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A letter to our Cambodia and Vietnam travellers

Heading out on the road can be a downright daunting experience, full of the unexpected and when you are surrounded with people who share the same vision as you, the journey is amazing. We each see & feel such spectacular things and we’re all in a constant state of learning.

The friends you have met on this trip and the boundless opportunities that you have given to the tour-leaders to showcase their countries, the ladies you supported in opening their cooking classes; the new games you taught the children that brought them so much joy, which was displayed through their clapping & their smiles; the love towards Yeay who appreciated being given the chance to share her story for the first time; the love you showered the home-host you stayed with and the appreciation you showed by enjoying the yummy dishes they made for you; the selfless funds you contributed to building the toilet and the fun you had painting it; the water filters you delivered to those who do not have access to clean water; the commencement of the crafting classes that was kick started for the women in order for them to be able to afford to bring food to the table; the pure joy shared with them; the smiles and laughter shared with the children; the kites you flew with them; the skipping of the ropes (even though most of us failed miserably) – these are the special memories you are taking with you and the footprint you are leaving behind.

Collectively we have contributed USD$2414 on the various projects we have had, and we have directly touched the lives of 144 people. I also believe that each one of us is going back home a different person, so let’s add another 14 people to this list, that makes it a total of 158 people.

I hope this journey has spoken to you & touched your heart like never before.

The bond of friendship you have made on this trip is truly special and one that will unite us always. We have burst into one another’s lives with spectacular ideas and all of the excitement in the world.

Thank you for joining me on this journey and for making this little baby of mine even more unforgettable. We are all individually talented and collectively powerful.

As you bid farewell to this trip and ride through the streets of lanterns this evening, think of the beautiful smiles you have encountered throughout the journey and know that you are leaving Cambodia and Vietnam better to when you first got here.

You did this!

Simla,

Founder, Hands on Journeys 

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5 Best Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam

We recently adjusted the itinerary on our Cambodia and Vietnam small group tour to give travellers an extra day in Hoi An to explore on their own. Why? Let us tell you… Hoi An truly is a special and unique place in Vietnam, and we’re sure you’ll absolutely love it. 

Hoi An

1.Get lost in the old town

Wandering through the streets of the old town is the best way to discover how charming Hoi An actually is. The absence of traffic is refreshing, especially if you come from big and busy cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. Walk over the Japanese Bridge, take a look inside Tan Ky House, Tran Family Chapel and the Assembly Hall of the Fijian Chinese Congregation, have dinner in one of the restaurants alongside the water and fall in love even more at night, when thousands of colorful lanterns light up the whole town.

2.Jump on your bike and explore the countryside around Hoi An

Bright green rice fields, charming rural villages, pagodas and quietly rippling creeks define the surroundings of Hoi An. They can easily be explored by bike by following the almost 15 km long road that loops around the town. Just rent a bike for the day in the old town, ask a local for directions and start discovering!

Hoi An Lanterns

3.Relax on the beaches

Hoi An might not be famous for its beaches, it’s a nice place to go for a swim and spend an afternoon sunbathing and relaxing. Cua Dai beach is located about 4 km from the old town and is probably the most well-known. It can get crowded, especially during the weekend, but does however manage to keep an authentic and ‘unspoiled’ feel to it. If you’re looking for something more active to do, there’s plenty of watersports to choose from!

For a more off the beaten path experience, head to Cu Lao Cham, or the Cham Islands. Only open for visitors 7 months a year, these 8 islands with their incredible biodiversity offer breathtaking natural beauty, perfectly clear blue water and white sand. Just relax on the beach, go diving or snorkeling or hike around the islands. 

4.Do a day trip to My Son archeological site

A one hour drive away from Hoi An, My Son has been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and even though it’s been gravely destroyed during war, the site is a must-see for everyone visiting Hoi An. The complex was built between the 4th and 14th Century and is believed to be the longest inhabited archeological site in Indochina.

