Brief Histories of SEA Kingdoms - Thailand Laos Vietnam Cambodia

Ancient Kingdoms:
Thailand, Laos,
Vietnam & Cambodia
Plus, optional extensions in
Burma & the Irrawaddy River and
Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai, 1hailand
2010
A Word about Adventure Travel
Welcome! Thank you Ior choosing Overseas Adventure Travel. Whether you`ve traveled with
OAT beIore or are joining us Ior the Iirst time, we know this will be one oI your most rewarding
adventures.
Overseas Adventure Travel, Iounded in 1978, is America`s leading adventure travel company. We
are dedicated to providing unique opportunities Ior worldwide cultural and outdoor exploration to
active, mature travelersalways in small, exclusive groups. OAT trips have been recommended by
The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, The Los Angeles Times, Travel Leisure, The Wall
Street Journal, US News & World Report, and others. But our most impressive reviews come Irom
our customers: Thousands oI travelers have joined our trips, and 96 say they`d gladly travel with
us again.
Preparing Ior your trip and learning about your destination are part oI the joy oI travel. The
Handbook you are holding is designed to be your central inIormation resource, as you get ready. It
contains inIormation on your trip, your air travel arrangements, packing tips, travel protection plan,
and much more.
Most travelers are particularly concerned about what to bring on their trip. Here`s where you really
beneIit Irom OAT`s years oI adventure travel experience. We asked our customers and Trip Leaders
Irom past trips about the gear and clothing they carried with them. They told us what worked, what
didn`t, and what they wished they had. When you read our gear lists, you are consulting not just one
experienced adventure traveler, but hundreds!
The more you know beIore you go, the more you`ll appreciate your time exploring. To ensure that
this trip is right Ior you, please pay close attention to the 'Are You Fit for Adventure? and
'Phvsical Activities sections oI this Handbook.
Your Handbook includes some suggestions Ior books. Pick one or two, according to your own
interests. Your eIIorts will be handsomely rewarded with a deeper understanding oI this
exceptional destination. We`ve also provided a section about what to expect on the trip itselI. This
includes suggestions Ior staying healthy, Ior preserving the natural and cultural environments, even
tips on bargaining and shopping.
All our suggestions and requirements have the same purpose: to help you get the most out oI your
trip. AIter you`ve read the Handbook, please contact OAT`s Traveler Support Team iI you need
clariIication oI any point.
Have a great trip!
Overseas Adventure Travel
1-800-221-0814
WWW.OATTRAVEL.COM
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 2
Overseas Adventure Travel
Ancient Kingdoms: 1hailand, Laos, Jietnam & Cambodia Handbook
Table of Contents
1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ................................................................................................ 5
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 5
Passport ................................................................................................................................... 5
JisasRequired ....................................................................................................................... 6
Emergencv Photocopies ........................................................................................................... 6
OPTIONAL HOT-AIR BALLOON FLIGHT OVER BAGAN (BURMA EXTENSION)RESERVE EARLY .......................... 7
AIRLINE INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................... 7
When to Expect Your Flight Itineraries and Airline Tickets ..................................................... 7
A Word about Air Routing ........................................................................................................ 7
International Flight Reservations ............................................................................................. 8
Airport Departure Taxes .......................................................................................................... 8
Arranging Your Own International Flights .............................................................................. 8
Arranging Your Own Domestic Flights within the U.S. ............................................................ 8
Advance International/Domestic Flight Seat Reservations ...................................................... 9
Breakawav Travel .................................................................................................................... 9
When You Receive Your Airline Tickets .................................................................................. 10
2. GET READY TO GO ............................................................................................................... 11
VISIT YOUR DOCTOR ........................................................................................................................... 11
Medical Checkup .................................................................................................................... 11
Jaccinations ........................................................................................................................... 11
Prevention of Malaria ............................................................................................................ 11
Prescription Medications ....................................................................................................... 12
Dental Exam ........................................................................................................................... 12
ARE YOU FIT FOR ADVENTURE? ........................................................................................................... 12
Phvsical Activities .................................................................................................................. 12
Is this adventure right for vou? .............................................................................................. 12
LEARN ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS ....................................................................................................... 14
Thailand at a Glance .............................................................................................................. 14
Laos at a Glance .................................................................................................................... 15
VIETNAM AT A GLANCE ........................................................................................................................ 18
Historical Overview ............................................................................................................... 18
CAMBODIA AT A GLANCE ...................................................................................................................... 20
Suggested Readings ................................................................................................................ 22
Thai Phrase Guide ................................................................................................................. 23
Laos Phrase Guide ................................................................................................................. 25
Jietnamese Phrase Guide ....................................................................................................... 26
Cambodian Phrase Guide ...................................................................................................... 28
Getting around ....................................................................................................................... 28
Dinning .................................................................................................................................. 28
USEFUL WEBSITES ................................................................................................................................ 30
JET LAG PRECAUTIONS .......................................................................................................................... 31
3. PACKING 1UST WHAT YOU NEED ................................................................................... 32
A WORD ABOUT THE WEATHER ............................................................................................................. 32
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 3
YOUR LOCKS & LUGGAGE .................................................................................................................... 34
TSA locks ................................................................................................................................ 34
SPECIAL LUGGAGE LIMITATIONS .................................................................................... 35
CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 35
TRAVELER`S CHECKLISTS ...................................................................................................................... 36
Packing Your Carrv-On Bag .................................................................................................. 36
Luggage Checklist .................................................................................................................. 36
Recommended Clothing Checklist .......................................................................................... 37
Other Essential Items ............................................................................................................. 37
Medicines ............................................................................................................................... 37
Optional Gear ........................................................................................................................ 38
TIPS ON PHOTO GEAR ........................................................................................................................... 38
4. WHILE YOU ARE ON YOUR TRIP ...................................................................................... 39
OUR VEHICLES ................................................................................................................................... 39
MONEY MATTERS ................................................................................................................................ 39
How to Carrv Your Monev ..................................................................................................... 39
ATMs and Debit Cards ........................................................................................................... 39
Credit Cards .......................................................................................................................... 40
Thai Currencv ........................................................................................................................ 40
Laos Currencv ........................................................................................................................ 40
Jietnamese Currencv ............................................................................................................. 40
Cambodian Currencv ............................................................................................................. 40
Currencv in Mvanmar ............................................................................................................ 41
TIPPING ............................................................................................................................................... 41
STAYING HEALTHY ON YOUR TRIP ......................................................................................................... 42
CELL PHONES ...................................................................................................................................... 43
PHONE CALLING CARDS ........................................................................................................................ 43
A WORD ABOUT ELECTRICITY ................................................................................................................ 44
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL ........................................................................................................................... 44
Conserving the Natural Environment ..................................................................................... 44
Cultural Interaction ............................................................................................................... 44
SAFETY & SECURITY ............................................................................................................................ 45
SHOPPING ............................................................................................................................................ 45
Bargaining ............................................................................................................................. 47
U.S. Customs Regulations ...................................................................................................... 47
5. SOME FINAL THOUGHTS .................................................................................................... 48
CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCALS ................................................................................................................... 48
A REAL ADVENTURE . . . ...................................................................................................................... 48
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 4
Important Information
1. Important Information
Travel Documents
Passport
You need a valid passport Ior this itinerary.
Aote
Your passport must be valid for at least six months following your scheduled return to
the United States. You will also require blank pages available in your passport. The
number of pages you will need varies according to the options you have selected, as we
have listed below. These pages must be labeled ~Visas at the top (blank ~Amendments
and Endorsements pages are not acceptable). If both of these requirements are not met,
you may be refused admittance to a country and, consequently, required by that
country`s government to return to the U.S. immediately.
Main trip only: If you are taking only the main trip, you will require 5 blank passport
pages.
Pre-trip extension to Myanmar (Burma) : In addition to the 5 pages required for the main
trip, you will need 1 more pages for a total of 6 blank passport pages.
Post-trip to Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai, 1hailand: In addition to the 5 pages required for
the main trip, you will need 1more page for a total of 6 blank passport pages.
Both the pre- and post-trip extensions: You will need a total of 7 blank passport pages.
Contact the National Passport InIormation Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 or visit their web site
at www.travel.state.gov Ior inIormation on obtaining a new passport, renewing your existing
passport, and Ior general tips on traveling abroad. You can renew your passport by mail iI it is not
damaged, you obtained it within the last IiIteen years, and it`s in the name you want on your new
passport. Many local post oIIices carry Iorms Ior renewing by mail or obtaining extra pages. Allow
several weeks Ior processing your passport.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 5
Visas-Required
For a U.S. citizen holding a U.S. passport, the visa requirements listed below apply. We will send
you the necessary visa application Iorms, instructions on how to Iill them out, and the amount oI the
visa processing Iees approximately 100 days prior to your departure. This inIormation is provided
by PVS International, a national passport service that we highly recommend.
Some visas are available both in advance or onsite. We recommend that you obtain your visas in
advance, because entry requirements can change at any moment and that is the only way to
ensure that you will not encounter problems at the border.
(Aote: When obtaining visas before vour trip, applv earlv. Applving for vour visa within 30 davs of
vour departure will result in additional expenses and fees.)
Thailand (base trip)-visa not required: For a U.S. citizen, a visa is not required Ior
entry into Thailand Ior a stay oI up to 30 days. II you are staying longer than 30 days, or iI
you are not oI U.S. nationality, you should check with the Royal Thai Embassy at 1-202-
944-3608 Ior the applicable regulations.
Vietnam (base trip)-visa required in advance: II you are a U.S. citizen, a visa is
required to enter Vietnam. You must obtain your visa for Vietnam before you leave
home. Approximately 100 days prior to your departure we will send you two copies oI the
visa application Iorm and instructions Irom a visa service agency so you can apply Ior your
visa in advance oI your trip.
Loas (base trip)-visa required: U.S citizen will need a visa to enter Loas. We will
include the necessary visa application Iorms and instructions in a visa packet that will be
sent to you approximately 100 days prior to departure.
Cambodia (base trip)-visa required: U.S citizen will need a visa to enter
Cambodia. We will include the necessary visa application Iorms and instructions in a visa
packet that will be sent to you approximately 100 days prior to departure.
Aon-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. passport holders. If vou are not a U.S. citi:en or if vou possess a
passport from a countrv other than the U.S., it is vour responsibilitv to check with vour local
consulate or embassv about possible visa requirements. For vour convenience, we recommend the
services of PJS International, whose address follows. Or, contact vour local consulate.
PVS International
Passport & Visa Services
1700 N Moore Street Rosslyn Center, suite 310
Arlington, VA 22209
Telephone: 1-800-556-9990
Emergency Photocopies
The smartest and easiest security precaution you can take is to carry photocopies oI the personal
inIormation pages oI your passport, your air ticket, traveler`s check serial numbers (iI you're
carrying these checks), and your credit cards. Add the phone and Iax numbers Ior reporting lost
credit cards, and Ior your travel protection plan company (iI you have purchased the optional travel
protection plan) and medical emergency network. Store copies separate Irom the originals. This can
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 6
save you immeasurable time, money, and bother iI your documents are lost during your trip.
Optional Hot-air Balloon Flight over Bagan (Burma
extension)-Reserve Early
You must purchase this optional tour at least
45 days prior to departure.
Please note: 1his tour does not operate from April 1-September 3.
On Day 6 oI the optional Burma & the Irrawaddv River pre-trip extension, iI you are traveling
during the months oI October through March, you can take an optional balloon Ilight during our
stay in Bagan, Myanmar (Burma). You`ll enjoy a bird's-eye view oI ancient Bagan and its hundreds
oI temples. This Ilight takes place at dawn, when the light strikes the landscape with a golden hue.
AIter the Ilight, we return our Bagan hotel in time Ior breakIast.
Please note: This optional tour can sometimes be booked on-site, but there is no guarantee of
availabilitv or price. To reserve in advance, vou must do so at least 45 davs before departure.
The price listed is the U.S. dollar estimate determined at the time of publication and is subfect to
change, so the sooner vou purchase this optional tour, the sooner vou secure vour space and
protect vour price against anv currencv fluctuations. For details, call vour Travel Counselor.
The current cost oI this optional tour is approximately $295 per person.
Airline Information
When to Expect Your Flight Itineraries and Airline Tickets
You will receive a preliminary Ilight itinerary approximately 100 days prior to departure. Please
examine it careIully to ensure that your name appears exactly as it does on your passport. II the
airlines make a change in your Ilight times, we`ll adjust your reservation accordingly and, iI time
permits, send you an updated Ilight itinerary beIore you receive your tickets. You will receive your
tickets with a Iinalized Ilight itinerary and Iinal trip documents by 14 days beIore you depart.
Depending on your airlines, you may receive electronic tickets (e-tickets) Ior some or all oI your
Ilights. Your airline tickets Ior the local Ilights within Asia will be given to you upon arrivalthey
will not be in your Iinal document package.
Please note that all flight arrangements are subject to change at any time for many reasons
beyond OAT`s control.
