Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Impossible to pick a moment - we whizzed along some delightful rural roads in Thailand, climbed through the impressive towers of Angkor Wat, and soaked up a very special atmosphere as darkness fell on the stilted village and mangroves during the (optional) boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Is, who accompanied us as our guide throughout the trip, was a key factor in the success of the trip. Her sound knowledge of the region and in particular of the routines of rural communities made her particularly good at spotting things/places/activities which she knew would be interesting to us. Opportunities to watch people making items from local raw materials, harvest crops, prepare food etc, and to be able to inquire about their lives, allowed us to gain new perspectives and feel that we had gained from the experience rather than simply cycling past their doors

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cycling on this trip demands more endurance than hill-climbing power.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many - Cambodia with its awe inspiring temples, but then the sadness of the killing fields. huge numbers of children shouting hello when you cycled by, cycling through a flood in the Mekong Delta...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was amazing. He was so professional and made sure that we were well looked after and had nothing to worry about for the whole of the holidday

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to identify just one inspirational moment from the trip, as this section asks, because there were a number. Cycling through the back roads in Vietnam and around the Angkor area and through Siem Reap in Cambodia were highlights for me together with our visits to the Angkor temples. I was also very moved and saddened by what we learnt about the tragic events associated with the killing fields. Although very sad, it is a major historic event in Cambodia and an important part of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader for this trip was Rit and he was superb. He succeeded in managing everything seamlessly and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was always approachable and happy to assist. He was also friendly and joined us at meal times to chat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The main tip I would offer is to take very light cycle wear, if travelling in the warmer seasons, and apply plenty of sun cream particularly on the left side as one is travelling south most of the time. If my trip was typical of others, there is no need to bring snacks as there are plenty of drinks and snacks provided on the cycling days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Angkor

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was the best - I couldn't have picked a better one myself

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of suncream!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the rain in Thailand with the steam rising from the tarmac and the rice being silently cut by hand in the fields beside you. Riding around Angkor Wat and getting a full appreciation of the scale of the temples there. The stunning brutality of the killing fields and realizing it all happened such a short time ago. The smiling children in the Mekong who have little except, energy, beaming smiles and high fives for all the riders. Riding with another 14 people in a tight pack a few feet from the guys in front and not feeling anything but exhilarated.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Its no easy task to manage 15 riders of varying experience, ensure they all have a great time, and, to do that with patience, skill, encouragement, sensitivity and humour. Well done Rit you really are a star.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Dont take USD100 dollar bills smaller denominations are easier to use in country. You dont need your own bike the ones on hire are fine. Do take, padded pants, gel saddle, bike water bottle, bike helmet, sun tan cream, chamois cream, mozzy spray, handlebar bag, a sense of fun. Dont worry, the cycling is all pretty easy and as time passes your cycling skills will increase until you can ride over a really narrow bridge with no handrails.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is difficult to chose between the sunrise a Angkor Wat which although cloudy was a great experience, the homestay which was a real insight and fantastic experience. However I think for all of our group one key momentous event was meeting the 2 only survivors of the S21 prison in Cambodia, this will stay with me forever and I feel honoured to have met such strong, inspirational characters.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our instructor Is was hard working, dedicated and a true professional. Nothing was too much and I do feel she went above and beyond to ensure the trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all, which in itself was a difficult fate having such a wide range of nationalities, age groups and personalities. Is ensured that every single one of the group felt fully involved and we very much felt like a real team immediately. She is a real asset to Exodus, her personal pride and work ethic is admirable. the success of the trip is testament to this. If there was an award for group leader of the year, she would without doubt receive 18 votes, 1 from every member of our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Decent cycle shorts with gel padding and lots of mosquito spray, a huge memory card for your camera.

Most Inspirational Moment

cycling through remote villages seeing beautiful scenery and children running from their houses to wave and cheer as we passed by- unforgettable !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was Is. She was amazingly dedicated and organised. Her English was excellent and she was extremely knowledgable giving us constant information and guidance. She also had a great sense of humour and looked after us all so well. She deserves s medal!

Most Inspirational Moment

The temples at Angkor Wat are huge and impressive. Cycling through the back streets alongside the waterways of the Mekong delta gave a fascinating insight into local life. However, for sheer, jaw dropping shock, nothing can prepare a visitor, for seeing the Killing Fields, and S-21 prison. The visit was made even more poignant, by meeting the only 2 living survivors, and from the personal insights of the Cambodian Guide.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit did an amazing job. He was always good humoured, and tolerant of teasing. very good company in his own right. He led the tour through 3 different countries, with a separate support team in each one. No mean feat. A top cyclist, and a top man!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take US dollars for the tour tipping kitty. Use the out of hotel laundry, much cheaper than the hotels. Try to have a look at Chau Doc, in the short time you're there, an amazing waterfront on the Mekong. Take insect repellent, especially for the home stay.

Most Inspirational Moment

First site of Angkor Wat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Is was outstanding, caring, very safety concerned, infomative and well organised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, temperatures were between 35-38C. Take your own saddle and clips.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights and inspirational moments and experiences during this trip, it's impossible to single out just a single one - so to mention just a few: cycling around Angkor and seeing the local traditional villages, visiting Angkor Wat at daybreak (even if it was too cloudy for a sunrise), the visit to S-21 in Phnom Penh, cycling the lovely little backroads and paths in Vietnam on the last cycling day, high-fiving with the children that ran out to greet us along the way in various places, and the homestay in the Mekong Delta...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit is an excellent group leader - I couldn't praise him enough. Patient, considerate, well informed, approachable, always cheerful - these are just a few words to describe him. And he's an excellent cyclist too.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No need to bring your own bike - the bikes provided are great. Do bring padded shorts and/or a gel seat, they're pretty essential. Something to prevent chafing (chamois cream or similar) is useful too. There are opportunities along the way (in Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City) to get some laundry done (it's washed and ironed for you - and it's cheap), so no need to pack too too much in the way of clothes. Around Angkor you'll be needing to put on 'temple clothes' to enter the temples - so bring some light trousers or a skirt to cover your knees - and also bring a top or shirt that covers shoulders. And bring a torch if you want to see Angkor Wat at sunrise - you'll be walking over uneven ground in the pitch dark. Money-wise, just bring some Baht for Thailand, and other than that just bring US dollars - they're accepted everywhere in Cambodia and Vietnam including any and all shops. There are cashpoints in most cities if you need access to additional funds (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City).