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We travelled to Vietnam for two weeks

We travelled to Vietnam for two weeks, booking the whole trip through Lizzie at Asia Pioneer, including hotels, excursions, trips, guides and internal flights. Lizzie was so helpful and flexible, accommodating changes to our schedule until the last minute, especially as we missed our connecting flight in Dubai and arrived a day later than planned (our fault). Nothing was too much trouble, including getting my wallet back to me after I left it in the car taking us to the airport. We started in Hanoi in the North and worked our way south to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon), taking in Ha Long with its amazing sea stacks and sleeping on a boat, then to Sa Pa on the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi, with its wonderful countryside and rice terraces. Afterwards, we went to Hoi An for three days of relaxation. Hoi An probably my favourite place and three days are enough to cover it. Then onto Hue, the original capital, my least favourite place and then finally on to HMC, which was a real contrast to the North. The 3-star hotels that Lizzie picked were very good and comfortable, and the guides were very knowledgeable. I would definitely use Asia Pioneer again for future Asia trips.

Date of experience : February 08, 2023

First class service

The company did an amazing job from start to finish. Lizzie was our consultant and she designed a 15 day trip based on my wishes. The company had been recommended by friends who had used them pre-pandemic. Whilst we were in Vietnam Lizzie made herself constantly available to us via Whatsapp for any questions or problems. An airline delay made us 24hrs late so our tour was rescheduled without question. They located a lost wallet. They also made restaurant recommendations for Valentine’s Day, advised on tipping, weather and so much more. Our guides were amazing, especially Maya in the Sapa/Lao Cai area. She is from the Black H’mong tribe and could tell us in great detail how people lived in the villages. Fantastic English! I would not hesitate to use the company again. They made our trip so easy and were very flexible. Half the time we had guides, half the time we did it ourselves. I could go on forever… the local Sim card we were given as soon as we arrived, the changes that they accommodated at last minute due to a cancelled Emirates flight, the gifts Elly Do brought us from the Hanoi office, the patience of the guides who incorporated stops for a decent coffee mid-morning… You’ll have an amazing trip with them!

Date of experience : February 09, 2023

Indochina Pioneer - Highly Recommended

Just back from a fantastic 2 weeks in Cambodia & Vietnam, all organised by the fantastic Kata Tran in Indochina Pioneer. Cannot recommend them highly enough. They gave us great options from which to choose in terms of places to visit, hotels to stay in, tours to take, etc. And, they were very flexible regarding any changes we wanted to make. All guides were great - all locals with great English and very knowledgeable. 10 out of 10!

Date of experience : June 20, 2019

Indochina Pioneer are the BEST tour company ever!

Indochina Pioneer are the BEST tour company I have ever worked with. I have traveled to over 35 Countries around the World and never received the kind of service that they gave me. I went to Vietnam and Cambodia with them and everything went as smooth as silk! They listen very carefully to what you want, allowing you to make any changes along the the way. My drivers and guides were always totally professional and caring. I cannot recommend Indochina Pioneer enough, because I know you will not be disappointed.

Date of experience : April 27, 2019

Trip of a Lifetime

For about a month, I solo traveled through Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and enjoyed the most beautiful trips of my life. Although nervous of doing this trip alone, Mr. Lam Duong promised my safety came first. Each guide in each city took care of me like I was family. Everywhere I went throughout SE Asia, the guides and the locals make you feel at home. The sights are one thing, but the culture is the true beauty. I had a blast every single day knowing I was safe, and knowing that I had a full itinerary everyday. Each guide was flexible to the itinerary as well. If you are ever planning on traveling to Asia, I 100% recommend using Indochina Premier. My itinerary was fantastic, my guides took care of me, and the hotels were beautiful. Thank you again for all of your help Lam! Must See Destinations: Hoi An, Sapa, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang.

Date of experience : October 02, 2019

Enjoy the Indochina Pioneer Experience.

I have used this company twice to book a trip to Viet Nam and a 2nd trip to Viet Nam and Cambodia. I have also recommended this company to many local friends. I was so happy and pleased with meeting my agent Kata Tran. She is wonderful person, extremely organized and so trustworthy. All of the recomendations that I made to friends were also thrilled with Kata's service and the professionalism of Indochina Pioneer. Not only do they provide competitive prices but they have private drivers and guides who are locals. As a result, tourists get a local perspective from very well trained professional guides. The accomodations, food and cars were top notch. Please dont miss the Indochina Pioneer experience you will not be disappointed.

Date of experience : May 22, 2019

Unforgettable honeymoon

We were looking for an unforgettable trip for our honeymoon and thanks to Elena and Indochina Pioneer we were able to fulfill our dream. From our arrival in Hanoi until our departure on the island of Phu Quoc we have felt totally cared for and spoiled by Elena. We have made a trip of 20 days between Vietnam and Cambodia beautiful and super entertaining. We have no more than words of thanks to the 4 guides we have had throughout the trip (Antonio, Miguel, Anita and Winth), they have introduced us into their culture and made us feel like one more within the Country. Thanks Elena, we will never forget the conversations we have had and let you know the great professional you become. Thanks to your team and especially to you, for taking care of us and helping us throughout the trip

Date of experience : October 03, 2019

Our great Vietnam adventure with Indochina Pioneer

A couple of our close friends, my wife and I used Indochina Pioneer to organize our trip to Vietnam. We asked Nam Duong at Indochina Pioneer to prepare the itinerary for a two weeks tour of Vietnam. The response was prompt, we loved Nam's proposal and two weeks later we were on our way. Everything from the pickup at the airport, hotel choice, vehicles and especially the team of local guides were outstanding! We spent two weeks sightseeing and learning the history of Vietnam while visiting Saigon and Mekong delta, Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. We took millions of pictures and left with unforgettable memories of wonderful people we met during our trip. Thank you Nam and your team for getting this trip organized so well and making it completely effortless! We strongly recommend Indochina Pioneer to anybody who plans to visit Vietnam. They did absolutely superb job!

