Vietnam/Cambodia

Een 17-daags avontuur van Merilynn Meer informatie

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Het begin van de reis
1 november 2022
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Dag 1
dinsdag 1 november 2022 om 19:04
⛅ 17 °C
Hoogte: 1.277 m
Verenigde Staten Salt Lake City International Airport 40.788333, -111.9940°47’18” N 111°59’24” W
Salt Lake Airport
1 november 2022, Verenigde Staten ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
First leg of a very long journey- short flight to LAX, then 18 hours to Singapore, followed by the last flight to Ho Chi Minh City. It will certainly be an adventure! We're fortifying with dinner and dessert at Gourmandise.Meer informatie
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Martin VifianHave a good flight! 👍
01-11-2022Reageren
ReizigerBon voyage!
02-11-2022Reageren
ReizigerThanks. Definitely off to a good start!
02-11-2022Reageren
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Dag 1
dinsdag 1 november 2022 om 22:32
⛅ 16 °C
Hoogte: 32 m
Verenigde Staten Los Angeles International Airport 33.943333, -118.4133°56’36” N 118°24’36” W
LAX
1 november 2022, Verenigde Staten ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
On board, and belive it or not in Business Class! It's going to make all the difference on our 18 hour flight! We enjoyed a glass of champagne in the lounge and are now getting settled into our seats. Looking forward to actually getting some sleep!Meer informatie
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Dag 3
donderdag 3 november 2022 om 08:17
🌧 26 °C
Hoogte: 11 m
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport 1.351667, 103.9883331°21’6” N 103°59’18” E
Singapore Airport
3 november 2022, Singapore ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Well, I'm definitely spoiled after our wonderful flight. The upgrade was worth every penny. Arrived here feeling refreshed after a good 8 hours of sleep, delicious food and great service. The airport is very modern and offers every luxury brand imaginable. Great window shopping! Waiting for our connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh City.Meer informatie
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Dag 3
donderdag 3 november 2022 om 12:50
⛅ 28 °C
Hoogte: 10 m
Vietnam Quận Ba 10.78, 106.6910°46’48” N 106°41’24” E
Ho Chi Minh City - first full day
3 november 2022, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Arrived yesterday, checked into our hotel and spent the rest of the day relaxing and acclimating to the 13 hour time difference.
Today we did a very interesting tour of the local markets with our guide, Jecky. We met him at a nearby market, and took a bus to the colorful local wholesale markets in the "Chinatown" section. You can find literally anything you might need, and so many fruits and vegetables that I had never seen before.
The traffic here is unbelievable, hundreds of motor scooters as well as cars, busses and trucks. They all drive with one hand on the horn, so it's very chaotic and noisy. Jacky did an amazing job of getting us safely across many busy streets.
I treated myself to a wonderful 90 minute massage in the late afternoon, then at 6pm we met our Road Scholar guide and traveling companions. I think it will be a great trip.Meer informatie
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Dag 5
zaterdag 5 november 2022 om 09:17
⛅ 27 °C
Hoogte: 17 m
Vietnam Rạch Cầu Bông 10.786667, 106.70166710°47’12” N 106°42’6” E
Ho Chi Minh City - day 2
5 november 2022, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We started the day with a lecture on Vietnam history and culture at a local university, and afterwards had time to meet and talk with one of the students. It was interesting to learn how contemporary Vietnam balances a vibrant capitalist economy with a communist government.
Our next stop was the Reunification Palace, which served as the Presidential residence of South Vietnam and is now open to the public when not being used for official functions. Saigon fell in April 1975 when North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates and deposed the president.