A Word about Air Routing
Every eIIort will be made to arrange the most direct Ilight schedule Ior you. OAT reserves the right
to choose the air carrier, routing, and city airport Irom each gateway city. In some cases, your
routing may involve connections and layovers, and may not be the most direct, requiring an
overnight en route at your expense.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 7
International Flight Reservations
OAT will make the necessary reservations Ior the air arrangements that are included in your
Adventure program. You will Ily economy class on regularly scheduled airlines. We base our
program prices on low promotional airIares, determined in conjunction with domestic and
international carriers, and subject to airline restrictions.
Tickets are issued as a group Ior your departure. II you book your reservation aIter the group
has been ticketed, we will try to ticket you at the best available Iare.
II you change your return reservation Iollowing departure, you may be charged a higher airIare
or a penalty by the airline. Payments can be made by cash (U.S. or local currency) or credit card
directly to the airline.
Airport Departure Taxes
Please note that this tour may have airport departure taxes that cannot be included in your airline
ticket price because you are required to pay them on-site. All taxes are subject to change without
notice and can be paid in cash (either U.S. or local currency). II applicable, you will receive these
tax amounts with your Iinal documents approximately 14 days prior to departure.
Arranging Your Own International Flights
II you arrange your own international Ilights, plan to buy your tickets approximately 60 days beIore
your trip. Check with us at that time about any changes in the trip operation, particularly iI you are
buying a ticket with cancellation penalties. Send us a written copy oI your Ilight itinerary as soon as
you have it (see our Iax number in this handbook). We relay this to our overseas operations oIIice
beIore your departure. Please note that you must arrange your own transfers between the
airport and the hotel at the beginning and end of your trip.
Arranging Your Own Domestic Flights within the U.S.
II you have chosen to make your own domestic Ilight reservations, we recommend that you reIrain
Irom purchasing tickets at Iares that carry high penalty charges Ior changes. International schedules
are subject to change, and OAT cannot be responsible Ior domestic airIare penalties or any loss
resulting Irom unexpected changes in your international Ilights, cancellations, or changes in travel
dates. Some airlines will charge Iees anywhere Irom approximately $50 per person to $200 per
person to change your reservation. In many cases, tickets are nonreIundable. Make certain you are
aware oI all change and cancellation Iees.
Frequent Flyer Programs
Due to special group airIares, we cannot guarantee that any Irequent Ilyer miles will be earned, and
the granting oI any Irequent Ilyer credits is the airline`s decision, not OAT`s. For your best chance
oI claiming any credit that the airline may choose to grant, present your Irequent Ilyer membership
card upon check-in. It is always a good idea to keep copies oI your boarding passes and your
passenger receipt (Irom your airline ticket package) as prooI oI Ilight, just in case the airline does
not properly credit your account. You can submit the boarding passes and passenger receipt directly
to the airline Ior any applicable mileage credit.
Flying with a Traveling Companion
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 8
II you`re traveling with a companion Irom a diIIerent household, and both oI you are beginning and
ending your trip at the same airport on the same dates, let us know you`d like to travel together and
we`ll make every eIIort to arrange this (please note, however, that this is not always possible). II
you request any changes to your Ilights, please be sure that both you and your companion tell us
that you still want to Ily together.
II you and your companion are starting or ending your trip at diIIerent airports, we are unable to
book you together on the same Ilights. To provide each oI you the best combination oI price,
availability, and connections, we must make your air arrangements individually.
In-Flight Meals
Most Ilights within the U.S. and to destinations in North America (Canada & Mexico) or Central
America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala) no longer provide complimentary meals. On some
Ilights Iood may be available Ior purchase on board. Meal prices, quantity and quality may vary.
For this reason we recommend that you bring your own Iood items.
Complimentary meals continue to be provided on most international Ilights to destinations outside
North America. II you preIer a special airline meal on your international Ilight (salt-Iree, low-
calorie, kosher, etc.) please call the airline directly to reconIirm your requests aIter you receive your
airline tickets.
Advance International/Domestic Flight Seat Reservations
Although OAT will Iorward your request Ior preIerred seating to the airline, many airlines do not
assign seats in advance, and your request is not guaranteed. II the airline is able to pre-assign seats,
your assignment will be indicated on your Iinal air itinerary. II the airline does not assign your seat
in advance, you can check in early at the airport to request the seating you preIer.
Note on Internal Foreign Flights. We cannot make seating requests for internal flights in foreign
countries, as those tickets are received from our representatives onsite.
Breakaway Travel
On certain Overseas Adventure Travel vacations, you have the option to enjoy Breakaway Travel at
the end oI your stay, subject to Ilight availability. This option enables you to travel on your own
wherever you choose. Your total travel time cannot exceed 30 days Irom the original date oI
departure Irom the U.S. On the date oI your ticketed return to the U.S., return to the airport oI your
departure Ior your Ilight home. You will be responsible Ior conIirming your international Ilight
back to the U.S. and Ior your own transIers to the airport. There is a $50-$150 per-person,
nonreIundable Iee to request Breakaway Travel . Additional air charges may also apply. All
arrangements Ior Breakaway Travel must be requested no later than 71 days prior to departure.
ConIirmation inIormation will usually be available approximately 45 days beIore your departure.
Consult our Travel Counselors Ior details.
Please note: Overseas Adventure Travel does not assist in making travel arrangements during
Breakawav Travel and does not assume anv liabilitv for anv activitv or trip vou take independentlv
while on this program and not under the direct supervision of OAT.
If Overseas Adventure Travel provides vour air flight arrangements to and from an OAT tour or
cruise, and vou have purchased the Passenger Travel Protection Plan, vou are covered for
Accidental Death, Medical Expense/Emergencv Assistance, Trip Delav, Baggage Loss, and
Baggage Delav while traveling on vour own. The plan will not cover anv travel arrangements that
are not provided bv Overseas Adventure Travel.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 9
When You Receive Your Airline Tickets
As soon as you receive your airline tickets, we ask that you veriIy their accuracy.
! ! Check your tickets careIully to ensure they reIlect the city and departure/return
dates that OAT has conIirmed to you.
! ! Make certain your name is spelled correctly and that your Iirst and last names
appear as shown on your passport or other identiIication.
! ! II you have made a request Ior special seating, see iI your ticket reIlects that
assignment. II it does not, you can plan to arrive early at the airport and request your
preIerred seating at check-in.
! ! Please note that you will receive the airline tickets Ior your Ilights internal to the
trip Irom our local representative on-site. They are not included with your Iinal documents.
! ! We regret that we cannot change air reservations inside oI 45 days Irom departure.
Changes requested 70 to 45 days prior to departure will incur a service Iee oI $50 per
person plus any applicable charges imposed by the airlines.
! ! II Ior any reason you do not use an airline ticket provided by OAT, please return it
to us as soon as possible. However, remember that domestic tickets are generally based on
nonreIundable Iares; the airline determines whether you can change the ticket or receive
reimbursement due to illness or other emergency.
Please remember that your airline ticket is a valuable, negotiable document Ior which you are
responsible. Lost tickets should be reported to OAT immediately. While OAT will assist in
replacing lost tickets, we may not be able to replace them at the original cost. You may be subject to
additional expenses. In general, iI you lose your ticket, you must pay Ior a new ticket pending a
reIund Irom the airline, not OAT.
II you must cancel your trip aIter you have received your airline tickets, you are required to return
the tickets to OAT beIore we can process any reIunds that may be due to you.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 10
Get Readv to Go
2. Get Ready to Go
Visit Your Doctor
Medical Checkup
We strongly recommend that you have a medical checkup at least six weeks beIore your trip. This
is a must if you have any medical conditions or physical limitations. Let your doctor know
about any medical condition you have, particularly cardiac or respiratory disease or diabetes, and
discuss the details oI the trip itinerary as it pertains to your health. Your trip will take you into
remote areas, with no nearby medical Iacilities. Please notiIy us in writing about any medical
condition that may require special attention. II your report is normal, you don`t need to send it to us.
II you send us a medical report, we don`t use it to determine iI you should take this trip, or iI you
are likely to enjoy it. Those decisions are up to you and your doctor.
Vaccinations
Check with the CDC: To ensure you receive any needed vaccinations we suggest that you check
the current recommendations oI the U.S. Centers Ior Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Ior
your destination. You can contact them at:
Online iI you have access to the Internet, we suggest you visit the CDC`s Web site
at www.cdc.gov/travel, where you will Iind comprehensive inIormation
about preventing illness while traveling.
By phoneat the CDC`s International Traveler`s Hotline toll-Iree at 1-877-FYI-
TRIP (1-877-394-8747) 24 hours a day. Please note that automated
inIormation is arranged topically by disease, rather than by country or
region.
Consult your doctor: AIter checking the CDC`s recommendations we strongly suggest that
you consult your Iamily physician (at least 6 weeks prior to departure) concerning any
vaccinations or medications that you may need on this trip. At the time oI print there were no
speciIic vaccinations required Ior entry into any oI the countries on your itinerary.
Prevention of Malaria
The most important steps you can take to prevent malaria are to use insect repellent (preIerably
containing DEET at 30-35 strength) on your exposed skin and clothing to prevent mosquito bites
and to wear clothing that keeps your arms and legs covered. The CDC recommends that travelers to
some oI the countries on this itinerary take an anti-malarial medication.
Please consult your health care proIessional well in advance oI your trip to discuss which anti-
malarial regimen, iI any, you will Iollow. For Iurther inIormation, you or your health care
proIessional can obtain the CDC document 'Prescription Drugs Ior Malaria (available on the CDC
website).
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 11
Get Readv to Go
Prescription Medications
II you take prescription medications regularly, be sure to pack an ample supply that will last your
entire trip. Pack these medications in your carry-on bag, and keep them in their original, labeled
containers. To be prepared Ior any unIoreseen loss oI your medications, you should also bring
copies oI the prescriptions, written using the generic drug name rather than a brand name.
Also, when you visit your doctor, get a prescription for an antibiotic medication Ior
gastrointestinal illness. In addition, you should ask your doctor Ior a prescription for a pain
medication, such as Tylenol with codeine. You might need this in the unlikely event oI an injury in
a location where medical attention would be delayed. Our Trip Leader does not carry prescription
medications.
Dental Exam
A loose Iilling or developing cavity would be diIIicult to remedy during your adventure. You may
want to have a dental exam beIore your trip.
Are You Fit For Adventure?
Physical Activities
This adventure is suitable Ior OAT travelers who live an active liIestyle, enjoy good health and
mobility, are comIortable participating in 4-6 hours oI daily physical activities and sightseeing, and
are able to walk 2-3 miles unassisted over the course oI each day.
The physical demands oI this trip are not highly challenging, yet there is moderate walking. And in
Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia paths are oIten steep, unpaved, or cobbled, making this trip more
physically demanding than a conventional bus tour or cruise. To Iully enjoy this travel experience,
you need to be able to walk unassisted Ior up to three hours.
Our included, elective activities are all optional, and you can elect not to take as many as you like.
OI course, you`ll get the most out oI your trip by participating in as many oI these activities as you
can. Usually, you can decide what you`ll do the night beIore, or even on the spot. You just might
surprise yourselI!
Is this adventure right for you?
We`ve worked closely with our local Trip Leaders and regional associates to identiIy the aspects oI
this adventure that you should be aware oI when you join this trip, Irom physical requirements to
cultural Iactors. Please careIully review the inIormation below.
Physical requirements: This adventure is not appropriate Ior travelers using wheelchairs or
other mobility aids. You must be able to walk 3 miles unassisted over the course oI each day and
stand Ior up to a halI hour. You must also be comIortable participating in 5-7 hours oI daily
physical activities. In some oI the small villages where we stop during our days oI touring, we must
make do with Asian-style toilets (squat-style rather than seats).
Pacing: 9 locations in 19 days with 3 one-night stays; some early mornings. We also have 3 internal
Ilights oI about 1 hour each. Be prepared Ior delays in regional air service.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 12
Get Readv to Go
Climate and terrain: The climate in this region is tropical, with temperatures reaching the 90s and
high levels oI humidity, especially Irom March to May. Heavy rains are possible between August
and October. Please consider your tolerance Ior heat when selecting a departure date. We`ll travel
over some bumpy, unpaved roads, climb uneven stairways as ancient ruins, and walk over uneven
ground at outdoor markets.
Transportation: We travel primarily via air-conditioned bus (no toilet on board) and experience a
cvclo-rickshaw and an oxcart ride. On Day 7, we have a lengthy bus ride on zig-zagging roads with
views oI the mountains oI Laos. We also travel by boat, which will require agility to embark.
Accommodations: All our accommodations are hotel-standard, with a variety oI amenities and
personal service, as well as private baths with hot showers and Western-style toilet Iacilities.
Group size and leadership: 16 maximum with 1 Trip Leader.
Cuisine: Our meals will be based on the local cuisine. Western Ioods will be available at breakIast,
but otherwise we will experience the Ioods oI Southeast Asiamany oI them containing
ingredients that are new and diIIerent to us. Some dishes are vegetarian, but please note that no
special accommodations can be made Ior dietary restrictions. Your Trip Leader can suggest
restaurants Ior meals that are not included on your adventure.
