Chris Trost's Travel Blog: Chris Trost's 2019 Southeast Asia Adventure (Part 1)

This was the longest trip I ever took. Being retired has its advantages I guess. Growing weary of long overseas flights, I looked at all the places in Southeast Asia that I hadn't been to and created an itinerary that included them all. Fortunately, two of my favorite tour companies, SmarTours and Gate1 Travel, offered back-to-back tours of Indonesia and Vietnam. So I booked those and added several days of self-directed touring in Malaysia and Singapore and had an ambitious, 29-day itinerary. The tough part was coordinating flights, booking hotels, and deciding whether to hire local guides to show me around or go it alone. In the end, the trip was a mix of guided and self-guided touring. Everything went off without a hitch. I also saved a lot of money by combining several trips into one.

How Long Was Your Trip? When Did You Go? Where Did You Go? Twenty-nine (29) days from April 29 to May 27, 2019. I spent:

2 days traveling back and forth to Southeast Asia from my home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
3-1/2 days in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur and Malacca
4 days in Singapore
10 days in Indonesia: Bali and Java
9-1/2 days in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay, and Hanoi

What Were the Trip Highlights? Virtually everything in Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, and Singapore. The Hindu and Buddhist temples of Bali and Java. Jakarta's Old Batavia area. Vietnam's Halong Bay, Hoi An and Hue.

Did You Do This on Your Own or with a Tour Company? I booked two land-only tours with SmarTours (Indonesia) and Gate1 Travel (Vietnam) for the bulk of the tour and was my tour director in Malaysia and Singapore.

In Malaysia, we were short on time so I hired local guides to zoom me around Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. In Singapore, I cobbled together my own itinerary and guided myself. In retrospect, I could have used one more day in Malaysia and one less day in Singapore. In Indonesia and Vietnam, the tour companies took care of everything, but I still had to research how to spend my free time. I largely used Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia for this.

My SmarTours Travel Group in Indonesia

Imperial Palace in Hue - Gate1 Tour Group

How Did You Get There and Back? I traveled more than 25,000 miles by plane and motorcoach over the 29-day trip. I flew from my home in Milwaukee to Houston, where I caught a flight (EVA Airlines) to Kuala Lumpur. I took the same flight back, only I departed from Hanoi instead of Kuala Lumpur. In between, I booked four really inexpensive flights between Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. I also traveled several hundred miles by motorcoach and public transportation while touring each country. The overseas flights lasted 15+ hours each while the others last 40 minutes to 3 hours. I found the best overseas flight options and prices on Google Flights then book directly with the airline. For my other flights, I discovered that prices were half the cost when booked on Expedia using their Malaysian-based site rather than the US-based site.

Was It Easy Navigating Your Way Around? Yes, because we were situated in the heart of each town and were able to take public transportation or Grab everywhere we wanted to go. Taxis and Grab were cheap, cheap, cheap, though drivers were allergic to credit cards. The Singapore MRT was also a godsend.

Where Did You Stay? I stayed in several comfortable, full-service, upper-end hotels. Most were in or close to the heart of town and included a delicious breakfast buffet. I booked my Malaysia and Singapore accommodations on TripAdvisor. The tour companies for Indonesia and Vietnam booked hotels as part of their packages.

Self-Booked Hotels - KL and Singapore

SmarTours Bali & Java Hotels

Gate1 Travel Vietnam Hotels

The electricity situation in each room varied by country. My advice is to bring plug adapters. You'll also need a power converter for electronics that don't operate on 220V or 240V current.

Plug Adapters Needed in Southeast Asia

What Was the Food Like? Typical Southeast Asian fare. Always freshly prepared and delicious. You can pretty much find any type of food you want in the larger cities. The Vietnamese food did not agree with my digestive system, however, and I was popping Imodium pills over the last 10 days of vacation and a week after coming home. I seldom have food problems. I think it was the beef I ate on the plane flying over to Vietnam from Jakarta. Tap water also wasn't safe for tourists.

How Were the People? The locals were extremely friendly and overjoyed to see us. There was a language barrier outside the heavily touristed areas, but I managed nonetheless. The Google Translator app also came to the rescue a few times. We also traveled to Malaysia and Indonesia during Ramadan. So there was more activity than there would have been otherwise. It was like the Christmas season in the US.

How was the Weather? Hot and humid! May is the beginning of the dry season in Southeast Asia. It didn't rain much. Daytime temperatures ranged from roughly 90F in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, to well over 100F in Vietnam. I wore Dry-Fit shirts and washed them out in the bathroom sink every day. I could have left half my luggage at home and brought only shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers.

What Was the Currency? What Were Prices Like? Four countries, four currencies. I made ATM withdrawals in each country so I would have some cash on hand. But I tried to use my credit card whenever possible. I generally had no problems obtaining cash or using credit cards.

What Did This Whole Trip Cost You? Southeast Asia is currently an excellent travel value. I spent about $225 per day for a total of $6,600 over 29 days. I spent the same amount for only 18 days in South America back in November 2018. Singapore was the most expensive place, which one would expect for a large, cosmopolitan international city. Prices for everything in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam were dirt cheap.

Special Trip Considerations. If you hate hot weather or mosquitoes or have a sensitive stomach or breathing issues, take note:

Southeast Asia is always hot and humid. You will sweat profusely. Water, comfortable clothing, a hat, raincoat, and sunscreen are needed to avoid withering under challenging conditions.
Mosquito-borne diseases are rife in this region of the world. You may need malaria or yellow fever immunizations before arrival. And you will definitely be applying insect repellent generously throughout your visit.
Food safety can be an issue. Bring Imodium to treat traveler's diarrhea.
Air quality outside of rush hour seemed fine but many locals wear masks over their faces at all times to prevent pollution-induced respiratory problems.

Any Parting Comments? Yes. Travel is an adventure. It’s an opportunity to experience, learn and appreciate how people around the world live. While I’m always happy to come home, I never come back as the same person.

Following is a day-by-day account of my trip. Each day starts with an overview of what we did, followed by my daily journal. You can just read on or go back to the Table of Contents above and jump to a specific day or topic of interest. Enjoy!

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Day 1 – Monday, April 29, 2019 - Fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Itinerary: Fly USA to Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia via Taiwan

About Malaysia from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

I flew from Milwaukee to Houston on April 27 and stayed overnight at my friend's house. On April 28, we headed to the Houston airport around 9 pm to check into our 12:15 am flight to Taipei, Taiwan on April 29. The flight was delayed by more than an hour due to the late arrival of our inbound flight. Around 1:30 am, our full EVA Airlines Boeing 777-300 departed Houston. I immediately donned my eye mask and earplugs and settled in for the 15-1/2 hour flight. A meal was served right away but I just rolled over and slept.

Leaving Houston at 1:30 am on 4/29/19

After 6-1/2 hours of sleep, I woke up somewhere over Alaska, having flown over Calgary, Canada, and Anchorage, Alaska. It was dark inside and outside the plane and everybody was asleep.

Me Sleeping on the Long Flight

Travel Friend Joe Out Cold

Over the next 8 hours, the flight crossed the International Date Line, passed over the eastern edge of Russia, the western coast of China, and over the China Sea into Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. I slept as much as I could to avoid jet lag.

Chasing the Moon Over the Pacific Ocean

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Day 2 – Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Itinerary: Arrive in KL from the USA via Taiwan. Late afternoon sightseeing at KL Tower, Downtown KL, and Petronas Towers

About KL from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 86F, partly sunny with occasional rain, and quite humid.

