Biography
Victoria decided to leave everything behind and travel through Asia after having travelled to Thailand many times before and loved the people, the local food and the culture.
She left the UK in Nov 2010 for an adventure with no return date planned. Starting with two months in India she then hired a car to explore off the beaten track parts of the north through to the south of Thailand. Travelling almost solely overland to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia, she ended her trip with her family living in Singapore.
Having loved the experience so much and wanting to share it with the world, she joined Audley Travel who sent her back out again to spend a month in Indochina, her specialist area. This meant she was able to extend her travel knowledge by visiting new and exciting hidden gems. She can now say that she is an experienced elephant mahout, fisherman and bear keeper - not many can say that.
My Most Memorable Experience
One of my most memorable experiences would have to be trekking through lush rice paddies and stunning mountain scenery through the villages of the Black Hmong tribe in Sapa. I was lucky enough to step inside a small Hmong hut that had a family of 12 living inside.
I also visited a local Hmong primary school which had a group of Hmong children all giggling away wanting me to take photos. It is difficult to believe that there are still so many people that live happily in such rural basic conditions.
A beautiful place with beautiful people.
My Favourite Destination
One of my favourite places has to be the enchanting and charming Luang Prabang. It is a very spiritual place with sparkling temples at every turn.
Early morning you can see the monks in their bright orange robes passing through the streets collecting the morning alms. The night market is fantastic and perfect for buying traditional gifts and trying out the local food specialities. The Kuang Si waterfalls nearby are beautiful too with stunning views.
My Favourite Accommodation
As soon as I stepped out of the speed boat I just knew I was going to love the An Lam. A totally secluded, tranquil luxury resort with its own unique style.
With stunning views of mountains, forests, golden sands and blue seas it is easy to get lost in its charm. The food is exceptional and the staff are so welcoming and friendly they make it difficult to leave.