Cultural insight: For the adventurous soul, the challenges oI traveling in Southeast Asiain
addition to the region`s renowned hospitalitymake it a uniquely rewarding destination. You
should be prepared Ior dust, pollution, traIIic and large crowds in cities. Poverty can be distressing
Ior some travelers, as can the history we`ll revisit at the Cu Chi tunnels and the Killing Fields oI
Choeung Ek.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 13
Get Readv to Go
Learn about Your Destinations
We encourage you to start learning about the regions oI the world you will soon be exploring. The
ancient and contemporary cultures oI this area are rich and complex. Even a small amount oI
background reading can help you make sense oI the kaleidoscope oI Iacts and impressions that will
come your way. Having some knowledge in advance can complement and enrich what you can
learn Irom your expert Trip Leader.
Thailand at a Glance
Early History
The Thai people originated in what is now Yunan, China. AIter Mongols invaded the state oI
Nanchao, the Thai migrated down the Mekong River into what is now known as Thailand. They
separated into several distinct groups, including the Siamese, the Lao and the Shan, but remained in
close contact. Through wars and diplomacy, the Thai quickly Ilooded across the great plain oI the
Chao Phraya River, and the Iirst uniIied Thai kingdom, called Sukhotai, was Iormed in the 13th
century.
A distinct Thai culture developed as the kingdom expanded. A dominant aspect oI this culture was
the importance oI Buddhism in daily liIe. Every Village had a Buddhist wat, or temple complex,
where Iestivals and social events took place. These temples also served as schools, orphanages, and
hospitalsthe monks who lived there were oIten skilled at local medicine.
The Chakri Dynasty
The Burmese invaded Ayudthaya in 1767, driving the Thai into the center oI the country. A large
portion oI the population settled in the Iertile valley oI the central plain, giving rise to a new capital
in Bangkok. Shielded by heavily Iorested mountains to the north, and secure Irom attack by
neighboring states, the city Ilourished. The new Thai kingdom that grew up around Bangkok
became known as Siam, a reIerence to the Siamese people oI the central plains, where Bangkok is
located.
Around 1800, Siam`s great Chakri dynasty rose to power and created the groundwork Ior the
modern nation-state oI Thailand. The Chakri instituted a central bureaucracy, asserted authority
over numerous tribes which had previously been ruled by local chieItains, and initiated a program
oI military conquest throughout the region. Over the next century, the Siamese Empire grew to
include parts oI modern-day Burma, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Perhaps even more importantly, the
Chakri kings managed to keep Siam Iree Irom western colonial domination. Despite the prestige
Siam had attained on the world stage, liIe Ior the average Thai was little better than slavery, as
Chakri kings demanded military service, labor, and heavy taxes Irom every subject.
The Birth of a Nation
By the turn oI the century, modernization had increased the number and types oI jobs available,
especially in government and the military. The prevailing policy was to Iill these jobs based largely
on education. Many Thai began sending their children overseas to be educated. When the children
returned home, they brought with them western views on the scope and purpose oI government.
This new generation oI educated Thai saw the Siamese political system as antiquated and began
demanding a larger share oI power.
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In 1932, the situation came to a head. The monarchy was overthrown in a bloodless revolution and
the country`s name was changed to Muang Thai, 'Land oI the Free. However, most peasants and
Iarmers continued to view the king as the moral leader oI the nation, and the king was eventually
invited to return as a constitutional monarch. He lacks political power, but serves as the head oI
statea uniIying symbol oI Thai culture.
During World War II, Thailand was allied with Japan. Despite protest Irom the British and French,
the United States never recognized Thailand`s declaration oI war. The decision paid oII, as the
close relationship between the two countries proved to be a pivotal component oI the United States`
post-war policy in Southeast Asia. In the decades directly Iollowing the end oI the war, Thailand
has seen a number oI diIIerent political regimes, but has remained an important ally to the U.S.
Thailand Today
Area: 197,596 square miles
Capital: Bangkok
Languages: Thai, English
Population (2007 estimate): 65,068,149
Religions: Buddhist 94.6, Muslim 4.6, Christian 0.7, other 0.1
Time zone: Thailand is seven hours ahead oI GMT. There is no daylight savings time in Thailand.
During the summer Thailand is 11 hours ahead oI New York and during the winter months it is 12
hours ahead oI New York.
Thailand has never suIIered colonial rule by another country and has never been occupied by any
Ioreign army. It has never experienced violent revolution. Thailand has been able to absorb Western
ideas at its own pace while maintaining its long-standing traditions and preserving its cultural
autonomy. The result is an intriguing mix oI the Iamiliar and the exotic, oI old and new.
Religion remains a dominant Iorce in Thai culture. The vast majority oI Thai people subscribe to
the doctrine oI Theravada Buddhism, a mix oI traditional Buddhist, Brahmin, and other eastern
belieIs.
The Thai standard oI living is higher than in other Southeast Asian countries, which has helped
Thailand avoid internal political striIe. About six million peopletwelve percent oI the Thai
populationlive in Thailand`s capital, Bangkok. The city produces about 50 percent oI the nation's
total wealth. Only about ten percent oI the labor Iorce works in manuIacturing, but this segment is
growing rapidly. Major exports include textiles and building materials. Despite the huge population
oI Bangkok, Thailand is primarily a nation oI small Iarms and villages. The temple complex is the
center oI village liIe, as it has been Ior centuries. Frequent Iestivals and rituals provide the basis Ior
social interaction. In keeping with Buddhist dogma, the people have a deeply ingrained sense oI
social equality. Wealth in the villages is evenly divided, and religious achievement is valued more
highly than power or money.
The Land
Thailand is roughly the size oI France or the state oI Texas. The country has been described as a
huge rice paddy interrupted by the sprawling metropolis oI Bangkok. However, that assessment
isn`t entirely Iair. In Iact, the country`s geography is actually quite varied, with a rich central plain,
heavily Iorested mountains in the north, and a tropical rain Iorest along the southern peninsula.
Laos at a Glance
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Early History
Civilization in the Mekong River Valley where Laos is located stretches back at least 10,000 years
and centers around the Mekong River. The Thai and Lao people who now inhabit Laos were
originally ruled by the Mons and Khmers. In the 13
th
century, the Mongols under Kublai Khan in
China overran the region. A long period oI discontent led to local uprisings that Iinally drove out
the Mongols and brought the kingdom oI Northern Thailand into existence. From the kingdom oI
Northern Thailand and the Khmer lands, the Iirst Lao nation, called Lan Xang, began in the 14
th
century.
An early leader, Fa Ngum, embraced Buddhism and made it the oIIicial state religion. He also
accepted Irom the Khmers the Pha Bang, a gold Buddha that became a symbolic and powerIul
inIluence throughout Lao history. Lan Xang soon became the most powerIul oI the many kingdoms
in the Mekong Valley, and by the 17
th
century Vientiane was established as its capital and used as
the name oI the nation.
Foreign Influence
Siam, one oI the other powerIul nations in the Mekong Valley, and the kingdom oI Vientiane
Iought a series oI wars that by 1820 leIt the region in tatters. The Siamese continued with their
aggression and by 1885 ruled all oI the Mekong Valley. The power oI the Siamese was not to last,
however. The French arrived in Southeast Asia about this time and, using what we now call
gunboat diplomacy, took over the various small kingdoms that now existed and turned them into a
single principality that they governed and called Laos.
The French did little Ior Laosconcentrating instead on developing the territories oI Vietnam and
Cambodia where they built cities, roads, and railroads, and supported education and commerce.
Laos, however, was neglected by the French and did not share in the prosperity oI its neighbors.
Modern History
The French inIluence came to an abrupt end when the Japanese invaded Indochina in 1941. Laos,
and the other countries in the region, were turned into Japanese territories until the end oI World
War II in 1945. The French tried to retake their Iormer colonies when the war ended by landing
paratroopers in Vientiane and declaring it a French protectorate. A resistance movement led by a
group called the Pathet Lao quickly grew in the region, and by 1953 the French gave in and granted
sovereignty to Laos.
The decade oI the 1950s saw the rise oI nationalism in Laos with two dominant groups, the Viet
Minh and the Pathet Lao. AIter a decade-long struggle Ior control oI the country, the internal
conIlict leIt Laos divided and weak. By 1964, as the civil war continued, Laos was dragged into the
conIlict between North Vietnam and the United States. The notorious Ho Chi Minh trail ran
through Laos and helped supply the Vietcong and North Vietnamese troops Iighting against U.S.
Iorces. Heavy U.S. bombing devastated the country during this period and Laos broke apart into
two sectionsthe Royal Lao government in Vientiane and the Pathet Lao in the northeast. The
Royal Lao government was ineIIective, and by the late 1960s the communist Pathet Lao controlled
many sections oI the country.
The peace agreement that ended the Vietnam War in 1973 brought only more instability to Laos. By
1975 the Pathet Lao, who continued to grow in power, eIIectively controlled the entire country.
However, large parts oI the population were aIraid oI the Pathet Lao and Iled Laos. This loss oI
people convinced the Pathet Lao to change their harsh policies, which they did gradually through
the 1980s. In 1987, important trade and Iinancial restrictions were liIted and the economy entered
the modern era. Religious restrictions against Buddhism and travel restrictions on visitors were also
liIted.
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Laos Today
Population: 6,521,998 (July 2007 est)
Religions: Buddhism 65, animism 32.9, Christian and other 2.1
Ethnic groups: Lao Loum (lowland) 68, Lao Theung (upland) 22, Lao Soung (highland) 9,
ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1
Languages: Lao (oIIicial), French, English
Today, though Laos is still a developing country, its government is welcoming to visitors and its
economy is growing and transIorming this once war-torn land. Laos has some good natural
resources that include gold, copper, zinc, and some oil reserves. The country also has excellent
timber resources and grows great quantities oI rice. Fishing in the rivers is a source oI local Iood
and income.
The Land
Laos is a narrow, landlocked, mountainous country approximately halI the size oI the United
Kingdom. It shares borders with Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, and Myanmar (Iormerly
Burma). Unlike many oI its neighbors, Laos is somewhat sparsely populated. The rugged and
diIIicult terrain makes Iarming a struggle, and while Iishing is important along the rivers, Laos has
no coastline. The Mekong River, an important source oI commerce and transportation, runs through
Laos and links the country to the outside.
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Vietnam at a Glance
Historical Overview
Vietnam`s earliest known residents were hunters and Iarmers who migrated into the area Irom the
north and south. At the end oI the third century B.C., the Red River Delta area and a portion oI
southeastern China became a kingdom named Nam Viet. The Chinese conquered this area in 111
B.C., and it remained a Chinese province Ior over a thousand years, Iirst called Jiao Zhi and later,
Annam.
Annam became an independent kingdom in A.D. 938, and its Iirst Vietnamese ruler renamed the
country Dai Co Viet. The next 900 years saw Dai Co Viet grow into an empire ruled by powerIul
Iamily dynasties. During the eleventh and twelIth centuries the Ly dynasty ruled, the empire
prospered, and art Ilourished. In 1225, the Tran dynasty came to power and ruled Ior 175 years.
The army oI Dai Co Viet continued to deIend the country`s independence, deIeating Mongol
invaders and, in 1288, holding oII the army oI Kublai Khan. The only break in 900 years oI selI-
rule was the period between 1407 and 1427, when the Chinese again took control. The Le Dynasty
re-established independence Irom China in 1427, and the country became known as simply Dai
Viet. Though nominally under Le rule, civil war between the Trinh and Nguyen Iamilies persisted
through much oI the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1802, Nguyen Anh uniIied the country and named
it Vietnam, giving himselI the title Emperor Gia Long.
Western inIluence had begun in the 16th century with the arrival oI European traders and Roman
Catholic missionaries. The Dai Viet rulers eventually Ielt threatened, and persecuted the
missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries. Seeking to protect the missionaries and to become a
power in the area, French Iorces entered Vietnam in 1858, taking control oI the country by 1883.
Vietnam became part oI French Indochina, and remained under French domination until 1940,
when Germany occupied France during World War II and Germany`s ally Japan took control oI
Vietnam.
AIter Japan`s deIeat, in September 1945, the communist Vietminh led by Ho Chi Minh gained
control oI many regions oI the country. Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent nationthe
Democratic Republic oI Vietnam. France re-asserted its claim on the region, and French Iorces
regained control in the south. However, resistance Irom the Vietminh continued, and the
Communists still controlled the north. By late 1946, the Indochina War was in Iull progress,
continuing until 1954, when the French were deIeated at Dien Bien Phu.
In 1954, delegates to an international conIerence in Geneva agreed to a temporary division oI
Vietnam into two separate countriesNorth and South Vietnam. In 1955, elections were held in
South Vietnam, and Ngo Dinh Diem was chosen leader. By 1957, the Vietminh in the south, now
called the Viet Cong, had begun an armed revolt against Diem`s government, supported by North
Vietnam. More countries were drawn in as the Iighting continued, including the U.S., which
became deeply embroiled in the conIlict by the late 1960s. The U.S.S.R. and China supported
North Vietnam. In South Vietnam, a series oI coups eventually brought army general Nguyen Van
Thieu to power; he was then elected president in 1967. In North Vietnam, the Communist Party
Politburo took over Iollowing Ho Chi Minh`s death in 1969.
