I’m having trouble posting photos. Many are rotated 90 degrees. Photos are uploaded to my Smugmug account here -
View my photos at: https://smithee.smugmug.com/Alaska-Cruise-2022
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Monday, July 18, 2022
Headed to Ketchikan
Relatively quiet seas today. We awoke to cloudy skies, about 15 miles west of Vancouver Island. Now headed into Queen Charlotte Sound. We should be in Alaskan waters around 2:00 am, and arrive Ketchikan 6:00 am. No excursions planned for the day. Probably just explore the town.
Edit -
Arrived Ketchikan around 5:30 am. The weather is pleasant, partly sunny, temps in the low 60’s. No excursions planned for today, so we took out time, had breakfast on the ship, then got off to wander and explore. Went down to Creek Street, the old red light district that now is souvenir shops. In fact, the whole area around the cruise docks are one giant souvenir mart. Had a beer at the Arctic Bar, then headed back to the ship. I’m having trouble adding photos. They all are rotated 90 degrees left. I’ll try uploading them to Smugmug.
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Day One on Alaska Cruise
On our way! We boarded around 1:00 pm and the ship departed Seattle at 3:30 pm. Spent some of the afternoon exploring the ship. We are currently in the Strait of San Juan de Fuca. Going to turn north and head up to the west of Vancouver Island. Hopefully the seas won’t be too rough. A few photos from today -
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Kampong Cham, On the Mekong River
Today was a 5 hour drive from our Homestay in Chambok to Kampong Cham on the Mekong River, north of Phnom Penh. Perhaps as a reward for having done the Homestay we are staying at a quite nice hotel with a beautiful view of the Mekong River.
Yesterday’s track:
A bit about the town: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampong_Cham_(city)
After a shower and some rest time, Dylan, Paul, Kenan, Herb and I met behind the hotels for a bicycle ride. It turned out to be about 20 km which, in this heat, was a task. But it was worth it. We headed to the bamboo bridge, a bridge over the Mekong made entirely of woven bamboo slats. It is at least 300 meters long. The bridge washes away each wet season and is rebuilt when the waters subside. It was a little unnerving riding a bicycle across the rattling clattering bridge.
On the other side we continued into the village. There was house after house built on stilts. The occasional cow wandered into the road. The kids were a kick. They’d see us coming and run up and yell “Hello!!!” We in turn would yell “Hello!!” back. Some would hold their hands out for a high- or low-five.
We rode past a Buddhist temple, and out into the country past corn and tobacco fields. We looped back to town on a partial dirt track, saw a herd of goats being brought in for the night. Then it was back across the bamboo bridge and back to the hotel, where we cooled down then met for dinner at the rooftop restaurant. I had shrimp and squid with vermicelli. Excellent!!!
Tomorrow, Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat temple complex.
*
Yesterday’s track:
A bit about the town: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kampong_Cham_(city)
After a shower and some rest time, Dylan, Paul, Kenan, Herb and I met behind the hotels for a bicycle ride. It turned out to be about 20 km which, in this heat, was a task. But it was worth it. We headed to the bamboo bridge, a bridge over the Mekong made entirely of woven bamboo slats. It is at least 300 meters long. The bridge washes away each wet season and is rebuilt when the waters subside. It was a little unnerving riding a bicycle across the rattling clattering bridge.
On the other side we continued into the village. There was house after house built on stilts. The occasional cow wandered into the road. The kids were a kick. They’d see us coming and run up and yell “Hello!!!” We in turn would yell “Hello!!” back. Some would hold their hands out for a high- or low-five.
We rode past a Buddhist temple, and out into the country past corn and tobacco fields. We looped back to town on a partial dirt track, saw a herd of goats being brought in for the night. Then it was back across the bamboo bridge and back to the hotel, where we cooled down then met for dinner at the rooftop restaurant. I had shrimp and squid with vermicelli. Excellent!!!
Tomorrow, Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat temple complex.
*
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Photos from Chambok
As promised, here are the photos from the Homestay. More at Smugmug - https://smithee.smugmug.com/Travel/SE-Asia
Chambok Homestay
We departed Shianoukville on a private 16-seat bus at 9:00 am Thursday, February 8, headed for a Homestay at Chambok. The ride, by private 16-seat bus, took about 5 hours. Chambok is a rural farming community of about 900 families, maybe 4,000 people spread over the entire area. Most farming centers on rice, mangos and similar crops. The area is promoting Ecotourism, with a number of Khmer stilt houses designated for Homestay. About the community: https://chambok.org
Upon arrival, we met the families we would be staying with in two houses and inspected the dogs. Pretty basic. Each room was fitted with 5 or 6 pads on the floor, covered with mosquito netting. After getting oriented, we took a stroll through the neighborhood with our guide Jae, after which we took the bus to the community center where we had an orientation talkmby a delightful young lady who works for the organization. Thereafter, she led 5 of us on a trek through the jungle to a stream and waterfall. There were huge, VW Van sized,boulders in the stream bed. Our quote told us they’d washed down last rainy season when a dam upstream failed. We got to an area where some serious scrambling over boulders was required. I opted to wait there as I didn’t want to chance a slip or twist of the ankle (I’d save that for later. More on that in a subsequent post). Reports were that the waterfall was quite impressive, with a pool where some swam at the base.