After 13 hours in the air, we arrived in Taipei, Taiwan at 6 am local time on Tuesday, April 30. April 29 was virtually wiped out due to crossing the International Date Line. Kudos to Taiwan-based EVA Airlines for the comfortable overseas flight. One of the best ever.

Coming into Taipei after 13 Hours in the Air

Taipei, Taiwan

We wandered around Taipei airport enjoying coffee, shopping and people watching. Three hours later, we boarded our Airbus 330-300 for the 4-hour flight to KL. We sat in the middle aisle of the plane so had no scenery to look at like we did coming into Taipei.

Taipei Airport

Our flight arrived in KL about 2:15 pm. After clearing customs, I got some cash at an airport ATM and called Grab (their Uber) to drive us one hour to our hotel in the center of KL. The high heat and humidity were noticeable upon exiting the terminal.

Almost in KL after 4 Hours

Grab Taxi to Hotel in KL

Concorde Hotel in Downtown KL - First Class!

View of KL from Hotel Window - Petronas Towers!

After checking into the hotel and taking a shower, we went for a walk around our downtown neighborhood.

Tourist Sign in Downtown KL

View of KL Tower from Concorde Hotel

The first stop was KL Towers for a panoramic view of KL. We walked around the outdoor deck and waited for our turn to step out onto the sky bridge for photos of the KL City center in the background. KL Tower was completed in 1995. At 1,381 feet tall, it's the 7th tallest freestanding tower in the world.

KL Tower

KL Tower Views

KL Tower Views - Petronas Towers

KL Tower Views

KL Tower Observation Platform

KL Tower Views - Petronas Towers

KL Tower Observation Platform

KL Tower Views - Petronas Towers

We then walked to Petronas Towers for pictures and walked through the shopping mall beneath it. The Petronas Towers are KL's signature landmark. It was the tallest building in the world (now 7th) from 1998-2004. It stands 1,483 feet tall and its architecture was inspired by Malaysian and Islamic culture. We toured it in depth the next day.

Petronas Towers - Really Tall!

Shopping Mall beneath Petronas Towers

After Petronas Towers, it was back to the hotel for the night. Although the city was abuzz with activity, it had been a long day of travel and sightseeing and I was ready for a good night's sleep.

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Day 3 – Wednesday, May 01, 2019 – Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Itinerary: Full-day tour of KL with a local guide.

About KL from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 93F and sunny. Very humid.

Despite the 13-hour time difference, I slept pretty well the first night in Malaysia. I woke up at 1:00 am and was up for 1-1/2 hours, eventually getting up at 6:30 am.

We went down to the hotel restaurant at 7:00 am for breakfast. It was the typical Western-style breakfast and local favorites, which is common for a hotel catering to business travelers and tourists.

After breakfast, we walked around the hotel then went outside to watch people running the country's Labor Day marathon and watch the monorail go by. There was a monorail station is right across the street from our hotel. It runs three-quarters of a mile and connects the central transit hub, KL Sentral, to KL's central business district where we were staying.

At 9:00 am, we met our local guide, Ganesh, for an 8-hour, comprehensive tour of KL. The tour hit all the major points of interest and was a good option considering how limited our time in KL was.

In between sites, we learned some KL facts and history:

KL was founded in the middle of the 19th century with the rise of the tin mining industry, and boomed in the early 20th century with the development of rubber plantations.

KL means "muddy confluence" since KL was founded at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers in downtown KL.

KL is the cultural, financial and economic center of Malaysia and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in South-East Asia.

KL's population is about 2 million people; metro area 7 million.

KL covers an area 94 square miles, almost the same size as my hometown Milwaukee.

Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, KL comprises a mixture of modern and traditional cultures. Architecture includes glass-and-concrete skyscrapers, elegant mosques, Chinese shop-houses, squatters’ huts, and Malay stilt kampungs.

The first stop on our tour was Chinatown. We visited Petaling Street, which is known for its night market and dining, Sin Sze So Ya Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in KL, and the colorful and intriguing Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

Petaling Street - Shopping & Dining

Sin Sze So Ya Temple

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

We then drove to nearby Little India/Brickfields to admire the temples, visit the shopping street and scope out dinner options for our last night in town a few days away.

Little India/Brickfields

The next stop was the Old Railway Station built by the British in 1910 and closed around 2000. The outside is Islamic style while the interior is English Victorian.

Old Railway Station

We then stopped around the corner at the National Mosque of Malaysia, where we donned robes and removed our shoes to walk the grounds and interior.

National Mosque of Malaysia

We then went to Merdeka Square (Independence Square) to see the former Sultan's palace. The park in front of the palace was also the post-marathon meeting area so the square was crowded with runners celebrating running 26.2 miles in the high heat and humidity.

Merdeka Square

We then walked across the street to the confluence of the two rivers where KL was founded.

Place Where KL was Founded

During the late morning, we visited the National Monument commemorating the country's WWII dead and the adjacent Botanic Gardens. The statue, which was designed by an American, resembles the Iwo Jima statue.

National Monument & Botanic Gardens

We then visited the King's Palace. The King is elected every 5 years and is largely ceremonial.

King's Palace

At noon, we drove 12 miles north to Batu Caves, the most visited site in Malaysia. It was discovered by the British but developed by the Indian community as a Hindu worship site. It consists of huge limestone cliffs and caves reached by climbing 272 steps. The caves contain a variety of temples and shrines. You are greeted by a colossal gold-painted statue of Murugan, made from reinforced concrete and standing 140 feet tall. Beware the monkeys!

Batu Caves

Since we were moving fast, we stopped at the KL Opera House and adjacent Lake Gardens for a photo opportunity before continuing to a batik demonstration at a local gallery.

KL Opera House

KL Batik Factory

By 3:30 pm, we were visiting the bridge and observation deck at Petronas Towers. The bridge spans the towers at the 41st and 42nd floors and the observation platform is on the 86th floor. The towers were built 1994-96 for Petronas, an oil and gas company in Malaysia.

Petronas Towers

We returned to the hotel around 4:30 pm to relax, had a beer at the Hard Rock Cafe on the first floor, and then took the monorail to Chinatown for dinner. We wandered the night market on Petaling Street before stopping for dinner at a Chinese restaurant on one of the side streets. Petaling Street was virtually unrecognizable from earlier in the day when we drove through it.

KL Monorail

Petaling Street at Night (Indoor Mall)

By 9 pm, we were back at the hotel where I fell asleep promptly after a long day of touring.

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Day 4 – Thursday, May 02, 2019 – Malacca

Itinerary: Full-day guided tour of Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located 90 miles south of KL.

About Malacca (Melaka) from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 97F, sunny and very humid.

I woke up again at 6:30 am after being up for an hour in the middle of the night. We went down to the hotel restaurant at 7:00 a.m. for a hearty breakfast.

At 8:30 am, a minivan picked us up at the hotel and took us to a larger bus a few miles away for the day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Malacca, 90 miles south of KL.

The Tour Bus to Malacca

Malacca - UNESCO World Heritage Site

Malacca is the historical state of Malaysia, rich with heritage buildings, ancient landmarks and colonial structures. It was here that colonial forces first made contact with Malaysia, which eventually shaped the country into its current economic and political system.

The history of Malacca dates back 500 years to when it was occupied by the Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Japanese, and the British again.

