In Da Nang - the wonderful “Dragon Bridge” (taken from a moving bus so pardon poor photo composition). And a typical local scene, & rice paddies on the outskirts of town.

We left the harbor at Ho Chi Minh City and immediately ran into 45mph winds and driving rain, our Captain reports 15-foot swells. So our arrival at the next port, Da Nang, is delayed. With this headwind, and especially with a (relatively) small ship, we are really ‘rockin’ and rollin’. I absolutely love being reminded that we’re on a ship & not in a hotel, but the discreetly placed barf bags on deck suggest that there are those who disagree.

Motorbikes are king in Vietnam. Literally thousands, everywhere you look.

So, after 3 days in Cambodia we departed Siem Reap, and flew to Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam, to re-join the ship. Our shore tour was to the Cu Chi tunnels, some 120+ miles of tri-level underground passageways, living quarters, etc used by the Viet Cong resistance fighters in the 60’s and early 70’s. Utterly fascinating, in an innovative, depressing sort of way.

Cambodians *love* Christmas - there are elaborate decorations everywhere. 🎄

Probably the best Angkor Wat photo I got.

Not bad for a couple of old farts.

Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu-based construction dedicated to Vishnu, built probably in the 10th century (depending on who you talk to). It gradually became a Buddhist shrine in the 12th century, as Cambodian theology shifted. Cambodia is now 96% Buddhist.

After coming all this way, we were pleased at this.

We’re here ! (Angkor Wat)

Off to Siem Reap.

Evidently a traditional Cambodian Christmas table decoration is a bag of water. (on all tables - open to explanation)

Diet Coke:

more market stuff