After a delicious lunch at the Propaganda Cafe we did a walking tour of the main highlights of the city, including the main Post Office, the Rex Hotel, the Opera and City Hall. We saw an interesting balance of colonial French and modern architecture.Meer informatie
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Dag 6
zondag 6 november 2022 om 08:40
☁️ 26 °C
Hoogte: 9 m
Vietnam Vuon Tao Dan 10.775, 106.69166710°46’30” N 106°41’30” E
Day 3- Ho Chi Minh City
6 november 2022, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
We started the day with an optional walking tour. I particularly enjoyed visiting a local park and seeing how the people spend a Sunday morning. A delightful little 10 year old girl who spoke amazing English had a lovely conversation with us. Even on Sunday the streets were full of motor bikes.
After checking out of our hotel we had Pho for lunch, visited a Taoist temple, and then checked on to our river boat.Meer informatie
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Dag 7
maandag 7 november 2022 om 08:35
⛅ 26 °C
Hoogte: 7 m
Vietnam Rạch Cau Khé 10.346667, 106.3610°20’48” N 106°21’36” E
First full day on the Mekong
7 november 2022, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
We used a tender to go ashore, where we visited 2 temples in My Thou. The first was Vin Trang Pagoda Buddhist temple where we saw the monks in procession. The 2nd was a Cao Dai temple. Cao Dai is a new religion, founded approximately 100 years ago in Vietnam. It incorporates elements of most major religions, sort of like a Unitarian approach. It has only 2 precepts, Love and Justice.
Our afternoon excursion started at a huge brick and pottery factory where workers labored all day in the heat for a few dollars. It was fascinating to see them loading a huge kiln. I can't imagine how hot it must be when the kiln is fired.
We also visited a workshop where we saw them making popped rice and coconut candy.Meer informatie
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Dag 8
dinsdag 8 november 2022 om 06:28
☁️ 24 °C
Hoogte: 11 m
Vietnam Kinh Đốc Phủ Hiền 10.291667, 105.76833310°17’30” N 105°46’6” E
Day 2 on the river
8 november 2022, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
We left the boat at 6am to visit the local market at Sa Dec, where we watched the locals doing their morning shopping. Lots of fruits and vegetables, fish, live chickens, etc. One lady was skinning frogs!
We also visited "The Chinaman's House", made famous by Duras' novel "The Lover". It is one of the few remaining examples of an elegant Colonial home.
We spent rhe afternoon cruising up the Mekong, and I took advantage of the opportunity to have a relaxing foot massage on the sun deck.
At 5pm the ship docked at Chau Doc, and we went to Sam mountain, the highest point along the river, with a view of the rice paddies and the Cambodian border. We also visited the Temple of Lady Xu before returning to the ship for dinner.
After dinner we walked across the street to check out a very modern supermarket and a highly recommended ice cream shop.Meer informatie
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Dag 9
woensdag 9 november 2022 om 20:54
⛅ 26 °C
Hoogte: 5 m
Cambodja Phum Kândal Leu 11.47449, 105.14425111°28’28” N 105°8’39” E
Day 3 on the river
9 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Today we spent the whole day on the river, crossing from Vietnam into Cambodia. We were supposed to sail on to Phnom Pen, but due to the Asian Summit the river was closed and we had to dock at the container port, along with all of the other cruise ships. This means we'll have to travel by bus for our daily excursions, returning to the ship for dinner and sleeping.
Cruising on the Vietnam side we passed mainly rice paddies, while in Cambodia we saw lots of fruit orchards and Buddhist temples.
In the afternoon the chef gave a lesson on making spring rolls, followed by a tour of his kitchen.
After dinner a talented troupe of young dancers performed traditional Cambodian dances.Meer informatie
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Dag 10
donderdag 10 november 2022
⛅ 32 °C
Hoogte: Zeeniveau
Cambodja Beng Kok 11.575647, 104.91473111°34’32” N 104°54’53” E
Phnom Penh
10 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
We had a somber morning devoted to the Khmer Rouge genocide of 1975 - 1978, when 2 million Cambodians were murdered or starved to death by the Pol Pot regime. We visited the Choeung Ek killing fields where numerous mass graves were discovered. Afterwards we visited S-21, the infamous detention and interrogation center where Cambodians were forced to confess to crimes that they did not commit. It brought back memories of visiting some of the Nazi concentration camps. Only 7 people survived S-21, and one of the 2 living survivors was there, bearing witness to the atrocities that had taken place.
