Cambodia - Vietnam - Singapore
Day 1: This time, the trip preparations were a bit stressful because of the journey to Cambodia. The travel agency had actually scheduled a layover of only 50 minutes in Singapore. The outbound flight with Singapore Airlines SQ25 arrived at 6:50 a.m., and the connecting flight to Phnom Penh was already at 7:40 a.m. Even if the flight is on time, by the time the plane arrives at the terminal and then disembarking takes another 15 minutes or so, it's going to be extremely tight. So, we booked a transfer service with Singapore Airlines in advance to avoid wasting time finding our way around or waiting in lines. A friendly employee picked us up at the arrival gate, and then we ran through the airport, only to get a big shock at the departure gate... "Gate closed" was displayed on the monitor, and there wasn't a soul around. Great. Strangely enough, the door to the ramp was still open, so we simply scanned our boarding passes and carefully walked into the tunnel to the aircraft. As we rounded the corner, the flight attendants were standing by the open aircraft door, waving to us warmly, greeting us, and showing us to our seats. They had actually been waiting for us. It still felt a bit strange boarding so close to departure, with all the other passengers staring at us as if to say, "They must have been too stupid to get to the plane on time." In any case, we arrived in Phnom Penh as planned, where we spent the rest of the day strolling around the city.
Day 2: Cambodia's capital is considered the most beautiful of the cities built in Indochina during the French colonial period. It was founded by a wealthy Khmer woman named Penh as a small monastery atop the city's only hill (Phnom). Our Phnom Penh city tour begins with the magnificent Royal Palace . Part of the complex remains private and is not open to tourists. It houses the King's private residence and buildings for visiting foreign dignitaries. The palace complex also contains the Silver Pagoda . Its interior floor is lined with more than 5,000 silver plates, weighing a total of 6 tons. Afterward, we visit the National Museum and, of course, the aforementioned Wat Phnom , the temple and site of the first pagoda, built in 1372 by Penh to house the four Buddha statues she had found on the banks of the Mekong River. Our city tour concludes with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (formerly S-21 prison). This stop is not recommended for families with children . The museum's depictions of the Khmer Rouge regime are extremely disturbing. Due to the historical significance of this horrific period in Cambodia, we have included some background information in this section.
Measured against the population, the Khmer Rouge regime was arguably the worst genocide of all time. Immediately after seizing power, most of the politicians of the old government were beheaded, and countless intellectuals were also murdered. The urban population was driven to the countryside and forced into the most grueling labor. Those who resisted were tortured to death in over 200 torture centers. Anyone who even appeared to disregard the party's extreme rules was shot or brutally beaten to death to save ammunition. During the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror, almost a third of the entire Cambodian population was killed and buried in nearly 24,000 known mass graves.
Day 3: After breakfast, we fly to Siem Reap . We're all excited to finally arrive in Angkor. After all , Angkor is considered the 8th Wonder of the World, boasting the largest temple complex on Earth. We start with the Ta Prohm temple complex, an abandoned site with a very special charm. Some structures are overgrown with the roots of strangler fig trees , offering unique perspectives . The complex was also a filming location for Tomb Raider, so of course, we have to take a photo at the temple entrance where Angelina Jolie was in action. Next, we visit Banteay Srei , which, although a bit off the beaten track, is well worth seeing due to its magnificent ornamentation, making it one of the most artistically designed temples. Finally, we visit the Hindu temple Banteay Samre .
Day 4: Today's itinerary includes the top sights in Angkor: Bayon and Angkor Wat . We start with the magnificent Bayon , famous for its enormous stone faces on the towers. Next, we visit the Terrace of the Elephants , Phimeanakas , and the Terrace of the Leper King . Then, via a sort of back entrance at Ta Prohm Kel, we reach Angkor Wat , the largest religious monument in the world. Its construction reportedly took only 37 years, employing an astounding 300,000 workers and 6,000 elephants. Angkor Wat boasts the largest bas-relief in the world . The main tower, one of 108 towers, is precisely aligned with the sunrise on the day of the vernal equinox. And of course, the Khmer didn't use mortar, so all of the more than 1,000,000 stone blocks had to be precisely polished. It's practically unimaginable, and as we stroll across the terraces and through the temple buildings, the sheer scale, the precision, and the intricate details are incredibly impressive. And finally, one more impressive fact: the enormous moat in and around Angkor Wat doesn't just serve aesthetic or defensive purposes. The engineers of the ancient Khmer builders created a hydraulic system using the water pressure of the moat to counteract any movement caused by the temple's weight, thus preventing this vast temple complex from sinking into the sand and allowing it to survive the centuries. Today's visit was truly an experience in every respect.
