Cycle Indochina & Angkor

Most Inspirational Moment

I spent months fretting about the logistics of this trip but it honestly turned out to be the best travel experience of my life. I'm a bit of a stresshead when it comes to long haul travel so the logistics of packing, buying air tickets, fear of forgetting bike kit were all very real. But from the second my wife and I landed at Bangkok to be met by our Tour Leader, Seen, my fears slowly evaporated so that by the end of the fortnight I was ready to book next year's adventure as a season cycling traveller (maybe). Who knows where that will take us? If I had to pick an inspirational moment it was when most of the 15-strong group met up for the first time in the hotel bar and I quickly realised they were all different and all lovely… a viewpoint confirmed slightly more with every day we spent with each other. By the end there were a lot of sad goodbyes - hopefully au revoirs – as everyone headed their separate ways. Proof that people, just as much if not more than places, make the greatest memories. The places were incredible too, but perhaps the highlight was cycling through small Vietnamese villages to be greeted by chorus of "hellos" from the small children who ran to the roadside whether at school or their man-made homes. They had very little but gave us everything in terms of a welcome. A lesson for the materialistic west. Perhaps the real beauty of the trip was how different each country felt. From the unfussy charm of Thailand and its wonderful cuisine to the roadside monkeys and insect (tarantula deep fried if you want to know) takeaway stalls of Cambodia as well as breathtaking temples which photography couldn't truly capture. Then on to a 'homestay' plus mozzie nets on Vietnam's Mekong Delta with rice paper making, snake wine for lead in your pencil and some of the most beautiful palm tree laden hamlets you'll ever experience. Most inspiring moment really is an impossible question. The trip was like a memory montage of views, interactions and laughter - lots of laughter – as we saw 'different world' situations that just don't happen in boring Blighty. Pub Street in Siem Reap with its countless bars and a particularly wonderful restaurant our Tour Guide took us to – we ate as a group almost every night, a testament to how close-knit we were – karaoke venues that weren't, bars that weren't (use your 'made our excuses and left' imagination), wonderful lunches for £3 a head, sundowners on our hotel's rooftop bar in Phnom Penh, a meal in Cambodia with the noisest chairs you'll ever hear, street markets where one of our number considered taking crabs back to the UK (and by all accounts tried)… and if fish farms are your thing, you'll die happy here (possibly). On the flip side, the Killing Fields and S-21 prison were sobering reminders of man's inhumanity to man, brought even more startlingly to life at the end of the torture centre tour when we were introduced to one of the child survivors now an elderly man with memories of the wrong kind. The Cu Chi Tunnels and Vietnam War Museum at our final destination of Saigon merely emphasised the contrast between the horrors that this part of SE Asia has witnessed and the jaw-dropping beauty of the place. Great to see that the former hasn't tarnished forever or broken the spirit of its wonderful and special people. If I had to pick a single moment it would probably be seeing the sun rise over Angkor Wat. I had the pictures to prove it although sadly my camera wiped them. In reality bed was too attractive a proposition after a string of 7-8am starts, but our oldest friends Mark and Sian who braved it, said it was a wonderful experience. Being facetious aside, I'd honestly say the warm welcome almost everywhere we went was my highlight among a constellation of memories.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I don't really know where to start in describing Seen other than to say he was absolutely incredible from start to finish of our tour. Seen is a credit not only to himself but also as an ambassador for your company and was – I don't think this is overegging it – loved by all 15 members of our group. This was my first time on a trip like this so I was nervous and apprehensive before arriving, but had I known how it would all go under the watchful eye of Seen I needn't have worried. He met my wife and I at the airport with a wonderful smile and I knew instantly that he would provide us with the reassurance we needed. He didn't disappoint on that front. By the time we arrived in Vietnam he was effectively considered one of the group, but always maintained a professional stance while remaining friendly and - most importantly - fun throughout. He was the go-to man in all three countries to the extent that when the local guides stepped in some of the group joked "they're great but they're not our real dad". Seen was kind and attentive and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the heritage, history and religion of all three countries - and above all he was constantly calm, putting the satisfaction of our group ahead of his own needs all day, every day. Even when the local tour guides took centre stage he was always there, attentively looking after our every need. Importantly he also 'got' the sometimes dry and sometimes satirical sense of humour of the group. He had a great understanding of British sarcasm and chipped on when it was right. A real skill that showed empathy and understanding of his audience. When we all got home many people left messages on the Whatsapp group saying they'd been out for a ride but had found it difficult… without Seen. He made a great trip unforgettable and I and the rest of the group still miss him, but intend to struggle through to next March and try to get the band together again - as long as he's our leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book an Exodus trip. Based on my initial nervousness, I'd say: Absolutely everything was taken care of from the communications at the start to amazing snack stops and a support vehicle was a constant reassurance. I took my own pedals which I found quite handy - I just needed to switch into trainers for temple stops which was easy. Some people took gel seats for their bike and said they were worth their weight in gold but I used standard bib shorts and didn't have any issues. US dollars are pretty much all you need apart from say £40 in Thai Baht and £30 in Dong PLUS a Revolut card. Last piece of advice - if you're thinking about it, don't. Just do it. Life's too short.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Seen did an awesome job keeping us entertained and informed.