The war ended in 1975 with the withdrawal oI American troops. In 1976, the country was uniIied
under the Communists as the Socialist Republic oI Vietnam, and Saigon was renamed Ho Chi
Minh City. More than three million Vietnamese had been killed in the decades oI war, and the
country`s economy had been devastated. Many Vietnamese emigrated to the U.S. and other
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countries. In 1978, Vietnam severed its ties with China and aligned itselI more closely with the
Soviet Union. That same year, Vietnam drew China`s wrath by invading Cambodia, an incursion
that lasted into the 1980s. Under the leadership oI Nguyen Van Linh, the mid- to late-1980s was a
period oI major economic and policy change in Vietnam. In response to the disintegration oI the
Soviet Union and the loss oI its economic support, Vietnam began to liberalize its trade policies,
allow private enterprise, and encourage Ioreign trade.
From 1990 to 1997, Vietnam`s economy grew rapidly. In 1994, the U.S. liIted its trade embargo,
and in 1995, Iull diplomatic relations were restored. That same year, Vietnam was accepted into the
Association oI Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A bilateral trade agreement between the U.S.
and Vietnam was signed in July 2000.
Vietnam Today
Population (2007 estimate.): 85,262,356
Religions: Buddhist 9, Catholic 7, Hoa Hao 2, Cao Dai 1, Protestant 1, Muslim 0.1,
none 79.9. Although Communists have discouraged the practice oI religion, those who do
practice are generally Buddhists.
Languages: Vietnamese (oIIicial), English (increasingly Iavored as a second language), some
French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Although Vietnam is still a developing country, the overwhelming poverty oI the post-war period is
gradually being eliminated. In recent years, the country`s rich history and natural beauty have made
it an increasingly popular travel destination.
The Land
Vietnam is a long, narrow country, bounded by the South China Sea on the east and China on the
north. It shares its western border with Laos and Cambodia. It is about a thousand miles long and
ranges in width Irom 30 miles in the central region to 400 miles in the north. There are Iive
principle geographic areas. There are two mountainous areas, covered largely by Iorests or jungles:
the Northern Highlands, located in the northwest, and the Annamite Range that extends Irom it
down the western portion oI the country towards Ho Chi Minh City. The two delta areasthe Red
River Delta in the north and the Mekong Delta in the southhold most oI the country`s population
and also provide the majority oI the country`s Iarmland. The Coastal Lowlands, which lie between
the delta areas, are also heavily populated. Rice growing and Iishing are the region's main
occupations.
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Cambodia at a Glance
Early History
Cambodia was once the center oI the great Khmer empire that ruled much oI central Southeast Asia
Ior Iive centuries. We can trace the history in this region back to at least the 6
th
century when
Cambodia was part oI the Kingdom oI Funan. The Khmer people broke away Irom the Funans and
established their own state, Chinla, which aIter centuries oI conIlict was itselI invaded and
conquered by warriors Irom Java. By A.D. 800, under Jayavarman II, the great Khmer temples were
built and a centralized government ruled the land Irom the Tonle Sap to Angkor. The Khmer
continued to expand their inIluence until by the end oI the 10
th
century they controlled what are
now Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
The next several centuries brought a succession oI wars as the Khmers Iought oII invaders. During
a period oI peace and prosperity Irom 1181 to 1201, the Khmer rulers conceived and built an
elaborate capital at Angkor Thom. Perhaps because oI the lavish liIestyle and the costs associated
with the construction oI Angkor Thom, the Khmer empire began a gradual decline Irom this
opulent peak, hastened by a series oI wars with the Siamese.
Foreign Influence
As the Khmer empire declined, Ioreign pressures appeared. In 1596 a Spanish expeditionary Iorce
invaded and attacked the capital Phnom Penh. The Spanish presence didn`t last; they were in turn
deIeated and expelled by the Siamese.
The Khmer empire continued its decline aIter this with various occupations and an almost constant
state oI war with Thailand and Vietnam, which both claimed lands once ruled by the Khmers.
Asian control over the region ended in 1863 when the French sent gunboats into the area to create a
French protectorate. The French succeeded and began a long period oI domination oI Cambodia by
installing French administrative, Iinancial, and education systems.
Modern History
France ruled Cambodia until 1941 when the Japanese army swept across Indochina and, while
expelling the French, brought terror oI its own. With the deIeat oI Japan and the end oI World War
II, the French returned to Cambodia. But now they Iound opposition. By 1953 a strong local leader,
King Sihanouk, had risen to power with the Khmer and sought independence Ior his country. King
Sihanouk was a masterIul politician and succeeded in wringing Iorm the French the independence
oI Cambodia. King Sihanouk also established the People`s Socialist Communist Party at this time.
AIter abdicating the throne to pursue a political career, Sihanouk became the country`s Iirst prime
minister. He managed to keep Cambodia neutral in the Vietnam War until 1965, when he broke
with the United States and allowed North Vietnam and the Vietcong to use Cambodian territory.
This led to the bombing oI Cambodia by United States Iorces.
Sihanouk was deposed by one oI his generals in 1970 and Iled the country to China, where he set
up a government in exile which supported the Cambodian revolutionary movement known as the
Khmer Rouge. Meanwhile, in Cambodia, United States and South Vietnamese Iorces invaded the
country in an attempt to eliminate Vietcong Iorces hiding there. For the next Iive years, as savage
Iighting spread throughout Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge gained land and power. In 1975 the capital
at Phnom Penh Iell to the Khmer Rouge, and their leader, Pol Pot, became the leader oI Cambodia.
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What Iollowed Ior the next three years remains one oI the most horriIic incidents in world history.
The Khmer Rouge Iorced the entire population oI Phnom Penh and other cities to evacuate to the
countryside where they were placed in slave labor units and Iorced to do manual work until they
dropped Irom exhaustion. Pol Pot and his Iollowers began a campaign oI systematic genocide
against their own people, with the aim oI returning Cambodia to the agrarian society oI centuries
beIore. Great segments oI the population were slaughtered senselessly. People with any type oI
education, those who wore glasses or were doctors and nurses, anybody who had worked at a bank
these people were all mindlessly killed. Banks were blown up, airports closed, and money was
abolished. The horror oI the Pol Pot regime went unnoticed Ior several years.
Finally in 1978, Vietnam, which had been watching the persecution and death oI its own citizens
trapped in Cambodia, invaded Cambodia and chased Pol Pot and his Iollowers out oI the cities and
back into the remote mountains. By 1979, Pol Pot had been ousted and the Vietnamese installed a
new government. Until 1990 civil war continued sporadically in Cambodia, but gradually the
murderous Iollowers oI Pol Pot were eliminated Irom power. Pol Pot died under house arrest in
1998. United Nations peacekeeping eIIorts in the 1990s helped stabilize the country. In 2001 the
Cambodian senate agreed to set up an international war crimes tribunal to try Khmer Rouge
oIIicials Ior the genocide oI the 1970s.
Cambodia Today
Population: 13,995,904 (July 2007 est)
Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95, others 5
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90, Vietnamese 5, Chinese 1, other 4
Languages: Khmer (oIIicial), French, English
Cambodia is still a developing country but its government is much improved under a constitutional
monarchy that now welcomes visitors. The economy is growing and transIorming Cambodia into a
trading partner with the United States, Japan, Korea and China, among others. Cambodia has
natural resources that include timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, and phosphates. The country
is also thought to have excellent hydropower potential.
The Land
The ancient Khmer kingdom we now call Cambodia is a nation oI 12.5 million people in a country
about the size oI Missouri. On its north it is bordered by Thailand and Laos, and by Vietnam on the
south and east. The GulI oI Thailand is oII the west coast. This is a country oI geographical
contraststhe borders oI Cambodia are mountainous and rugged, but a rich, alluvial plain
dominates the center oI the country. Here the Mekong River, the Sap River, and the Tonle Sap
create a prosperous Iarming and Iishing region Iull oI rice Iields and Iishing villages.
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Suggested Readings
We`ve listed a Iew oI our Iavorite books about the region you'll be traveling. Most oI these are
available in large bookshops (especially those that specialize in travel or international books), by
mail order, and Irom Internet sites.
Laos: 1he Rough Cuide by JeII Cramer and Steven Martin
Thorough and intelligent guide to a rapidly changing country that combines good writing with keen
observations.
Culture Shock! Jietnam by Claire Ellis (Culture)
Written with Americans in mind, this humorous and candid guide to customs and etiquette in Vietnam
reveals aspects oI culture and explains the reasons behind the traditions.
Dragon Ascending: Jietnam and the Jietnamese by Henry Kamm (Culture)
Rather than relying upon anecdotes Iavored by many reporters, Pulitzer prize-winning
correspondent Henry Kamm preIers to let the Vietnamese speak Ior themselves. The result is a
convincing portrait oI contemporary Vietnam.
A History of Cambodia by David Chandler
A clear and succinct account oI modern Cambodia that starts in 1953 and extends to the rise and
Iall oI the Khmer Rouge, the death oI the noxious Pol Pot in the late 1990s, and the return oI peace
to this lovely land.
Angkor: An Introduction to the 1emples by Dawn F. Rooney (Culture)
A beautiIul and thorough book that includes maps and temple diagrams, illustrations and color
photography. Provides an historical overview oI the Khmer civilization, its architecture, art and
mythology, Iollowed by groupings oI temples with suggested itineraries.
Burma (Myanmar) by Caroline Courtauld and Martin Morland
This illustrated guide takes the reader to some oI the Iar corners oI a Iascinating country. Full oI
historical, cultural, and practical inIormation as well as good maps.
What the Buddha Aever 1aught by Tim Ward (Culture)
A humorous and inspiring account oI a Canadian journalist's initiation into the Pah Nanachat
monastery, one oI the strictest in Southeast Asia. Run by Theravada Buddhist monks, their monastic
community embodies the ancient 2500 year old tradition oI Buddha's original teachings.
1raveler's 1ales 1hailand edited by James O'Reilly (Culture)
A collection oI useIul and memorable stories that show a spectrum oI experiences to be had or avoided
in Thailand. The authors come Irom many walks oI liIe: some are teachers, writers, scientistsoI them
have tales to tell that will help to deepen and enrich your experience in Thailand.
1he River's 1ale, A Year on the Mekong by Edward Gargan (Travelouge)
A 3,000-mile journey along the Mekong River Irom its source in China through Tibet, Burma, Laos,
Thailand, Cambodia to Vietnam
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Thai Phrase Guide
Basic words and phrases
Yes/ No chai / mai-chai, mai-oua
Thank you kob-khun
Thank you very much kob-khun-mark
You're welcome mai-pen-rai
Please ka-ru-na
Excuse me kor-tose/kor-a-nu-yart
Hello sa-wat-dee
Goodbye lar-korn
Good morning sa-was-dee-torn-chao
Good aIternoon sa-was-dee-torn-bai
Good evening sa-was-dee-torn-yen
Good night ra-tree-sa-was
What is your name? khun-cheu-ar-rai
Nice to meet you dee-jai-tee-dai-pob-khun
How are you? khun-sa-bai-dee-mai?
Good dee
I do not understand (I) Chan-mai-kao-jai
(m) pom-mai-kao-jai
How do you say this in Thai? Khun-ja-pood-nee-pen-pa-sa-Thai-wa-
young-lai?
Do you speak English? Khun-pood pa-sa-ang-krit?
Where is the bathroom? Hong-nam-you-tee-nai?
Room hong
Ticket tua
Passport passport, nangsue-deun-thaang
Getting around
Where is the ...? ...-you-tee-nai?
. Airport? sa-narm-bin .?
. Train station? sa-ta-nee-rod-Iai .?
. Bus station? sa-ta-nee-kon-song .?
. Subway station? sa-ta-nee-rod-Iai-tai-din .?
. Post oIIice? tee-tum-karn-plai-sa-nee .?
. Bank? ta-na-karn .?
. Police station? sa-ta-nee-tam-ruad .?
. Hospital? rong-pa-ya-barn .?
. Pharmacy? ran-kai-ya .?
. Hotel? rong-raem .?
. Restroom? hong-naam .?
How much is the Iare? ka-douy-sarn-tao-rai?
One ticket to ..., please. pai...neung-tee
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Shopping
Store, Shop ran-kai-kong
How much does this cost? Nee-la-ka-tao-lai?
I'll buy it Shun-ja-seu-mun
I would like to buy ... Shun-tong-karn-ja-seu
. Stamps . sataem
. Postcards . prai-sa-nee-ya-but
Do you have ... Khun-mee-...-reu-plao?
Do you accept credit cards? Khun-rub-but-credit-reu-plao?
Dining out
Reservation jong
Restaurant raan-ahaan
BreakIast ar-harn-chao
Lunch a-haan-klaang-wan
Dinner ar-harn-yen
Vegetarian mung-sa-vi-rat, kin-ahaan-jae
Please bring the bill Check-bill, khep-tang
CoIIee ca-Iae
Tea naam-chaa
Juice naam-pon-la-mai
Water naam
Beer bia
Wine wai
Salt kluea
Pepper prig-thai
Numbers
One neung
Two sorng
Three sarm
Four see
Five ha
Six hok
Seven jed
Eight paed
Nine kao
Ten sib
Twenty yee-sib
FiIty ha-sib
One hundred neung-roy
One thousand neung-pan
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Laos Phrase Guide
Note: Lao is a monosyllabic language that is very Ilexible in its usage. In everyday conversations, it
is not necessary to use a complete sentence to convey meaning.
Hello sa bi dee
How are you? Sa bi dee baw?