Date of experience : May 13, 2019

Awesome Agency

The tour guide was very informative and well prepared to answer all my questions. The company facilitated everything I wanted. The drivers and the tour guides they provided were extremely knowledgeable and professional. Highly recommend them to anyone.

Date of experience : May 21, 2019

2 week tour of Cambodia and Vietnam

My party of 7 friends known as Charito Family just got back from a 2 week tour of Cambodia and Vietnam, put together by Kata Tran. We had a fabulous time and was able to see the best sights in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi and even a private cruise on Halong Bay. The boutique hotels recommended by Kata and the private transport were all clean and comfortable; and we had the best guides, especially Mr Sari in Siem Reap, Snow in Hoi An, Katrina/Trang in Hanoi. They were so knowledgeable and caring- one of my group got ill and Trang accompanied him to the local hospital and translated for him and stayed till the end of the consultation. The highlights included Ben Treh plantation tour, the street food and Pho tour in Hanoi, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, cycling in old town Hoi An and Cu chi tunnels in Saigon. I was also very happy to meet Kata in person as I had been talking to her about the trip since last November. As we have not been to the places before, it was lovely to be met by guides at airports and hotels holding up a signboard with our party's name on it. Thank you Kata and the local guides for the wonderful memories. You are the best.

Wonderful trip to Vietnam and Cambodia

We traveled with Indochina Pioneer to Vietnam and Cambodia. This is my favorite way to travel...a private trip for 2.No more big group trips for us. Lam was always available. in fact, I don't think he sleeps. During the planning stages he always quickly responded even though we were probably 12 hour time difference. He customized the trip for us and easily and happily made changes we wanted . Since we had never been to this part of the world we relied on him to make a wonderful customized trip for us. He definitely delivered. We were taken care of at all parts of the trip.The trip was perfectly paced for us and we always felt well taken care of and felt safe. i like that he can customize to your abilities and budget. Because he is in Vietnam there were not all the middle people to drive up the costs.. This was an affordable customized trip for us and Indochina Pioneer gave us a trip we will never forget.I would love to go back and have him plan another trip for us to the other countries.

Date of experience : April 28, 2019

Wonderful stress free tour of Vietnam.

We had such a great holiday with Indochina Pioneer. The whole trip was so much fun and we saw and experienced so many beautiful things. Our guides were great Viet in Hanoi was superb - he spoke and understood English really well and took us to some different local places as we had discussed with him Yao in Sapa also spoke and understood good English and was really helpful on the trek Banh in Hoi An / Hue had good English and was very informative Sam in Ho Chi Minh had average English but he is so knowledgeable, helpful and easy to be with. Pascal in Cambodia was really great and took us to some great locations for different photo opportunities The hotels were also very good. Boss Legend Hanoi - great Sapa - rooms were a bit cold and we had to request a heater but much better the second night Halong Bay - a fantastic trip would have loved to have stayed for longer! Hoi An - lovely modern hotel - superb location Hue - originally we declined a room on the 9th floor which we had been told would be noisy and were given a room on floor 6 - this was dark and we were moved the next day to a balcony room on floor 8 which was perfect. Ho Chi Minh - lovely hotel and location Siem Reap - lovely hotel and pool area Overall everything Indochina Pioneer had booked for us went really smoothly and made our trip so enjoyable We have already passed your details on to several friends back in the UK who are also contemplating a trip to Vietnam I hope we will be able to use ICP services again on our future trips to Myanmar, Laos and China

Four Countries in Four Fabulous Weeks

Indochina Pioneer designed a wonderful customized itinerary including tours, drivers, guides, hotels, internal flights etc.during our January-February 2019 travels. Throughout the whole process Lam was knowledgeable, professional and responsive to our requests. We were in four countries - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand and in each we found the accommodations comfortable and the guides informative. We were met by a representative as we entered each country and they provided expedited visa service. Lam also arranged for a variety of activities in addition to the incredible sight-seeing- boat rides (including private sampan and small cruise of Halong Bay), cooking lessons, acrobatic performances,a home hosted meal etc. All these added to a memorable tour. I HIGHLY recommend Indochina Pioneer.

All excellent

All excellent. Fantastic travel agent. Helena was fantastic and very kind. A great professional. No doubt highly recommended

Date of experience : August 09, 2019

Unforgettable family trip.

Unforgettable family trip. Family trip to Vietnam and Cambodia highly recommended. Just mention problems with the language (Spanish) of some guides that made it difficult to access quality information. Mss Elena Gnuyen excellent professional, always aware of us, before, during and after our trip. Very interesting excursions, accommodations and very good programming.

Date of experience : December 01, 2019

3 days in Vietnam

We have a great trip to Hanoi and Halong Bay. They took care of us since the first minute and made a trip according to our few days available

Date of experience : November 21, 2019

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Based on 2203 reviews

The purpose of our trip to Vietnam was to see the areas where husband/father was during the Vietnam War.

