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5 Best tips to travel with only Hand Luggage

With more and more budget airlines offering cheap flights to our main destinations of Cambodia, Vietnam and India, it has become quite easy to save money on airfare. Unfortunately these tickets usually include only hand luggage and paying for check-in luggage can sometimes even double the total price. To beat that it’s time to enhance your packing skills and learn to travel with less stuff.

You may think this is only realistic for short weekend trips, if you’re a man who doesn’t need lots of beauty products or if you’re happy to just wear not-so-elegant zip-off trousers during your whole trip? Let us show you it’s also possible for fashionable women on trips that last several weeks. Trust us, we’ve tested it ourselves! Here are our best tips.

1.You’re probably allowed to take more than you’d think

Most budget airlines allow sharp items like nail scissors and razors in your carry-on luggage, so make sure to check this and you might be surprised! Usually they also allow one smaller piece of luggage like a handbag or laptop bag on top of your suitcase. Use this extra space well, eg. for personal items such as documents, sunglasses, phones, … and also make sure to wear your heaviest clothes and shoes on the plane to save weight in your luggage.

2. Limiting liquids and gels: slow down on the toiletries

Toiletries are heavy, take up a lot of space and big bottles of liquids and gels are simply not allowed in carry-on luggage. But this shouldn’t be a reason to pay heaps for checked-in luggage! You won’t have any problem buying soap, shampoo, toothpaste or even bug spray in pretty much any country in the world, and it’s often much cheaper, too!

Use small plastic containers (max. 100 mL but smaller if possible) to have enough for the first couple of days, and then just go shopping for the rest. An empty tote bag is light to pack – it could even be your handbag one the plane – and can be handy to keep all your beauty and hygiene products together once you’re there and carry them around easily.

3. You don’t need that many clothes and shoes

In most countries with a hot climate 2 pairs of shorts and some t-shirts or tank tops are basically all you’ll need. Add a sarong in case you need to cover up, a sweater or jumper (wear it on the plane), some underwear and beachwear and one or two nice dresses or other ‘evening outfits’ and you’re good to go. You probably won’t even need those jeans, but if you do want to pack trousers, a pair of light summery trousers will be much more comfortable and won’t add so much weight to your suitcase.

When it comes to shoes, we recommend one comfortable pair that you wear on the plane, a pair of nice sandals for the evening and a pair of flip-flops. And that’s it!

You don’t need to pack enough clothes for every single day of your whole trip, just wash things eg. once a week. Either simply in the sink or shower, or most of our hotels also do your whole laundry for only a few dollars. If you take quick-drying non-wrinkling clothes, they’ll be dry by the next morning and nobody will even notice you didn’t iron them!

4. Try an exotic new hairstyle

AKA leave your hairdryer at home! You probably won’t be using it when it’s 38°C in your room, and in hot and humid countries your work will be ruined in less than 10 minutes anyway. Your hair doesn’t fall as perfectly if you don’t use a hairdryer? Don’t worry, just call it exotic!

5. You don’t need stuff ‘just in case’

Again, pretty much everything can be bought abroad! You don’t need a full pharmacy, just pack small amounts of medicine to cure basic things like a headache, diarrhea or a small wound. Chances are if you need more, you’ll have to go see a doctor anyway. The same goes for spare parts, things you might need in case something breaks, etc. Just buy them if you need them but don’t carry them around all the time!

Do you have any tips to save space in your luggage? We would love to hear them in the comments below…

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7 Tips To Choosing The Perfect Tour Guide

A guest post by one of our travellers, Samith Pitch.

There is nothing as rewarding, enlightening and as inspiring as travelling to new locations and exploring new worlds.

Whether you’re staying for a short or extended period of time the absolute best way to maximise your experience and enjoyment is by hiring an experienced tour guide.

The value an experienced, knowledgeable and outgoing tour guide can offer, from lowering language barriers to recommending the very best non-touristy local restaurants, cannot be under-estimated.

Not sure how to choose a great tour guide? At Hands on Journey we conduct an exhaustive selection process to choose the best tour guides so you can have the best travel experience possible.

However, if you need to choose your own here are 7 tips to choosing a great travel guide.

Cambodia Tour

  1. They should be passionate about being a tour guide.

What separates a great tour from a good one is passion. One sees it as a job the other sees it as calling. An average tour guide will be looking to get tips, a great tour guide will be giving them!