Day 5: Unfortunately, we're leaving Siem Reap (an extra day or two would have been nice). After checking out of the hotel, we're off on an excursion to Tonle Sap . This extraordinary lake is located in the heart of Cambodia and is fed by the Mekong River. During the rainy season, Tonle Sap expands to seven times its original size, and the ecosystem here is one of the most fertile and diverse in the region. There, we'll discover floating fishing villages situated along the lake's edge, as well as many houses built on stilts to prevent flooding caused by fluctuating water levels. In the afternoon, we'll leave Cambodia and fly to Hanoi.
Day 6: Vietnam's capital is a city full of lakes, shady boulevards, and public parks, characterized by French-style buildings. First, we exchanged money, and as newly minted Dong multimillionaires, we wanted to explore Hanoi . Following Lenin's tradition, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum houses Ho Chi Minh's glass coffin, a pilgrimage site for millions of people (closed Mondays, Friday afternoons, and annually from September to November). The queue was correspondingly long; I'd say it stretched for a few kilometers. Since you're not allowed to stand still at the coffin, the queue was constantly moving, so we weren't too frustrated considering the number of people ahead of us. Photography is strictly forbidden inside the mausoleum . Finally, we made a quick photo stop at the Presidential Palace , strolled around the city a bit, and ate pho , Vietnam's national dish, for the first time. Afterward, we went to a famous landmark, Hoan Kiem Lake, right in the city center. A red bridge (Huc Bridge) leading to Ngoc Son Temple in the lake never fails to delight visitors. The equally famous One Pillar Pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House are also must-sees on any Hanoi tour. Walking across the streets during a city tour requires a bit of courage and practice... the sheer number of mopeds is incredible. So just start walking and don't stop or make any strange movements. The moped drivers see the people on the street and can judge where they can pass you based on your walking speed. In the afternoon, we continue on to Halong Bay . Nearby, we find a restaurant with a German menu and cuisine, and homemade schnapps. The owner lived in East Germany for a long time, so the evening ends with funny anecdotes from "back then" in German, accompanied by a few shots of schnapps. The bill comes to 1,284,000 EUR... er, I mean Dong.
Day 7: After breakfast, we embark on an approximately four-hour boat trip in Halong Bay . Still nursing a slight headache from last night, we cruise through emerald-green waters on a traditional wooden boat, passing numerous islands and grottoes. Unfortunately, the sun isn't shining, so we can't get those typical postcard photos of Halong Bay. We've also heard from locals that it's quite rare to experience the bay under sunny skies. During a stop, we explore the Dong Thien Cung Cave with its fantastic stalactite and stalagmite formations. We enjoy fresh seafood for lunch on board as we pass many floating villages. We watch the fishermen casting their nets and gain insight into the rhythm of daily life in the bay. Afterwards, we return to Hanoi and fly to Hue.
Day 8: After breakfast, we'll explore the ancient imperial city of Hue . Built in the early 19th century, it was modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Our first stop will be the Thai Hoa Palace, home to impressive sights such as the Ngo Mon Gate , the Hall of the Mandarins , the Nine Dynastic Urns , and the Forbidden Purple City within the palace grounds, which includes the Royal Theatre . After browsing the market, we'll take a boat trip on the Perfume River (Huong Giang ) to the Thien Mu Pagoda . To conclude our tour of Hue, we'll visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang . Incidentally, Tu Duc, the longest-reigning emperor, had 104 wives and concubines, but no children due to smallpox.
Day 9: Our destination today is Hoi An. The scenic route takes us over the Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass) to our first stop to visit the interesting Cham Museum . Afterwards, we drive to China Beach, which stretches for miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. Next, we continue to the Marble Mountains themselves. These consist of five marble cones and were once islands. Each mountain is associated with one of the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). In and around the mountains, there are several interesting caves, grottoes, and Buddhist temples with natural entrances connected by tunnel systems. This is a well-known pilgrimage site for the Vietnamese. From there, we continue on to Hoi An.
Day 10: After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing program in Hoi An , a picturesque town south of Da Nang on the Thu Bon River. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, Hoi An was known as one of the leading ports in Southeast Asia. The best way to explore Hoi An is on foot or by bicycle rickshaw. We'll drift along the cobblestone streets, past low tiled roofs, and visit the Fujian Assembly Hall ( Phuc Kien ). This pink building served as a traditional meeting place for the Chinese community of Fujian to socialize. Later, it was converted into a temple dedicated to their deity, Thien Hau (the Sea Goddess). We'll continue along the harbor to the Japanese Bridge . After exploring the town, we'll take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River, enjoying beautiful views of the city.
