ker. It was briefly the capital of the Khmer empire in the 10thC. There are still some structures in the forest made inaccessible by landmines. The star attraction is the pyramid shaped temple called Prasat Thom.
We have been treated to a hotel in Siem Reap that is fresh, clean, modern and has adequate lighting no less. There were a couple of shopping expeditions (amongst the group) in the afternoon.Leer más
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ViajeroAnd we all spent wisely - in the silver shops!!
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Viajero This looks cool!
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Día 19
domingo, 22 de octubre de 2023, 17:53
☁️ 28 °C
Altitud: 26 m
Camboya Siem Reap 13.359485, 103.85772413°21’34” N 103°51’28” E
Angkor Wat
22 de octubre de 2023, Camboya ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
So today we saw the biggie: Angkor Wat. It is regarded as the largest religious structure in the world. It was constructed in the 12thC, originally as a Hindu temple but became Buddhist as the king converted to Buddhism. Impressive in many ways, such as 5km of moat, extensive bas-reliefs and towers. Respect to the architects and admiration to the slaves who put it together.
We also visited Angkor Thom, which was built later as a new capital city around the Buddhist temple, Bayon It was too hot so, to tell the truth, I didn't absorb much of the info about it.
So I think overall we visited 5 Khmer temples out of 4000. We'll have come back another time to knock off more of the remaining 3995.Leer más
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ViajeroFirst photo is the best I have seen of AW
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ViajeroSo beautiful!
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ViajeroGreat photo of the complex but it doesn’t look anything like our local Angkor Wat, the one just outside Woolies in Belconnen Mall.
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Día 20
lunes, 23 de octubre de 2023, 15:53
☁️ 30 °C
Altitud: 22 m
Singapur Singapore Changi Airport 1.357055, 103.9859971°21’25” N 103°59’10” E
On our way back
23 de octubre de 2023, Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
We took off from a new airport about 50km out of Siem Reap. The Chinese built it and there is to be a new city out there, complete with a Disneyland.
Now a 6 hr layover in Singapore.
A good trip. A bit of a adventure in parts but good to visit some remote places and others on the tourist track that were not overcrowded. You get the feeling things will be teeming in years to come.
The group was very good and made the tour a pleasure.
The next one might be China next year.Leer más
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ViajeroWhat an adventure you had
23/10/23ResponderTraducir
ViajeroYes, a striking adventure . . seemingly not on the well-beaten tourist track
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ViajeroSeems like a good trip! Always good to get off the beaten track
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Fin del viaje
24 de octubre de 2023