You can see it in their faces and mannerisms, nothing makes them happier than to serve others and help others have a positive and rewarding experience. They’re passionate about their home country and they treat you like a guest in their home.

One of our tour guides turned down another employment opportunity because he realised his passion was tourism and he loved the ethos of Hands on Journey. Another of our tour guides spends 20 days out of a month away from his family working as a tour guide. And the reason he chooses to do so is because he believed it was his calling to be the best tour guide he could be. Thats commitment!

 

  1. They are experienced

A great tour guide needs to have all the relevant qualifications but what they need most is experience is managing tours and groups. Managing travellers can sometimes feel like you’re trying to herd cats! (Not that your guide would ever admit it!) But everyone is different with different personalities and gaols. A great tour guide knows how to manage a group so that  powerful shared experiences and memories are made. But they also know when to give people space and alone time. Ideally you want a tour guide with atleast 5 years experience.

Hoi An Old Town

  1. They are respected and knowledgeable.

Qualifications and experience is one thing but knowledge is another thing. A great tour guide is a bridge between you and their countries and the communities you will visit. Their knowledge of the history, the landscape and the people will prove invaluable to any discerning traveler.

There’s nothing more exciting than feeling that you have an inside scoops on hot eateries, local attractions or insider knowledge.  Watch how your tour guide interacts with they fellow countrymen. Are they kind and jovial or do they bark orders and look down on them?

Many tour guides simply rattle off history that they have learned from their tour guide training which can be very dry. Does your tour guide have personal stories or history that can make their history lesson come alive?

 

  1. They listen as much as they speak.

Many tour guides stick very closely with the itineraries available to them, often they can be an oasis of order and calm in a travel calamity. But a great tour guide listens as much as they speak. Meaning they will seek to get to know you as a person and not just a tourist. They realise that to deliver the best experience possible they have to get clear about your travel goals and your personality.

  • Do you love history or do you crave live experiences.
  • Are you a party animal or do you want to engage in more meaningful activities.
  • Do you want to experience the finest things in life or do you want to get real and authentic with the locals?

A great tourist guide will seek to create a travel experience that caters to you.

Vietnam Markets

  1. They have excellent personal skills

As we said before a great tourist guide is more than just historical facts and a walking translator they are fellow travellers. It’s important that you get to know your travel guide, learn about what you’re passionate about and your story. Because a great tour guide will seek to do the same.

Having a tour guide you can trust, who is in control and in their elements allows you to relax and enjoy the ride. All our guides at Hands On Journey’s have excellent personal skills.

 

  1. They know how to have fun!

Every tour guide is different but the tour guides at Hands On Journeys know how to have fun. In Cambodia we have guides who know how to break out the dance moves in Pub Street! In Vietnam be aware that our guides know how to mix potent local drinks of Rice wine!

In periods of long travel a great guide can regale get stories, start running jokes and greet you with the warmest of smiles.

 

  1. They seek to inspire and give back.

We believe our tour guides at Hands On Journeys are some of the most special. They are excellent at what they do but its also what they do off the job that will inspire you. Our tour guides also spend a few days each month giving back to visiting and working with communities. This fits exactly into the ethos of Hands on Journeys of travelling, inspiring and giving back.

Some of our guides work in hospitals of the physically challenged, others go into remote mountain communities and spend time doing important charity work and others take care of impoverished communities and stay connected with the ongoing projects Hands On Journeys conduct there.

If you are seeking to be a truly worldly traveller it’s important you have the right guides by your side. At Hands on Journeys we’re so proud and inspired by our guides, who love their countries and the people who visit them. Why not come along and meet one them with us?

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Understanding Genocide in Cambodia: A visit to S21 and The Killing Fields

The noise of the violins rising from the audio guide, battling against the thunder. The young face peering through barbed wire with outstretched hands. Me, standing there with an umbrella hiding tears amongst the rain drops.

It could have been a movie scene.

But it wasn’t.

It was the remains of a hell I was stood in the midst of.

I look down and see bones, to my side the floor is littered with the remains of clothes. The skulls of those who were tortured sit in the distance. The reality of the Killing Fields, the history, the emotion consuming me in a completely new way.

I look inwards and question why I can’t help that young boy stood soaking wet whose eyes are glazed over. Why my world has been so much more fairer than this one. Why these places ever had to exist.

Why?