The first few stops were outside the town center. The first was St Peter's Church, built in1710 by the Dutch.

St Peter's Church - Built in 1710

The second stop was the town waterfront featuring a replica of a Dutch ship, a long promenade along the river, and the ruins Bastion Middelburg, an old guard post that protected the city.

Malacca Waterfront

Malacca Waterfront - Replica of Dutch Ship

Malacca Waterfront

Malacca Waterfront - Bastion Middleburg

The third stop was the historic town center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring the pink administration buildings from the Dutch occupation, the ruins of St. Paul Church, and Porta de Santiago, a fort at the foot of Bukit St Paul (St Paul's Hill)

Malacca Historic Town Center - Dutch Buildings

Malacca Historic Town Center

Malacca Historic Town Center - Dutch Buildings

Malacca Historic Town Center

Ruins of St. Paul Church

Porta de Santiago Fort

We then enjoyed authentically Peranakan food at a Chinese restaurant in town.

No Cannon Balls in the Toilet

After lunch, we ventured to the other side of the Malacca River to Chinatown and Jonker Street. In Chinatown, we visited Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, where three major doctrines of Chinese belief worship under the same roof.

Malacca's Chinatown

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Malacca

We were then given an hour to stroll the colorful Jonker Street, which is filled with restaurants, coffee shops and stores. We stopped at Sinsing Coffee shop for white coffee.

Jonker Street in Malacca - Shopping!

Jonker Street in Malacca

Jonker Street in Malacca - White Coffee

Jonker Street in Malacca

Jonker Street in Malacca - Shops Galore!

Around 4 pm, we reboarded our air-conditioned bus and made a 3-hour trek back to KL. Normally this would be a 1-1/2 hour trip but traffic was awful.

Around 7 pm, we were back at the hotel in KL. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed back to the room to pack our bags for tomorrow's short flight south to Singapore the next morning.

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Day 5 – Friday, May 03, 2019 – Fly to Singapore

Itinerary: Morning flight to Singapore. Sightseeing in Singapore.

About Singapore from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 92F, sunny, very humid.

I woke up at 5 am, grabbed my box breakfast from the hotel, and took a Grab taxi to the KL International Airport at 6 am. Our driver inadvertently dropped us off at Terminal 1 and we had to take a shuttle bus 10 minutes farther down the road to Terminal 2.

We checked into our flight to Singapore with plenty of time to spare. By 9 am, our JetStar A320 was southbound to Singapore 49 minutes away. It was rather cloudy coming into Singapore but I was still able to marvel at all the ships in the harbor and the tall skyscrapers. Singapore is probably the most upscale and cosmopolitan city in Asia. Even the airport is a tourist site with the largest indoor waterfall in the world and shopping that is second to none.

Flying into Singapore

Waterfall at Singapore Airport

We arrived on time and made our way quickly through customs. We got a Grab taxi for the 28-minute ride into town. Our hotel was in Chinatown on the south side of downtown. This was a great choice because there are tons of restaurants and bars and the neighborhood is on a major subway line (MRT-Chinatown).

Some Singapore history and facts I picked up on the flight:

Singapore started as a trading post back in the 14th century. It was ruled by regional Sultanates until 1819 when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles negotiated a treaty whereby the British opened a trading port on the island, leading to the establishment of the British colony of Singapore in 1819.
The Japanese Empire occupied Singapore from 1942 to 1945. When the war ended, Singapore reverted to British control, with increasing levels of self-government being granted.
Eventually, Singapore merged with Malaysia but social unrest and disputes resulted in Singapore becoming an independent republic on August 9, 1965.
Since 1965, the country had become one of the world's most prosperous nations, with a highly developed free-market economy, strong international trading links, and the highest per capita gross domestic product in Asia outside Japan.
Singapore is one of only three surviving city-states in the world. The other two are Monaco and Vatican City.
In addition to its main island, the nation of Singapore includes 63 additional islands, most of which are uninhabited.
Singapore is among the smallest countries in the world, with a total land area of only 200 square miles. The United States is about 15,000 times bigger.
The population of Singapore is about 6 million. It is the third most densely populated area in the world. 75 percent of whom are Chinese, 13.5 percent Malay and 9 percent Indian.
The national language of Singapore is Malay. The four official languages of the country are English, Chinese, Tamil, and Malay.
The symbol of Singapore is the Merlion, a half-mermaid, half-lion creature.

After checking into our hotel, we walked through bustling Chinatown in search of a bite to eat. We ended up at a China restaurant with good people watching and feasted on spicy chicken and dumplings.

Singapore's Chinatown District

After lunch, I broke out my self-made touring guide and Singapore map app (no Wi-Fi needed) and embarked on a walking tour of the city. We walked several miles from Chinatown to the central business district, then along the riverfront past the Merlion Statue, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, where we took a much-needed break and enjoyed a beer while watching people go by.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Sri Mariamman Temple

Lau Pa Sat Hawker Market

Singapore's Central Business District

Singapore Waterfront

Singapore Waterfront - Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Singapore Waterfront

Singapore Waterfront - Merlion Statue

Singapore Waterfront - The Real Merlion Statue Under Repair

Bridge Leading from Waterfront to Colonial District

Singapore Waterfront

Singapore's Colonial District

View of Singapore from Colonial District

Clarke Quay - Nightlife Central

Boat Quay Across from Clarke Quay

Boat Quay Across from Clarke Quay - Botero Statue

After the long walking tour, we went back to Chinatown for dinner. It was beautifully lit up and crowded with tourists looking for cheap eats.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel for a much-needed rest.

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Day 6 – Saturday, May 04, 2019 – Singapore

Itinerary: Full day of self-guided sightseeing in Singapore.

Daily Journal

Weather: 91F, partly cloudy, intermittent rain.

I got up at 7 am, did the usual morning routines, then headed over to a nearby shopping mall for groceries and breakfast. After breakfast, we headed over to the Chinatown MRT station and took the metro to the Marina Bay Hotel.

Upon arrival at the Bayfront MRT stop 5 minutes away, we made our way to the observation platform of the 57-story Marina Bay Sands Hotel for a spectacular panoramic view of Singapore. The hotel is owned by the Sands Hotel Group of Las Vegas. It's got an observation platform and infinity pool for hotel guests on top.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Skypark

Marina Bay Sands Hotel & Skypark

After the Marina Bay Sands, we made our way across the street to Gardens by the Bay where we strolled the grounds for an hour viewing the tree and flower gardens, ponds, and outdoor sculptures. Most interesting was the statue of the hovering baby titled "Planet."

Gardens by the Bay

Garden by the Bay - "Planet"

After Gardens by the Bay,. we headed north over the Helix Bridge to another section of town to Suntec Center to see the Fountain of Wealth. Along the way, we walked through and shopped at a couple of indoor shopping malls while we cooled off from the heat and humidity.

Helix Bridge

view from Helix Bridge

View from Helix Bridge

Helix Bridge

View from Helix Bridge

Fountain of Wealth at SunTec Center

We then headed to Bugis Street to shop the crazy indoor market which had stalls selling every sort of thing you could imagine. The whole place was covered, which made it rather hot despite the blasting AC.

Bugis Street Market

Bugis Street Market

We then headed over to the wonderful Kampong Glam Arabic Quarter to see the Sultan Mosque and stroll the myriad colorful streets.

Kampong Glam Arabic Quarter

We then walked several blocked over to nearby Little India to walk the colorful streets and visit the interesting Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple.