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Unforgettable last minute trip in North Vietnam and Cambodia and amazing agent (Ms Cherry)! 100% recommended!

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Lucia D - New York City, NY

Great family trip.

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Deb - Melbourne, Australia

Incredible tour experience.

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Delicious Hanoi street food tour!

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Michael J -

Get toni to be your guide in hanoi.

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Victoria H -

We offer private tailor-made tours to asia, it's your holiday and you deserve the best.

Established in 2009, Asia Pioneer Travel (formerly Indochina Pioneer) has become a leading travel company focusing on private tours to high-end customers in Asia. We listen carefully to our customers to craft a unique holiday filled with fun and exciting experiences, an adventure that they would talk about for years to come!

For 14 years, Asia Pioneer has proudly created hundreds of tours and served more than 35,000 customers from around the globe.

Where Can We Take You?

Explore Thailand – the gem of Southeast Asia, best known for its incredible hospitality, rich culture, exotic wildlife, gorgeous beaches & striking temples.

Our tours are designed with highlights and unique experiences for different destinations in Vietnam. Itineraries are for suggestion and our tailor-made service is just one click away!

Cambodia tours are built by local travel specialists to offer a great travel experience with an insight into the country’s distinctive culture and history and attractive destinations.

Discover the stunning land of Laos with ancient temples, mysterious caves and impressive archaeological sites.

Our tours offer the best of Myanmar – exploring architectural masterpieces, taking on a balloon ride, visiting the most photographic sites and much more.

Explore the real Bali – home to spectacular landscapes, sacred temples, rich culture and genuinely warm Balinese.

Our Nepal tours are filled with amazing experiences of trekking, white water rafting, yoga retreat and cultural exploration. Itineraries are for suggestion and our tailor-made service is just one click away!

Three Easy Steps To Book Your Dream Vacation With Us

1. Discover

1. Discover

Browse our website for tour ideas. Send us a request and let us know what you’re looking for.

2. Customize

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Based on your request we will send you our best tour proposal. You can then get an itinerary customized to fit your preferences.

3. Book your trip

3. Book your trip

Once you’re satisfied with our customized proposal, book your chosen trip with Asia Pioneer , securely backed by ASTA .

Why travel with Asia Pioneer Travel?

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Manumission paper

Two Years a Slave in the Santa Clara Valley: Sampson Gleaves and Plim Jackson

Notes on manumission papers in the history san jose research library & archives.

Roxanne L. Nilan, History San Jose November 8, 2016

In early October 1852, James Washington Finley arrived in the Santa Clara Valley with his wife and seven children following an arduous overland journey from Missouri. With them traveled two men, perhaps unwillingly, who might otherwise have been lost to history. In a 1922 memoir by Finley’s son Newton, these two men are listed merely as “Black Sam” and “Black Plim.” (1) Within weeks of arriving, 38-year old Sam, and Plim, 34 (as “Clem”) were recorded in the California state census, again without last names, living with the Finley family near present day Campbell. For each of the two men, their recorded occupation is eye-catching: slave. (2)

Two years later, in November 1854, James Finley freed both men. The manumission papers of Sampson Gleaves and Plim Jackson, preserved today at History San Jose, are rare in California, and provide clear evidence of African-American slavery in the Gold Rush state, but they also raise questions about Sam and Plim as well as about pioneer white families like the Finleys and their neighbors in the Santa Clara Valley. (3)

Perhaps it was James’ exhaustion after six months of travel, and Margaret’s death soon after reaching Santa Clara, that resulted in his admission to Sheriff John Yontz, the 1852 census taker, that the two men were his slaves. Since it was James, not Sam or Plim, who was answering on behalf of those in his household, he could just as easily have said “laborer,” “cook,” or “servant.” More likely, his Finley and Campbell relations, now living in the Valley, had made it clear that California, notoriously admitted to the Union in 1850 as an anti-slavery state, was also notoriously irregular in determining what that meant for either slave or slave owner once they arrived in the state. In any event, Finley seemed little worried about being challenged as a slave-owner. (4)

Manumission paper

By comparison, another 1852 resident, Dr. L. H. Bascom, listed “David,” a 24-year old Kentucky-born black man with no last name, as a laborer. An 1887 recollection by Bascom’s wife, Anna Maria, mentions their 1850 purchase, in California, of a black man for $800, who stayed with them for four years. It seems that Dr. Bascom chose not to disclose David’s true status to the census taker. (5)

Having officially recorded the mens’ status as “slave,” James unknowingly had started the legal clock ticking on his “ownership.” Earlier that year, the state legislature had passed a fugitive slave law more rigorous and pro-slavery than the federal law. Between 1852 and 1855, its enforcement depended less on the merits of the case than on the peculiarities of the lawyers and judges involved, but much depended on the length of time a slave-owner had remained in California with his alleged “property.” In a state where African-Americans, slave or free, were generally unwelcome, the owner had a good chance of keeping his “slave property” if he could prove that he was a temporary resident and intended to take the slave back to a slave state, or, if he had returned South, hired agents to find and return his “property.” (6)

Finley clearly did not bring his large young family to California for a visit. Custom expected him to free Sam and Plim within a year of arriving. While the law was unclear, many California-bound slave owners also promised manumission in exchange for a worry-free trip overland, as suggested by Finley’s wording on their freedom papers, acknowledging his full “receipt of all demands … for further services” from Gleaves and Jackson. (7) Perhaps the death of Finley’s wife, his need of help (his 7 children were all under the age of 14), and doubts about making a go of this California move, were convenient excuses for waiting more than two years. And perhaps he felt little social pressure, living largely among neighbors and family from Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas.

