Thai Indochina Explorer

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  DIANA FURNO

  THAI INDO CHINA EXPLORER

  

  Written January 2008

  The organization was very good in general terms. The hotels were very good too, with only one exception, the one at Kampot. The  Vietnam coach was very good but no the Cambodia one. A small bus with no luggage space. As to the itinerary, I would change slightly the Cambodia schedule,more precisely in Phnom Penh using less time for the genocide museum and the killing fields and dedicating time to the Fine Arts Museum which is said to be very important.  In the first itinerary that I received we had the Museum and then it was changed for a market, not a very good idea.  More time in Saigon I believe could be interesting. I arrived one day in advance, before joining the group and had the chance to walk around and have more time which the group did not have.  The Thailand days were not good and needs reviewing. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I liked very much the visit to the Cuchi Tunnels, it was extremely interesting. It was a fascinating visit that allowed me to admire the great courage and creativity displayed when fighting for their country. The Mekong Delta navigation with stays at the communal house and lunch at the Old House were really enjoyable. Of course, the highlight was Angkor which I really enjoyed even though we did not have a good guiding. The Angkor complex is a fantastic place and should be given more attention in terms of organization and, as I said, guiding. A local guide with a good knowledge of the temples history would be most advisable.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We had three leaders. The one for Vietnam was very knowledgeable and had a good group management. However, he spoke too fast and it was not easy some times to follow him due to a not very accurate pronounciation but he answered all our questions and showed a good preparation and knowledge. The leader in Cambodia was not very good, he was very nice and helpful but his English was not very good and he remained silent for long periods, while we crossed Cambodia, where the trip was rather tedious but he could have profitted to give an account of the country's population, production, agriculture, political situation etc etc. I think he was not a well trained leader and had no control of the group. When we visited the Royal Palace at Pnohm Penh, he bought the tickets and then came to use saying that there were no more local guides. So we were left to walk around with no explanation at all, with only a brochure provided at the Palace but insufficient to appreciate and understand what we were visiting. When we arrived at Angkor and after I and my friend talked to him expressing our dissatisfaction, he seemed to "wake up" and became more attentive. He also seemed to be more knowledgeable of the area we were visiting but lacked the stamina to keep the group together and inform us on the different sectors of the temples.

  As far as the Bankgkok leader is concerned, he rushed us to the Royal Palace accross the river, the sky train and the streets in order to arrive before closing time and once inside he just did not bother much but sat there waiting for us to visit the place. Again, very little information was received from him and the visit was done, as I said, in a hurry.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you don't know much about buddhism I would recommend to read about in order to have a better appreciation of the sites visited.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I think one extra day should be added to each country visited with more free time to explore the places on one's own.

   
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  David French

  Good all round trip

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Plenty of opportunities to see the "real" Cambodia - well off the beaten tourist trail at times.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  The main leader in particular was excellent - probably the best I've had.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Consider skipping the Thailand section. Bangkok doesn't really chime with the exploratory nature of the rest of the trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This was a very well-structured and thoughtful trip. A variety of different activities mean this is a good way to see a large swathe of the Far East in a short time.

   
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  Tanya Baldwin

  a real eye opener

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  transitions between countries, and the peoples. real human touches from modern history

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  all three were excellent, they made the holiday

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  get some rest before you go, as you will want to make the most of every second, and you are on the go all the time.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  just to avoid the over touristy shows in siem reap - aim for smaller intimate places

  go to thai boxing in bangkok if you get a chance 

   
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  Jane Newman

  For the Little Girl on the Streets of Phnom Penh

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  • Visiting the rural villages of Cambodia and meeting the people who live there.
  • Climbing to the highest level of Angkor Wat with the help of Lei one of our guides.
  • Hearing stories from the guides about life, in Vietnam and Cambodia, now and in the past.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Dang, our leader in Vietnam was lively, entertaining and brought to life the history and politics of his country.

  In Cambodia, our leader was a caring, compassionate man called Sothy, who showed us life in Cambodia through the eyes of someone with great experience and depth of character.

   

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  • A torch and 'nightcap' for the homestay!
  • The villagers we visited in Cambodia need toothbrushes, toothpaste, basic toiletries and small gifts e.g. stickers and pens for the children (not sweets!)  Take some with you to distribute - they are so grateful.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Prepare for a journey into another world.  Be respectful of the people, their culture and way of life.  Please be generous if you can - remember there is a huge difference in our standards of living.  They deserve a few of life's pleasures too.  Be  mindful that we are immensely privileged to be able to travel to such destinations.

   

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