Little India

Little India

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

We then found our way back to the Little India MRT station for the short journey back to the hotel in Chinatown. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant in Chinatown. After that, my tired feet were looking for a rest so I went back to the hotel, showered, watched TV and went to bed.

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Day 7 – Sunday, May 05, 2019 – Singapore

Itinerary: Full day of self-guided sightseeing in Singapore.

Daily Journal

Weather: 91F and sunny.

I got up at 4:30 am. Way too early. I had breakfast at a nearby mall again.

We decided to spend the day at Sentosa Island, Singapore's beachfront playground. It's located on an island to the south of downtown.

Sentosa Island in Singapore

We took the MRT to the Sentosa Express Monorail Beach Station. We then took a shuttle bus to Fort Siloso where we took an elevator up to the Skywalk for panoramic views of Singapore.

Sentosa Island in Singapore - Getting There is Half the Fun

Sentosa Island in Singapore - Skywalk at Fort Siloso

Sentosa Island in Singapore - Fort Siloso

After Fort Siloso, we got back on the shuttle bus to Palawan Beach where we were greeted by an enormous Merlion statue before continuing to the beach. On the way to the beach, we walked across a suspension bridge to the southernmost point on the Asian continent for photos. At Palawan Beach, we soaked up some sun and went for a swim.

Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore

Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore

After Palawan Beach, we took the shuttle bus, monorail, and MRT back to downtown Singapore. We continued on the MRT to the Botanic Gardens, where we toured the famous Orchid Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens - Orchid Garden

After the Botanical Gardens, we took the MRT back to Chinatown where we dined on dim sum at a Chinese restaurant. After dark, we took the MRT back to the waterfront to watch the laser light across from the Marina Bay Sands hotel. It was a wonderful show and the city looked spectacular all lit up at night.

Laser Light Show at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel

After the laser light show, we took the MRT back to Chinatown. I went out for a drink while Joe went back to the hotel. I chatted with several tourists and locals.

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Day 8 – Monday, May 06, 2019 – Singapore

Itinerary: Full day of self-guided sightseeing in Singapore.

Daily Journal

Weather: 91F and sunny.

I got up early again. It was the last day in Singapore and we were running out of things to do. We decided to take the MRT to the City Hall stop to tour the Civic district.

Our stops included St. Andrews Cathedral, the National Museum, the Old Parliament, the Cricket Club, the Supreme Court, City Hall, and Raffles Hotel where the Singapore Sling drink was invented.

St. Andrews Cathedral

National Museum

Old Parliament Building

Sir Stamford Raffles - Singapore's Founder

Singapore City Hall

Singapore Supreme Court

Interesting Statue Outside Raffles Mall

Raffles Hotel - Under Renovation

Raffles Hotel Long Bar - Invented Singapore Sling

After touring, we went over to nearby Raffles Mall for breakfast. We wandered the mall shopping for an hour. We then went over to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel to shop at its mall.

Marina Bay Sands Mall - Making Dumplings

Marina Bay Sands Mall - Crazy Rich Asians

Marina Bay Sands Mall

After Marina Bay Sands, we got on the MRT and went to Orchard Road, home to 22 shopping malls. We wandered through several before heading back to the hotel around 4 pm.

Orchard Road - Home to 22 Malls

Orchard Road - Home to 22 Malls

For dinner, we scraped together the last of our Singapore dollars for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Then it was back to the hotel to pack our bags for the flight to Indonesia in the morning.

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Day 9 – Tuesday, May 07, 2019 – Fly to Bali

Itinerary: Late morning flight to Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. Transfer to hotel on nearby Cape Benoa (Tanjung Benoa)

About Indonesia from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 83F and mostly sunny.

I woke up at 6 am. We were packed, checked out, and on our way to Singapore International Airport by 7:30 am. We were checked into our flight and sitting at the gate by 830 am. The airport is very easy to navigate. My trusty backpack of 15 years finally gave out and I bought a new one while waiting for our flight.

Our Airbus 320 departed on time at 11 am for the 2-1/2 hour flight to Denpasar, located on the southeast corner of the island of Bali in Indonesia.

We landed in Denpasar at 1:30 pm. Forty-five minutes later, we had cleared immigration and customs, got cash out of an ATM, and were standing outside in the rideshare line trying to get a Grab taxi. We were late so all the cars were gone. We waited another 30 minutes while being constantly badgered by an unofficial cab driver, who kept telling us we were wasting our time in the rideshare line until we told him to get lost.

Just when we were going to give up and go back to the terminal and stand in the regular taxi line, I switched my payment method on Grab from credit card to cash, and we scored a ride almost instantly. I got the impression that paying by credit card was not welcome
.

Singapore Airport, Bali Coast, Taxi in Denpasar

After a 30-minute ride through a rough-looking area and hundreds of scooters, we arrive at the coast and our lovely beachside resort, the Nikko Bali Benoa Beach Hotel, a full-service hotel with great views of the ocean and Mount Agung volcano in the distance.

Nikko Bali Benoa Beach Hotel

Nikko Bali Benoa Beach Hotel - Mount Agung

My Tour Group Having a Drink by Pool

We explored the hotel and surrounding neighborhood before returning to the pool area to meet the rest of our tour group and our tour leader "Jack." Our group consisted of 24 people mostly from the US and Canada, and all near retirement or retired.

Our SmarTours Guide "Jack" from Indonesia

The SmarTours Travel Group - Mostly Older Americans

We met in the lobby at 730 pm to go out for dinner at the Belmond Hotel on the other side of the cape. Our table was right on the beach and the food was delicious.

Belmond Hotel Dinner - Salt on Forehead for Good Health

Belmond Hotel Dinner - Indonesia Bintang (Star) Beer

We got back to the hotel around 10:45 pm. Our tour group members were tired after enduring their long overseas journey the night before. It was a very quiet ride back to the hotel.

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Day 10 – Wednesday, May 08, 2019 – Bali

Itinerary: Visit Tanah Lot Sea Temple, Alas Kedaton Temple, and Taman Ayun Temple.

Daily Journal

Weather: 83F and mostly sunny.

I got up at 6:30 am and had a wonderful breakfast in the hotel restaurant. By 8:30 am, we were on our motorcoach and heading north for a day of sightseeing in the area.

Our SmarTours Bus in Bali

The Lengthy Causeway on the Cape Shortened Travel Times

Our guide Jack provided some history of Bali. Bali is still mostly Hindu despite Indonesia being mostly a Muslim. Bali was originally a Buddhist nation until it merged with Hinduism. When the Muslim religion came to Indonesia, the Hindus and Buddhists came to Bali to preserve and practice their religion. Jack joked that Bali has 4.2 million people (true) and 6 million scooters (untrue, but there are a lot of them).

Our first stop was the famous Tanah Lot Sea Temple, the most famous and photographed place in Bali and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple sits majestically on a large offshore rock that has been shaped over the years by the crashing waves of the surrounding sea. Tanah Lot is claimed to be the work of the 16th-century Dang Hyang Nirartha, who built the shrine as a Hindu holy place to worship the Balinese sea gods. It is one of seven sea temples around the Balinese coast. We took photos of the temple's exterior and its unusual rock formations.

