Indochina 2008 Map & Itinerary

Cambodia, Laos & Thailand

Nov 9-11: Fly to Cambodia (via Taipei)

Taxi to Phnom Penh hotel on bustling street across from Tonlè Sap River. First day of Bon Om Touk, the annual water & moon festival.Accommodation: Bougainvillier Hotel

Nov 12: Explore Phnom Penh

Taxi to other side of river to explore carnival. Nighttime crowds so dense, could not get out of hotel -- ordered room service.

Nov 13: Spontaneous Retreat to Kampong Chhnang

Hire a car to take us out of Phnom Penh madness. Visit Kampong Chnang Killing Field memorial. Arrive at hotel late and hungry -- no open restaurants. Wander outdoor food market. Buy cashews that weren't cashews. Accommodation: Sovann Phum Hotel

Nov 14: Bike Ride

Borrow bikes from hotel staff for glorious ride through town, surrounding villages and rice paddies.

Nov 15: Travel to Siem Reap

Hired car to Siem Reap including ferry crossing. Explore Angkor Wat. Accommodation: Pavillon Indochine

Nov 16: Explore Temples

Hire tuk-tuk for transportation to Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, and Phnom Bahkeng at sunset.

Nov 17: Fly to Laos

Taxi to Vientiane hotel on the Mekong River.Accommodation: Hotel Beau Rivage

Nov 18: Explore Vientiane

Pick up rental car. Visit Xieng Khuan sculpture garden. Get superb Thai massages.

Nov 19: Drive to Thailand

Approx 4-hour drive to Isan (northeast Thailand). Accommodation: Kosa Hotel, Khon Kaen

Nov 20: Drive to Surin

Approx 4 hour drive to hotel.Accommodation: Hotel Maneerote

Interactive Map

Nov 21: Elephant Round-up

Attend the Elephant Roundup parade, followed by the opening ceremony and the elephant breakfast. Feed elephants from banquet tables piled with watermelon, cucumber, pineapples and turnips. Take a ride on an elephant. Marcelle takes a nap while Ian finds a translator for an afternoon trip to the elephant camp to interview the mahouts (elephant handlers).

Nov 22: Elephant Round-up

Attend the show demonstrating elephant military techniques, sports and art skills. Drive 6 hours crossing the border back into Laos. Accommodation: Pakse Hotel

Nov 23: Explore Pakse

Enjoy some shopping and a walk. Have dinner at a seafood restaurant perched over the Mekong River.

Nov 24: Drive to Attapeu

Drive four hours onto the Bolaven Plateau, stopping for a walk and a swim at Tad Champee waterfall. Drive through rural villages, stop at a market. Check into the once luxurious Attapeu Palace. Hitch a ride on the back of motor scooters to the only restaurant in town. Accommodation: Attapeu Palace

Nov 25: Explore Attapeu

Have the most shocking breakfast ever. Rent bikes and ride through surrounding villages and rice paddies. Return to the same restaurant for dinner.

Nov 26: Drive to Tad Fane

Four-hour drive through coffee plantation and rural villages to remote resort by waterfall. Accommodation: Tad Fane Resort

Nov 27: Drive to Savannakhet

Visit the monkey forest with two bunches of bananas. Drive along an overflowing dike. Accommodation: Sala Savanh

Nov 28: Drive to Ban Phou Ngeng

Walk through the temple and monastery. Drive 6 hours to remote Phou Hin Poun National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area. Check into chalet on bank of Nam Hinboun River. Accommodation: Sala Hinboun

Nov 29: Kong Lor Cave Expedition

Boat expedition on the Nam Hinboun River, including 7.5km along the underground section that runs through Kong Lor Cave.

Nov 30: Drive to Vientiane

Six hour return drive to the capital city. Accommodation: Hotel Beau Rivage

Dec 1: Fly to LAX (via Hanoi & Taipei)

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