Hoi An Old Town

5.Go shopping for tailor made clothes

Need a new suit? Planning to get married or invited to a wedding and don’t want to spend a fortune on your dress? Get it custom made by one of the many tailors Hoi An is so famous for! Take your time to visit different shops and compare tissues, service and prices and know it will take a couple of days before the garment will actually be ready. Luckily we’ve just given you plenty of ideas on how to spend them!

If you aren’t 100% convinced yet (are you crazy?!?) then check out everything we have on offer on our Vietnam tour package here!

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How to survive as a vegetarian in South East Asia

South East Asia is probably the easiest continent to travel as a vegetarian. It is however important to know a few things before you go. Whilst most of our small group tours through South East Asia and India provide lavish food feasts and can cater for vegetarians sometimes you will find your self hunting down some delicious eats alone.

Here are our top 5 tips on how to be a Vegetarian in Asia!

1.Learn basic words concerning food in the local language

We strongly recommend you learn some words to be able to have a basic conversation with the locals anyway, but as a vegetarian you’ll need to do some extra effort to make sure not to accidentally eat meat or other ‘forbidden’ products. Don’t just learn the word for ‘vegetarian’ though, also learn how to say ‘no meat’, ‘no fish’, ‘vegetables’, ‘eggs’, etc. as different countries and cultures might not really use the word ‘vegetarian’ or have a whole other definition for it.

Don’t just try to pronounce these words yourself, make sure you have a written list to avoid being misunderstood because you were using the wrong accent or pronunciation.

2.Be careful with ingredients like fish sauce, broth, …

In most South East Asian countries, a dish is considered vegetarian as long as you don’t actually eat the meat or fish. For this reason, ingredients like broth or fish sauce are usually considered to be vegetarian, while you probably don’t want to consume them. Add these words to your list of ‘words to learn in the local language’, and make sure to ask every time.

More generally we recommend taking a minute to analyze every dish you’re ready to order, never assume the local definition of the word ‘vegetarian’ will be identical to yours, and ask questions whenever you’re in doubt.

3.Be creative and dare to ask

Even if you don’t find any vegetarian dishes on the menu, chances are things are freshly prepared (think noodle or rice dishes, eg.) and the chef can simply leave out the meat and fish if you ask. Another tip is don’t limit yourself to the main dishes. Have a look at starters, and maybe order 2 of those instead of 1 main dish if there’s any vegetarian options.

4.Be easy and don’t expect too much

Of course, in some places as a vegetarian you’ll be able to find the finest food and choose between different options from the menu. In other places you won’t, unless you decide to pay more and often miss out on the authentic local experience. In general in most South East Asian countries you won’t have that much trouble finding some vegetarian food, but you might have to accept eating similar dishes more or less every day.

Decide for yourself how far you’re willing to go – and how much money you’re willing to pay – and how important food is for your overall experience, and try to realize that eg. in small villages in the countryside they simply don’t have anything else.

5.Always carry some backup food

Stock up on healthy vegetarian food like nuts, granola bars, dried and even some fresh fruits when you’re in a bigger city – it’s usually very easy to find there. This way when you don’t get a full meal you always have something to complete it with and to avoid being hungry.

Have we got your mouth watering yet? If you can’t wait to explore the flavours of India, Cambodia or Vietnam take a look at our full range of volunteer tours here.

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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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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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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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Ten Reasons to join a Hands on Journeys tour | Our Travellers Stories

Today Kate Strong, otherwise known as Strong Kate shares the ten things she loved about her Hands on Journeys experience.

Visiting Cambodia and Vietnam for the first time, I was curious what a two-week tour could offer my well-travelled self. Joining the tour, I arrived with an open mind and without sounding too dramatic, this tour has shifted my perception of travel.

How can this whistle-stop tour with a group of strangers have really impacted me so profoundly?

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

I’ve lightened my experience with these ten reasons how the Hands On Journeys Tour positively impacted my life:

See the sights in comfort

Enjoying the comfort of someone else arranging a bus to arrive at dawn for a magical sunrise is a treat. It also allowed me to be more present – to enjoy every experience, rather than having to plan for the next part of the trip.