Goodbye sa bi dee
Thank you (very much) kob chi (lai lai)
Excuse me khaw thoht
What is your name? Jao seu nyang?
My name is ... Khawy seu ...
Can you speak English? Jao paak phaasaa angkit dai baw?
I can`t speak Lao. Khawy paak phaasaa lao baw dai.
I don`t understand. Baw khao jai.
What do you call this in Lao? An-nii phaasaa lao waa nyang?
Getting around
Where is the ... ... yuu sai?
. airport? doen bin .?
. bus station? sathaanii lot pajam thaang .?
. bus stop? bawn jawt lot pajam thaang .?
. taxi stand? bawn jawt lot thaek-sii .?
. pharmacy? haan khaai yaa .?
. hospital? hohng maw .?
. post oIIice? pai-sa-nii .?
. bank? thanaakhaan .?
I want to go to ... Khawy yaak pai ...
bus lot
minivan lot tuu
I`d like a ticket. Khawy yaak dai pii.
Shopping, Dining out
How much Ior this? An-nii thao dai?
Do you have something cheaper? Mii theuk-kwaa nii baw?
drinking water naam deum
breakIast kow sao
lunch kow tang
dinner kow leng
tea narm saa
coIIee kaaIeh
coIIee with milk and sugar kaaIeh nom hawn
plain milk naam nom
orange juice naam mark kiang
beer bia
restaurant harn aharn
toilet horng narm
Numbers
One neung
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 25
Get Readv to Go
Two sawng
Three saam
Four see
Five haa
Six hok
Seven jet
Eight paet
Nine kao
Ten sip
Twenty sao
FiIty haa-sip
One hundred nung roy
One thousand nung pan
Vietnamese Phrase Guide
Note: The 'kh sound is essentially a hard 'h sound, like the 'ch sound in Hebrew words.
Sometimes it incorporates the 'k sound, sometimes it doesn`t. Because the slightest change in
pronunciation can be a totally diIIerent word, use caution when trying to communicate in
Vietnamese.
Yes/ No Co, vang, da (caw, vahng, dah)/Khong (hong )
Thank you Cam on (cahm awn)
Thank you very much Cam on nhieu (cahm awn nee-yoo)
You're welcome Khong co chi (hong co chee)
Please Xin vui long (sin vooee lohng)
Excuse me Xin loi (sin loy)
Hello Xin Chao (sin chow)
Goodbye Tam biet (tahm bee-et)
Good morning Xin Chao (sin chow)
Good aIternoon Xin Chao (sin chow)
Good evening Xin Chao (sin chow)
Good night Chuc ngu ngon (chook nook yahn)
You (Formal) Ong |m|, Ba |I| (ong, bah)
What is your name? Ten |ong or ba| la gi (ten .. lah vee)
My name is. Ten toi la. (tain toy la)
Nice to meet you Rat hen hanh (Zut hun high)
How are you? |Ong or Ba| co khoe khong (.ko kwya hong)
Good Tot (tawt)
I do not understand Toi khong hieu (toy hong hee-you)
How do you say this in Vietnamese? Cai nai tieng Viet noi the nao?
(Keh neh tee-eng vee-et noy te now)
Do you speak English? |Ong or Ba| co noi tieng anh khong?
(... caw noy tee-eng eing kung)
Where is the bathroom? Nha ve sinh o ddau? (Nyah vay sing oh doh)
Room Phong (Iawng)
Ticket Ve (veh)
Passport Ho chieu (ho chee-oo)
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 26
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Getting around
Where is...? O dau.? (Aw dow)
. Airport? San bay (sahn bye)
. Train station? Ga xe lua (vah theh-loo-ah)
. Subway station? Ben tau dien ngam (ben taugh dee-en nahm)
. Post oIIice? Buu dien (boo dee-en)
. Bank? Ngan hang or nha bang (nun bahng ya bahng)
. Police station? Don canh sat (dawn keng saht)
. Hospital? Benh vien or nha thuong
(ben vee-en nyah toong)
. Pharmacy? Hieu thuoc (hee-oo tawk)
. Hotel? Khach san (kak sahn) or Hotel
. Restrooms? Nha nghi (nyah nyee)
How much is the Iare? Gia ve la bao nhieu? (ga veh la bun-yoo)
Shopping
How much? Bao nhieu? (bow nyoo)
How much does this cost? Kai nay gia bao nhieu? (ka nye za bow-yoo)
I'll buy it Toi mua cai nay (toy mwah kah nye)
I would like to buy ... Toi muon mua (toy mun moo-ah)
. Stamps Tem (taim)
. Postcards Buuaah (boo ein) or Postcard
Do you have ... |Ong or Ba| co ... khong? (. caw . hong)
Do you accept credit cards? |Ong or Ba| co lay the tin dung khong?
(.. co lay tay teen yoong hong
Dining out
Restaurant Nha hang or quan an (nyah hahng kwahn ahn)
BreakIast An sang (ahn sahng)
Lunch An trua (ahn tooah)
Dinner An toi (ahn toy)
Vegetarian an chay (ahn chy)
Please bring the bill Toi muon tra tien (toy mun tra tee-en)
CoIIee CaIe (kah Iay)
Tea Tra (trah)
Juice Nuoc trai cay (nook try kay)
Bottled water Nuoc suoi (nook soo-ee)
Beer Bia (bee-ah)
Wine Rouo (roo)
Salt Muoi (moy)
Pepper Tieu (tee-oh)
Numbers
One mot (mawt)
Two hai (hi)
Three ba (bah)
Four bon (bone)
Five nam (nahm)
Six sau (sow as in pig)
Seven bay (bye)
Eight tam (tahm)
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 27
Get Readv to Go
Nine chin (cheen)
Ten muoi (moy)
Twenty hai muoi (hi moy)
FiIty nam muoi (nahm moy)
One hundred mot tram (mawt trahm)
One thousand mot ngan (mawt ne-yan)
Cambodian Phrase Guide
Note: The Khmer language is diIIicult to learn and Cambodians, recognizing this, do not expect
many Ioreigners to converse with it. There are 26 vovels and 33 consonants in Khmer language,
below are a Iew useIul words and phrases iI you do wish to use them.
Hello Jum reap soo-a
Thank you Or- koon
Good morning Arun sour sdei
Good aIternoon Tiveah sour sdei
Good evening Sa-yoanh sour sdei
Good night Reah trey sour sdei
What is your name? Teu neak tchmouh a vei?
My name is... K`nyom tchmouh .....
How are you ? Teu neak so sabay chea te?
I`m Iine, thanks K`nyom so sabay chea te, or koon
Good bye Leah heoy
Yes (spoken by men) bat
Yes (spoken by women) jas
Please suom
Excuse me suom tous
Getting around
Hotel Santhaa kear
Restaurant Pocha nee thann
Market Psa
Bank Tho nee kear
Post oIIice Prai sa nee ya than
Toilet Bontop teuk
Hospital Mon tee peth
Doctor Kroo peth
Dinning
Restaurant Pocha nee thann
Water Teuk
Hot water Teuk kdao
Cold-water Teuk tror cheak
Boiled water Teuk dahm
Rice bai
Bread num pung
Wine Sraah
Chicken maan
Fish trei
Meat saach
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 28
Get Readv to Go
Eggs poung sat
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 29
Get Readv to Go
Useful Websites
The Iollowing Internet sites oIIer good travel inIormation and resources:
Overseas Adventure Travel Store
http://www.oatshop.com
International health information: CDC (Centers for Disease Control)
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
Electric current and plug types
http://www.kropla.com/electric2.htm
Foreign exchange rates
http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic
ATM locators
http://www.mastercard.com/atm Ior Cirrus ATMs
http://www.visa.com/pd/atm Ior PLUS ATMs
Tourist information
http://www.tourismlaos.gov.la/ Laos
http://www.bangkok.com/inIormation/ Bangkok
http://www.tourismthailand.org Thailand
http://www.vietnamtourism.com/epages/eindex.htm Vietnam
http://www.mot.gov.kh/ Cambodia
http://www.visit-mekong.com/cambodia/jewels/index.htm Angkor Wat
http://www.myanmar-tourism.com/ Myanmar
Travel books
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
World weather
http://www.intellicast.com
http://www.weather.com
Travel tips: packing light, choosing luggage, etc.
http://www.travelite.org
Net caf guide: 100s of locations around the globe
http://www.cybercaIes.com
U.S. Customs & Border Protection: traveler information
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): agency that screens luggage in U.S.
http://www.tsa.gov/public
National Passport Information Center (NPIC): for passport information
http://www.travel.state.gov
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Get Readv to Go
1et Lag Precautions
You will Ieel better on the Iirst days oI your trip iI, shortly beIore you leave home, you start to
adjust to the diIIerent time zone oI your destination. Since you will cross several time zones to
reach your destination, you may lose many hours oI regular sleep. On arrival, your body then will
have to suddenly adjust to new sleeping and eating patterns. The result is jet lag. Its symptoms are
IatigueoIten compounded by insomnia and general restlessnessirritability, and vague
disorientation. You cannot totally avoid jet lag, but you can minimize it. Here's how:
" Start your trip well rested. Try to begin a gradual transition to your new time zone
beIore you leave.
" Switch to your destination time zone when you get on the plane. Attempt to sleep
and eat according to the new schedule.
" Try to sleep on overnight Ilights.
" Avoid heavy eating and drinking caIIeine or alcoholic beverages right beIoreand
duringyour Ilight.
" Drink plenty oI water and/or Iruit juice while Ilying.
" Stretch your legs, neck, and back periodically while seated on the plane, and make
an eIIort to get up and walk about the cabin a Iew times to keep your blood circulation
normal.
" AIter arrival, avoid the temptation to nap.
" Don`t push yourselI to see a lot on your Iirst day.
" Try to stay awake your Iirst day until aIter dinner.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 31
Packing Just What You Need
3. Packing 1ust What You Need
A Word about the Weather
Laos
Laos has the typical tropical monsoon climate oI the region. During the rainy season (May to
October), the winds oI the southwest monsoon deposit an average rainIall oI between 50 and 90
inches. The dry season (November to April) is dominated by the northeast monsoon. Minimum
temperatures average between 60 and 70 F in the cool months oI December through February,
increasing to highs oI more than 90 F in March and April, just beIore the start oI the rains. In the
wet season the average temperature is 80 F
Vietnam: Vietnam lies entirely within the tropics. It has wet and dry seasons, which vary Irom
north to south and with elevation changes. Throughout the year, temperatures in the south are Iairly
constant, ranging between 75 and 85 F. Seasonal variation is determined by the rains. The dry
season runs Irom November to April and the wet season Irom May to October. The hottest period is
during April to August, beIore the rains have broken. Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas
between July and November.
Cambodia
Cambodia's climate can generally be described as tropical with seasonal monsoons. There are two
distinct seasons, the rainy and dry. Temperatures during the rainy season, between June and
October, average 80-95F. The dry season is characterised by cool months, November to February,
with temperatures averaging 80-95F and hot months, Irom March till May, which sees temperature
range between 84-100F.
Thailand-main trip and optional extension: High temperatures and humidity levels are
experienced throughout the year. The country is hottest Irom March to May, and monsoon season
runs Irom June to October. In September and October much oI the country suIIers Irom Ilooding,
particularly in the north, north eastern and central regions. The cool season, most Iavoured by
visitors, runs Irom November to February.
Myanmar-optional extension: Myanmar has a largely tropical climate with three seasons: the
monsoon or rainy season, Irom May to October; the cool season, Irom November to February; and
the hot season, generally Irom March to April. RainIall during the monsoon season totals more than
200 inches in upper Myanmar and over 100 inches in lower Myanmar and Yangon. Central
Myanmar, called the dry zone, and Mandalay, the chieI city in the area, each receive about 30
inches. Average daily temperatures in Yangon range Irom 6490F in January, during the cool
season, and Irom 7597F in April, during the hot season. The climate in upper Myanmar,
particularly at altitudes ranging Irom about 1,0004,000 It, is the most temperate throughout the
year, while lower Myanmar, especially in the delta and coastal regions, is the most humid.
www.weather.com is a good Internet site Ior checking current weather conditions.
Here are the data Irom the weather observation stations closest to our destinations.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 32
Average Daily High/Low Temperatures (F), Humidity, & Monthly Rainfall
MONTH Luang Praban, Laos Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon),
Vietnam
Temp.
(High-Low)
Relative
Humidity
(am)
Monthly
Rainfall
(inches)
Temp.
High-Low
Relative
Humidity
(am)
Monthly
Rainfall
(inches)
1AN 82-56 77 0.6 88-72 87 0.6
FEB 89-58 75 0.7 90-73 85 0.1
MAR 93-63 71 1.2 92-76 83 0.4
APR 96-69 74 4.3 93-79 83 1.2
MAY 95-73 82 6.4 92-79 86 8.4
1UN 93-74 85 6.1 89-77 89 12.2
1UL 90-74 87 9.1 89-77 90 11.6
AUG 90-74 86 11.8 88-77 91 10.7
SEP 91-73 86 6.5 88-76 92 13.5
OCT 89-69 82 3.1 87-76 92 10.3
NOV 85-64 79 1.2 87-74 90 4.7
DEC 81-59 78 0.5 87-72 87 1.8
Average Daily High/Low Temperatures (F), Humidity, & Monthly Rainfall
MONTH Siem Reap, Cambodia Bangkok, Thailand
Temp.
