United Polaris Lounge (SFO) — A Kid’s-Eye Review
After a long day of travel, the United Polaris Lounge at SFO feels like stepping into a calm, comfortable reset button. The lounge is spacious and welcoming, with…
Trip
Southeast Asia 2026
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam. 15 posts, Feb 18, 2026 to Mar 10, 2026.
Home › Trips › Southeast Asia 2026
The route
The posts follow the family from the flight out of San Francisco to Singapore, through Thailand and Cambodia, and on to Vietnam. They also cover the lounge, the airports and the places we stayed along the way, and end with the long flight home.
- San Francisco
- Singapore
- Koh Samui, Thailand
- Koh Tao, Thailand
- Phuket airport
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Cu Chi, Vietnam
- Ba Na Hills, Vietnam
- Seoul to Seattle (flight home)
- Countries
- Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
- Posts
- 15, including 7 by the kids
- Published
- Feb 18, 2026 – Mar 10, 2026
- Flights covered
- United Polaris Lounge (SFO), Singapore Airlines A350 (SQ33), Alaska Airlines “Hawaiian” 787 (Seoul to Seattle)
- Singapore landed here
SQ33 seat and sleeping review, SQ33 food and drinks review - Koh Samui Baan Chom Tawan villa
Baan Chom Tawan villa review, The Amex villa problem - Koh Tao dive day by ferry (ferry from Koh Samui)
Abbey’s dive diary - Phuket connection (flight connection)
Koh Samui and Phuket airports - Siem Reap Angkor and Tonle Sap
Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap floating villages, Heritage Suites breakfast, Insects street food, Wildlife field report - Ho Chi Minh City side trip: Cu Chi tunnels
Side trip: the Cu Chi tunnels - Da Nang side trip: Ba Na Hills
Side trip: Ba Na Hills - Hanoi then to Seoul
Flights: United Polaris Lounge (SFO), then Singapore Airlines SQ33 out; Seoul to Seattle home.
In date order
Posts from this trip
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class (SQ33) — Food & Drinks (Kid’s-Eye Review)
For dinner I chose the beef short rib, and it was exceptionally delicious — flavorful, tender meat with cheesy mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans. I would…
Singapore Airlines A350 Business Class (SQ33) — Seat & Sleeping (Kid’s-Eye Review)
If your main goal is sleep, this seat is the best part of the flight. It’s big, feels luxurious, and turns into an incredible bed.
Amex Travel Review: Our Thailand Villa Nightmare
Travel is supposed to be exciting—an escape from routine, full of discovery and adventure. Our latest trip to Thailand started off with those hopeful emotions, but…
Abbey’s Dive Diary: Christmas Tree Worms & Mango Bay
We finally made it out to Koh Tao for our dives today, and honestly, it was worth the wait. Here’s a look at what went down beneath the surface.
Review: Baan Chom Tawan, Thailand
Baan Chom Tawan was an excellent and comfortable stay. The villa was large and beautiful, and the staff were friendly and incredible helpers—from everything from…
Lizards, Toads, and More: A Field Report from Cambodia
During our stay in Siem Reap, I observed several local wildlife species around the hotel grounds. While some were harmless, others posed potential safety risks.…
Chaos in the Air: Navigating Koh Samui and Phuket Airports
Koh Samui Airport is often described as charming because of its open-air design, but the reality of navigating it is a different story. The gates and check-in areas…
Life on the Water: The Floating Villages of Tonle Sap
Tonle Sap is one of the world’s most unique water systems. During the rainy season, the Tonle Sap river actually changes direction and flows backwards, causing the…
The Angkor Wat Exploration
Standing before the silhouette of Angkor Wat in the pre-dawn light, one cannot help but be struck by the sheer magnitude of human achievement. It is difficult to…
Breakfast at Heritage Suites: A Calming Start
During our stay at the Heritage Suites Hotel, the breakfast service stood out as a highlight of the experience. The restaurant offered a hybrid approach—combining a…
Street Food Challenge: Insects in Siem Reap
Siem Reap has plenty of incredible Khmer food, but there is also a famous street-food dare: insects. We decided to try it and report back.
Crawling Through History: The Cu Chi Tunnels
In Vietnam, there are many secret underground tunnels. These were originally built by Vietnamese forces to oppose the French colonists in the mid-20th century, then…
The Golden Bridge in the Silver Fog: Ba Na Hills
The Golden Bridge is high in the Ba Na mountains in Vietnam. It was built specifically for tourists to see the interesting architecture and breathtaking view.
The Franken-Flight: Flying Alaska’s ‘Hawaiian’ 787 (and the Size 12 Foot Problem)
Alaska Airlines recently acquired Hawaiian Airlines to jumpstart their international ambitions. The result? A fascinating hybrid experience: flying a…