Sitting crossed legged in the Angkor Square watching the spires
of the Angkor Wat temple bathed in the evening light is a magical sight.

A sight viewed over thousands of years,
that never loses its awe. Arriving in
Siem Reap in Northern Cambodia we watched the sunset over the Angkor Temples, eagerly awaiting the next few days when we could explore all of the Angkor Complex.

The day began as we piled onto mopeds with our own drivers, zipping us around Siem Reap to see the markets and local sights before heading to the temples. We were glad to get an early start before the heat of the day. Beginning with Angkor Wat temple, we wandered the corridors and passageways, feeling at times like we were in an 'Indiana Jones' film. From there we headed along the road passing the statues and entered the South gate. The highlight for many of us was wandering around the temple of Ta Phrom, the location where “tomb raider” was filmed. The temple still stands due to a shared bond with the jungle; with incredible force the jungle’s bayon trees hold the temples to together and break them apart with their enormous growth. Wandering the temples and feeling like I was on an adventure through time made my trip in Cambodia unforgettable.

By Stuart Darnley

Visit Cambodia and the Angkor Wat on the following Tours:

• Hidden Dynasties 6 Days • Asian Landscapes 20 Days

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Preparing for an overseas trip doesn’t need to take a long time. With a little bit of careful planning you can lead a busy lifestyle right up to the moment you leave.

• Choose an organised tour, it saves countless hours trying to work out the highlights to visit in unknown destinations and demolishes language problems in foreign countries.
• Book sooner rather than later, this will allow you more time to arrange other things such as: who will look after the pets whilst away, who will cover your work, sending RSVP’s to soirées stating “sorry I’ll be in Asia then, I won’t be able to make it”, getting the mail held, visiting Aunt Dorothy…
• Choose a reputable travel agent with experience in selling travel to your chosen destination, they will be able to do every thing for you from booking your tour to flights and accommodation to applying for your visa’s, leaving you with no guess work.

Escape the rat race to Asia on a Kumuka tour.

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Meet Helen Dwyer, known to us as 'H'
Operations support manager.

Originally from England, H has travelled to 76 of the earths countries covering 6 of the worlds continents as a backpacker, tourist and expedition leader. She has worked for Kumuka Worldwide for the last 4 years. When H is not helping her husband shear sheep on the farm in Griffith, Australia she is more likely to be seen in the back streets of a developing country meeting the locals, learning the lingo and looking for new itineraries for Kumuka Worldwide.

• 'H’s favorite country is: Nepal though she can also be found swooning over Peru.
• She loves to relax with: A Banana Daiquiri at El Vikingo in Quito followed by a strawberry daiquiri in Huanchaco and topped off with empanadas at a little cafe behind the Plaza de Armas in Cusco in Peru (Note this flavour expedition can only be accomplished on a 6 week tour!)
• When asking about strange habits she admits: She can be found warming her clothes in her sleeping bag on very cold nights
• When travelling H misses: Her husband, shearing sheep and good Australian red wines.
• She can’t go without: A good pillow – it has two uses, good for sleeping and wrapping fragile souvenirs in - its lucky she doesn’t take any other luggage with her as the pillow takes up her entire backpack.
• H can often be heard saying:
  “Diddly Dee”

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Impress your friends at dinner parties with Kumuka facts.

• If the population of China walked past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.
• China has more English speakers than the United States.
• Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
• Almonds are members of the peach family
• Americans on the average eat 18 acres of pizza every day.

Visit China with Kumuka Worldwide and make your own adventures.

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Comments from ...
Katerina Fialkova, who travelled on Kumuka’s Vietnam Discovered Tour - 15 Days.

Dear Cara,

Back in London, I thought I would drop you a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed my Vietnam holiday. The country was amazing and I enjoyed (almost) every minute there. And I am absolutely sure that travelling with Kumuka contributed significantly to my enjoyment of the trip.

Everything was exactly the way you said it would be - the flights, the hotels, the transfers... even the group of people we travelled with were most pleasant and interesting. Last but not least, Anne Mein, our tour leader was professional, reliable and fun. Having her around allowed me not to worry about practicalities and concentrate on the things I came to Vietnam for - namely learning about its past and present, seeing the country and meeting the people.

Once again, thank you, and keep up the good work.
With warm good wishes

Katerina Fialkova
London, UK

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