Back at the visitor center and we hung around and then were fed a meal by our hosts. After that there was a dance show put on by the local,kids. Very entertaining, and they were all so cute with big smiles. Of course, as with kids everywhere, there were a couple cut-ups in the group. After that it was back to our Homestay houses, which were next door to each other. We met, at one with the owners and the owner of the other one for questions and answers. Most people in the village attend school only up to 9th grade. Most have not traveled far from their village in their lifetimes. They asked us about our lives, whether there is farming where we come from, what it’s,like to live there.
After out get-together we all turned in. In the morning, the consensus was no one had slept very well. I’m a side sleeper and the thin pad didn’t provide much cushion for my bony hips. Paul, who,was in the bed next night greeted me in the morning with, “You’re a bloody loud bastard.” Apparently my snoring kept him awake.
We headed back to the community center for a breakfast of coffee, eggs and fried rice, after which we piled back into the bus for the 6 hour trip to Kampong Cham, on the Mekong River. Factoid – the Mekong is the longest River in Asia.
I am having trouble uploading photos to this post. I will try with a new post. Hint to self - an iPad is great, but not a substitute for a laptop.
Upon arrival, we met the families we would be staying with in two houses and inspected the dogs. Pretty basic. Each room was fitted with 5 or 6 pads on the floor, covered with mosquito netting. After getting oriented, we took a stroll through the neighborhood with our guide Jae, after which we took the bus to the community center where we had an orientation talkmby a delightful young lady who works for the organization. Thereafter, she led 5 of us on a trek through the jungle to a stream and waterfall. There were huge, VW Van sized,boulders in the stream bed. Our quote told us they’d washed down last rainy season when a dam upstream failed. We got to an area where some serious scrambling over boulders was required. I opted to wait there as I didn’t want to chance a slip or twist of the ankle (I’d save that for later. More on that in a subsequent post). Reports were that the waterfall was quite impressive, with a pool where some swam at the base.
Back at the visitor center and we hung around and then were fed a meal by our hosts. After that there was a dance show put on by the local,kids. Very entertaining, and they were all so cute with big smiles. Of course, as with kids everywhere, there were a couple cut-ups in the group. After that it was back to our Homestay houses, which were next door to each other. We met, at one with the owners and the owner of the other one for questions and answers. Most people in the village attend school only up to 9th grade. Most have not traveled far from their village in their lifetimes. They asked us about our lives, whether there is farming where we come from, what it’s,like to live there.
After out get-together we all turned in. In the morning, the consensus was no one had slept very well. I’m a side sleeper and the thin pad didn’t provide much cushion for my bony hips. Paul, who,was in the bed next night greeted me in the morning with, “You’re a bloody loud bastard.” Apparently my snoring kept him awake.
We headed back to the community center for a breakfast of coffee, eggs and fried rice, after which we piled back into the bus for the 6 hour trip to Kampong Cham, on the Mekong River. Factoid – the Mekong is the longest River in Asia.
I am having trouble uploading photos to this post. I will try with a new post. Hint to self - an iPad is great, but not a substitute for a laptop.
Friday, February 8, 2019
Shianoukville
We left Phnom Penh at 8:00 am on Tuesday February 5. The trip was by public bus and took about 6-7 hours, including stops and allowing for bad traffic. Once in Shianoukville we checked into the July Anna Guesthouse, which is about 100 yards from the beach. Unfortunately, getting to the beach was a good 10 minute walk because Chinese developers have put up high-end resorts between the guesthouse and beach. In fact, Chinese money is everywhere. They are buying the town, making everything much more expensive for the locals.
Notwithstanding the high-end resorts, there was trash everywhere. It is worse than anything I have seen in Mexico. Plastic bottles, sheets of plastic, plastic bags, construction debris, paper cups, all manner of junk and crap all over the place. It is embedded in the road bed. Very discouraging to see that there does not appear to be any concern, much less consciousness on the part of the Cambodian people about the levels of trash in their countryside. Perhaps once the Chinese finish their build-out of the town out as a luxury resort destination, the appearance will change, but at the moment it is very sad to see what should be an idyllic paradise spoiled by trash everywhere.