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor Wat was amasing. Would love to spend more time there

Thoughts on Group Leader

Maled was great leader and fun. He went over and beyond to make everyone happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Road is very flat. Be aware of hot weather. Bring some electrolytes

Most Inspirational Moment

Out of all the temples, I felt that the jungle covered Ta Prohm was the best.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Seen was the overall leader from Thailand . Due to the rules for Cambodia and Vietnam, he does have to defer to the local guides there. But overall, from an organisational perspective, he did alright, getting us all over the borders effectively.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There's no time in Bangkok. I regret not getting there a couple of days earlier to have a look around. Also, if cycling in June like me, expect very hot and humid conditions which makes even light exercise tough, let alone the 50 mile plus days in Thailand, so do prepare yourself for that.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Angkor Wat

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely brilliant. Rit could not be faulted. He was caring, funny and knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book your own flights

Most Inspirational Moment

It was all inspiring, even Ankor Watt was just one of many temples.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Rit was furst class, a very good group leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep a eye on you money, I had about £200 stolen from my bum bag, most likely from my room in one of the longer stay hotels. As it wasn't my daily money so I didn't find out until unpacking at home.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunrise Ankhor Wat and cycling into the vibrant celebration of Vietnamese Lunar New Year!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Seen was an excellent guide, watching over us and the team all the time. Encouraged us to try crispy tarantula!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Have a day or so In Bangkok at the start to allow to adjust for time difference and see the city.

Most Inspirational Moment

All of the sites visited were fascinating but none of them would have been brought alive without the exceptional support of local guides and outstanding interaction from the group leader. The history and culture of each country would have been an overwhelming amount of detail to research without their succinct and poignant commentary.

Thoughts on Group Leader

An outstanding individual who went above and beyond to support , advise and gel with the group from start to finish.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light and either brook the cost of using ATM’s or risk wasting unused local currency. Taking Sterling is pointless and dollars / cards are not always usable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many things to mention. The variety of experiences was brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Totally awesome

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t be put off by the cycling distances. The long days were on mainly flat terrain and there was plenty of time to undertake the journeys. I would advise arriving a day or so early to help with jet lag before starting the tour. Payments are mainly cash. Take out Baht and US dollars.

Most Inspirational Moment

Amazing to see development go hand in hand with preserved local traditions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chai was great. Organised, good humoured and always available for everyone. He knew how to ensure that everyone had the holiday they were looking for and how to meet a range of different needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You'll be on the move a lot, so make sure you take a couple of extra days at the end of the trip somewhere more peaceful (not Saigon!) if you want to wind down and relax. Don't be afraid to do your own research into restaurants and experiences and head off on your own in the evenings whenever you want without the group. Don't worry if you're not a top cyclist. Get in the van and cool off whenever you feel you need to relax. These countries are way too interesting to just keep your head down and grind out kilometres on the road. Take things at your own pace (the team is 100% on board with you doing that) and make sure you take the time to really look around you and take lots of photos. Bring dollars for Cambodia or withdraw them from the ATM in-country. Most everything else you can buy along the way. Bring an extra bag for souvenirs, clothing, spices etc. to take home! There's lots of shopping opportunities.