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

Local tour guide

Travelling ‘en masse’ sometimes prevents you from experiencing the essence of where you are. Having a guide who is native to the country and town permitted a deeper level of appreciation for the sights we were visiting.

One such moment arrived on a visit to the ‘Killing Fields’ of Cambodia. Seeing first-hand the genocide that happened where I was standing and hearing numbers of hundreds and thousands of people murdered and affected from this act numbed me. Having Cham to share his personal story of his family who went to these camps personalised the story and gave me a glimpse of real life in what could be perceived as a horror story.

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

Time to reflect and meditate

Usually travelling alone, I invariably have a complication along the way; either I miss a connecting bus, a hotel has lost my reservation or I confuse the opening hours for the temple I intended to visit. These hiccups slowly eat away at my time and my patience and, usually by the end of the day, my stress levels have risen.

Touring removes these complications and returns to me time and peace of mind. The reward is at the end of the day, I am comfortable and relaxed with time to stop, to reflect and enjoy the moment.

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

Live like a child again

Wherever I am in the world, I am always mindful of staying safe. This is especially true when travelling alone in a foreign country where I don’t speak the local language. Having a tour where I can leave my possessions safely on a bus whilst visiting sights means I can let my hair down and release some worries that usually come whilst travelling solo.

Local knowledge also lets me visit parks and local attractions which might have otherwise been overlookedKate Cambodia Vietnam Photos.

 

Make new friends

The people who chose a Hands On Journeys tour have similar passions to me: to better understand the local culture whilst also empowering the communities we visit.

We are obviously going to get on! Having two intense weeks together, I have learnt a lot about myself and also made life-long friends with whom I will stay in contact, and travel with again for sure.

 

Discover the Cambodia & Vietnam tour that Kate joined us on

 

Install new positive habits

Two weeks visiting communities through Cambodia and Vietnam showed me how resourceful, how positive and how productive people are if you focus on what you have, and not focus on what you’re lacking.

Watching children play with fruit fallen from trees, adults creating a business with $5 and families bonding over herding their cows taught me to appreciate every small detail I might have overlooked previously.

These moments remind me to be grateful for what I have – every day – to never take for granted health, wealth and friendship and to make sure I put to good use everything I have in my life.

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

Learn to cook delicious healthy food

Whilst travelling, I adore eating the local cuisine. Having a chef guiding me through the local market explaining what exotic fruit and vegetables I’m seeing was a treat. In addition, she showed how to cook these local delicacies and what health benefits they offer. In addition, the chef invite us back to her restaurant and cook with her a few local favourites tailored to every person’s dietary requirements was a delicious surprise and a skill I will definitely repeat back home.

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

Put life in perspective

#FirstWorldProblem is thrown around when we are having a stumbling moment in our lives. Getting caught-up in the daily grind of life I sometimes forget to stop focusing on my to-do list and start looking around me.

Everywhere in life there is beauty, opportunity and abundance and it is our choice to see it. It is easy to start complaining about the small niggles we meet throughout our day. Try living without clean water for 24 hours and suddenly the problem of not finding a car parking space near our local café dissolves.

 

Empower, not depend

“Empty pockets never held anyone back.  Only empty heads and hearts can do that – Norman Vincent Peale”

This quote came to me as we visited our third community: We visited a group of women who lived, with their families, on floating boats. Due to limited work opportunities in the area, these ladies were forced to wait days and sometimes weeks to earn money to buy food for their children and extended family.

The limitation wasn’t their willingness to work, it was the lack of resources.

Hands On Journeys founder, Simla, had the idea to teach the women how to make bracelets to sell to tourists at local hotels and markets. Within one week, these ladies had produced over 600 bracelets ready for the markets.

They were empowered to make positive change in their own lives and created a sustainable business for themselves.

Kate Cambodia Vietnam Photos

Make a wish

Life is as we see it. I learned that most problems and challenges I face are generated in my mind – in a future that is yet to exist.