It was the only word I could muster…

The dark history of Cambodia was never touched on in my school education and that seemed a common theme throughout the group I visited with, if you are the same allow me to talk history.

Genocide in Cambodia

During the Khmer Rouge regime, nearly anyone with an education or connection to the previous government was a threat. All those, and many others, that came under these categories were rounded up, arrested and tortured before eventually being executed.

This is not from centuries ago, but recent history which took place in the 1970s. Although exact numbers of those murdered fluctuate between resources many figures average out around the two million mark. Ethnicities were targeted along with Monks and religion. The tragic reality is, many western countries had the chance to help stop this, but whether through great deception, extreme naivety or the decision not to acknowledge it they didn’t. I am not going to start talking politics on this subject, you will have your own decision after visiting the museum.

The figures however do not count the millions of other who died through starvation and illness after the executions. The impact of the Khmer Rouge lives on and is evident in modern day Cambodia. The warmth, strength and power of the Khmer people however triumphs these days and is noticed straight away by any visitor. For a more in-depth history, check out Wikipedia.

Cambodia History

The Killing Fields

Never have I visited a place so raw and so emotional. The audio guide tour is incredibly detailed and includes history, stories and some of the most haunting specially composed music I have heard. Shortly after arrival a storm struck which dislodged bones and clothing from the floor. This is not a tidied up and glamorized version of history, it is very raw and incredibly impactful.

The Killing Fields, of which this is one of many, were the murder site of beyond a million people. Mass graves hidden out of sight are now ditches in the grass and act as a memorial to the tragedies that took place here. You can still see the trees children were beaten to death against and a memorial building houses the skulls of many whose bodies were dislodged to the surface. Words can’t describe this place. Although graphic and challenging to visit, it gives such an insight into the country I couldn’t have gained from anywhere else.

S21 Prison Museum

S21 Prison Museum

The Toul Sleng Genocide museum, also referred to as S21 Prison has been cleaned up in parts to house the history on display. In other wings, little has changed and the weight of the history and tragedy literally clings to you skin as you slowly take it in and chills linger over you. Doing both here and The Killing Fields back to back makes for a tough experience. People in my group broke down in tears and had to leave. The day was unlike any other I have had at similar places to remember a dark history.

During the Cambodian genocide, this old school was converted to be a detention centre for those 17, 000 who were hold here before heading to the Killing Fields. The grounds became a burial site for those who died during torture whilst under arrest in the very building. It now houses photos and stories to be learnt from as well as retaining some of the original fittings. The photographs of the faces that once resided here will haunt you long after you have returned home.

To Discover Cambodia from the inside out learn more about joining one of our tours with a twist.

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Best apps for learning Languages when you travel

If learning to lingo with the Locals is one thing you really struggle with then this is just for you!

We bet traveling the world years ago when no one spoke English was deemed as pretty exotic and exciting, sadly, nowadays we seem to have become a bit lazy but don’t be that person just shouting it louder, download one of these super helpful to apps to your phone and get in on the conversation!

Learn Languages

Google Translate

So it might not be teaching you directly but it is certainly one of the most handy to turn to. If you see words you don’t understand but want to learn it as simple as pointing the camera at the text and getting a translation.

Not sure whats on the menu, type it in. Need to get a sentence out to a local that you really don’t know. Let it speak it out for you. Literally, the best thing since sliced bread!

Duolingo

It is no surprise that this won the ‘Apple iPhone App of the Year’.

Why so good? The fact it is more like a course in the palm of your hand than a list of jumbled words. It uses repetition and reviewing to make sure you have grasped it and mixes audio learning with visuals prompts.

You aren’t going to become fluent here but you will have more than enough to get by. They also have a fairly wide range of languages to choose from.

Babbel

Another winner of Apples Apps and offering courses in a whole multitude of languages Babbel is pretty simple to get started with. There is however an auto-renew subscription for the language courses which, if you want to really study the language is great but just for grabbing the basics for a quick weekend getaway it might not be worth the investment.

A great bonus is the cross over from phone to web, so you can start and finish the modules on either. It is well structured and the lessons are pretty thorough however given the monthly cost once you have picked up the basics from another app it might be better investing that money in Skype lessons with a local.

HiNative

HiNative is very different from your usual Read, Listen and Learn approach however you will love the interactive aspect of it as you are conversing with native language speakers a lot of the time.

