Hello all, in this section we will look back over our travels and see what we could have done better or different, or not done at all, what we enjoyed the most and the least. The most enjoyable part for me from both Vietnam & Cambodia was the fact that there are no coins in the currency, they should be renamed the Kingdom of no coins, or coinless kingdom, it's incredibly liberating walking around with no coins in your pocket. I know it brings its own problems with no coins in your pockets, what do you jangle when you are out walking, and I know some people will abuse the situation by doing things they shouldn't in their pockets. Also when taxi drivers and pizza delivery people give you all your change in pound coins hoping for a tip. These people are never happy, they are already well looked after by the benefit system, and still want more. Walking around with a pocket full of coins often leaves your bum exposed, at first you pull your trousers up, then thirty seconds later they are weighed down again, after a while you get sick and just walk around with half your backside on show. What about when you run, you have to run with your hands in your pockets to stop the coins slapping against something that could bring tears to your eyes, and if you fall when running with your hands in your pockets imagine the possible injuries to your face. The only downside I can see to having no coins in your pocket is, what do you spin to settle a argument, the divorce rate would go through the roof.

We came across this problem whilst in Vietnam, how to settle a argument without a coin. Rather than divorce we thought we would try and spin a 100,000 Vietnamese dong note. The first problem was who should spin or toss the note, so we tossed a note to see who should toss the note, imagine tossing a note in the rainy season, when it landed you would have to take it home dry it out, and iron the note before you could see who won. What about the monsoon season after you toss the note it would be 500 yards down the street, you would need a tuk tuk to chase the note, but you have no money to pay the driver because you've just tossed it in the air. Imagine the argument that could lead to.

While I was on my travels I started to lose weight despite the fact I was eating three meals a day, you tend not to eat the junk food that you do at home and you don't visit the fridge so often. The ice cubes in our fridge haven't set for three years, due to the door being constantly open. Even when I'm not hungry I sometimes just open the fridge door and let the light wash over me while I stare inside, I think it's called comfort peeping.

Our first taste of Vietnam was in Ho Chi Minh City which we found to be very good. We stayed in the central area with all the very busy roads, which take a little getting used to, the buzzing markets and most amazing street food.

With lots of places to visit and the hectic street life going on all around you, you can't fail to be impressed by this city.

We stayed for two nights which we thought was just right, before moving on to Da Nang.

Our flight time to Da Nang was one hour and we had a car transfer arranged from the airport, the hotel was good and the staff even better, and nothing was too much trouble for them.

The weather was a little cooler and pouring with rain, it's also a little off the tourist trail and we never came across another westerner in the two days we spent here.

We were glad we stayed here- very nice, friendly and helpful people, beautiful bridges, and we even watched Newcastle live on the television in the restaurant.

Hoi An was our next stop. We travelled by car transfer which took around 50 minutes, staying for four days in the Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa, a mouthful I know.

For four days we stayed at a wonderful hotel with first class staff.

The location of the hotel is perfect with a only a 5 minute stroll time into one of the most amazing towns that we have ever come across, with superb restaurants and bars, shops, temples, and religious buildings.

We cannot recommend this place highly enough.

Cambodia was our next stop with a flight time of two hours 30 minutes to Siem Reap, which we found to be a very busy place particularly around Pub Street. The name tells the story. In a place called the Alley we discovered wall to wall restaurants of many different nationalities, a nice place with plenty of choice and we enjoyed two excellent meals there.

We visited the floating villages and Angkor Wat, for which Siem Reap is really famous for. We spent a day at Angkor which was right for us, but can understand some people who want to go back time and again to this magnificent, magical place.

The world famous Angkor temples really are a must see attraction, and those alone made our three day visit unforgettable.

For our second and last trip in Cambodia we took a short 45 minute flight to Phnom Penh the capital and largest city, also the one I can never pronounce. We visited the royal palace, which was ok, and the killing fields which were very sad, but something you must not miss.

The notorious prison S21 was our next visit. Pol Pot's secret prison is also sad with many graphic pictures and testimonials of the atrocities that occurred here, a place you want to visit but don't want to visit.

We ate some incredible food in Phnom Penh, particularly the curries and the prawns, and had a nice boat ride up the mighty Mekong river. Some parts of the markets can be a little stomach churning, more than we have seen elsewhere, but please don't take that as a form of criticism, more of an observation.
We spent four days here which was our first real mistake, a day less would have been better however due to us booking the flight late, all alternatives were booked.

Cambodia was an amazing enjoyable experience for us, with some fantastic sights, nice people and amazing food, a little less clean than Vietnam especially in the capital.
We then headed back to our favourite place, Vietnam, for a two night stay in Ho Chi Minh City where we stayed in our most expensive hotel of the trip- a little luxury before heading off home. Fantastic views of the Mekong River from our room, in the upmarket side of town, yet still only a 15 minute stroll to the markets.
Staying by the river gave us an insight into a side of the city we did not know existed, with large hotels and expensive shops it's nice to see, but not enough street food for us foodies, downtown here we come.

Goodbye from us
Standra