Whilst on this tour, I learned that Hands On Journeys company started with a wish – Simla wished to create a business that empowered communities in third world countries. After hundreds of hours of hard work and complete dedication to her dream, this is now a reality.

Simla taught me to make a wish – to wish for something big in my life, to wish for something that will inspire positive change for others. And then to commit to it.

 

I have a phrase I read every morning, a habit I started on this tour. It keeps me focused on my own dream and wish and helps me work through the more challenging moments in life:
“There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.”

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Have yourself a Vietnamese Dinner Party

Fear not friends, we have a tasty, simple and party ready feast for you. Take your friends and family abroad without even leaving the kitchen. 

The perfect Dinner Party…. Vietnamese Style!

We have picked out our top three dishes from central Vietnam that are full of flavour, tradition and sure to impress even your pickiest of family members.

Plus, they are that simple you can even have a hangover on New Years Day and still rustle these up for the crew, I know, just call us Santa!

Vietnam Cooking

Starter: Vietnamese Pancake Rolls

The best batter

Cup of dry rice flour – 1 1/4 cups of water – touch of salt – touch of turmeric powder – Simply stir all together and leave to rest for an hour

Grab your gear…

Thin pork strips – finely diced seafood (160 grams) – 2 sliced spring onions – 240 grams of bean sprouts – herbs of topping (lettuce, minty or coriander) – Rice paper

Take your non-stick pan and add a dash of vegetable oil to it. Fry the seafood and meat lightly before adding in the batter. You only want a thin layer over the bottom of the pan. Toss in your herbs or salad mix and once the pancake is crisp on the underneath, flip out to a plate and fold in half.

Add this inside of the rice paper and serve up either on its own or with peanut sauce. Simples!

Vietnam Cooking CLass

Main: Vietnamese Seafood Tangy & Fresh Salad

Whether you are enjoying the Australian summer heat or just can’t be bother slaving over the oven, this tasty and tangy simple salad is a great go to option for those lazy new year days.

Wok up a storm

Take 1 1/2 tablespoons of thinly slice shallots, 100 grams of seafood (shrimp works well), a little vegetable oil and some thinly sliced ginger. Wok it up until lightly brown.

Building the base

For the salad, gently toss together the following flavoursome ingredients:

Grated papaya, onion, mango, carrots, pineapple and cucumber – a dash of fish sauce – one freshly squeezed lime – a sprinkling of sugar – teaspoon of garlic and ginger mix

Once you have added the seafood into the salad base, serve up with a sprinkling of sesame seeds and cracked peanuts.

Vietnam Markets

Dessert: Pandan Sticky Rice

To serve five, head to your local Asian Supermarket and grab the following:

1/2 Can Coconut Milk (Not Shaken) – 1.5 Pounds Sweet Rice – 1 Ounce Coconut Cream Powder – 1 cup granulated sugar (or less, to taste) – 1 teaspoon pandan paste  – Sprinkle of Salt – Pandan Leaf

Rice up your life…

Rinse the rice repeatedly and thoroughly. Three – Four water baths should cover this. Leave it overnight in cole water with a little salt. In the morning, remove as much water as possible before adding the coconut cream and then adding in the pandan paste to color. Mix well, don’t wear whites!

Boil the rice for approx. 15 minutes, or if you have a steamer than add a few extra minutes on. Aim for the rice to not be failing apart and fairly dry.

Go coco…

Grab a saucepan, non stick preferred and then add the coconut milk to it. A little sugar and salt will add flavour whilst it comes to the boil. Stir to the right texture then cover the rice with the milk.

Don’t stir! How ever tempting it will be. Leave it covered to rest for approx. 15-20 minutes. Let it air afterwards for a further fifteen minutes before gently using chopsticks or similar to poke the rice and ensure all the milk has been absorbed. Enjoy and get your green dessert on.

Wine Pairing: Snake Wine, the perfect and traditional choice… though not sure you will find it on the shelf of your local liquor store!

Best come visit Vietnam with us next year to top up the cellars…

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