Stung Treng - Backroad travel info wanted!

Hi guys, we're heading into Cambodia fairly soon. There are two of us, and we would like some info (if you have it) on some different routes out of Stung Treng. Unfortunately we dont have time to do much research, the internet is 500kip a minute!!!

1) We would like to visit Ratanakiri province, via Siem Pang, doing a sort of clockwise loop through Ban Lung back to Stung Treng. Is this feasable with public transport? The guidebook mentions a boat from ST to Siem Pang, at a good price. No info about much other transport though in the far NE. From Ban Lung its easy peasy.

2) From Stung Treng we would like to head West, towards NW Cambodia, across the Mekong. Appreciate motos can be hired for a wedge, but if anyone knows any budget ways of doing it that would be great. There will be 2 of us!

Advice, tips etc would be great!

Myanmar Beaches and Islands

I'm off to Myanmar on the 21st Feb, traveling alone for 12 days, and am 1000% more interested in beaches and islands rather than the Northern routes, temples and mountains.

I'm quite well traveled, used to restrictions, paper work, and Gov bullshit, Tibet, Rwanda,Somalia, Sudan, West China, and many others, also I'm not on too much of a budget, $2000 for 12 days.

Looking for some help on which islands and non commercial beaches are visitable, via plane in the south?

Any comments welcome, also if anyone wishes to join me I'm on the early morning Air Asia flight on 21st Feb out of Bangkok.

Kind regards,
Chris

11 Days in country - N-S trip possible?

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a bit of advice on a short trip to Vietnam. I've combed through the FAQ's and other posts, but I hope I'm not asking something covered elsewhere!

I am planning to spent about 11 days in-country with one other person. We are interested in seeing as much as possible, but understand that our limited time means that we will have to make some decisions. I have heard from a number of people that a HCMC to Hanoi trip via bus is a great way to see much of the country. Am I being too ambitious if I try to plan something like that with only 11 days in the country? If so, would you recommend (for a first-timer to Vietnam) spending our time predominantly in the North or South of the country? They both seem to have their own positives and negatives, but I was wondering if anyone had any specific advice on how to maximize how much we are able to see and do wi... more »

private guide in Myanmar

My husband and I visited Myanmar in February 2011 for 3 weeks at the start of our 3 month tour of SE Asia. Normally we travel on our own, but decided to hire a private guide because we knew it would be harder to get around due to lack of infrastructure and less English spoken. A friend of ours runs an orphanage in Yangon and is close friends with a guide so we hired Myint Thu to take us on a custom tour. We contacted him by email and were able to design a trip within our budget to the places we were interested in. Myint (pronounce "Min") turned out to be a very lovely person and we highly recommend him. Like most Burmese he has a super sweet disposition, humble, and respectful. He is very flexible and works hard to make the trip a good one. He has his own car and is a very cautious and good driver (Myanmar has terrible roads!). We had a wonderful visit (check out our blog: http://gar... more »

Kampong Cham to Laos buses?

Do such buses exist that will take one to the border, and how much are they if they do run?

Alternatively, how does one extend a visa in Cambodia, or is is less fuss just to leave to Laos and return one day?

Minibuses - Pathein to Ngwe Saung

Hi, in October 2010 we took a taxi from Pathein to Ngwe Saung (because it was night), and it cost $US30 each way - expensive but OK if two people. On looking at the new LP apparently it's now 50,000 kyat each way, which would be double the price in less than two years.

So, my question is, there is mention of a minibus between Pathein and Ngwe Saung. Can anyone please give me details on this - which bus station it's from (the one out of town or the one in town), and what times/how often they go.

We would like to have breakfast in our hotel in Yangon, and then leave for Ngwe Saung around 8am, so we would be in Pathein hopefully by 2pm.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Suggested 1 week itinerary for northern Vietnam

Hi
I will be arriving in Hanoi late February and have one week. Does the below sound feasible?

Day 1 - arrive Hanoi early, spend day in Hanoi
Day 2 - day in Hanoi, take night train to Sapa
Day 3 - Sapa
Day 4 - Sapa, take night train back to Hanoi
Day 5 - leave for Halong Bay
Day 6 - Halong Bay, back to Hanoi
Day 7 - Final day in Hanoi before early flight out next morning

Is this enough time in Hanoi and Sapa? I did think about swapping Sapa for Hoi An but rather than take another flight I'm thinking to save this for another time.

Thanks
Matt

Savannaket

Hi,
I have a special question. Does anyone knows an English-translater in Savannaketh. I will stay there end of March for a few days and need an English-Speaking Lao people for talking to a couple they talk only Lao. Perhaps a travel office?
Thank you