29 Apr 2024
We felt coerced into changing the itinerary by substituting a temple tour for the railway market which we did not enjoy at all!!
Ultimately it was our decision to make, but the guide made us feel like the temple tours should not have been our highlight. He basically said all tourists want to do is visit temples.
Whilst I understand he was considering the heat and the fact that my mum was elderly, it did not create the best impression from the onset.
Our other tours felt very warm, welcoming and enthusiastic whereas with this one, we received the bare minimum.
Very sad, as we ended up visiting those temples with another tour which went above and beyond to accommodate us, especially our request to receive a blessing from monks.
If you choose this tour, be firm in sticking with the itinerary. I regret not pushing back.
Further, the railway market which was substituted offered us nothing. Other tour groups allowed participants to go on the train. Again, we received the bare minimum of standing in a hot market with unpleasant smells just to record the train passing through. It was not worth the itinerary change.