We had always wanted to explore more
of our world and in November of 1999, after completing a
trek of the Gorkha region in Nepal (see
Trekking in Nepal), we set out to do
just that. This was our big chance to see if we could
survive two months of backpacking, living out a suitcase
and making all our own arrangements. We became middle
aged backpackers on the banana pancake circuit, using
local modes of transport and adjusting our route as we
went along. It was a great success. In fact, we returned
home reluctantly on February 1, 2000 already planning for
the next year’s trip.
We flew from Kathmandu to Bangkok on
November 22, 1999 to start our trip. After touring
Bangkok, we travelled north in Thailand, stopping in
Ayuthaya, Sukothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Chiang
Kong, where we crossed the border to Laos. We took a boat
down the Mekong River to Pakbeng and then a local bus
inland to Udom Xai, then on to Luang Prabang, Vang Vien
and Vientiane. From there, we flew to Hanoi. We spent
Christmas in the northern towns of Sapa and Bac Ha and
celebrated the New Year in Halong Bay. The tourist buses
took us south to Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh
City (Saigon). After touring the Mekong Delta, we flew to
Siem Reap in Cambodia to visit the temples of Angkor Wat,
took a fastboat to the capitol Phnom Penh and ended our
Cambodian trip with a beach holiday in Sihanoukville (Kompong
Song). We returned to Thailand by boat, crossing the
border at Hat Lek. A songthew took us to Trat, where we
caught the ferry to the island of Ko Chang and chose a
beach resort to enjoy the sun and surf. Finally, we
returned to Bangkok where we caught our flight home on
Feb 1, 2000.
Jeanne discovered that Internet Cafes
were opening in every town we visited. This made
communication with everyone back home very easy and she
started sending accounts of their trip via email. If you
would like to read these emails and hear more about our
adventures, click on one of the episodes listed below.
Return to
Travels
or Introduction