Next day, Wednesday, February 6, we hired a boat and went to two islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It was a traditional Cambodian boat, probably 25’ long and powered by two engines that each had a long propellor shaft and a 2 bladed propellor on the end. Our driver was Lewis, no doubt an anglicized name, and Krom, a young man of about 24 who speaks excellent Eng
First stop was Koah Chanloh, where we anchored and snorkeled off the boat. The water was pleasantly warm. There were about 6 other Native boats with tourists aboard, snorkeling and generally hanging out. After leaving Koah Chanloh, we left for a 20 minute ride to Koah Ta Kiev, where we pulled up to the shore and got off in 2’ of water.
Lewis set to making a fire while some of us played a game of frisbee in the water. Lewis and Krom worked on lunch, Krom slicing vegetables and Lewis heating a large pot of peanut oil on the fire then adding boneless chicken breasts to it. It was an excellent lunch. After more lazing on the beach, the consensus was to head back to the guest house, so we pushed off for the half hour ride back to shore.
That night 5 others and I went out to dinner at the Secret Garden, a restaurant in the beach. For a change, I decided to have fish and chips, which were excellent. Then it was back to the guesthouse and to bed as we had an early start in the morning for a Homestay in Chambok.
Notwithstanding the high-end resorts, there was trash everywhere. It is worse than anything I have seen in Mexico. Plastic bottles, sheets of plastic, plastic bags, construction debris, paper cups, all manner of junk and crap all over the place. It is embedded in the road bed. Very discouraging to see that there does not appear to be any concern, much less consciousness on the part of the Cambodian people about the levels of trash in their countryside. Perhaps once the Chinese finish their build-out of the town out as a luxury resort destination, the appearance will change, but at the moment it is very sad to see what should be an idyllic paradise spoiled by trash everywhere.
Next day, Wednesday, February 6, we hired a boat and went to two islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It was a traditional Cambodian boat, probably 25’ long and powered by two engines that each had a long propellor shaft and a 2 bladed propellor on the end. Our driver was Lewis, no doubt an anglicized name, and Krom, a young man of about 24 who speaks excellent Eng
First stop was Koah Chanloh, where we anchored and snorkeled off the boat. The water was pleasantly warm. There were about 6 other Native boats with tourists aboard, snorkeling and generally hanging out. After leaving Koah Chanloh, we left for a 20 minute ride to Koah Ta Kiev, where we pulled up to the shore and got off in 2’ of water.
Lewis set to making a fire while some of us played a game of frisbee in the water. Lewis and Krom worked on lunch, Krom slicing vegetables and Lewis heating a large pot of peanut oil on the fire then adding boneless chicken breasts to it. It was an excellent lunch. After more lazing on the beach, the consensus was to head back to the guest house, so we pushed off for the half hour ride back to shore.
That night 5 others and I went out to dinner at the Secret Garden, a restaurant in the beach. For a change, I decided to have fish and chips, which were excellent. Then it was back to the guesthouse and to bed as we had an early start in the morning for a Homestay in Chambok.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
One Minute at the Corner of Preah Ang Makhak Vann Street and Preah Sisowath Quay
The evening of February 4, I engaged in one of my favorite activities - sitting at a busy street corner - and watching the world go by. Here is a minute at the corner of Preah Ang Makhak Vann Street and Preah Sisoweth Quay in Phnom Penh. Notice something different from the Saigon video? No one is honking horns.
Reminder About Photos
A reminder. I may not be able to keep up with posts, but I am trying to upload photos daily to my Smugmug account. I’m not editing them or culling out the bad ones. Just uploading. I’ll add captions later.
The link is here: https://smithee.smugmug.com/Travel/SE-Asia/
Day 2 - Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields and S-21 Prison
This is a placeholder post where I will update with my thoughts about our visit to Choeng Ed, The Killing Fields - where 20,000 people were executed by the Khmer Rouge and buried in mass graves, and the infamous S-21 prison, where prisoners were held to extract “confessions” before they were taken to Choeng Ek to be executed.
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
First Night in Phnom Penh
We arrived at the guesthouse in Phnom Penh sometime after 4:00 pm. Got our room assignments and went to settle in. The guesthouse was basic, but with decent sized rooms . The bed was significantly more comfortable than the rock at the Blessing Saigon Hotel where I’d spent the previous night.
We regrouped in the lobby, and our guide, Jae, led us around the area to see the sights and get familiar with the area. We walked past street food stands serving up such treats as fresh water snails, chicken feet, and battered, fried frogs (whole). Jae assisted a couple in the group to exchange money and to buy Cambodian SIM cards for their phones. I’d left About 1,500,000 VND at the room so could not exchange them for $US. Maybe tomorrow. I don’t need a SIM because T-Mobile gives me unlimited texting and unlimited data.