The bonus of this app is if you struggle at pronunciation. For asking how to say certain things you can record your voice to get feedback as to if what you are saying sounds like the real deal. Hello no more embarrassing moments in shops of talking complete gibberish, you can keep your blushing behind the phone screen.

Another aspect we love is that you can interact with natives about their culture or in fact anything to get direct answers before you arrive.

It does have a subscription fee for premium access and the downside of it is that only those who have paid for it can listen to your voice recordings, so, you are reliant that someone has.

Busuu

Busuu only offers nine languages which are mainly European based and again, it does charge a subscription past the basics. It includes your typical features as well as the native interaction element of HiNative.

Another great method? Watching English films in your hotel downtime and learning from the subtitles. Trust us, this usually leads into comical soaps and knowing all the words to a foreign catchy jingle advert with no idea what they are talking about. Can you get anymore cultured than that?

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Video: India with Hands on Journeys by Jen

Back in February, Jen, one of our travellers explored the wonders of India and the Golden Triangle with us.

They say a picture can speak a thousand words, so we can only imagine how many a video can speak.

Take a look at this fantastic video she made to get an inside look at our India tour with a purpose.


 Jen had the following to say about her time giving back in India:

 

“The children I met in the slums had bigger smiles on their faces than I’ve seen on people who have everything! Yet, these children don’t have much. What made their smiles even bigger was that I was just willing to talk and teach to them. That I let them play with my hair and that I allowed them to ask me how old I was and where I was from. They enjoyed spending time with me. As I did with them. They only spend about 2-3 hours a day in school. The rest of the their days are spent working or getting what is needed to survive. Water and food.”

Read more about Jens time in India on her website.

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The Kumbh Mela festival in India

The Kumbh Mela Festival is a fascinating even which occurs in different parts of India on a 12 year rotating basis.

After our last tour through the Golden Triangle one of our travellers headed north to Haridwar to discover more about this holy pilgrimage.

Here’s 7 quick facts to explain more about the Kumbh Mela festival…

KumbhMela

1.The Kumbh Mela occours every 12 years at a particular venue on rotation.

 

2. The four destinations which host the Kumb Mela are Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain

 

3.With between 75-130 million (a rough estimate) people attending the festival over its run it has rightly earned the name of the worlds biggest meeting of pilgrims for a religious purpose.

 

4. The name was born from a Hindu Myth. Lord Vishnu who was carrying the liquid of immortality in a kind of pot (referred to as a Kumbha) spilt this liquid in foud different locations which were to become the holy sites where the celebrations occur today.

 

5. People will travel huge distances to attend throughout the festival with the key date attracting the single largest crowd often around 30 million.

 

6. The main purpose of the visits and the celebrations is to bathe in the holy waters which will wash away sin and for many they believe cure illness.

 

KumbhMela

 

7, The most celebrated of the bathers are the naked holy men (naga sadhu) who will bathe naked to show their separation from the material world.

 

‘My visit to Haridwar during this incredible celebration was a truly unique experience. Bar a handful of other western tourists I felt completely swept away with the emotions, sounds and smells of the celebrations. The streets were over flowing with people as were the rivers once the celebration commenced.

Given many of the people travel to this festival to find cures for illness or healing as well as spiritual reasons I found the festival quite an emotional experience and although I thoroughly enjoyed understanding the culture and purpose of the ritual from a local perspective I believe some other tourists there found it rather uncomfortable and challenging.

If you do find yourself in India during one of these celebrations I would urge you to consider visiting for a couple of days to witness such a grand gathering in such a powerful way’ – Dan 

 

Got you excited to discover India through the eyes of locals? Take a look at our 2017 small group tour departures here!

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5 Street Foods You Need to Try in Cambodia

Whether you’re a real foodie or not, eating is a part of every trip. And what better way to support the local community than to try some of that delicious street food? Here’s our list of favorites from our small group tour in Cambodia.

1.Fish amok

Fish amok is a classic Khmer dish made from fish, coconut milk and curry paste. All the ingredients are put together in banana leaves and steamed, and lots of spices such as chili, cumin, turmeric root and lemongrass are added to ensure a perfect mix of flavors. Popular throughout the whole country and best when simply served with some hot sticky rice, this dish is a must-eat for everyone visiting Cambodia! 