High-Low
Relative
Humidity
(pm)
Monthly
Rainfall
(inches)
Temp.
High-Low
Relative
Humidity
(pm)
Monthly
Rainfall
(inches)
1AN 88-67 71 0.1 89-71 53 0.3
FEB 90-70 70 0.5 91-75 55 0.8
MAR 93-74 69 1.0 93-78 56 1.4
APR 94-76 68 2.5 95-80 58 2.3
MAY 93-76 75 5.9 93-80 64 7.8
1UN 91-76 79 7.0 91-80 67 6.3
1UL 89-75 81 7.9 90-78 66 6.3
AUG 89-75 82 7.9 90-78 66 6.9
SEP 87-75 84 10.6 89-77 70 12.0
OCT 87-73 84 9.3 88-77 70 8.1
NOV 87-71 80 3.4 87-74 65 2.6
DEC 86-67 75 0.6 87-70 56 0.2
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 33
MONTH Yangon, Myanmar
(Optional Extension)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
(Main trip and optional Extension)
Temp.
High-Low
Relative
Humidity
(am
Monthly
Rainfall
(inches)
Temp.
High-Low
Relative
Humidity
(pm)
Monthly
Rainfall
(inches)
1AN 89-65 86 0.1 84-58 53 0
FEB 94-67 88 0.2 89-60 44 0.4
MAR 97-71 91 0.2 94-66 40 0.3
APR 99-76 90 1.4 97-73 49 1.4
MAY 92-78 92 5.9 94-75 60 4.8
1UN 86-77 96 6.0 90-76 67 4.4
1UL 85-76 96 2.9 88-75 69 8.4
AUG 85-76 97 4.0 88-75 73 7.6
SEP 86-76 96 5.8 88-74 72 9.8
OCT 88-77 95 5.0 87-72 69 3.7
NOV 89-73 92 2.5 86-67 63 1.2
DEC 88-67 88 0.4 83-59 57 0.5
Please note: The data cited here reflect climate as opposed to weather conditions, and serve only as
general indicators of what can reasonably be expected. As your departure approaches you may wish
to monitor current overseas weather conditions through major newspapers, various Internet sites, or
the Weather Channel.
Your Locks & Luggage
TSA locks
To reduce the risk of damage to your luggage, please do not lock your bags when checking in
for flights within the U.S.! The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens every piece
of checked luggage at commercial airports throughout the U.S. According to the TSA, baggage-
handling agents may require access to the contents of your luggage and will break locks as required.
There are some locks available from retailers that are accepted and recognized by TSA. TSA
screeners have tools for opening and re-locking bags using those locks, thus avoiding damage to the
lock or bag if a physical inspection is required. Visit their web site at www.tsa.gov/public for a list
of TSA-accepted locks and other travel suggestions.
Also, remember to pack extra rolls oI Iilm in your carry-on bag, as screening equipment used Ior
checked baggage will cause Iilm damage. Placing Iilm in a lead-lined bag will only subject luggage
to Iurther scrutiny, as baggage handling agents will not be able to see the bag`s contents.
On all flights outside of the U.S., we strongly recommend you lock your luggage.
Aote
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 34
SPECIAL LUGGAGE LIMITATIONS
Due to the limitation oI space on motor coach transIers, you'll be restricted to
one piece oI checked luggage and one carry-on per person. (Airlines are no
longer lenient with carry-on luggage; the one-bag limit is strictly enIorced.)
IMPORTANT: During this tour you will Ily on small aircraIt with strictly
enIorced luggage limitations that are more restrictive than on any oI your other
Ilights. ThereIore your checked baggage is limited to 44 pounds (20 kg), total
for your entire trip and your carry-on luggage is restricted to 15 pounds
(7 kg) per person. In addition restrictions on what can be included in your
carry-on bag vary by airline. To veriIy these restrictions, please contact your
airline directly when you receive your Iinal air itinerary.
The restrictions on baggage weight and size Ior your international Ilights vary
between airlines. To veriIy your luggage allowances, please contact your
airline directly when you receive your Iinal air itinerary.
Clothing Suggestions
Functional Tips
Most oI your clothing can be cotton or cotton-synthetic blends. II you like to hand-wash your
clothes, bring socks, underwear, and even shirts and pants made oI synthetics or cotton/synthetic
blends that will dry overnight. You can buy clothing specially designed Ior travel.
You`ll be on your Ieet and walking a lot, sometimes over rough and slippery surIaces, so choose
your Iootwear careIully. The soles oI your shoes should oIIer good traction. You can Iind especially
supportive shoes designed Ior walking. Light hiking boots might be useIul Ior the ankle support,
but they are optional. And one more tipwhen traveling with a companion we recommend 'cross-
packing, i.e. pack 2 outIits oI your clothing in your companion`s luggage and vice-versa, in case
one bag is delayed.
December and 1anuary travel: II you are traveling during December and January, please bring
extra warm clothes, as it might get chilly during these two months in Laos.
Walking sticks: Many past travelers have recommended bringing a Iolding walking stick, sold in
most camping stores. An alternative is a Iolding ski pole. This is very useIul when exploring ruins
and trails that have no handrails.
Style Hints
Dress on our trip is Iunctional and casual. The most Iormal you might need Ior a city evening would
be a sport jacket with no tie Ior men, a dress and dressy sandals Ior womenbut this is not
necessary on this trip and is totally up to you.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 35
Wearing shorts is acceptable in most situations Ior both men and women. However, in the
countries on this trip the traditional culture is somewhat conservative, so avoiding sleeveless shirts,
tank tops, or short shortsespecially while visiting Buddhist templesshows the greatest respect
Ior it. Shorts and leg-baring skirts are Iorbidden in the temples, though you will be given cover-ups
when entering.
Traveler`s Checklists
Traveling in Ioreign countries brings you into new and strange situations, and though it`s oIten Iun
to do things as the locals do, it can be Irustrating when simple daily habits, taken Ior granted at
home, are upset. An ample supply oI your Iavorite toiletries and health remedies are crucial Ior your
personal comIort. To help make your vacation as convenient and pleasant as possible, please review
our lists oI suggested travel gear on the Iollowing pages, and pack accordingly. You might want to
visit the web site www.travelite.org Ior more packing and luggage tips.
What not to pack: Do not pack aerosol cans, as they tend to leak during air travel. Also avoid
packing glass bottles; use plastic containers instead. Leave at home checkbooks and any credit
cards not essential Ior your trip, valuable jewelry, and anything that you would hate to lose.
Packing Your Carry-On Bag
Use your daypack or small backpack as your carry-on bag Ior your Ilights. We strongly urge you to
pack in your carry-on case at least one Iull change oI clothes, your camera gear, all medications,
changes oI socks and underwear, your important travel documents, and other irreplaceable items, in
case your checked bags are delayed. Store camera gear and important papers in plastic bags to
protect them Irom dirt and moisture.
NOTE: Restrictions on what can be included in your carry-on luggage change Irequently. To avoid
inadvertently packing any restricted items in your carry-on luggage, we strongly suggest that you
consult the Transportation Security Administration website, at www.tsa.gov which keeps a current
list oI restricted items. From the main website click on Our Travelers, then Air Travel, and then you
will see a link Ior Prohibited Items.
Luggage Checklist
! ! Daypack or small backpack: To carry your daily necessities, including a water bottle, camera
gear, sunscreen, etc. As noted above, use this as your carry-on bag on your Ilights, and keep it
with you during driving excursions and walking trips. A backpack-style bag or waistpack keeps
both hands Iree and distributes the pack`s weight onto your back or hips. Store camera gear and
important papers in plastic bags to protect them Irom dirt and moisture.
! ! One duIIel bag or soIt-sided suitcase: You are only allowed one piece oI checked luggage. We
suggest one with heavy nylon Iabric, wrap-around handles, built-in wheels, and a heavy-duty
lockable zipper. Space is limited on our transIers, so please do not bring a rigid suitcase.
! ! Inner bags: Use plastic shopping bags, nylon stuII sacks, small zipper duIIels, two-gallon Zip-
loc bags, or special mesh bags to separate items inside your suitcase, and Ior dirty laundry.
! ! Locks and luggage tags Ior all bags. Lock luggage on all Ilights outside oI the U.S.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 36
Recommended Clothing Checklist
! ! Short-sleeved cotton shirts: 5. Polo-style
shirts are more versatile than T-shirts.
! ! Long-sleeved cotton or cotton-blend shirts:
2, Ior sun and insect protection.
! ! Trousers: 2 or 3 pairs, comIortable and
loose Iitting. Avoid tight-Iitting jeans.
! ! Cotton sweater or sweatshirt Ior the air-
conditioned bus
! ! Walking shorts, long-cut Ior modesty
! ! Wide-brim sun hat
! ! Swimsuit
! ! Shoes should be comIortable walking/
running shoes or low-cut hiking shoes,
with arch support
! ! Sport sandals with secure ankle strap,
such as Tevas (not Ilip-Ilops)
! ! Light rain jacket/windbreaker with hood
! ! Socks: 7 pairs
! ! Underwear
! ! December/January: Warm clothes Ior
Hanoi area
Other Essential Items
! ! Daily essentials: Toothbrush, toothpaste, Iloss,
hairbrush or comb, shaving items, deodorant,
shampoo/conditioner, shower cap, body soap,
etc.
! ! Spare eyeglasses/contact lenses
! ! Sunglasses, 100 UV block
! ! Sunscreen, SPF 30 or stronger
! ! Insect repellent with DEET (30-35 strength)
! ! Travel money bag or money belt (to be worn
under your shirt/jacket iI possible)
! ! Cold-water hand-wash laundry soap such as
Woolite, plastic clothespins, sink stopper
! ! Light Iolding umbrella
! ! Packets oI pocket-size tissues or small roll oI
toilet paper
! ! Moisturizer and sun-blocking lip balm
! ! Moist towelettes (not individual packets)
and/or anti-bacterial "water-Iree" hand
cleanser
! ! Flashlight or headlamp, extra
batteries/bulb
! ! Written prescriptions Ior your medicines
! ! 2 extra passport-sized photos in case oI
passport loss (plus 2 additional Ior visa iI
taking optional Cambodia extension)
! ! Photocopies (you keep) oI passport, air
ticket, credit cards (and the originals!)
! ! Optional Angkor Wat trip extension:
photocopies (Ior Trip Leader) oI Iull
passport inIormation, to be collected Ior
processing visa Ior Cambodia
Medicines
! ! Your own prescription medicines
! ! Cold remedies: SudaIed, Dristan, etc.
! ! IbuproIen or aspirin
! ! Laxatives
! ! Pepto-Bismol or Mylanta
! ! Benadryl or other antihistamine
! ! Anti-diarrhea tablets, like Imodium
! ! Antiseptic towelettes
! ! Moleskin Ioot pads
! ! Prescription antibiotic Ior diarrhea
! ! Optional: Prescription medicine to
prevent malaria
! ! Optional: Tylenol with codeine, or
another strong pain medication Ior rare
emergency purposes
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 37
! ! Neosporin or bacitracin
! ! Band-Aids, several sizes; butterIly closures
! ! Optional: Motion sickness medicine iI
you are susceptible
Optional Gear
! ! Camera gear
! ! Travel alarm or travel watch with alarm
! ! Lightweight binoculars
! ! Folding walking stick, sold in most camping
stores
! ! Hanging toiletry bag (with hook to hang on
doorknob and pockets to organize items)
! ! Basic sewing kit
! ! Hair dryer (useIul Ior drying damp clothing)
! ! Wash cloth, and small thin towel
! ! HandkerchieIs
! ! Eye drops
! ! Reading materials, phrase book
! ! Travel journal/note pad and pens
! ! Narrow-mouth water bottle (easier to drink
Irom than locally-purchased water bottles)
! ! Favorite snacks
! ! Electrical converter & plug adapter: see 'A
Word about Electricity Ior details
! ! Home address book
! ! Photos or post cards Irom home, small giIt
Ior home-hosted visit
! ! Pocket-size calculator Ior exchange rates
! ! Personal repair kit: piece oI duct tape,
tweezers, small pliers, etc.
! ! Packets oI decaIIeinated coIIee/tea and/or
sweetener
Tips on Photo Gear
One oI the most enjoyable aspects oI traveling to new places is the chance to photograph and bring
home some oI the wonders oI your experience to share with others, to relive some oI those special
moments, and to savor them Ior years to come. For today`s digital cameras, bring enough storage
media (memory cards, mini-DV cassettes, mini-DVD discs)more than you think you`ll needor
a portable hard drive to store your images. Be sure to bring enough batteries as well. II your camera
uses rechargeable batteries, it`s handy to carry a spare set. ReIer to your owner`s manual to ensure
that your camera`s battery charger will work with the local electrical current.
II you`re bringing a Iilm camera, remember that Iilm is increasingly diIIicultiI not impossibleto
Iind, and in many countries will be very expensive. Bring Iilm oI both high and moderate speeds
ASA 400 Ior the interiors oI dimly lit buildings and ASA 200 Ior the bright light oI midday.
