Ann Morin Yulee, FL Travel Agent | Vacation.com

Ann Morin

Yulee, FL Travel Agent

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Ann Morin

Ann Morin

Yulee, FL Travel Agent

Ann C Morin-Your Dream Vacation LLC

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25+ Years of Experience
Additional Languages
English
Meandering the Mekong River Angkor Wat to Thailand Sunset on a Mekong River cruise

Meandering the Mekong River Angkor Wat to Thailand

Asia is a fascinating place! 

     It is so different than the western world in a multitude of ways. When you visit places such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand you come away changed, a more thoughtful and appreciative person.      

     My journey began in Siem Reap where I spent three days exploring the ruins of the Temples of Angkor. I wish I had more time as it was fascinating, I probably will return as I couldn't visit them all, and new temples are still being discovered. 

     Of all of the complexes I visited, Angkor Thom impressed me the most. It is a maze of gigantic heads, each with a different smirking expression on it's face as if he knew a secret. Walking through these ancient temples was a phenomenal experience, just trying to figure out how they were able to construct them was mind boggling!     

     The evening after my final visit to the Angkor complex our guide arranged for a private Apsara dance show for us. These young women must start training their fingers before the age of five to get them to curl back the way they do. The dance is mesmerizing to watch, in fact, believers feel that the Apsara’s could hypnotize the rivals of the King of the Gods by this dance. There are Apsara dancers immortalized in stone dating back to the 7th century at the Sambor Prei Kuk temples in Kampong Thom.   

      I took this trip in conjunction with Avalon Waterways, selecting them purposely because their Asia ships have only 18 cabins.  There were just 20 of us in total which worked perfectly, it felt more like a private yachting expedition than a river cruise. 

     Each day while on the river we would have two included excursions, one in the morning and a second after lunch. Some of the excursions were sobering, like when we visited the killing fields in Cambodia and learned about the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. Others were uplifting, for example when we visited a local school and helped the children with their English lessons, or when we were given a water blessing by a monk.     

     Everywhere we traveled the art on the buildings was so detailed and brilliantly adorned it almost felt like it was for a movie set. This is the day to day paradox, beautiful gold leafed temples next to shanty houses on stilts. One consistency was how welcoming and kind the people were, everyone seemed truly happy to see us no matter where I visited.     

     The sunsets on the river were just breathtaking, with no streetlights and only an occasional fishing sampan passing by the views were amazing! Our day to day lives were immersed with the culture, but we were sheltered in luxury at the same time. Each cabin on the ship is a suite with a full wall of windows that the bed faces. The wall opens up to turn the entire room into an open air balcony.  The slider has a screen and there is a ceiling fan so if you want to lie in bed and listen to the river you could without concern about bugs getting in.     

     Meals were an exciting event! Always available was a “western option” like filet mignon or salmon, but there are choices of regional favorites as well. I never would have considered trying some of the offerings elsewhere but found I really enjoyed them on the ship and was glad I had the opportunity to widen my horizons. On our last day of the trip we were brought to a Vietnam restaurant and given a cooking class which was great fun, they sent us home with the recipes we cooked which was a nice touch.     

     After the cruise I flew up to northern Thailand to do a private tour for a week. I visited the “Golden Triangle” where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge, the former drug capital of Asia due to the poppy fields. It was quite interesting to see how the queen stepped up and saved the people from the misery of addiction. In place of the poppy plants there are now tea plantations.     

     I visited the beautiful Wat Rong Khun, or “White Temple” in Chiang Rai and was even fortunate enough to meet the artist who created it. My journey continued with a visit to a Padaung tribe which are Kayan people who immigrated from Myanmar. The woman are known for wearing brass rings around their necks giving the illusion that their necks are long. I had a lengthy conversation with one of the women and she explained to me that it is not a burden to wear the coils, that in their culture it is considered a status symbol and sign of beauty.      

     I visited the famous Wat Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai and finished out my Asian adventure by taking care of my own elephant for the day.     

     Southeast Asia is a fantastic experience, you will see amazing detail in the art, encounter warm hospitable people and come away with a true sense of how fortunate your own life circumstances are.

Areas of Expertise

My Travel Specialties

Reviews

260 Reviews
Patient and doesn’t nickel and dime you
We originally booked a two week Italy tour with Ann for April 2020 to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The Covid virus came along so we cancelled that and booked a river cruise for July instead. Guess what? Covid still here and cancelled again. Ann patiently booked us a third time for April of 21 back to the Italy plan. Not once did she change us a change fee or complain about the extra work. Our friends agent charged them a $75 “service fee” each time to change theirs. We will always use Ann as she doesn’t nickel and dime you.
Paula - Omaha,NE - Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
30 of 35 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Tracing family roots in Italy
Ann custom built a two week trip for my son and I tracing our family roots in Italy. It was a great experience filled with history, great food, and even some days at the beach. It was really nice working with someone who understood what it meant to me to show my son where he came from. It is a trip I will never forget!
Gino - Walpole,MA - Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
31 of 37 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Best travel agent ever!
Ann has gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis in keeping us informed about our cruise, which just canceled. She is the BEST travel agent we have ever worked with and are really upset that she is really taking a huge economic hit. When it is safe to travel we will definitely be using Ann again.
Mike - Acworth, GA - Traveled to Europe
30 of 38 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO

Certifications & Awards

asta awardbwC award
AMA Academy
AMA Academy
World Azamara Academy
World Azamara Academy
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expert
Viking Expert
Windstar Star Specialist
Windstar Star Specialist

Additional Certifications

  • Certified Travel Counselor
  • Certified River Cruise Specialist
  • Certified Italy Specialist

My Travel Stories

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Journey to Jordan, Petra, the Dead Sea and Jerash

Journey to Jordan, Petra, the Dead Sea and Jerash

This trip was an extension on my Avalon Waterways Egypt and the Nile tour. My husband and I were very spoiled to have a private tour for the four days...

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Egypt and the Nile cruise

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Secrets of the Douro River cruise

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Golden Myanmar

Golden Myanmar

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The Sicilian 10 day tour from Globus

The Sicilian 10 day tour from Globus

Sicily is my favorite place on earth!           For an island the size of the state of Vermont, Sicily is extremely diverse with varied micro c...

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The Delightful Danube -river cruise with Avalon

The Delightful Danube -river cruise with Avalon

      I adore the Danube River!           I have sailed it four times and will probably sail it many more.  There is nothing like gliding ...

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Italian Treasures, Tuscany, Cinque Terre

Italian Treasures, Tuscany, Cinque Terre

Italy is my favorite place in the world!           Each year I visit, exploring new areas and returning to others I especially enjoyed.I like ...

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The Gems of Umbria and Tuscany

The Gems of Umbria and Tuscany

  I like going off the beaten path...                If you have been to Italy once you surely visited the “big three” Rome, Florence, a...

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Meandering the Mekong River Angkor Wat to Thailand

Meandering the Mekong River Angkor Wat to Thailand

Asia is a fascinating place!       It is so different than the western world in a multitude of ways. When you visit places such as Cambodia, Viet...

Read More
Find Romance while cruising the Rhine River

Find Romance while cruising the Rhine River

     The Rhine River is considered one of the most romantic stretches of water in the world.  Cruising along past castles and vineyards is sure to...

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Incredible India -gliding the Ganges with Avalon

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"Why India?"       I was asked that question from half the people that I told I was heading there on my next adventure.  My answer was simple, I...

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Down the Danube to Dracula with Avalon Waterways

Down the Danube to Dracula with Avalon Waterways

     I adore the Danube river!           I have sailed it several times and never grow tired of the cobblestone lined streets and quaint vill...

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