The African American population around San Jose was small (an estimated 49 in a county population of around 8,000) and Plim and Sam had few legal options. Nevertheless, Finley, now settled and remarried, legally freed them in November 1854. (8) The two papers were witnessed by his brother, Asa Wallace Finlay, well-known in the Santa Clara Valley, and then serving as County Coroner (1853-55). (9)

Interestingly, both records were filed with the Santa Clara County recorder in November 1855, a full year after their creation, at the request of Sam and Plim. Why did they take this extra step? Had these papers been kept in the Finley home, or hidden away by Sam or Plim until that time? Were they aware of fugitive slave cases elsewhere in California where such precious documents had been stolen or destroyed by kidnappers and “slave catchers”? At least one well-reported case, in 1853, had been won by an alleged fugitive, whose freedom papers had been kept safe by a sympathetic lawyer. Someone involved understood that the 1852 California Fugitive Slave Law was clear: the burden of proof was on the accused “escaped slave.” Since African Americans did not have the right to testify in court, manumission papers were vital. (10)

In this case, the county recorder, Solomon A. Clark, was well known to both Asa and James Finley. Unlike many of Santa Clara County’s officials, Clark and Finley were not Democrats or associated with that party’s pro-slavery politicians, lawyers, and judges (including the notorious Santa Clara County Judge Joshua W. Redman) who held influential posts throughout the state. Rather, they were colleagues among the county’s small Whig party, an organization desperately trying to avoid the slavery question. To avoid any misconstructions, Clark carefully noted that James Finley was well known to him, and that Finley had freely and voluntarily executed the manumission documents. Having recorded the transaction, Clark then filed the two documents among county property records, where they would be found more than 150 years later, preserved at History San Jose among deeds and other Santa Clara County property transactions. (11)

Manumission paper

Unfortunately, the trail of Plim Jackson and Sampson Gleaves goes cold after 1855. Some information from Finley family records, however, reveals a bit of their earlier lives. James Finley’s father, Asa Finley (1769-1853) had been a successful farmer and land investor in Saline County, Missouri, and before 1819-20, in Kentucky, Plim’s birthplace. Asa Finley Sr.’s will, executed in 1853, records earlier gifts to his children to document a fair proportion to each. Regarding James, the eldest son, Asa states: “I have also given to my said son James W. Finley a negro man named Plim, valued at four hundred dollars and for which I have not taken a receipt, making the whole amount given to him three thousand two hundred & three dollars. I therefore give him nothing at this time.” (12) The 1850 US Census for Missouri (slave schedule) reveals that among seven nameless slaves owned by James W. Finley is a 32-year old man, likely Plim. Little else is known of Plim Jackson, including the source of his last name, although it is likely related to his earlier life in Kentucky. (13)

Sampson Gleaves probably took (or was given) his last name from the family name of James Finley’s mother, Esther Gleaves. Esther (1786-ca.1839), the first of three wives of Asa Finley (Sr.), came from an established Virginia slave owning family. The extended Finley and Gleaves families had settled in Kentucky and Missouri and maintained close personal, business and property connections. (14)

Sampson Gleaves and Plim Jackson might have been lost to history altogether, two men without last names. Subsequent accounts of the Finley-Campbell overland journey have leapt to the conclusion that the two men were among the teamsters and cooks “hired to help” the family during the overland journey. (15) Many local histories of pioneering white families assume that Anti-Slavery California was slave-less, and that all who headed overland did so willingly. If we could only ask Sam and Plim if they, too, saw the journey as a new beginning. How can we know who they left behind, or if other family members may have been sold for funds needed to prepare for the arduous overland journey? Without connections made between memoirs by white settlers, manumission papers, census records, and other documentation, the special nature of the Black emigrant experience is a missing piece of the Gold Rush puzzle.