Tanah Lot Sea Temple

Tanah Lot Sea Temple

Our next stop was Alas Kedaton Temple, a compound situated in a small forest where mischievous monkeys roam freely. We were warned to guard our valuables and one monkey almost snatched my phone out of my hand, but I had a tight grip on it. Chris 1, Monkey 0. The park also had gigantic fruit bats, which you could get quite close to and even dress up and have your photo taken with one. No thanks!

Alas Kedaton Temple

Alas Kedaton Temple - Monkeys About

Alas Kedaton Temple - GIANT Fruit Bats

Our final stop was the magnificent Taman Ayun Temple, a royal temple from the Mengwi Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was built in 1634 and extensively renovated in 1937. The multi-layered temple is set in a beautiful park surrounded by ponds. The Mengwi kingdom survived until 1891 when it was conquered by the neighboring kingdoms of Tabanan and Badung.

Taman Ayun Temple

Taman Ayun Temple - The Barong, a Folklore Creature

Taman Ayun Temple

Taman Ayun Temple - Cock Fighting

We then returned to our hotel, went grocery shopping for water and snacks, then hung out at the hotel pool to relax. For dinner, we wandered next door to a sports bar and grill and feasted on a burger, which was a nice break from the Chinese food I had eaten every day for over a week.

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Day 11 – Thursday, May 09, 2019 – Bali

Itinerary: Tour to Teras Agrowisata Agricultural Park, Mother Temple of Besakih, and Village of Tenganan.

Daily Journal

Weather: 83F and sunny.

I got up before 6 am to work out on the elliptical machine in the fitness center again. All the big meals were starting to make me feel sluggish.

After breakfast at 8:30 am, we embarked on another day of sightseeing.

Our first stop was Teras Agrowisata where we learned how agrotourism boosts the local Balinese economies. We sampled eight different types of herbal coffee and tea, then chose one among the samples to enjoy with fried bananas. I enjoyed a kopi luwak coffee, one of the most expensive in the world, selling for US$100-$500 per pound. Don't gross out but the kopi luwak coffee beans are eaten by a local variety of weasel. After the bean passes through the weasel's digestive tract, it is reclaimed, roasted and ground. The coffee had a rather bitter flavor.

Teras Agrowisata

Live Luwak in Ubud

Teras Agrowisata - Weasel Coffee Beans

Teras Agrowisata - Awwww

Teras Agrowisata - Swinging Over the Edge

Teras Agrowisata

Teras Agrowisata - Ad for Coffee & Tea

Our next stop was one of the world's most sacred Hindu temples, Mother Temple of Besakih, located on the slopes of an active volcano, Mt. Agung. The site consists of at least 86 temples. A huge staircase leads up the sacred mountain to many different temples representing all different types, functions, and statuses. The largest temples are dedicated to the three main gods of Hinduism: Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma.

Mother Temple of Besakih - Overview Map

Mother Temple of Besakih

Mother Temple of Besakih

Scooters Everywhere in Bali

Towards the end of the day, we traveled to the village of Tenganan, known as the home of Bali’s first inhabitants. We observed traditional crafts being made, including carved wooden calendars and some pretty colorfully dyed roosters.

Village of Tenganan

Village of Tenganan - Wooden Calendars

Village of Tenganan - Funky Colored Roosters

Village of Tenganan

Village of Tenganan - Craft Shopping

Village of Tenganan

Then we headed back to our hotel for dinner and to pack for the drive north to the city of Ubud, our base of operations for the rest of our Bali stay.

Tired Group on Way Back to Hotel

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Day 12 – Friday, May 10, 2019 – Ubud

Itinerary: Drive to Ubud, Barong and Keris Dance Performance, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Bedulu Village, Kintamani area for lunch, local village visit, Gunung Kawi Temple.

Daily Journal

Weather: 83F and sunny.

I woke up early to work out on the elliptical machine again and then had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. By 8 am, we were in the motorcoach for another day of sightseeing.

Our first stop was a performance of the Barong and Keris, a traditional Balinese dance narrating the battle between good and evil. The battle is played out in elaborate costumes with traditional music, singing, and dancing. It was quite entertaining.

Barong and Keris Dance

Barong and Keris Dance Story

Barong and Keris Dance

Our next stop was Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) temple complex, an archaeological site of significant historical value located on the cool western edge of Bedulu Village and dating back to the 11th century. We descended into its Hindu and Buddhist relic-filled courtyard and viewed rock carvings, a central meditational cave, bathing pools, and fountains. The Elephant Cave was rediscovered by Dutch archaeologists in 1923, but the fountains and bathing pool were not discovered and excavated until 1954. The Elephant Cave is characterized by menacing faces carved into the stone, whose purpose is assumed to be the warding off of evil spirits.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

After Goa Gajah, we drive to Kintamani, an area known for its stunning views of the still active Mount Batur volcano for lunch. It was too cloudy and rainy to see Mount Batur clearly but the weather cleared briefly and I was able to capture some of the scenery.

Kintamani - Mount Batur Volcano

After lunch, we made an unscheduled stop at a traditional village to wander inside its walls and marvel at the ornate stone carvings, statues, and extended family compounds clustered around a small central courtyard.

Traditional Balinese Village

Our final stop was Gunung Kawi Temple. Locally referred to as Pura Tirta Dawa Gunung Kawi Sebatu, this temple is one of Bali’s hidden gems. It features verdant gardens around ponds filled with carp and blooming lotuses and ancient shrines surrounded by crystal clear pools fed by natural springs. The bathing structure, famous for its holy spring water, is where Balinese Hindus go to for ritual purification. Had I known that the baths were not restricted to Hindu worshipers only, I would have taken a dip like all the other tourists.

Gunung Kawi Temple

Gunung Kawi Temple

In the evening, we wandered the bustling streets of Ubud and did some shopping, people watching, and chuckling at the antics of the monkeys who roam the streets and can be troublemakers. We stopped at No Ma's bar to listen to a Latin band before heading back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

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Day 13 – Saturday, May 11, 2019 – Ubud

Itinerary: Jamu organic remedy workshop, Museum Puri Lukisan, and Ubud Palace.

Daily Journal

Weather: 83F and sunny.

I got up at 6:30 am and had a leisurely breakfast in the hotel restaurant. By 8:30 am, we were on the motorcoach heading out for another day of sightseeing in Ubud.

Our first stop was Jamu Organic Remedy Workshop. We enjoyed a very pleasant nature walk and learned about Indonesian traditional medicine, known as Jamu.

Jamu Nature Walk

Jamu Nature Walk - Rest Stop

Jamu Nature Walk

Jamu Nature Walk - Coconut

Jamu Nature Walk

After our nature walk, we visited the Museum Puri Lukisan. This museum opened in 1956 to preserve and exhibit both traditional and modern Balinese artwork.

Museum Puri Lukisan

After the museum, we wandered down the street to the Ubud Palace. This compound was mostly built after the 1917 earthquake. The royal family still lives here. We explored the many beautiful traditional buildings and stone carvings made by local artists.

Ubud Palace

Ubud Palace

After lunch at a local restaurant, we returned to the hotel and hung out at the pool for a few hours.

Ubud Street Scenes

In the early evening, we wandered down the hill to the Monkey Forest where monkeys of all sizes and temperaments roam freely.

Monkey Forest in Ubud

We eventually found our way to a major tourist area in Ubud and had cocktails at a place called Mingle. We watched people go by from the second-floor balcony for a little while then returned to the hotel.

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Day 14 – Sunday, May 12, 2019 – Ubud

Itinerary: Whitewater rafting tour on Agung River. Rest of day at leisure to explore Ubud.

