Lacey Ngo

I have always traveled with an established tour group, so this was my first venture into a personalized tour. The idea of this vague, on-line platform made me nervous. I was quite worried before the trip, but all my worries were for naught. It was an incredible tour from start to finish.

First, our specialist Lacey was beyond phenomenal. Even though we're half a world apart, she was so responsive to our questions and always replied quickly. We made numerous adjustments throughout the planning stages, but she was kind, courteous and upbeat from start to finish even though I'm sure we drove her crazy. She had excellent suggestions and followed through consistently on any of our questions or concerns. We also had the privilege of meeting her in Hanoi (her home base) during our visit (one of the highlights of the trip). I would like to add that she remained in touch with us throughout the tour and made sure everything went as planned. When the airlines switched our flight time, she made all the arrangements necessary to get us to the plane on time.

Were there a few glitches on this trip? Certainly. That's the nature of international travel. Would I have changed a few things in hind sight? Certainly. But overall, the trip was flawless. With the exception of 2 guides who were less than wonderful (one simply didn't feel good and probably should have requested a substitute and the other simply wasn't much of a guide -- more of an escort who got us to all the places we needed to be without any explanation).

But we also had two of the best guides I've ever had. Our Cambodian guide (Set) and driver (Buhan) were marvelous. They treated us like queens. I highly recommend them for anyone traveling to Cambodia. And the best of all was Ae in Bangkok. I don't think I have words to describe how incredibly wonderful she was. She wanted us to love her country as much as she did, and she succeeded. She had the most incredible smile always, was constantly handing us a new food or treat to try, and shared personal stories that allowed us to totally experience her culture. I've kept her photo because it makes me smile every time I see it.

So thank you Kimkim. To my great surprise, I would work with you again on another trip to somewhere else in this magnificent world we live in. Thank you for putting us in touch with a local travel specialist who would design a custom tour.

Lacey was incredibly patient working with us to craft the trip of our dreams at the price we wanted to pay. When our flight to Siem Reap was changed, she arranged to get us from Halong Bay to the airport in Hanoi. That was the only blip in the schedule, and it was seamlessly handled without us having to do anything.

Overall, our guides and drivers were wonderful. A special call out of Ae, our guide in Bangkok, who we wanted to take with us. She made us fall in love not only with Bangkok, but her. She attended to our every need, and then some. She treated us to the foods of Thailand, and always was smiling. We also enjoyed Set and Buhaun in Cambodia. Set treated us as queens, and we loved the cool towels and water Buhaun had ready for us. We only spent half a day with Pookie in Chiang Mai, but we enjoyed the time with her. We were less impressed with Thom in Hanoi--he clearly was not feeling well--and Mr. Chaun in Chiang Rai was more of an escort than a guide. Instead of walking through our stops and sharing the history, he pointed us in the right direction and later met us to leave. He seemed impatient and eager to finish the job. We didn't get that sense from anyone else. They all were eager to share their knowledge with us. Because of his attitude, we wish we would have spent only one day (or none) with him. Other than that, we had a tremendous experience.

Highlights were dinners with families in Vietnam, Cambodia and Chiang Mai; Angkor Wat; Tonle Sap; everything with Ae (tuk tuk food tour, flower market, Grand Palace at night, railroad and floating markets, Ayutthaya), the White Temple, the elephant sanctuary and our two excursions in Phuket (Phi Phi Island sunrise speedboat tour and John Gray Sea Canoe trip).

The trip not only met, but exceeded, our expectations.

Lacey was amazing! So communicative and there when we had questions or had minor hiccups on our trip! We can’t thank her enough for all her help planning our dream honeymoon!

I found exotic voyages through the kimkim platform and I’m so glad I did. Although I enjoy travel planning, Thailand is a tricky trip to plan as there are planes, cars, trains and ferries to get you around. It is complicated! Lacey at EV had all our transfers lined up and organized, taking all the stress out of our travel days. Her people were terrific, always there on time with a smile- no snafus! That helped me make the most of our time in this beautiful country. Communication was always easy through Kimkim as Thailand is 13 hrs ahead! She also directed me to the best hotels for us, and arranged all our internal air. I couldn’t have done this trip without her!

Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (Ex: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi)

Hotel is old and musty. Proximity to the airport is its strength.

Authenticity & Character

Needs complete renovation

Location

Close to airport

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was clean and cold

LA VIDA Samui

Koh Samui

Room had a lovely balcony and view over pool to beach. I would not stay in any room except this highest level as they faced the run down neighboring properties. Room was clean, cold and quiet. Breakfast was wonderful. Exterior and hallways of this hotel are in terrible condition. Pretty beach, but beach vendors and weed smokers were overwhelming. Location was good for walking to restaurants, but the many weed stores attracted an unsavory crowd. I would stay in an area of koh samui different from Cheweng beach.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

SAii Phi Phi Island Village

Lovely hotel with rustic luxury bungalows. Please note that you arrive by boat and you must be able bodied enough to climb out of the speedboat, into the water and to walk through the water to the shore. The food is average, but there is a fun local village on the backside of the resort we enjoyed in the evenings. We scuba dived here at the resort and had a good experience. Pool is lovely.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Away from backpacking crowd

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Twin Lotus Resort

koh lanta

Our beachfront bungalow was quiet, clean and well appointed. The breakfast was lovely, and the beach stunning. We could walk to beachfront restaurants, or take a tuktuk to more local spots.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nysa Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 11

Bangkok

This hotel is even prettier in person. The decor is fresh and modern. Lovely breakfast, nice location. Pool area is a sanctuary from busy Bangkok

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui - Afternoon visit - Joining activity

Ko Samui

We enjoyed this day. Some might find it objectionable that guests can feed, bathe and touch the elephants. Guide was very difficult to understand. Tie-dying and cooking activities were very fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Long drive around island to pick up and drop off many guest. Private taxi would have been better.

Bangkok Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk (Joining excursion)

Bangkok

Definitely do this! We saw parts of the city we wouldn’t have otherwise, and really experienced local food, restaurants and Bangkok culture. So fun to be with fellow travellers from other countries!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Healthy Samui Coco Life - Biking in Samui

Ko Samui

We really enjoyed getting out of Cheweng and seeing the countryside.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Koh Lanta Beach Stay

Ko Lanta

Beautiful beach free of beach vendors.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half day Klong Tour

Bangkok

We only had a 1 hour canal tour, and returned on the train.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

First class seamless great value. Not a worry the entire trip. If I go on a trip again I would call them first.

Amazing trip to Thailand facilitated by Kimkim. Guides were friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. Everything we asked was taken care of. Would definitely recommend!

We were wonderfully taken care of throughout our trip, particularly by Toto in Bangkok and Bamie who travelled with us through Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

We were amazed by the many markets we visited and our day with elephants in Chiang Mai and on the waters near Phuket stand out as highlights.

Hotel Review

Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel

Bangkok

The Avani truly impresses with its remarkable rooftop infinity pool, impressive modern rooms, and mutating daily breakfast.

Activity Reviews

Baan Chang Elephant Park - Elephant Day Care

Chiang Mai

A magical day spent learning and interacting very closely with these amazing animals.

Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai - Half day exploring the temples

Thailand

Just when you think you’ve seen everything Thai temples have to offer, the White Temple and Blue Temple remind you that Thailand can always still surprise and delight.

Night Street Food Tour After Dark by Tuk Tuk

Bangkok

A visit through the throngs of Thai street markets really drives home just how unique Thailand is from any other travel experience you may have had. Particularly surprising were the flower market and our daytime visit to the incredible Icon Siam mall whose entire ground floor is an astounding street market mimicking the streets of geographic regions across Thailand.

Bangkok Symbolic Temples

Bangkok

Nothing can prepare you for the grandeur of Bangkok’s Royal Palace and Temple. You hardly know where to look as the site becomes more impressive from each new angle.