(1) Finley, Newton Gleaves, “Memoirs of Travel, from Saline County, Missouri, to San Jose, California in 1852,” Oregon Genealogical Society Quarterly (Oregon Genealogical Society, 2001). Original at Bancroft Library, C-D5182. (This 1922 recollection is also available online at the “Campbells of Southwest Virginia” website (philnorf.tripod.com) as “Memoirs of Travel,” by Newton Gleaves Finley, with an introduction by Phil Norfleet.) The James Finley family was part of the Benjamin Campbell overland party, a small party of 44 made up of four related families; Benjamin, later founder of Campbell, California, was Margaret Finley’s brother. James’ brother Asa was married to another sister, Mary Jane Campbell. On the Campbells, see “Benjamin Campbell,” in Pen Pictures from The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated , Edited by H.S. Foote (Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888) 526-527. On the Finleys, see The Descendants of John Finley (?-1783) fourth generation. (accessed October 25, 2016 at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cascgs/finley/aqwg05.htm#18940 , and “John Pettis Finley,” in History of Oregon (Chicago: Pioneer Historical Publishing Co., 1922. 384-385). (2) California Census, October 12, 1852, Santa Clara County . Sam’s birthplace is recorded as Missouri, Plim’s as Kentucky. James and his wife, Margaret, were both born in Kentucky, their children all born in Missouri. (3) Certificates of Manumission, History San Jose 1997-297-1 and 1997-214-35. (4) James (1813-1865) and the children arrived around October 1; Margaret (1820-1852), ill with “mountain fever,” had been sent ahead and died near Santa Clara in late September. Both she and James, who died in 1865, are buried in Santa Clara. (5) Mrs. Bascom recalled: “It was not till spring [1850] that Doctor found a black man who could cook. He paid $800 for him. Folks said he wouldn’t stay—for, of course, he was free in California—but he did. He lived with us for four years.” M. H. Field, “Grandma Bascom’s Story of San Jose in ’49,” Overland Monthly and Out West Magazine 9:53 (May 1887) 549. (6) On fugitive slave cases and the unpredictability of court judgments, see Rudolph Lapp, Blacks in Gold Rush California (New Haven, Conn: Yale University Press, 1977) and his Archy Lee (San Francisco: Book Club of California, 1969), and William F. Franklin, “The Archy Case: The California Supreme Court Refuses to Free a Slave,” Pacific Historical Review 23 (1963) 137-154. (7) Sampson Gleaves, 1997-297- 1; Plim Jackson’s release 1997-214- 35, is similarly worded. (8) See Lapp, Blacks in Gold Rush California , and Herbert Ruffin, Uninvited Neighbors: African Americans in Silicon Valley, 1769-1990 (University of Oklahoma Press, 2014) on population figures. James married Tennessee-born Rebecca McCoy (1827-?) in May 1854. They had five children, all born in Santa Clara County: Thomas, ca. 1855; Margaret, 1857; Joseph., 1860; Rubin, 1862; and Irving, 1864. (9) Missouri-born Asa Wallace Finley (1822-1910) and Mary Jane Campbell had arrived in California in 1846 with a large overland party of some 250 wagons led by her father, William Campbell (the “Donner Party” was a splinter group). The main party’s travel was, for the most part, carefully managed and safe. On arriving in the Sacramento Valley, Asa was among several men of the party recruited by John C. Fremont, to bolster his California Battalion during the Bear Flag revolt in 1846. Asa Finley are listed in the 1852 California state census with five children, two born in California, with no servants or slaves; however, other families listed nearby include Negro “servants” listed only by their first names. By 1860, the Asa Finley family had moved on to the San Joaquin Valley. See also U.S. Census Records, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900; History of Kern County (1914) 1233. On the William Campbell wagon train, see David Campbell, “Pioneer of 1846: a sketch of the hardships endured by those who crossed the Great Plains in 1846,” Weekly Review [Porterville, CA] (July 1899. Available online, with an introduction by Phil Norfleet, at the “Campbells of Southwest Virginia” website, philnorf.tripod.com)]. (10) On the widely-reported 1854 case of the paper-less Stephen S. Hill, see Carlo M. De Farrari, “Stephen Spencer Hill, fugitive from slavery,” [Tuolomne County Historical Society] Quarterly 5:3 (1966), and Silvia Roberts, Mining for Freedom: Black History Meets the California Gold Rush (Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse, 2008) 49-54. In 1853, a free young woman in Auburn averted kidnapping because her freedom papers were filed with a sympathetic local lawyer. The much-talked about George Mitchell case occurred in April 1855. See Lapp, Blacks in Gold Rush California , and his “Negro Rights Activities in Gold Rush California,” California Historical Society Quarterly (March 1966). (11) Solomon A. Clark was born in Massachusetts in 1823. He had lived briefly in Mississippi as a youth, but returned north on coming of age. He left New York for California in 1850, where he worked as a bookkeeper and store keeper. He served as county recorder from 1853 to 1857, then maintained a successful grocery business. History of Santa Clara County, California (San Francisco: Alley, Bowen &; Co., 1881) 779-780. Clark and Asa Finley’s county service and their party affiliation is listed among County and Township Offices on pages 783-785. (12) The Descendants of Matthew Gleaves (Gleaves Family Association, 2009), available at gleavesfamily.com/letters. (13) In 1850, James is listed as owning 7 slaves ranging in age from 32 (likely Plim Jackson, who would be listed as 34 two years later in the 1852 California census) to a child of five months. Four children were under the age of 8; one or more of the children may have been related to the 26-year- old female recorded, and perhaps to one of the two men; however, while one of the children is listed as “black,” three are listed as “mulatto,” suggesting a mixed-race parentage at some point.) Two black women also are listed, first names only, as part of the family household in the 1850 Federal Census (Missouri) rather than on the slave schedule (there is no evidence that they were not slaves, but merely living in the same quarters as Finley’s family): Charlotte, 50-year old woman born in Virginia, and Georgina, 14, born in Missouri. This may be the “Charlotte,” who with a “Sampson” was inherited by Burrell Perry Jr. from Absalom Gleaves of Tennessee. Gleaves Family Records, #174 Division of estate of Absalom Gleaves, Davidson County Tennessee, March 16, 1835, Gleavesfamily.com. (14) Red Herrings: Gleaves family records reveal several men named Sam or Sampson, in Virginia and Tennessee. One individual, listed in probate records of Esther’s brother James Turk Gleaves as “Young Sampson,” is not our Sampson Gleaves of California, but appears to be another Sampson Gleaves (1826-1915) who is documented in post-Civil War federal censuses as living in nearby Christiansburg, Virginia. This man is younger, and is listed as being married in 1854 in Virginia. U.S. Federal Census records, Virginia, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and Virginia state marriage and death records. (15) Jeannette Watson, Campbell: The Orchard City (Campbell Historical Museum Association, 1999) 33.