Cambodia Street Food

2. On the BBQ: Pork skewers and grilled sausages

Cambodians love barbecued food, and you’ll have no problem finding it in one of the many street stalls all over the country. Cheap and tasteful, pork skewers or grilled sausages make for a perfect snack at any time of the day. Whether you like sweet or spicy food, these delights will definitely make you mouth-water. Can’t wait for snack-time? No problem! Served with vegetables and rice, they’re also a popular breakfast.

3. Lok lak

Huge portions of stir fried beef or pork in a brown sauce served with salad, rice, lime juice and black pepper – how could anyone not like that? The meat is marinated first to make it even more flavorsome, and every region has its own typical mix of spices, so you’ll never get the same taste twice. In traditional Cambodian cuisine this dish is wrapped up in a lettuce leaf, which also makes it super easy to eat on the street.

4. Kuy teav (noodle soup)

Simple but tasteful, noodle soup is a popular dish in all of Southeast Asia. The base is always the same – pork or beef stock, rice noodles and toppings – but Cambodian noodle soup differs from eg. its neighbor’s version because it’s usually served with different kinds of meat or fish balls. Whether you like spicy food or not, this dish’s for everyone! The basic preparation is usually quite tasteless, and you get to pick your own spices as you order to give the soup whichever taste you like and make it as spicy as you can handle. Traditionally noodle soup is a breakfast dish, but you’ll find it all through the day in most places.

Angkor Wat

5. Drinks and fruit

Whether you’re in the city or on the countryside, the Cambodian heat will get you thirsty. Popular drinks like ice coffee of sugar cane juice are very sweet and might not be the best way to quench your thirst, but they’re so refreshing and delicious you probably won’t be able to get enough of them.

Another great refreshment is fruit. Juicy slices of pineapple, watermelon, papaya, guava, … cost only a few riel and will give you enough energy to resist the heat for a couple of hours. 

Don’t forget to try some pickled fruit, too! Some are only slightly pickled, others more heavily, so there’s something for every taste, and all come with a sweet and sour mixture that you dip the fruit into before eating it. Delicious!

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Best 5 Things to do in Hanoi

Hanoi (and Ha Long Bay) is our latest tour extension allowing our travellers to explore the best of Northern Vietnam.

But what is so special about this charming and historic city? Lets take a look at our favourite things to do in Hanoi…

1. The Old Quarter

Hanoi Old Town is a must-go place to step back in time amongst pagodas and rustic houses. Spend your day wandering the streets and soaking up the vibe of Vietnams capital city. For lunch, take a break at Ta Hien where you can enjoy the local brew (Bai Hai) and some great street food before continuing your exploration through the bustling local Dong Xuan Market or catching a traditional water puppet show.

2. Literature Temple

The Temple of Literature is often called one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in the whole country. Constructed in 1070 this impressive building houses the first national University of Vietnam, the ‘Imperial Academy’. Open daily from mid day to mid night it’s calming gardens and colorful interiors are the perfect escape from the bustle of the streets.

3. Ngoc Son Temple & Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem lake can be found in the historic center of Hanoi. Acting as a great spot for both locals and travellers alike to find some peace, take a walk or just relax for a spot of lunch it is one of the most popular places to ‘take a break’ within the city.

In the middle of the lake you will find the Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain). As one of the most visited temples within the city at times it can be crowded but cross the intricate bridge early morning over the lake to enjoy the impressive traditional style temple without everyone else fighting for a photo.

4. Hao Loa prison

This famous prison was used by various sides to capture political prisoners and prisoners of war throughout the French colonisation periods and later during the Vietnam War. A visit here will be fill of heart break, questioning and propaganda and gives an insight into the various struggles and situations within the country over its troubled past.

5. Ha Long Bay

A short bus journey from the city of Hanoi and you arrive to the beautiful UNESCO listed Ha Long Bay. All our extension packages include an overnight visit to this stunning location on a luxury junk boat. Given how spectacular Ha Long Bay is we have a whole other list of reasons to make sure it is on your agenda right here.

 

 

 

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10 tips to get the best flight deals for your tour

Booking a tour and a flight separately can seem like a mega task but really, it is super easy. These 10 tips will help you find the best value air fare.

1. Go online and use a search engine

Whilst Travel Agents can be super handy to organise your flights for you the internet has made tracking down those bargains a piece of cake. Pick one of the super handy and advanced search engines such as Kayak and start hunting down your cheap flights. Our personal favourite for functionality and ease is Skyscanner.