Daily Journal

Weather: 83F and sunny.

Today was our tour leader Jack's day off, so we signed up for a 2-1/2 hour whitewater rafting tour on the Agung River! It was a blast!

The tour company picked us up at our hotel at 8:45 am and drove us to the boat launching site along the Agung River. After a safety briefing, we walked down 509 steps to the riverbank and boarded our inflatable raft for the journey down the river. Our group split up into two rafts.

Agung River Rafting in Bali

Agung River Rafting in Bali - 509 Steps Down to the River

Agung River Rafting in Bali

As we floated down the river, we encountered occasional rapids where we got wet. We even got out at one point and stood underneath a cascading waterfall. We had a lot of fun soaking each other as well as other boats filled with Japanese tourists and others who weren't getting wet enough.

Agung River Rafting in Bali

After rafting, we had lunch and returned to our hotel and sat by the pool.

We stayed in during the evening because we had a 3 am wake-up call for our early flight to Yogyakarta over on the island of Java.

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Day 15 – Monday, May 13, 2019 – Fly to Yogyakarta, Java

Itinerary: Fly Bali to Yogyakarta, Java. Visit Prambanan Temple.

Daily Journal

Weather: 86F, sunny, very humid.

Today was a travel day starting with the dreaded 3 am wake-up call. By 4 am, we were on the motorcoach heading one hour south to the airport in Denpasar. At 7 am, our Garuda Indonesia Airlines 737-800 departed for the 1 hour 15 minutes flight to Yogyakarta, a city in the middle of the Indonesian island of Java to the west of Bali.

On Our Way from Bali to Java

Upon arrival in Yogyakarta, we met our new motorcoach driver and headed out to the magnificent Prambanan Temple Compound, the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia, and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia.

Built in the 9th century, the temple features typical Hindu architecture and is dedicated to Trimurti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu), and the Destroyer (Shiva). The Prambanan compound consists of three zones: first, the outer zone; second the middle zone, which contains hundreds of small temples; and the third is the holiest inner zone which contains eight main temples and small shrines.

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple - Um, Ouch!

Prambanan Temple

After Prambanan Temple, we stopped for lunch before heading to our hotel in Yogyakarta.

In the early evening, we wandered around the large shopping mall next to the hotel. It was the middle of the Ramadan holiday so many stores were selling traditional religious clothing.

Shopping Mall in Yogyakarta - Middle of Ramadan

Then it was right back to bed because of another early morning wake-up call to visit Borobudur Temple the following morning at sunrise.

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Day 16 – Tuesday, May 14, 2019 – Yogyakarta

Itinerary: Sunrise visit to Borobudur Temple, a batik workshop, Ramayana Ballet performance.

Daily Journal

Weather: 86F and sunny.

The day started again with a 2:30 am wake-up call so that we could make a 1-1/2 hour journey north to the Buddhist Temple of Borobudur to watch the sunrise. Borobudur Temple is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world and was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. The temple was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine bas reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s. And of course, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best experience I had on this tour.

Borobudur Temple Near Yogyakarta

Borobudur Temple

Upon arrival at Borobudur Temple, we got our flashlights and took a pre-dawn stroll through the dewy grass of the tropical gardens. We then took up seats on the east side of the temple to await the sunrise.

Borobudur Temple

As the mist began to lift, the sun scaled the surrounding volcanoes and terraced fields and highlighted the stone reliefs and the many faces of Buddha carved into the temple walls. The dome over one stupa had been damaged over the centuries, revealing the Buddha statue inside as it faced the rising sun. It made for magnificent photos.

Borobudur Temple - Magical!

Borobudur Temple - Magical!

After sunrise, we toured the remainder of the temple. As we left the top tier of the temple, we made three clockwise walks around the dome area. On the first pass, you make a wish for yourself. On the second, you make a wish for your family, and on the third, you make a wish for your enemy.

Borobudur Temple - Magical!

Borobudur Temple - Republicans & Democrats

Afterward Borobudur Temple, we visited a traditional batik factory where we learned the batik-making process and the Javanese philosophy behind some of the patterns. Batik is a cultural heritage activity that is passed down from generation to generation in Java. At the end of the visit, we made our own batik creations to take home as a souvenir. We learned how to draw with hot wax on cotton and apply dye. After boiling out the wax and sewing up the edges, my elephant batik souvenir was complete.

Batik Workshop

Batik Workshop - Applying Hot Wax

Batik Workshop - My Handiwork

Batik Workshop - Applying Wax Border

Batik Workshop - Dyeing Process

Batik Workshop - Ready to Boil Off Wax

Batik Workshop - Sewing the Edges & Ironing

Batik Workshop - Ready to Take Home

Batik Workshop - Nice Shirts!

Following the batik factory, we enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant and then returned to the hotel. I worked out on the elliptical machine for 45 minutes then hung out at the pool for a few hours.

In the evening, I skipped dinner and the Ramayana Ballet Performance. This ballet was adapted from classic Indian literature and mixed with Javanese tradition and focuses on Rama and his wife Sita. I have sworn off these cultural experiences because they end up being a long nap for me.

Ramayana Ballet Performance

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Day 17 – Wednesday, May 15, 2019 – Yogyakarta, Fly to Jakarta

Itinerary: Day of leisure in Yogyakarta. Afternoon flight to Jakarta.

About Jakarta from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 88F and sunny.

We took a day off from sightseeing, slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, and hung out at the hotel pool until our 1 pm departure for the airport to catch our flight to Jakarta. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and home to 18 million of Java's 125 million inhabitants.

I only wore the stuff in the blue bag all month (laundered daily)

Urinal Instructions at Yogyakarta Airport

We arrived at the airport so early that we were able to catch an earlier flight. Our Garuda Indonesia Airlines 737-800 departed at 3:10 pm for the 57-minute flight to Jakarta.

The plane from Yogyakarta to Jakarta

After arrival, we drove 15 minutes to the hotel through some really heavy traffic. The hotel was gigantic. We walked around, then met our travel group for a few beers at an outdoor lounge until it started raining cats and dogs. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant at the hotel then it was off to bed.

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Day 18 – Thursday, May 16, 2019 – Jakarta

Itinerary: Jakarta city tour.

Daily Journal

Weather: 88F and sunny.

Our SmarTours Bali & Java Adventure was coming to a close. Our last day in Indonesia included a tour of the capital city of Jakarta. After negotiating heavy traffic through the sprawling city for 1-1/2 hours, we arrived in the center of town.

Navigating Jakarta Traffic - Oy Vay!

Streets of Jakarta

Streets of Jakarta - Scooters Everywhere

Streets of Jakarta - Everybody has a Job

We stopped by the Presidential Palace and Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

Jakarta Tourist Route

Presidential Palace

Istiqlal Mosque

We continued to a market that sold everything under the sun to eat and provided smells that triggered either pleasure or nausea. The market has stalls selling fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of meats and fish, and more exotic fare like frogs and turtles.

Jakarta Market

Jakarta Market - Pork Floss

Jakarta Market

Jakarta Market - Frogs, Yuck!

Jakarta Market

Jakarta Market - Turtles

Jakarta Market

After the market, we visited the oldest China Town in Indonesia, where we visited the Golden Wisdom Taoist Temple dating back to the 1650s.