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We had a 2.5 week tour through Vietnam with Indochina Pioneer. I initally thought Lam had a imposible task ahead of him to live up to the "rave" reviews but I can unreservedly say the accolades he attracts ,he truly deserves. The entire trip went without mishap and the indiviual guides in each location were outstanding. We have only been back a few weeks and already I am looking into what else I can see and do with Indochina Pioneer. If only all holiday travel could be as trouble-free and enjoyable as this !

Dear einnob078, The whole team at Indochina Pioneer were thrilled to read your review, especially Lam who sends you his thanks and his warmest regards. It is rewarding to read that our hard work continues to pay off. Nothing makes us happier than to hear from satisfied clients, and the fact that you wish to return to our region and take advantage of our Private Tour Services again says it all! We can assure you that the same attention will be paid to detail as it was on your first trip with us, should you choose to return. Best wishes to you and your family.

My family and I booked a 28 day trip with Indochina Pioneer travelling to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. From the very first email contact with Lam, I could tell that this was a well organised tour company. Nothing was too much trouble and I always received a response in a speedy manner. Lam even called several times to chat about the itinerary and several changes were made. I think the Australians could learn a lot about customer service from IP and I couldn’t have been happier with the service provided. Now to the trip: I can not believe that for a 28 day trip to 3 different countries that everything went according to plan. In total there were 8 flights, 2 overnight train trips and an overnight boat ride. Everything went exactly to plan and there were no issues whatsoever. At each destination the guide and driver were ready and waiting which made us feel very safe and welcomed. All the accommodation was wonderful, even though most of the hotels we stayed at were 3 or 4 stars it didn’t matter as the service and amenities had everything you ever needed. The food was great and my children have now discovered sticky rice from Laos which they love and now expect me to make at home, I just wish that I could find the rice in Australia. Our whole family had a wonderful time and the guides were brilliant. They all spoke wonderful English and were happy to adjust the tour according to our needs. They were also great with my 3 boys (aged 10, 11 & 16) who could sometimes be more than a handful, to put it mildly. We enjoyed each country and I do believe that it was a trip in a life time for myself and my family. The culture and sense of family was apparent everywhere and it is something that will stay in our memory for a very long time. The only thing that I was sad about was the fact that we had to return home. Thank you so much for an amazing and memorable holiday, we will be back and I would not dream about doing it any other way than through Indochina Pioneer. Karma, Chris, Jake, Van & Kobi

Dear Karma H, Indochina Pioneer would like to thank you for taking the time to leave such a glowing report regarding our tour services. We strive hard to ensure our Client’s vacation with us is a happy and memorable experience and feedback such yours lets us know we are continuing to achieve this. Your positive comments will certainly be passed on to the Tour guides and drivers, giving them incentive to continue as they are. Whenever you choose to return, we at Indochina Pioneer will be waiting to warmly welcome you and your wonderful family again.

My boyfriend and I were joining a group tour of southern Vietnam and Cambodia, but wanted to spend a few days in norther Vietnam prior to the group tour. After some initial research of various tour operators in Hanoi, I contacted Indochina Pioneer to arrange airport transfers, a one day tour of Hanoi, and a 2 day/1 night Halong Bay trip. My initial email to IP was answered very quickly by Kata, who would be my main contact. She was extremely helpful throughout the entire planning process and any questions, etc were addressed very quickly. I work for for a tour operator here in the U.S. dealing with clients and their travel plans, so set high standards for customer support and IP was outstanding in this respect. For the Hanoi Tour, we were able to tailor the sights to suit our particular interests, and the guide they arranged for us was excellent. I also loved the included lunch at KOTO, a restaurant that takes in street youth and trains them for positions in the hospitality industry. Halong Bay was absolutely wonderful and one of my favorite parts of our entire journey throughout SEAsia. Kata sent me several options for Halong Bay and we decided on the Indochina Junk cruise, which I would highly recommend. I even had the chance to meet Kata after our return from Halong Bay (hello Kata!). A true professional; she is a great asset to IP. We hope to return to Vietnam in a few years, specifically to see Sapa, Hoi An, and spend more time in Halong Bay, and would definitely use IP again. We had a very limited amount of time in Vietnam, so thank you IP and Kata for helping us make the most of it!

Dear LFincher, We at Indochina Pioneer would like to thank you for taking the time to leave us such positive feedback. Your comments were especially pleasing, since working in the travel industry yourself you know how important it is to have happy clients, whether arranging a few days or an entire custom made tour for them. We hope you will return to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar at some future date, and take advantage of our services again. Kata was especially pleased to hear that her efforts were rewarded, and she send you her warmest regards.

We have just returned from a 16 day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia arranged by Indochina Pioneer. We asked for 5 star hotels and travel and everything to be covered by first class guides and that is exactly what we got.The hotels were the best there are and generally excellent, the itinerary complete and the guides outstanding. They were always early at airports and our hotels, attentative and polite and saw us right through to check in at airports. We were concerned at booking directly with a Vietnamise agency from the UK but need not have been. They were responsive and helpful throughout the booking process and delivered exactly what they promised. A highlight of the holiday was the boat trip in Halong. The boat was brilliant but a word of advice - you need at least two nights to justify the road journey and to see the area properly by boat. Well done Indochina Pioneer

Dear Douglas J, Indochina Pioneer was delighted to read your favourable comments regarding the personal tour we arranged for you. Nothing is more satisfying than knowing a Client has taken the time to leave us feedback. We strive hard to maintain our reputation, and realise that booking with a Tour Company outside of your own country can be daunting. So it especially appreciated that your comments will allow others to see what we offer, and have confidence in booking our services. Thank you!