2. Be as flexible as possible

The number one tip for getting the best value flights is to be as flexible as possible. Of course, if you are joining a tour then your dates are more limited but sometimes by simply arriving a day earlier or departing a day later you can save hundred of dollars which will easily offset the extra cost (and adventure) of having another day to enjoy your destination.

3. Consider other hubs to depart from

Not all airports (and their fees and taxes) were created equally. If a flight is just too expensive then consider starting your journey at another local regional hub airport. Sometimes the best deals can be found by looking further afield as your international departure point and taking a separate domestic flight to connect, again passing on the savings to you whilst breaking up a potentially long flight.

4. Search from the country you will be visiting

If you are taking a tour in say India and want to explore further once you are there then you will be looking for domestic flights. Always change the country you ‘are in’ on the search engine to the country your flight will actually be taken from. Often this will provide you with flight deals you might not have found before as they are only available/sold in that specific country.

5. Book in advance

For many things booking last minute can save you money, when it comes to flying this is not usually the case. Lock your flights down in advance (usually at least 2-3 months at the least) to secure the best deals. The last thing you want to do is spend a fortune on last minute flights because they are the only ones which work with your tour departure dates.

6. Look for stopover deals

Many airlines, especially those in the Middle East and Asia now offer stop over deals. Whilst the cost of flying with these airlines might be slightly higher you may have the opportunity to explore a new city for a day or two with perks and freebies which can include free hotels, transport and activities provided complimentary by the airline as part of your ticket.

7. Sign up for flight alerts

Search engines such as Skyscanner can provide you with flight alerts when the fare you have searched for goes down. Simply make your search, enter your email and wait for them to tell you when to book to save even more money.

8. Be secret on your searches

Whilst some search engines do not track cookies (the little things your browser provides that tracks your search history) there has been a long standing belief that going Incognito whilst searching will mean that your previous hunting down for great value flights is not taken into account when you go to book so that the prices are not inflated by the airlines.

9. Make sure everything (and protection) is included

Some budget airlines now charge additional fees for things such as luggage, meals and even water. Be sure that everything you need is included in the final price otherwise in no time at all your budget flight may end up more expensive than a legacy carrier. Always have your travel insurance before booking your flight so incase of emergency and cancellation you have more protection.

10. Get on a ‘Flight Deals’ email list

There are heaps of websites out there which do all the hard work for you. Simply google ‘Flight deal email alerts’ and take your pick. Register your email and get all the latest bargains ready for you to read when you sit down at your desk. Error fares and flash sales don’t wait around for long though, so be sure to grab the bargain whilst it is ready and waiting to whisk you off.

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5 Reasons you should still visit Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay gets a lot of flack as a ‘tourist trap’. This beautiful part of the ocean in Northern Vietnam however didn’t get its UNESCO heritage status for no reason.

Our new “Hanoi and Ha Long Bay extension” tour is the perfect way to relax at the end of the trip, so here are the five reasons you should still put this outstanding part of the country on your agenda.

Ha Long Bay

1. It really is stunning

No matter what tales or complaining you will hear from people about being scammed, crammed on to a boat or feeling highly let down there is one fact that can not be denied. Ha Long Bay is naturally stunning. The formation of rocks, the calm ocean and the natural fauna all make for a photographers paradise and a slice of nature you don’t want to miss out on.

The best way to avoid a potential nightmare is to spend a little more and book a quality boat for your tour. For example, we only use the best ships and teams in the area to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride.

2. You can Kayak through the caves

When the time comes to jump ship, you can either take a dip or get on board your Kayak for a closer look. Paddling through the over hanging rocks, exploring the incredible caves or slowly gliding along in the gentle current will have you forgetting all the madness of the mainland in no time

3. Seafood does not get much fresher than this

Think Grilled and BBQ fish, caught straight from the ocean either by you or your expert crew. You can’t ask for fish fresher than this, expertly prepared and then served up with a cold beer to watch the nightly spectacular which is the sunset show.

Ha Long Bay

4. The sunsets are out of this world

Who needs entertainment when mother nature is on hand to blow you away. Catching the last light of the day whilst gently bobbing around in the bay is one of the most breathtaking parts of your trip. We promise you, sunsets like this are well worth jumping onboard for.

