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Hi again everyone, We were very surprised after two hours up the river to reach Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. it is very clean and modern. We flew to Phnom Penh and checked into a very nice hotel. The next morning we went to a detention center where intellectual people where taken from there family and tortured by the Khumer Rouge. It was the worst thing I had ever seen. I cannot understand human beings being able to torture people so horribly. After 2 or more months or torture they were taken to work in the country, also known as the Killing Fields. Then at random, no one knows for sure, they were killed in horrible ways. Women, children and babies as well. Our guide had his father taken. It is estimated that over 3,000,000 people were killed. And still the remaining ask: Why and what for?
We next flew to Siem Reap where there are many temples. The largest temple complex in the world, Angkor Wat is there as well as many small ones. There were all built in the 12th Century. We got up at 4:30am to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat, but it was cloudy so no sunrise. There were about 3,000 people there at that hour. We went back to the hotel for breakfast and then back to the temples for the rest of the day. They were all interesting, but it was 100 with high humidity so we cut out the last two temples and went to the airport for our flight back to Saigon.
We had two days in Saigon and we just roamed around town. Went to the market, had lunch and bought a few things. Things are inexpensive here and all the ship's crew do major shopping here. We also had a two hour massage for $35.00. They really worked us over and it felt so good. Especially the feet. We met our new friends in the photos for dinner. The restaurant was run by disadvantaged families and street kids. The food was very good and it was nice to see these people get a chance at life.
Tomorrow we will leave the ship for 6 days to go to the Yunnan province in China. It will be cool and rainy. Something different and we are excited about just being with one other person and have a little control as to what we will do.
I will get back to you after that trip.
Love to all, Clarice
- comments
Vicki When also encountered early morning fog when we were a Ankor Wat. It eventually clears....almost magically. It's a pretty amazing place with the jungle reclaiming it's territory. I'll be anxious to hear about China - yet to be discovered by us!
Sue Blass You are having a trip of a lifetime. Nancy & Ed Arrieta (FRIENDS) are making a trip to Viet Nam. Maybe you can share with her. Keep enjoying and seeing the world.
Noel I agree with Vicki's assessment of Angor Wat. It's one of the most beautiful ruin I've seen. Wasn't the traffic horrendous in Saigon! Continue to enjoy.
Barb Yes, Clarice, Anghor Wat is truly amazing, isn't it? Was reminded of it when we were at Konark in India....almost too much to comprehend! Have a great time in Yunnan...hope you get to Lijiang...its a lovely city just a bit south of the place they call Shangri-la...also if its not too cold try to get up to Mosu lake area....remember it is being the most beautiful place we saw. Canit wait to hear about it!! (Judy and Marlene went there right after we returned from India!)