We have travelled to fair few countries but this was the first time in this region.It was a fantastic tour consisting of wonderful sights,experiences and good food with plenty of cultural exchanges.We selected IPP through the internet and from the very start Mr Lam's Inspirational charisma never faltered.there were no negatives that came up in selecting this company and do not hesitate to reccomend this organisatioin.Compliments Also to the Tour Guides and Drivers as well,they were all full of vigour and inspiration, embracing a back bending philosophy to their guests. Ron.Gomez

Dear Ron G, We at Indochina Pioneer are delighted to hear that your fist trip to Vietnam was such a resounding success. Of course this is what we aim for, and are always gratified when such honest feedback is received. We will certainly pass on your positive comments to our tour guides and drivers. Lam sends his warmest regards and hopes you will return to our region at some future date. Best wishes to you and your family.

We just returned from our three weeks in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and could not be happier with the arrangements Lam made for us. We were two couples, and wanted a five star tour. Based on the hotels, guides, cruises, etc, we got everything we asked for, at prices far more reasonable than other companies (like AK). We began and ended in HCM City, to facilitate our international travel through HKG. Using the detailed itinerary which Lam proposed to us, we were able to make modifications to suit our preferences. And wherever available, we flew business class between cities - private airport lounges and special transport to and from planes, makes the small extra cost well worth the expense. The cruise on HaLong Bay was a magical. Watching the monks receive alms, before dawn in Luang Prabang Laos, and the floating fishing village outside Siem Reap Cambodia, were my highlights. But so many memories. Given the US history in SE Asia, I wasn't sure how we would be received. So I was more than pleasantly surprised at how friendly virtually everyone was. If we had it to do over, we would hire Indochine Pioneer without hesitation. They have truly earned all their favorable reviews.

We are grateful for your review jmt1009, I am glad we won this chance to offer our service to you and your group, and got thrilled to see you enjoyed the trip day by day. We are really keen to hear how our travelers embrace their memories about the destinations they visited and discovered! As I feel you are in love with Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, I do hope that our team will have a chance to welcome you back for more authentic discoveries. We wish you and other member of your group a healthy, prosperous and successful Year of Snake 2013! Thank you!

comscore

Web pioneer has travelled a long way to Stanford

Wild geese stuart coulson, mentor, lecturer and vineyard owner, palo alto, california: after revolutionising the travel business….

WILD GEESE Stuart Coulson, mentor, lecturer and vineyard owner, Palo Alto, California: After revolutionising the travel business in the 1990s, an Irish entrepreneur has stayed in the start-up culture while growing grapes in California

STUART Coulson was one of Ireland’s first internet millionaires and a minor celebrity after selling his online travel business for €40 million in 2000.

These days you’ll find him growing grapes in California wine country or giving a helping hand to the elite students of Stanford University as he enjoys the fruits of his early labour.

If you have ever used the internet to book a flight, then you are familiar with Coulson’s work. It was he and a colleague who pioneered the travel industry revolution in the mid-1990s with his company Gradient Solutions.

They created a one-stop shop where you could book your flights, hotels and compare prices without having to speak to a travel agent, something we now take for granted.

“That went pretty well,” he said. “We weren’t a typical dotcom in that we charged customers for a product and made money.”

In August 2000, the company was bought by Sabre for €40 million.

Coulson was featured on the front page of The Irish Times as the country marvelled at the growing prospects for wealth the internet was creating.

“After that, I took some time off to be a recovering entrepreneur and ended up in Switzerland,” he said. “That’s when I did my MBA and pottered about with other things, like business angel networking, but that didn’t go down particularly well at the time.”

Having tried his hand at different ventures and having done a little travelling, he decided to move to Palo Alto, a city in the heart of Silicon Valley, nestled in the conurbation between San Francisco and San José.

He bought a vineyard in California’s Russian River Valley and, unlike many entrepreneurs who enter viticulture, he insists it’s not a mere hobby.

“It’s a regular rectangular piece of land and I sell grapes to four winemakers, all of whom are critically acclaimed,” he said.

Besides grape growing, he spends some of his time as an angel investor, focusing on companies in traditional markets using technology to reinvent how they work. He’s dabbled with an electric car company, women’s clothing, food and irrigation.

But his passion is working at Stanford University, an innovation hub that churns out a new crop of world leaders in a vast range of fields every year. Coulson offers a course titled Design for Extreme Affordability at the Institute of Design, or the d.sch ool.

The Wall Street Journal recently declared that prospective entrepreneurs should ignore business courses and choose the d.sch ool instead.

“We teach a process called design thinking,” said Coulson. “It’s about codifying innovation and teaching people to innovate at will. It enhances the eureka moment, allowing you to study a system or demographic and know a potential customer base, define a problem in detail based on interaction with end users and spend time searching for the right solutions.”

One motto of the school is: Fail early, fail often and end up with a better result.

“You don’t get married to the first idea you have,” explained Coulson. “That methodology is applied to all sorts of domains. Leadership, business, web apps, mobile apps, etc. We have courses every term in lots of different areas.”

The d-school is also working hard to alleviate poverty in developing economies. Every year, it sends students to work in impoverished areas, identifying the needs of some of the world’s poorest communities and using their innovation skills to develop products that can help.

Among their creations has been a low-cost baby incubator, improvements in water storage and irrigation systems, breathing devices and a bracing mechanism to treat clubfoot.