11. After breakfast, we drive to Da Nang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Upon arrival, we explore the country's largest city on a city tour. We begin with a classic visit to the Thanh That Market . We visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda , built by the Cantonese community and dedicated to the Goddess of Heaven. The Cai Dao Temple is also worth seeing. By now, we've become addicted to pho in Vietnam, so for lunch, we enjoy this delicious noodle soup at a typical local eatery. Fortified, we head to the impressive Reunification Palace. The palace was the site where the end of the Vietnam War was officially declared. We visit Notre Dame Cathedral , the Central Post Office , and the modern, very Westernized part of Ho Chi Minh City. On the way back to the hotel, the chaotic hustle and bustle of countless mopeds is once again fascinating. It's amazing that no one gets hurt. We enjoyed our last evening on the hotel rooftop with fantastic views over the city.
Day 12: Normally, the trip would be over now. However, we booked a stopover in Singapore . Singapore Airlines offered an attractive deal, including a city tour, a night safari at the zoo, and airport transfers. We also wanted to experience the Marina Bay Sands hotel . So, after landing, we planned to check in. After some discussion and deliberation, we booked a deluxe room with breakfast at the Marina Bay Sands, and after entering the room, we have to say... it was absolutely amazing. The room, the view—simply fantastic. We spent the afternoon strolling around the area. The city and the skyline around the Bay Area are truly magnificent.
Day 13: Today we have our half-day city tour of Singapore, which is included in the stopover program. First, there's a short photo stop at Gardens by the Bay . Afterwards, we head to the vibrant Indian Quarter , the Malay Heritage Centre , and the Masjid Sultan Mosque . We stroll through Esplanade Park towards Chinatown , visiting the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple , which is said to house the left canine tooth of Buddha. To conclude the tour, we visit the beautiful Orchid Garden . After lunch, we explore on our own. We must first photograph Fernando Botero's "Big Bird" before heading along the Singapore River and admiring the skyline . After returning to the hotel, we have time to photograph the impressive building. We're also looking forward to watching the sunset from the rooftop of Marina Bay Sands. As darkness falls and the lights of the skyscrapers come on, it's truly breathtaking. After nightfall, we return to Gardens by the Bay , where the steel Supertrees are now beautifully illuminated . On the way back to the hotel, a long day in a beautiful and clean city comes to an end.
Day 14: As hotel guests, we have the privilege of using the rooftop pool at Marina Bay Sands . So, we grabbed our swimsuits and off we went. We jumped into the enormous pool and right up to the edge, and honestly, you have to experience it to believe it. It's probably the most spectacular pool anywhere. Now that's a day for swimming! We planned to enjoy the sunset today at 1 Altitude (now closed). That's the rooftop bar at the Raffles Hotel. The prices were outrageous, but the view of the city was worth it. My wife has really fallen in love with Singapore and said she'd love to stay here. She immediately liked the UOB Tower next to the Raffles Hotel as a potential new workplace.
Day 15: Today, as part of our city tour, we're heading to some more distant destinations. Although, first, we're walking to the famous water-spouting lion , which isn't spouting water at the moment. Due to construction work, this is a particularly interesting sight, as it's very rare to see this Singapore landmark without water flowing from the lion's mouth. Next, we're going to Fort Canning Park with the house of Sir Raffles , the "founder" of Singapore, the Asian Civilisations Museum , and the Fullerton Hotel . We'll take a few more beautiful photos of the bank skyscrapers in daylight before heading back to our hotel for the evening's activities. The stopover package also included the night safari at the Singapore Zoo . We were initially skeptical about a zoo at night, but it was simply amazing. You travel through the zoo in an open vehicle where most of the animals roam freely or are separated by imperceptible natural barriers. This means you don't get the impression that there are any cages at all. So, a visit to the zoo in Singapore is a must.
Day 16: The last day of our Indochina tour with a Singapore stopover begins with some relaxing time by the rooftop pool at Marina Bay Sands. To really splurge on our holiday, we treat ourselves to some much-needed cash at a fantastic riverside restaurant. We enjoy the famous Black Pepper Crab , a Singaporean specialty fried with black pepper. With a touch of sadness, we head home. The city, and Southeast Asia in general, have left a lasting impression.