Golden Wisdom Taoist Temple

After China Town, we took a walking tour of Old Batavia, the historic Dutch center of Jakarta. While the group stopped for lunch at a nearby restaurant, I walked the streets of Old Batavia.

Old Batavia, Colonial Dutch Center of Jakarta

Old Batavia, Colonial Dutch Center of Jakarta - Nice Restaurant

Old Batavia Restaurant

After Old Batavia, we visited Sunda Kelapa Old Harbor where we watched boats getting loaded like they have for hundreds of years.

Sunda Kelapa Old Harbor

We then headed back to the hotel to have dinner and pack our bags. Most of our group was heading home to the US while Joe and I were continuing our journey with a 12- day tour of Vietnam with Gate1 Travel.

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Day 19 – Friday, May 17, 2019 – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Itinerary: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Daily Journal

Weather: 95F and sunny.

Well, the Bali & Java Adventure with SmarTours came to an end today.

I got up at 6 am, worked out on the elliptical machine in the hotel fitness center, and went to breakfast.

Around 10 am, we said goodbye and good luck to our excellent SmarTours guide, Jack.

SmarTour Trip Review

We then caught the free hotel shuttle for the short journey to the Jakarta International airport. At 10:30 am, the Vietnam Airlines check-in counter opened and we checked into our 2 pm flight. Twenty minutes later we were wandering around the terminal checking out the shops and restaurants. Jakarta airport is brand new and state-of-the-art.

Jakarta Airport

Our flight boarded at 1:30 p.m, and by 2 pm, our Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321 was northbound on its way to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam three hours away. The plane had the most peculiar urine and sweat odor and I believe I got food poisoning from my beef lunch that had me practically on my back for a few days and screwed up my digestive system for the duration of my stay in Vietnam. Thank god for Imodium.

Vietnam Airlines - On Our Way to Vietnam

Our flight arrived on time in the late afternoon. The view of sprawling Ho Chi Minh City from the airplane window really impressed me. Very modern!

Coming into Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

We collected our bags and met our Gate1 driver in the arrival hall. Soon we were on our way to our downtown hotel in rush hour traffic, surrounded by what seemed to be a million scooters.

Scooters Galore in Ho Chi Minh City

After checking into our hotel and meeting our next guide, Tom, we set off on foot to explore our neighborhood. We stopped at Smile bar down the street and were virtually ambushed by a gaggle of prostitutes who came out of the backroom trying to drum up some business. After the bar, we back to our hotel and settled in for the night.

Ho Chi Minh City from Roof of Hotel

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Day 20 – Saturday, May 18, 2019 – Ho Chi Minh City

Itinerary: Morning excursion to Chu Chi Tunnels. Afternoon Ho Chi Minh City tour.

About Ho Chi Minh City from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 97F and sunny.

I had a rough night of sleep. I was burning up, probably due to food poisoning, and my digestive system was fouled up. Hello Imodium! Like a trooper, I sojourned on and endured a long day of sightseeing in the searing heat and humidity. There were times when I thought I was going to pass out but miraculously, I did not. Some people in my group commented that I didn't look well. Little did they know.

After skipping breakfast, I met our tour leader, Tom, our driver, and the tour group around 9 am. We boarded the bus and headed several miles away to Cu Chi Tunnels.

Gate1 Travel Tour Leader, Tom (Excellent Guide)

Cu Chi Tunnels were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. It includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. The tour was fascinating. At one point, we went down into one of the narrow, cramped tunnels and walked underground in the heat and darkness to an exit several hundred feet away. Definitely not for the claustrophobic.

Cu Chi Tunnels Outside Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels Outside Ho Chi Minh City - Shoes Made from Old Tires

We went back to the hotel for lunch after the tunnel tour. Later in the afternoon, we got back on our motorcoach and toured Ho Chi Minh City. We made stops at the Unification Palace, the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. Nearby was the former CIA headquarter building made famous when a helicopter landed on the roof as it rescued people trying to flee Saigon when it fell to the Viet Cong at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House

Ho Chi Minh City - Downtown Park

Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh City - 44 Years Since War Ended

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City - Notre Dame Cathedral

Ho Chi Minh City - Former CIA Building

Ho Chi Minh City - Fall of Siagon at Former CIA Building (4/29/1975)

Ho Chi Minh City Post Office

At the end of the tour, we went to lively Ben Thanh Market where there were all sorts of arts and crafts for sale against the backdrop of modern Ho Chi Minh City.

Ben Thanh Market

Modern Ho Chi Minh City from Ben Thanh Market

After the tour, we went back to the hotel, where we enjoyed a welcome drink with our guide and got a briefing on the coming days of the tour.

I passed on dinner and went to bed early in hopes that I would get over whatever stomach bug I had a soon as possible.

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Day 21 – Sunday, May 19, 2019 – Fly to Da Nang, Hoi An

Itinerary: Fly to Da Nang. Continue to Hoi An. Afternoon walking tour.

Daily Journal

Weather: 104F and sunny.

I got up early and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. I then went back to the room and packed my bags for our flight to Da Nang. We left for the airport around 9 am, and by noon, our Vietnam Airlines A321 was northbound to Da Nang.

The Ubiquitous Overloaded Scooter in Ho Chi Minh City

We arrived in Da Nang at 1:20 pm, fetched our bags and met our new motorcoach driver. Once everything was in order, we headed 45 minutes to the picturesque town of Hoi An, the City of Lanterns, where people still wear the "ao dais", Vietnam’s traditional dress. The ancient town of Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hoi An was the most important trading port in Southeast Asia in the 15th century.

Before the afternoon walking tour, we ventured out on our own. A paid pass was required to enter the Old Quarter so we wandered the adjacent streets, which were packed with shops, restaurants, and interesting homes.

Strolling through Hoi An

After our stroll, we met the group back at the hotel to begin the tour of the Old Quarter. The tour was trip down Hoi An's ancient past, which is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and magnificent private homes.

The highlights of the tour were the 400-year-old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge, the Ancient House, and the gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Streets of Hoi An's Old Quarter

Ancient House

Ancient House

Phuoc Kien Pagoda

Old Tree in Hoi An's Old Quarter

After the tour of Hoi An's Old Quarter, we had dinner at a local restaurant close to the river. After dinner, we strolled across the bridge to the other side of Hoi An to visit the lantern market, which looked beautiful against the dark skies.

Nightly Sundown Ceremony in Hoi An

Lantern Market in Hoi An

After the lantern market, we went back to the hotel for a much-deserved night's sleep.

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Day 22 – Monday, May 20, 2019 – Hoi An

Itinerary: Boat trip on Thu Bon River for a visit to Kim Bong village. Drive to Traque Organic Village for a Vietnamese cooking class and lunch. Visit An Bang beach.

Daily Journal

Weather: 99F and sunny.

I got up early and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Around 9 am, the group gathered at a local pier and boarded a boat for a cruise down the Thu Bon River.

Boarding Our Boat at the Pier

We puttered down the river passing several villages and fishing areas along the riverbank. We eventually reached Kim Bong village, home of traditional woodworking and boat building. We disembarked and toured the village, stopping to see how various crafts were made and shop.

On the Way to Kim Bong Village

Kim Bong Village

Kim Bong Village

After Kim Bong Village, we met our motorcoach down the river and drove to Traque Organic Village where we learned about the many vegetables and herbs organically grown to support the people of Hoi An. We also had a Vietnamese culinary lesson where we all had the opportunity to make Vietnamese pancakes, which became our lunch.