Traveling with a camera requires special considerations. II you`re using a compact digital camera
(or camcorder) you can pack batteries and storage media and snap away without much Iuss. II
you`re toting an SLReither digital or Iilmyou`ll have to take a little more care. Protect your
lens with a UV Iilterthis simple screw-in Iilter can protect the lens, and iI the Iilter is damaged, it
is much less expensive to replace than your lens. II your camera's Ilash is detachable, don't Iorget to
pack it. Lens cleaners, brushes & blowers are a must iI you`re using multiple lenses.
Security at airports has become much more stringent and some oI the x-ray machines are potentially
powerIul enough to Iog or damage Iilm. You can ask that the Iilm be hand-inspected, but the Iilm
must be removed Irom the canisterso Ziploc plastic bags are vital. X-rays do not damage the data
oI digital cameras (in any media Iormat).
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 38
While You Are on Your Trip
4. While You Are on Your Trip
Our Vehicles
We use a variety oI transportation, making our travel between destinations part oI the Iun. We
experience traditional land and water transportation as well, riding in a local wooden boat at a lake
in Siem Reap, or trying an ox-cart ride with a Cambodian Iarmer. We take three Iairly short Ilights
within this trip, the longest taking two hours. Air scheduling in this region is not as reliable as in
the U.S., and delays and routing changes are oIten part oI the picture here. Our Trip Leader will do
everything possible to make the appropriate adjustments to our itinerary. We hope, that like most oI
our travelers, you take it in stride and develop an accepting and even lighthearted attitude. It`s part
oI the adventure.
Money Matters
How to Carry Your Money
Traveler`s checks-not recommended: We urge you not to rely on traveler's checks Ior your
personal expenses. They can be diIIicult to exchange and the commission Iee Ior cashing them is
quite high. Most banks or exchange oIIices will want to see your passport at the time oI exchange.
It`s most practical to view any traveler`s checks you might bring as a last 'cash resort in the event
oI a special situation.
U.S. dollars have an advantage. Cash is more readily exchanged and accepted than traveler's
checks, and sometimes commands a better exchange rate.
There is no need to obtain local currency beIore your trip. You can change money at banks, most
hotels, and money exchange oIIices. Please note that torn, dirty, or taped bills may not be accepted.
ATMs and Debit Cards
Debit cards give you a reliable payment method and ready access to local currency. Using a debit
card Ior withdrawals at ATM machines when you need cash will allow you the Ilexibility oI
accessing money at your convenience without relying on bank hours Ior money exchanges. When
traveling, typically PLUS, Cirrus, and other bank networks are available throughout large cities and
small towns.
Always notiIy your bank beIore you leave home that you are going abroad so that they may remove
any blocks on your account and also ask them about the number oI withdrawals you may make
abroad. For cash withdrawals, don`t Iorget to memorize the actual digits oI your card`s 4-digit PIN
number (many keypads at Ioreign ATMs do not include letters on their numeric keys, they only
display digits.)
Note: ATMs are rare in much of Laos and Myanmar and often do not accept international
cards. Your Trip Leader can advise you of this before you enter areas where there are no
ATMs.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 39
Manv banks have begun imposing a fee ranging from $1 to $5 everv time vou use an ATM in a
foreign citv. You mav want to limit the number of withdrawals that vou make. Your Trip Leader
can advise vou on locations but when to exchange monev is left to vour discretion.
Credit Cards
Though major American credit cards are accepted abroad, always inquire iI your type oI credit card
is accepted beIore deciding on your purchase. It is also wise to notiIy the credit card company that
you will be using your cards abroad so that they may remove any security block. When using a
major credit card you may receive a diIIerent exchange rate than iI you use cash; inquire about the
rate Iirst. Please be aware that credit cards might not be accepted Ior small amounts. DISCOVER
credit card does not operate outside the US. Keep your receipts in case you have questions about
the conversion rate, and keep your receipts as prooI oI purchase Ior items to be shipped.
Please note that optional tour payments made by credit card may take up to 3 months to process. For
this reason we ask that you use a credit card that will not expire until three months Iollowing your
trip.
Thai Currency
The basic unit oI currency in Thailand is the baht (Bt), easily distinguished by color and marked
with both Thai and Arabic numerals. The baht is divided into 100 satang. Banknote and coin
denominations are as Iollows:
" banknotes: 20 baht (green), 50 baht (blue), 100 baht (red), and 500 baht
(purple), 1000 baht (reddish brown)
" coins: 25 satang, 50 satang, 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, and 10 baht
Laos Currency
The basic unit oI currency in Laos is the kip (LAK). The kip is divided into 100 att. Banknote and
coin denominations are as Iollows:
" banknotes: 1 kip, 10 kips, 20 kips, 50 kips, 100 kips, and 500 kips
" coins: 10 att, 20 att, and 50 att
Vietnamese Currency
The Vietnamese monetary unit is the New Dng (d). Bear in mind that the 50,000d note is worth
about $3 U.S. This means you will have to carry a lot oI notes. It is advisable to carry quite a Iew
5,000d, 10,000d, and 20,000d notes Ior small purchases. Banknote and coin denominations are as
Iollows:
" banknotes: 200d, 500d, 1,000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d,
50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d, and 500,000d
" coins: 200d, 500d, 1,000d, 2,000d, and 5,000d
Cambodian Currency
The unit oI currency in Cambodia is the Riel. Banknote and coin denominations are as Iollows:
" banknotes: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and
100,000 Riel
" coins: 50, 100, 200, and 500 Riel
(Note. coins are not accepted in local markets)
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 40
Currency in Myanmar
The basic unit oI currency in Myanmr is the kyat. The kyat is divided into 100 pyas. Banknote and
coin denominations are as Iollows:
" banknotes: Kt1000, 500, 200, 100 and 90 pyas
" coins: Kt1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 pyas.
For current exchange rates, please reIer to the our website, or the Iinancial section oI your
newspaper. From our web address below, select the Travel Tips & Tools link on the leIt, then click
on Currencv Converter. From here you may select the currency you want to convert.
www.oattravel.com/lvc
Tipping
For those oI you who have asked Ior tipping suggestions, we oIIer these guidelines. All tips below
are quoted in U.S. dollars; tips can be converted and paid in local currency (this is usually
preIerred) or in U.S. dollars (do not use personal or traveler's check Ior tips). OI course, whether
you tip, and how much, is always at your own discretion.
OAT Trip Leader: II you are pleased with the services oI your Trip Leader, you can give a gratuity
at the end oI the trip. As a guideline, many travelers give $7-$10 per person, per day.
Included Meals: Your Trip Leader will tip waiters Ior included meals.
Time at Leisure: During the times that you explore independently, you may dine in a local
restaurant, take a taxi, or avail yourselI oI some other service where tipping is customary. In the
countries you visit on this tour, a 10 gratuity is appreciated at a restaurant when no service charge
has been added to the bill. Tips are generally given Ior good service, except when a price has been
negotiated in advance. In taxis where you have to bargain the Iare, tipping isn`t necessary.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 41
Staying Healthy on Your Trip
Safe Water
Tap water is not saIe to drink. Bottled water is readily available. We recommend you use only
bottled water Ior drinking and brushing your teeth throughout this trip, and avoid drinks with ice.
Carry a bottle in your daypack at all times. Bottled drinks and juices, and hot drinks that have been
boiled, are saIe to drink. BeIore you buy a bottle, inspect it to make sure the cap is sealed properly.
Carry a handkerchieI to dry the tops oI bottled drinks beIore and aIter opening.
Safe Food
We've careIully chosen the restaurants Ior your group meals. Your Trip Leader can suggest
restaurants Ior meals you take on your own. Carry a handkerchieI to dry any wet utensils or plates.
When dining on your own, don't eat meats sold by vendors on the street, as they may not have
proper reIrigeration. Avoid uncooked Ioods, such as green salads and raw vegetables, as they may
have been washed with unpuriIied water. Be cautious with non-pasteurized milk products. Fruit you
peel yourselI is usually saIe.
Hygiene
Wash your hands Irequently: beIore meals, beIore snacks, when brushing your teeth, aIter visiting
the bathroom. You won`t always Iind running water, so bring moist towelettes (in a box, not
individually wrapped) or anti-bacterial "water-Iree" hand cleanser. Avoid touching your Iace, biting
your nails, and putting things in your mouth out oI habit. Don`t share your water bottle with others.
Don`t Push Too Hard
One oI the most important parts oI staying healthy on an active trip is to not push yourselI too hard
iI you Ieel tired. Respect your own limits. Your trip schedule oIIers some degree oI Ilexibility. II
your energy level is low on a certain day, you can sit out a walking tour or a road excursion. Your
Trip Leader can tell you about the distance, time, and terrain oI our walking excursions in advance,
and can usually suggest rewarding alternative activities.
Drink Plenty of Liquids
When you travel, you can easily become dehydrated without knowing it. II your Iluid balance is
low, you are more susceptible to Iatigue and illness. Air travel will dry you out, so drink liquids and
avoid alcohol on your Ilight. During the trip, don`t wait until you Ieel thirsty to drink. Instead, drink
by the clock: drink one to two quarts oI water or juice each day, in addition to drinks at meals. II
you Iind yourselI tired or unwell, and don`t know why, it may be that you simply need to drink
more. Note that tea, coIIee, and alcoholic beverages are diuretics, and do not help maintain
hydration.
Sun and Heat Exposure
It can be very hot at mid day. Be sure to wear your hat, and use plenty oI sunscreen. Be aware oI the
signs oI heat exposure. Be especially concerned iI you Ieel hot, but are not perspiring. Let your Trip
Leader know iI you are not Ieeling well. Most importantly, you must drink plenty oI liquids when
temperatures are high.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 42
If You Have Stomach Trouble
Despite your best eIIorts, you may get diarrhea at some point. It is usually limited in duration, and
will oIten go away without medication. Immediately and consistently, drink more liquids to make
up Ior the Iluids you are losing. The best initial treatment is to chew two Pepto Bismol tablets;
repeat three to Iour times a day. This may be all you need to do. You can, and probably should, eat
when you get hungry, but avoid dairy products and Iried Ioods Ior a while.
II your symptoms persist Ior more than 12 to 24 hours, you may decide to take a course oI a
prescription antibiotic. Most antibiotics are taken twice a day, Ior about three days. Once you start
the course, it`s important to continue Ior the Iull duration oI treatment. Don`t stop iI your symptoms
subside sooner.
Anti-motility agents, like Immodium and Lomotil, treat the symptom rather than the cause. You
may want to take Immodium beIore a long bus ride or a city tour. You can take it along with an
antibiotic. But because these medications interIere with your body`s natural attempts to rid itselI oI
the inIection, many specialists recommend that you not take them when you are in a place with
convenient access to a bathroom. SpeciIically, don`t take Immodium, Lomotil, or a similar
medication iI you have a Iever, or iI you have bloody diarrhea.
Cell Phones
II you want to use a cell phone while traveling overseas, be sure to check whether your own phone
will work outside the U.S. or whether you`re better oII renting an international phone. The websites
www.travelcell.com/ and www.globalcellularrental.com have good inIormation on rentals. You
may also want to consider buying an inexpensive local phone Ior your stay.
To use your own phone, it`s best to investigate the options and Iees your plan oIIers Ior
international use. Consult your service provider (www.verizon.com, www.t-mobile.com/, etc.) Ior
details. U.S. service is dominated by the CDMA technology standard, while most oI the world uses
the incompatible GSM standard. Some U.S. providers do oIIer GSM, but in either case you may
incur high international roaming Iees. With GSM, however, you can oIten choose to have your
phone 'unlocked and then add a local SIM card Ior lower Iees. II you can access the Internet as
you travel, you can take advantage oI email or a Skype Internet telephone (VOIP) account Ior the
best value.
Phone Calling Cards
When calling the U.S. Irom a Ioreign country, consider using a prepaid calling card because the
only additional charge you`ll normally incur (besides the prepaid long distance charges) is a local
Iee oI a Iew cents and possibly a connection Iee iI you are using your card at your hotel. It is best to
check with the hotel's reception desk prior to making phone calls to avoid unexpected charges.
Calling cards purchased locally are typically less expensive then iI purchased in the U.S. and are
more likely to work with the local phone system. Do not call U.S. 1-800 numbers outside the
continental United States. This can result in costly long distance Iees since 1-800 numbers do not
work outside the country.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 43
A Word about Electricity
II you bring any small American appliances such as a hair dryer or shaver, you will need an electric-
current transIormer and a set oI international plug adapters to operate them at your hotel.
TransIormer/adapter kits can usually be Iound at your local hardware store. The electric current in
Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand is 220 volts, 60 Hertz. Myanmar operates on 230 volts, 50
Hertz.
As transIormers tend to burn out, we suggest you bring only dual-voltage appliances that work on
both 110 and 220 voltage. A third option is to use battery-charged appliancesthen you don`t need
a transIormer or plug adapter, just an ample supply oI batteries.
A constant electricity supply cannot be guaranteed during overnight stays. In some places,
electricity may be supplied by a generator, and lighting may not be as bright as you are used to.
Passengers dependent on electricity supply (as in the case oI those with sleep apnea) should
consider a diIIerent OAT vacation or ensure their apparatus has back-up battery power.