Cambodia had a population of 4 million prior to 1975, and only 2 million afterwards. Today the population has grown to 16 million, and everywhere you look there is new construction and signs of economic development.
We had lunch at a lovely restaurant on the riverfront, followed by a very interesting lecture and a visit to the National Museum.Meer informatie
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Dag 11
vrijdag 11 november 2022
☁️ 32 °C
Hoogte: 7 m
Cambodja Chey Chouk 10.71738, 105.09617810°43’3” N 105°5’46” E
Kampong Tralach
11 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
We took a 2.5 hour bus ride to Kampong Tralach, a rural village along the Tonle Sap River, where we rode ox carts through the village and to the local temple. Definitely not our preferred mode of transportation!! At the temple we received a blessing from one of the monks.
Lunch was at Smiling Gecko, an organization that runs a school and farm. The food was delicious and the setting very beautiful.
After lunch we stopped in Kok Chen silversmith village, which we reached by tuk tuk from the main road.
Tomorrow morning we're heading out to Siem Reap, a day earlier than planned.Meer informatie
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ReizigerFun to readyour comments on the trip. Enjoy.
12-11-2022Reageren
ReizigerThanks, Jan. It has been great.
13-11-2022Reageren
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Dag 12
zaterdag 12 november 2022
⛅ 31 °C
Hoogte: 15 m
Cambodja Kouk Tnaot 13.36147, 103.92045913°21’41” N 103°55’14” E
Onward to Siem Reap
12 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Since we were not allowed to continue the cruise due to the Asian Summit, we left the ship a day earlier than planned and traveled by bus to Siem Reap. Leaving Phnom Penh we passed many new "mega" housing developments, most financed by Chinese investors. It's hard to imagine that there are enough Cambodians who can afford to buy or rent these properties.
In the countryside, we passed rice paddies and villages with rice drying in front of f many homes.
We made a pit stop in a village that specializes in fried crickets, worms and lots of dried fruits. If you were brave enough you could also have a live tarantula crawling up your arm.
We visited a small family run silk farm in Kampong Thom, where we learned about silk production and had a delicious lunch.
I think we were all very pleased to check in to our roomy, comfortable hotel rooms, quite an upgrade from the cramped cabins on the ship. Dinner was at a restaurant run by an organization that offers culinary training to poor youth from all around Cambodia.Meer informatie
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Dag 13
zondag 13 november 2022
⛅ 29 °C
Hoogte: 4 m
Cambodja Phumĭ Chŏng Kaôh Néa 13.22531, 103.82559313°13’31” N 103°49’32” E
Siem Reap - floating village
13 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We took a small boat to visit Chong Kneas floating village, on the shores of the Tonle Sap lake. It is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The floating village has a school, a Catholic church, restaurants and a market. Most of the residents are fishermen. It was Sunday, so families were relaxing on hammocks and preparing meals.
In the afternoon we visited the Angkor national museum, where many artifacts from Angkor Wat and other temples are preserved.Meer informatie
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Dag 14
maandag 14 november 2022
⛅ 31 °C
Hoogte: 31 m
Cambodja Angkor Wat 13.412493, 103.86658713°24’45” N 103°51’60” E
Angkor Wat and Bayon Temple
14 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
We were up at 4:30 to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. It was an overcast day, so not much of a sunrise, but at least we had a few hours before the worst of the heat. We were also very lucky that the hoards of Chinese tourists have not yet returned!
The stairs up to the 3rd level were very steep, but the view from the top was worth it. There were many beautiful bas relief panels with stories of the kings and the gods.
We also visited an elementary school in a rural village outside of the city, supported by an American family foundation.
Our program ended with a visit to Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer empire, and the Bayon Temple, which is a smaller version of Angkor Wat.
