22 December 19 - Sihanoukville, Cambodia

This morning we arrived in Shihanoukville, Cambodia. Also known as "Kampong Som", this is a coastal city in Cambodia and the capital of Sihanoukville Province, at the tip of an elevated peninsula in the country's south-west on the Gulf of Thailand. The city is flanked by an almost uninterrupted string of beaches along its entire coastline and coastal marshlands bordering the Ream National Park in the east. A number of thinly inhabited islands – under Sihanoukville's administration are near the city, where in recent years moderate development has helped to attract a sizable portion of Asia's individual travelers, students, and backpackers.

The city, which was named in honour of former king Norodom Sihanouk, had a population of around 89,800 people and approximately 66,700 in its urban center in 2008. Sihanoukville city encompasses the greater part of six communes of Preah Sihanoukville Province. 

Our first stop was at a local school and the children were a lot of fun. We listened as they sang for us and took pictures.

Next we visited a typical Cambodian house. . . .

We then headed out to Wat Leu Temple. . . .this was a beautiful spot with an ornate temple, monkeys and monks which made it quite a picturesque place.

The day ended with a lovely beach BBQ on an amazing beach where besides the lobster and seafood BBQ we had a few hours to swim in the magnificent beach.

21 December 19 - Day At Sea

Today was a relaxing day at sea. I slept in and then had a leisurely breakfast on my balcony while watching the sea flow by.

Then I took pictures of some of the Christmas decorations on the ship, just beautiful. They made this gigantic gingerbread village with thousands of tiny details, just amazing.

Later I went to the pool for a dip and had a slice of the pizza they make onboard.

Nice relaxing day overall.

20 December 19 - Ho Chi Minh City, (Saigon) Vietnam

Today we arrived in Hob Chi Minh City or as the locals still call it, Saigon, Vietnam. We first visited the National History Museum with their collection of exhibits tracing the cultural history of Vietnam. We also saw a water puppet performance which was fun.

We also stopped at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the French Colonial Post office as well as a photo stop at the Reunification Hall. We passed small villages and rice paddy fields. We had a buffet lunch at the famous Rex Hotel before heading off to a lacquer factory which was amazing.

Vietnam was in some aspects more modern than I expected with high rise buildings going up all over the city. I guess I still had the images of Vietnam in the movies and although some of that is still obvious, it is a changing city. There are thousands of motor bikes everywhere, they are all over the streets and are like scurrying ants causing massive traffic jams. It was however very moving to be in a city that has so much history.