Responsible Travel
We do our best to have a minimum negative impact on local cultures and the natural environment
in every country where we operate trips. In almost 31 years oI travel, our travelers and staII have
learned techniques that encourage rewarding cultural exchange. Our goal is to leave no trace on the
natural environment, or to leave places better than we Iind them. Here`s what we ask oI you as part
oI this eIIort:
Conserving the Natural Environment
Minimize the disposable items you bring on the trip. Leave Iilm boxes, wrappings Irom
new clothes, and other unneeded items at home.
Dispose oI your trash properly. At many roadside restaurants and stops, trash barrels may
be simply emptied onto the ground. Instead oI disposing oI trash at roadside rest areas or
restaurants, keep a small trash bag in your day bag and empty it in your hotel each night.
Ask whether plastic drinking water bottles can be recycled. Most days, it`s better to keep
your empty bottles with you until you reach your hotel.
Stay on established trails to avoid damaging plants.
Don`t pick any vegetation, or remove any item oI biological interest.
Don`t take Ilash pictures inside temples or tombs.
Try not to brush your shoulder or bag against ancient walls or columns.
Where other Ioreign visitors have littered Iilm boxes or candy wrappers, consider picking
them up. Local people will appreciate your thoughtIulness.
Cultural Interaction
You can have some great 'conversations with local people who do not speak English, even iI you
don`t speak a word oI the local language. Indeed, this non-verbal communication can be a highly
rewarding part oI travel. To break the ice, bring along some Iamily photographs, or a Iew postcards
oI your hometown. II you want to meet kids, bring a puppet or other interactive toy. Your Trip
Leader can help get the ball rolling.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 44
The etiquette oI photographing most people is about the same as it would be on the streets oI your
hometown. You need permission to take a close-up, but not Ior a crowd scene. Be especially polite
iI you want to photograph an older person. II you want to shoot a great portrait, show interest in
your subject, try to have a bit oI social interaction Iirst. Then use sign language to inquire iI a
picture is OK. Your Trip Leader can help.
Safety & Security
Common Sense and Awareness
As you travel, exercise the same caution and awareness that you would in a large American city.
Don`t be overly nervous or suspicious, but keep your eyes open. II you are venturing out aIter dark,
go with one or two other people. Carry a one-day supply oI cash in your pocket. Carry most oI your
money, and your passport, in a travel pouch or money belt under your shirt. Replenish your pocket
supply when you are in a saIe and quiet place, or in our vehicle.
Do not leave valuable items unattended in your room. Almost all oI our hotels oIIer use oI a hotel
saIe at the Iront desk or an electronic in-room saIe (Ior which you can set a personal pin number).
Please utilize them.
Pickpockets may create a sudden distraction. In any sort oI puzzling street situation, try to keep one
hand on your money belt. II an encounter with a local turns out to be long and complicated and
involves money or your valuables, be very careIul. Con artists sometimes target travelers.
Shopping
Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia oIIer many Iine craIt items at good prices. Traditional
souvenirs include silk, precious stones, hilltribe handicraIts, including elaborate jewelry, colorIul
textiles, and opium pipes, bronzeware cutlery, nielloware silver inlaid items, and lacquerware. It is
Overseas Adventure Travel's goal to identiIy and provide you with shopping opportunities that
highlight unique, locally made products with good value Irom reliable vendors. Below we list a Iew
that you`ll be able to visit during your trip.
Thai Square Fashion (Bangkok, Thailand)
Owing to a long tradition oI proIessional tailoring, many visitors to Thailand take the opportunity to
have a bespoke suit or dress custom-made aIIordably. At Thai Square Fashion, you can choose the
cut and material that suits you best, and it will be made according to your speciIications and
measurements. This well respected company is the oIIicial tailor Ior several local corporations and
organizations, including Thai Jet Airline.
Gems Gallery (Bangkok, Thailand)
Thai jewelry and gemstones are known around the world. The rare skill shown by Thai artisans in
designing, cutting and polishing precious stones, along with the outstanding raw materials available
in Thailand, make this country a major global dealer in gems and jewelry. You`ll have a chance to
witness the unique quality oI Thai gemseach reIlecting the individuality oI its craItsmanas we
browse amongst the diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, topaz and more on oIIer at the Gems
Gallery.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 45
Tayson Lacquer (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
One oI the most Iamous lacquerware workshops in Vietnam, Tayson combines modern aesthetics
with traditional craItsmanship. Using sustainable materials in their work, Tayson`s lacquer artists
strive to create new and unique wares while staying true to the lessons oI their ancestors. The
lacquerware tradition began in nearby Burma and was Iirst used to decorate temples. Today, the
craItsmen at Tayson apply layers oI black resin Irom a 'Lak tree to bamboo wood, and then
engrave it with decorative designs. Browse the shop`s array oI goods, including serving dishes and
decorations Ior the home.
Minh Thuy Art Shop (Long An Province, Vietnam)
Vietnam`s high-quality marble comes in a variety oI diIIerent colors, Irom white with no veins to
greenish black dark veins. You can Iind them all at Minh Thuy Art Shop, which proudly displays
this traditional Vietnamese handicraIt. Peruse the collection to Iind yellow stones with dark veins,
pearl green slabs, and red marble with light spots. Ask the Iriendly employees about the diIIerent
stones and their origins. And shop alongside locals who buy the carvings to decorate their
gateways, gardens, living rooms, and kitchens. The wealthier the Iamily, the more marble one will
likely Iind in their home, as marble signiIies wealth and power in Vietnam.
Artisan d`Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
At Artisan d'Angkor, young and disadvantaged Cambodians learn skills on which to build careers
as craItsmen. Through this job entry program, the students-turned-artists learn traditional
techniques to continue the ancient arts oI carving wood and stone, creating lacquer work, and
painting on silk. With painstaking care, they reproduce statues, bas-relieIs, and silk paintings
inspired by historic originals. Select items have even been awarded UNESCO`s 'Seal oI Excellence
Ior HandicraIts Ior high quality and environmentally responsible production.
Aung Nan (Mandalay, Myanmar--optional extension)
Aung Nan Ieatures traditional Myanmar goods and wares, such as colorIul tapestries, wooden
handicraIts, and playIul marionette puppets. The latterwhich are used in perIormances
throughout this regionare part oI an ancient Myanmar tradition that dates back to the mid-15
th
century. The tradition lives on Aung Nan, where you`ll discover why the creation oI a single puppet
involves a team oI craItspeople and can take up to six weeks. Watch the Iinal stages oI the process
in the workshop, as artists attach puppets` strings and handles and saw their colorIul clothes.
Orchid 1ade (Chiang Mai, Thailand--optional extension)
Known as the 'stone oI heaven, jade is associated with Asian art and culture and is highly revered
Ior its purity oI color, transparency and texture. The most rare and valuable jade is a speciIic shade
oI green known as imperial green, while the second most desirable color is a bold lavender. You`ll
learn how jade stone is made into jewelry when you visit the Orchid Jade workshop, where
craItsmen and women work with this precious resource.
Bronze House (Chiang Mai, Thailand--optional extension)
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 46
In operation since 1984, the Bronze House is the oldest bronze Iactory in Chiang Mai and oIIers
traditional Thai sculptures and table settings. Browse the Iine bronze cutlery, or even commission a
bronze sculpture oI yourselI while you`re here. The earliest bronze objects were made around 2000
BC by pouring liquid metal into a mold made oI sand. As the mixture hardened, it expanded and
Iilled the mold. Then once it had cooled, the bronze would shrink slightly, allowing one to easily
remove it Irom the mold. While today`s molds are made oI stone, not much else has changed about
the bronze-making process, as you`ll learn while you`re here.
Your purchase decisions are very personal. II you plan a major purchase, we strongly recommend
that you research the prices and quality available at home beIore your trip. Just one visit to an
import shop or a dealer in silk or gold will put you way ahead when you go shopping. This is the
only way to know iI you are getting a good price. You must use your best judgment when deciding
whether an item is worth the price being asked. Overseas Adventure Travel cannot be responsible
Ior purchases you make on your trip or Ior problems you may have with shipment oI your
purchases.
Bargaining
Merchants enjoy negotiating prices almost everywhere. II this is your Iirst experience at bargaining,
don`t worryyou`ll quickly Iind your own style. Your opening oIIer should be well under the
asking price. The only rule is that, iI you make an oIIer, you should be prepared to buy at that price.
And remember, whatever price you pay is okay, as long as the item is worth that price to you.
U.S. Customs Regulations
Articles totaling $800, at Iair retail value where they were acquired, may be imported Iree oI charge
iI you bring them with you. A Ilat 10 rate oI duty will be applied to the next $1,000 worth (Iair
retail value) oI merchandise. The U.S. Customs Inspector determines the value oI your items when
you enter, and is not bound by your bill oI sale. In almost every case, however, a genuine bill oI sale
will be honored.
Items shipped home are always subject to duty when received in the U.S. There will also be charges
Ior clearing the shipment through customs. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection service states:
'The most cost-eIIective thing to do is to take your purchases with you iI at all possible.
Products made Irom endangered animal species are banned in the U.S. and will be seized by U.S.
Customs & Border Protection, as well as most Iurs, coral, tortoise shell, reptile skins, Ieathers,
plants, and items made Irom animal skins. Trade oI these products contributes to the extinction oI
wildliIe. For more inIormation on what you may or may not bring back into the United States, you
can obtain the publication 'Know BeIore You Go Irom the agency below or Irom their website:
U.S. Bureau oI Customs & Border Protection
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20229
Tel. 1-202-354-1000
www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 47
Some Final Thoughts
5. Some Final Thoughts
Contributions to Locals
We strongly discourage the distribution oI money, pens, candy, and leItover Iood to children or
adults you meet along the way. There are beggars at many traditional tourist sites. We suggest you
make eye contact, smile politely, and keep moving. II you give to one beggar, your entire group may
be harassed.
One exception to this is the ritual collection oI cash oIIerings by Thai Buddhist monks, whom you
might see at the beginning oI your trip in Bangkok or on the optional Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai
post-trip extension. The Buddhist monks politely make their morning rounds in orange robes. Thais
and Ioreigners alike traditionally make small donations.
When you walk near homes or schools, children may solicit you most charmingly, as they do all
over the world. But consider how you would Ieel iI you were a parent or a teacher, and every time
Ioreigners came by, your children ran oII and got things you couldn`t supply. Candy promotes tooth
decay, and small villages have Iew dentists. II you give out pens randomly, some kids get them and
some don`t, and this is disruptive in class.
We actively encourage you to make contributions in ways that support community institutions.
Here`s one example: Bring a large box oI pens or pencils, a package oI notebooks, a couple oI
educational books Ior children ages 7-14, puzzles, construction paper, a non-inIlated ball,
blackboard erasers, or other school supply that is easy to carry. With your Trip Leader as a
translator, make a semi-Iormal presentation to a teacher in a local school. Tell the teacher how
much you appreciate his or her eIIorts, and how education is valued highly in the U.S. Ask the
teacher to distribute the items in class.
A Real Adventure . . .
Traveling in Southeast Asia is quite diIIerent Irom a vacation in North America or Europeindeed,
that`s why we go! This is an adventurous trip in a developing country. The rich historical heritage is
Iascinating, and the region`s contemporary culture is vibrant. Bear in mind that part oI the
adventure oI this travel is to experience liIe as the region's residents do, and to immerse yourselI in
their culture. Most days are great Iun. But some aspects oI the experience can be disagreeable at
times, and it may be useIul to know about them in advance.
Our hotels are comIortable, but not luxurious. There can be occasional problems with hot water, air
conditioning, and electricity (remember to bring a Ilashlight). Some oI the restaurants where we
have lunch are shaded, open-air places that are not air-conditioned. On some days, we cover a
considerable distance, driving in both the morning and the aIternoon with a total oI Iive or six hours
on the road.
We enjoy many unusual modes oI transport, including a wooden boat and a ox-cart. At times, your
agility may be tested, but your Trip Leader and other local staII are always standing by, happy to
oIIer assistance. Just let them know when you need a helping hand, and they`ll be there!
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 48
Some Final Thoughts
You`ll be traveling each day with people you don`t know. By the end oI the trip, you`ll know them
Iairly well! Many OAT travelers Iorm lasting Iriendships, and return to travel together again. But
you probably won`t enjoy every person every day. The evergreen qualities oI patience, Ilexibility,
humor, and mutual consideration will help everyone have a good time.
We work hard to ensure that your trip runs smoothly, but things don`t always go according to plan.
And we`ve deliberately sought out non-traditional travel settings and unusually adventurous
experiences. The unplanned moments are the oIten the most memorable, but, to be Irank, they
aren`t always the most rewarding. Your Trip Leaders are experienced in dealing with unexpected
hitches, and will oIten work discreetly, behind the scenes, Ior the good oI the group. But we`ve also
developed a calm acceptance that some things are simply beyond our control. Weather and local
road conditions might aIIect your trip. Your activities could be diIIerent Irom those described in
your itinerary, and there could be a last-minute change or delay Ior reasons that are not immediately
obvious. At such times, you`ll have a better trip iI you can draw on your sense oI humor and your
most adventurous travel spirit.
LJC10 06/15/2009 Page 49

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