Last November a Stanford alumnus gave $150 million to enhance the Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies.

Coulson said: “We are looking at recreating the innovation hub that we run in Stanford in 20 different economies. Places like Ghana and Myanmar. The hub will service local entrepreneurs who we have identified and it will also be a base for student teams from Stanford travelling for longer projects.

“The faculty will have a place to land to disseminate education. People can give courses or training or mentoring in the same way we do here at the d-school.”

Having worked in Ireland, Europe and America, Coulson has been struck by the contrasting business cultures and believes there is a lot to be learned from Silicon Valley.

“The business community here is more open and so your chances of starting a company and meeting somebody in a position to help is much higher,” he said. “There are fewer people rolling up the ladder when they get up it.

“People are willing to share more. There is a sense that if you accomplish something in Ireland, you must protect it and keep it secret. That doesn’t happen over here. If you invent something here, you get it out to as many people as possible. The way you protect it is to get there first and do it as quickly as possible.”

It is often said that Silicon Valley embraces failure. Not true, according to Coulson. “But it is much better tolerated,” he adds. “People are less risk averse and are willing to try stuff on the entrepreneurship side and finance side. Part of that is there is not as much to lose in terms of your reputation if it doesn’t work out.”

He also believes that students should be giving greater consideration to the commercial potential of their work. In Stanford, many students see their masters or PhD projects as commercial enterprises – their dissertations a start-up business plan.

He added: “Students need to take a chance as a start-up rather than working within an established company where the chances of being a significant part are much smaller.”

“Being an entrepreneur requires taking risks,” he said. “So go and take a risk.”

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The purpose of our trip to Vietnam was to see the areas where husband/father was during the Vietnam War.

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Unforgettable last minute trip in North Vietnam and Cambodia and amazing agent (Ms Cherry)! 100% recommended!

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COMMENTS

  1. Asia Pioneer Travel

    Established in 2009, Asia Pioneer Travel (formerly Indochina Pioneer) has become a leading travel company focusing on private tours to high-end customers in Asia.We listen carefully to our customers to craft a unique holiday filled with fun and exciting experiences, an adventure that they would talk about for years to come!

  2. Asia Pioneer Travel

    About. Step into a world of bespoke adventures with Asia Pioneer Travel Co., Ltd (formerly Indochina Pioneer Co., Ltd). As a vibrant International Tour Operator, we unlock the hidden treasures of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and beyond, while crafting tailor-made package tours according to your wildest dreams.

  3. About Asia Pioneer Travel

    Asia Pioneer Travel. Established in 2009, Asia Pioneer Travel (formerly Indochina Pioneer) has become one of the most trusted travel company focusing on providing private tours to high-end travelers in Asia. We listen carefully to our customers to craft a unique holiday filled with fun and exciting experiences, an adventure that they would tell ...

  4. Definitely recommend Indochina Pioneer!!!

    My husband and I travelled for nearly two months throughout Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Our trip was arranged by Indochina Pioneers, a travel agency operating out of Hanoi, specializing in custom-designed tours. Our consultant, Mr. Quyen "Quinny" Le, was the essence of professionalism in arranging our tour.

  5. Indochina Pioneer

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    Indochina Pioneer offers Personalized Tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and beyond, designed for families, couples, friends, and private groups. Our travel experts will create a fantastic & unique itinerary, picking the best options for your dream vacation.

  9. FAQs: Travel in Vietnam

    These tours are specifically designed for you to learn about the history of Vietnam and Indochina, at the same time discovering the fascinating culture and traditions of the people. Bali Tours Explore the real Bali - home to spectacular landscapes, sacred temples, rich culture and genuinely warm Balinese.

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    Indochina Pioneer Tours, Hanoi, Vietnam. 5 likes. Only with around $120/day for your Private trip of a lifetime in Vietnam and Indochina, offered and taken care of by Vietnamese Travel Experts. Book Now!

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    Asia Pioneer Travel - Formerly Indochina Pioneer, Hanoi, Vietnam. 3,049 likes · 15 talking about this · 40 were here. Asia Pioneer Travel (Formerly Indochina Pioneer) offers Private Package Tours to...

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  13. Asia Pioneer Travel

    Asia Pioneer Travel | 324 followers on LinkedIn. Formerly Indochina Pioneer. OFFERING PERSONALIZED TOURS IN VIETNAM, CAMBODIA, LAOS, THAILAND, MYANMAR, BALI & MORE. | It's YOUR HOLIDAY, and you deserve the best! Asia Pioneer Travel offers Private Package Tours to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Bali, Myanmar, Nepal and beyond. Our tours are exclusively designed for families, couples ...

  14. Quality Assurance Travel

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  15. Two Years a Slave in the Santa Clara Valley: Sampson Gleaves and Plim

    Perhaps it was James' exhaustion after six months of travel, and Margaret's death soon after reaching Santa Clara, that resulted in his admission to Sheriff John Yontz, the 1852 census taker, that the two men were his slaves. ... 1233. On the William Campbell wagon train, see David Campbell, "Pioneer of 1846: a sketch of the hardships ...

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  17. Indochina Pioneer

    Asia Pioneer Travel: Indochina Pioneer - See 613 traveler reviews, 753 candid photos, and great deals for Hanoi, Vietnam, at Tripadvisor.

  18. Web pioneer has travelled a long way to Stanford

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  19. Vietnam Tours and Asia Adventures

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