Reflections from Miss King

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When we set off from Bethany for our True Adventure expedition to Vietnam and Cambodia at the beginning of July, we knew we were embarking on a journey that would challenge, inspire and create memories to last a lifetime. Alongside Dr Evans, I had the privilege of accompanying 15 incredible Bethany pupils as they explored new cultures, embraced unfamiliar experiences and worked together to make a positive impact through our partnership with Better Lives.

Our journey began with an overnight flight via Dubai. An unexpected extended layover meant our original plans had to change, but the pupils showed incredible resilience from the very beginning. Rather than seeing the delay as a setback, they embraced the opportunity to explore Dubai, visiting some of its famous landmarks and even enjoying a surprise reunion with Bethany alumni Miles and Prudence, who now live there. It was a fantastic reminder that adventure is often found in the unexpected moments.

 

 

Discovering Vietnam

After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the group began to settle into life in Southeast Asia, experiencing the sights, sounds and energy of Vietnam’s largest city. The extended delay in Dubai meant that some elements of our original itinerary had to be adjusted, including our planned visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, but the pupils adapted brilliantly and continued to approach every experience with enthusiasm.

We then travelled into the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s famous “rice basket”, where the pace of life changed dramatically. Staying in traditional homestays allowed pupils to experience a very different way of living, connecting with local families and learning about the communities that depend on the waterways and agriculture of the region.

The group explored floating markets, visited fruit markets and helped prepare dinner with their homestay hosts. These simple moments became some of the most memorable, as pupils stepped outside their comfort zones and built genuine connections with the people they met.

After saying goodbye to our brilliant Vietnam guide, John, we crossed the border into Cambodia by boat, a journey that offered stunning views and marked the next chapter of our adventure.

 

 

Understanding Cambodia’s History

Our first stop in Cambodia was Phnom Penh, where pupils had the opportunity to learn about the country’s complex and powerful history.

Visits to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum provided moments of reflection and encouraged thoughtful discussions about Cambodia’s past. Meeting a 90-year-old survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime was a particularly moving experience and gave pupils a deeply personal insight into the impact of these events.

We also visited the Royal Palace and explored local markets, giving pupils the opportunity to experience Cambodia’s culture alongside learning about its history.

 

 

Into the Cardamom Mountains

From Phnom Penh, we travelled to the remote village of Chi Phat, beginning one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the expedition.

After arriving by boat and meeting our homestay hosts, pupils quickly settled into village life. They made new friends, explored nearby waterfalls and experienced the warmth of the local community before setting off into the Cardamom rainforest.

The jungle trek tested the group in many ways. Over several days, pupils trekked through challenging terrain, crossed rivers, cooled off in waterfalls and slept in hammocks surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. Watching the pupils support one another, encourage each other and embrace the challenge was incredibly rewarding.

As expected during Cambodia’s monsoon season, heavy rain meant the final planned trekking day could not go ahead. However, the pupils once again demonstrated fantastic adaptability, turning the change of plans into an opportunity for sport, card games and quizzes. Congratulations to AJ, Olivia, Hattie and Ellie on winning the quiz!

Completing the trek was a huge achievement, and the final celebration with our guides and the local community was a special moment to recognise everything the pupils had accomplished.

 

 

The Better Lives Project

The next stage of our expedition took us to Siem Reap, where we visited the incredible Angkor Wat, the ancient “City of Temples”. This vast and beautifully preserved site, covering more than 400 acres, is the world’s largest religious monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From there, we travelled to Peaksneng to begin our three-day community project with Better Lives, a charity that has made a lasting impact in the area.

The pupils quickly got stuck into meaningful work alongside the local community. They helped create FAITH (Food Always In The Home) gardens, preparing land, planting crops, building trellis structures and creating fencing to protect the plants. These gardens will help families grow food to eat and sell, creating a sustainable resource for the future.

The group also worked on a pig enclosure, completing the walls, floor and roof structure. Seeing the pupils take pride in their work and understanding the lasting impact of what they were contributing was one of the highlights of the trip.

Away from the practical tasks, pupils spent time playing with local children, sharing experiences and building friendships. Our final evening celebration was a wonderful way to bring everyone together and celebrate the achievements of the project.

 

 

Final Days and Reflections

After saying goodbye to the Better Lives team and our new friends, we returned to Siem Reap for our final experiences in Cambodia. The pupils explored the city by rickshaw, visited Artisans Angkor to learn about traditional Cambodian crafts and toured the Angkor Silk Farm, following the silk-making process from silkworm to finished garment.

 

 

As we travelled back to Phnom Penh for our final night before returning to the UK, I had time to reflect on what an extraordinary experience this had been.

The pupils approached every challenge with maturity, curiosity and positivity. They adapted when plans changed, supported each other through difficult moments and embraced every opportunity to learn from the people and places around them.

A True Adventure is about far more than the places you visit. It is about the people you meet, the challenges you overcome and the memories you create together. Watching this group grow in confidence, independence and understanding has been a privilege, and I know they will carry these experiences with them for many years to come.

 

Miss King

Trip Leader