Fishing on the River

Traque Organic Village

Traque Organic Village

After returning to Hoi An, we took a shuttle bus to An Bang Beach, about 5 miles from the hotel, for an afternoon of sun and swimming in the China Sea.

An Bang Beach

After the beach, we rested back at the hotel then went out for a traditional Vietnamese dinner at a restaurant called Viet Ngon. It came highly recommended and we were not disappointed. After dinner, we went back to the hotel.

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Day 23 – Tuesday, May 21, 2019 – Hue

Itinerary: Drive to Hue with stops at a local marble statue factory, Da Nang's China Beach and Dragon Bridge. Afternoon tour of Hue Imperial City. Evening cyclo ride to a local restaurant for dinner near the Citadel.

About Hue from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 95F and sunny.

I got up early as usual and had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. We departed for Hue around 9 am. Along the way, we made several stops.

Our Gate1 Motorcoach at China Beach in Da Nang

Our first stop was Marble Mountain, a village well-known for its sophisticated handmade marble products. Stunning!

Marble Mountain Near Da Nang

We then stopped in Da Nang for photos at China Beach and Dragon Bridge. Da Nang was a popular destination for US servicemen on leave during the Vietnam war.

China Beach in Da Nang

Dragon Bridge in Da Nang

We then journeyed over towering mountains to Hue, home to a wealth of palaces, temples, libraries, and museums.

Between Da Nang and Hue

We had time to kill, so we took advantage of the opportunity to explore Hue. It is definitely organized around tourism given the large number of shops, restaurants, and bars. It's also popular with backpackers.

Downtown Hue

Downtown Hue - Backpackers

Downtown Hue - DMZ Where We Had Dinner

Downtown Hue

In the afternoon, we drove to the former Imperial Palace, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. We entered the Ngo Mon Gate, principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and the central passageway reserved for use by the Emperor.

Imperial Palace in Hue

We continued to the Thai Hoa Palace with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family.

Imperial Palace in Hue

Imperial Palace in Hue - Gate1 Tour Group

Imperial Palace in Hue

In the evening, we took a 30-minute cyclo ride to dinner. We got an up-close look at daily life and the architecture of Hue while weaving in and out of heavy traffic.

Cyclo Ride to Dinner in Hue

We dined at a family-run restaurant within the Citadel we visited earlier in the day and savored a multi-course dinner replica of the Royal Feast. Delicious!

Dinner in Hue

Dinner in Hue - Salad

Dinner in Hue - Dessert

After dinner, we returned to the hotel.

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Day 24 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – Hue

Itinerary: Perfume River cruise with stops at Thien Mu Pagoda, Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Khai Dinh monument, a Buddhist monastery, and Dong Thien Pagoda

Daily Journal

Weather: 95F and sunny.

I got up early and worked out on the elliptical machine at the hotel fitness center. I was rushed at breakfast because the lock on our hotel room door would not latch. Eventually, the staff fixed the problem but it left me only 20 minutes to wolf down breakfast.

At 9 am, we boarded a boat and took the not-to-be-missed excursion on the gentle Perfume River while exploring life along the riverbanks. The river, with its shimmering blue color was dotted with a poetic landscape of boats, gardens, pagodas, towers, and temples.

Boat Ride on Perfume River in Hue

An hour later, we docked at legendary Thien Mu Pagoda, on the north bank of the Perfume River, built in seven successive tiers. We toured the impressive compound.

Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue

Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue

Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue

Car Owned by Monk Who Set Himself on Fire During Viet Nam War

Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue

We then drove to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, the final resting place of Vietnam's longest-reigning emperor, and to Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty.

Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc in Hue

Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh in Hue

Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh in Hue

Our next stop was a workshop where colorful incense sticks were made.

Making Incense in Hue

We then drove to Dong Thien Pagoda where we enjoyed a vegetarian lunch prepared by Buddhist nuns.

Lunch at Dong Thien Pagoda

Lunch at Dong Thien Pagoda - Monk in Training

We returned to Hue in the late afternoon and dined at a local restaurant called DMZ before returning to the hotel for the evening.

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Day 25 – Thursday, May 23, 2019 – Fly to Hanoi, Halong Bay

Itinerary: Fly to Hanoi. Drive to Halong Bay.

About Halong Bay from Lonely Planet

Daily Journal

Weather: 95F and sunny.

It was another travel day. I got up early and worked out on the elliptical machine in the hotel fitness center, then went to breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Around 9 am, we boarded our motorcoach and headed to the airport in Hue for our flight to Hanoi. Our Vietnam Airlines Airbus 321 departed Hue at 10:25 am and arrived in Hanoi at 11:40 am. We met our new motorcoach driver and headed immediately to Halong Bay, located a few hours east of Hanoi.

It was a pleasant drive as we traveled through the lush Vietnamese countryside and small villages.  Along the way, we stopped at a huge government-run rest stop for lunch. I've never seen more souvenirs under one roof in my life. It was virtually 5 football fields in size with a garrison of sales staff.

Rest Stop on Way to Halong Bay

A few hours later, we arrive in picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam's most celebrated attractions. As we approached, we could see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. We checked into our downtown hotel, took a walk around the neighborhood, then met the group for dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Halong Bay from Hotel Roof Deck

Halong Bay - Hotel Room Picture

Halong Bay from Hotel Roof Deck

After dinner, several of us strolled the Halong Bay night market down the street from our hotel. Then it was back to the hotel and to bed.

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Chris Trost's Travel Blog

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Chris Trost's 2019 Southeast Asia Adventure (Part 1)

Post-Trip Summary

Day 1 – Monday, April 29, 2019 - Fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Day 2 – Tuesday, April 30, 2019 – Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Day 3 – Wednesday, May 01, 2019 – Kuala Lumpur (KL)

Day 5 – Friday, May 03, 2019 – Fly to Singapore

Day 6 – Saturday, May 04, 2019 – Singapore

Day 7 – Sunday, May 05, 2019 – Singapore

Day 8 – Monday, May 06, 2019 – Singapore

Day 9 – Tuesday, May 07, 2019 – Fly to Bali

Day 10 – Wednesday, May 08, 2019 – Bali

Day 11 – Thursday, May 09, 2019 – Bali

Day 12 – Friday, May 10, 2019 – Ubud

Day 13 – Saturday, May 11, 2019 – Ubud

Day 14 – Sunday, May 12, 2019 – Ubud

Day 15 – Monday, May 13, 2019 – Fly to Yogyakarta, Java

Day 16 – Tuesday, May 14, 2019 – Yogyakarta

Day 17 – Wednesday, May 15, 2019 – Yogyakarta, Fly to Jakarta

Day 18 – Thursday, May 16, 2019 – Jakarta

Day 19 – Friday, May 17, 2019 – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Day 20 – Saturday, May 18, 2019 – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 21 – Sunday, May 19, 2019 – Fly to Da Nang, Hoi An

Day 22 – Monday, May 20, 2019 – Hoi An

Day 23 – Tuesday, May 21, 2019 – Hue

Day 24 – Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – Hue

Day 25 – Thursday, May 23, 2019 – Fly to Hanoi, Halong Bay

Day 26 – Friday, May 24, 2019 – Halong Bay

Day 27 – Saturday, May 25, 2019 – Hanoi

Day 28 – Sunday, May 26, 2019 – Hanoi

Day 29 – Monday, May 27, 2019 – Fly to USA

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