5. A sleepover on a real Junk Boat

The Ha Long Bay Junk Boats are a legend in themselves. Form the outside, many can be deceiving on both their size and luxury, but once onboard all the facilities and comfort you will need is ready and waiting. Our luxury twin room cabins are the perfect place to rest up before waking up to the sounds of the waves and a sunrise which signals another morning of enjoying the bay before all the day trips arrive.

 

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10 Awesome Views of the Taj Mahal

You can’t deny it – visiting the Taj Mahal is top of many peoples list when they venture to India and millions of photos of this magnificent structure make it to Instagram each year.

Whilst the most famous view is the reflection shot, there are plenty of other awesome angles you can capture this beauty from.

Luckily for you, we have written them all down…

Get there early for sunrise and a crowd free view         Taj Mahal

Make friends with the Taj Mahal locals…

Grab yourself a riverside view of the Taj Mahal

Get the reflection shot (as long as there is water!)

Take it Black and White

Hope some Monks ask you for a selfie…

Go for the ‘pinch’ shot or get creative…

Get the best Taj Mahal sunset across the river

Get close up and admire the Taj Mahal in all its glory

Take nothing but memories and photos at the Taj Mahal

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Face to Face with the reality of Agent Orange | Our Travellers Stories

Today, Daniel shares his experience from Vietnam with Hands on Journeys. The sad reality of Agent Orange is still a real problem for many in this country…

Standing there I was beaming at the beautiful grins, the different walks and the well thought out wheelchairs that made their way around the courtyard in the golden hour of sunrise.

I wished my eyes would stop welling up. I beamed on and cursed myself for not wearing sunglasses.

I had been invited to a hospital which was a permanent home to generations of those affected by Agent Orange and similar evil and unwanted poisons.

A kind-hearted gentleman beckoned me over. “Xin chào” we shared whilst shaking hands for what seemed like eternity. He briefly talked about Sydney and Australia, we talked about his life here. I asked if there was anything he would like.

“Coffee. Nescafé is good. If you bring that we have all we need”

I was taken back by the very essence of those words… We have all we need.

It summed up everything I have learnt over the past few weeks. We can’t judge, decide or speak on behalf of people for what they want or require.

We can just be humble, listen and oblige. It wasn’t until I walked away I realised he had one leg. My eyes saw people first, human connections. Disabilities were an after thought… If it is even ok to say that?

As the rice soup was served and I carried my trays towards the bedrooms a young lad shot from his seat to guide me.

“Follow me” he said with a grin and further highlighting that point. He wasn’t a boy who struggled to walk in his eyes, he was a young man showing a guest into his home with far more elegance than I could ever muster if I was to invite you for dinner.

“How old are you?” We ask a young girl. 34 she signals back. We try to hide our shock behind our smiles of hope as we give our time, share peaceful silence, sign language, laughter and physical contact.

Cold hands turn warm quickly and emotion is communicated though simple touch.

Thank you I read through bright eyes. Thank you for being our guests, our visitors. I hoped my eyes were communicating the right message.

I was glad my sunglasses had stayed at home.

“These are the lucky ones” Our friend who invited us announces.

“The ones who don’t have to stay with their families and can access support”

Lucky to not stay with their families?

A lady who grew up in this very hospital now lives here again. She fondly referred to it as home as she spoon fed what could have been her son. He lay there, on a wooden slatted mattress unable to communicate yet still radiating love at her.

She wanted to give back and support those in her community. There’s nothing more important than family I can hear silently from her in the air, this being her adopted family.

“Many decide they won’t go home, even when their family can provide”

Why?

“They feel welcome here, comforted, more than a community. When they decide they say, make one for me” as he gestures to the prebuilt coffins semi hidden behind a plastic divide.

They survive on little, some who are able to will sell small items on the street to fund a slightly more materialistic lifestyle for their community, and by materialistic we can be talking as simple as fish.

When people greet you on the street with a small sign or a call for hope remember this. Their stories could well be true and your minimal purchase could have maximum impact. It certainly changed my view on the realities of ‘hassle’ and ‘beggars’ I so often see complained about when we are guests in these countries.

We bid our farewell. We step back into our real world of air-conditioned transport and cool, safe drinking water and I cry for what seems like eternity as I try to type these words.

I always used to say ‘Let us never forget’ but that no longer seems enough.

Today I start saying, and actually truly meaning it, ‘Let us be the change we want to see in the world’

/by