We were on our own for dinner, and found a cute little Swiss restaurant with a Bernese owner/chef. The food on the trip has been very good, but we were both ready for a break from Asian food. The cervalat salad hit the spot!Meer informatie
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Dag 15
dinsdag 15 november 2022
⛅ 31 °C
Hoogte: 60 m
Cambodja Prasat Ta Prum 13.434946, 103.88955813°26’6” N 103°53’22” E
Our last day in Cambodia
15 november 2022, Cambodja ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
We started the day with a visit to the Jungle Temple, Ta Prohm. When it was discovered, it was overgrown to the point where some of the trees could no longer be removed without compromising the structures. I personally found it to be the most beautiful and interesting of the temples we visited, with the huge tree roots entwined around the stones.
Next we visited Banteay Srei temple, built of red sandstone with many intact carvings.
Our final stop was the Cambodian Landmine Museum, where we learned about the efforts of the government and various NGO's to clear the incredible number of landmines and unexploded shells that litter the country and maim adults and children. The musicians playing outside of both temples were all seriously injured by landmines. Our guide, Bill Morse, an American from California, has been working with the founder of the museum for the past 20 years, and has been instrumental in getting US government funding for their mine clearing operations.Meer informatie
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Dag 16
woensdag 16 november 2022 om 15:23
🌧 27 °C
Hoogte: 7 m
Singapore Singapore Changi Airport 1.3614, 103.9891°21’41” N 103°59’20” E
On our way home
16 november 2022, Singapore ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Had an easy flight from Siem Reap to Singapore, and now waiting for our flight to LAX.
Unfortunately, Alfred got the cold and sore throat that was going through our group, so he's really not looking forward to the pong flight.
All in all it was a very interesting trip, but we're both ready to get home and back to a normal routine. I'm sure not going to miss the heat and humidity, which was very intense the last few days in Siem Reap.Meer informatie
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Martin VifianHave a safe trip back home! Thanks for comments and pictures! 👍
16-11-2022Reageren
ReizigerThanks, Martin. I'll be very happy when I'm back in my own bed!! ☺️
16-11-2022Reageren
Martin Vifian😀👍
16-11-2022Reageren
You are a talented photographer Merilynn. Thanks for sharing your experience. We will welcome you to a nice 32 degree reprieve from the heat. 🥶 [Karen L]
16-11-2022Reageren
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Dag 16
woensdag 16 november 2022 om 20:56
🌙 17 °C
Hoogte: 29 m
Verenigde Staten Sycamore Park 33.9306, -118.401633°55’50” N 118°24’6” W
Back in LA
16 november 2022, Verenigde Staten ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Arrived back at LAX after a better than expected flight. Waited almost an hour for our luggage, then another hour for the hotel shuttle. The traffic was unreal. SO GLAD we don't live in LA!!!
Several of our group members took Covid tests at the airport and tested positive. We tested at the hotel. I was negative but Alfred was positive. Not surprised given how lousy he feels.
Now it's 11 am on the 17th, and we're waiting at the gate for our flight to SLC. Can't wait to get home!! Hoping Alfred recovers in time to enjoy Thanksgiving.Meer informatie
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Martin Vifian…all the best! And, good rest from vacation! 😀
17-11-2022Reageren
ReizigerThanks. Martin. It's good to be back home.
17-11-2022Reageren
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Dag 17
donderdag 17 november 2022 om 17:29
⛅ 2 °C
Hoogte: 1.490 m
Verenigde Staten Falconhurst 40.569002, -111.8347340°34’8” N 111°50’5” W
Home sweet home!
17 november 2022, Verenigde Staten ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C
Sure feels good to be back home. We have lots of good memories and I have hundreds of photos to sort through. Now we can relax, recuperate and start preparing for the holidays.
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ReizigerGlad you had a great trip and welcome home. It was nice to see your photos as you went along.
18-11-2022Reageren
ReizigerThanks. I'm slowly getting back to normal.
19-11-2022Reageren
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Het einde van de reis
17 november 2022