We looped around and strolled along the waterfront along the Tonlé Sap River, which drains Tonlé Sap Lake, reportedly the 4th largest freshwater lake in SE Asia. The sun was going down and sightseeing boats were cruising the river. It was all quite beautiful.
We went to a restaurant Jae recommended, where I had a bowl of Khmer seafood curry. Tasteful, but not nearly as spicy as Thai curry can be. After that we strolled past the Royal Palace the King, I was informed, is 66 and one of the richest men in the region. Where did I go wrong? After that a few of us went in search of a bar that would open at 6:30 am so we could watch the Super Bowl. No success. Paul, Joe and Dylan stayed downtown at one of the bars that had outside seating and I made my way back to the guesthouse and bed.
We regrouped in the lobby, and our guide, Jae, led us around the area to see the sights and get familiar with the area. We walked past street food stands serving up such treats as fresh water snails, chicken feet, and battered, fried frogs (whole). Jae assisted a couple in the group to exchange money and to buy Cambodian SIM cards for their phones. I’d left About 1,500,000 VND at the room so could not exchange them for $US. Maybe tomorrow. I don’t need a SIM because T-Mobile gives me unlimited texting and unlimited data.
We looped around and strolled along the waterfront along the Tonlé Sap River, which drains Tonlé Sap Lake, reportedly the 4th largest freshwater lake in SE Asia. The sun was going down and sightseeing boats were cruising the river. It was all quite beautiful.
We went to a restaurant Jae recommended, where I had a bowl of Khmer seafood curry. Tasteful, but not nearly as spicy as Thai curry can be. After that we strolled past the Royal Palace the King, I was informed, is 66 and one of the richest men in the region. Where did I go wrong? After that a few of us went in search of a bar that would open at 6:30 am so we could watch the Super Bowl. No success. Paul, Joe and Dylan stayed downtown at one of the bars that had outside seating and I made my way back to the guesthouse and bed.
Monday, February 4, 2019
Leaving Saigon
Of course I woke up early. As in 3:30 am early. I tossed and turned and could not get back to sleep so by 4 something I turned on the light and read some. I took a shower. Brushed my teeth. Repacked my bags.
I had googled hours at Ben Tanh Market and knew they opemed at 6:30 am. So at 6:25 am I headed out to the market for breakfast. I found a stand that looked promising and ordered Pho Ca and an iced Vietnamese coffee. It was excellent!!! After breakfast, it was back to the hotel where we gathered at 7:45 am. Big bags were put in two pedicabs and then we,walked to the bus stop, We were relieved to find that the bus was a big diesel with air conditioning Ning and WiFi. It turned out, although it was designated a public bus, in reality it was a private bus with two tour groups as passengers.
We left at about 8:45 am for the 8 hour ride to Phnom Penh.
The bus ride was long, but relatively comfortable, at least until the last couple hours.
At the border, we stopped to process out of Vietnam and into Cambodia. Once in the no man’s land between the two countries, I bought a raspberry smoothie to cool me down.
Shortly after crossing into Cambodia, we stopped at a roadside restaurant. I was not hungry so got a beer instead. We noticed immediately a difference from Vietnam. The roadside was much dustier. The area is obviously poorer. There are little roadside stands selling goods along the way. Some have bottles of gasoline to sell to passing drivers. Houses are built on stilts often. Perhaps due to flooding of the Mekong River. There was a lot of litter along the roadside - plastic bottles, food wrappers, all sort of stuff.
There was some scooter traffic on the road, some hauling trailers loaded with goods. The bus would honk and they’d move over so we could pass.
We came to the Mekong. Someone said it is the 4th longest rover in the world. I believe it.
Next stop Phnom Penh Cambodia.
@
I had googled hours at Ben Tanh Market and knew they opemed at 6:30 am. So at 6:25 am I headed out to the market for breakfast. I found a stand that looked promising and ordered Pho Ca and an iced Vietnamese coffee. It was excellent!!! After breakfast, it was back to the hotel where we gathered at 7:45 am. Big bags were put in two pedicabs and then we,walked to the bus stop, We were relieved to find that the bus was a big diesel with air conditioning Ning and WiFi. It turned out, although it was designated a public bus, in reality it was a private bus with two tour groups as passengers.
We left at about 8:45 am for the 8 hour ride to Phnom Penh.
The bus ride was long, but relatively comfortable, at least until the last couple hours.
At the border, we stopped to process out of Vietnam and into Cambodia. Once in the no man’s land between the two countries, I bought a raspberry smoothie to cool me down.
Shortly after crossing into Cambodia, we stopped at a roadside restaurant. I was not hungry so got a beer instead. We noticed immediately a difference from Vietnam. The roadside was much dustier. The area is obviously poorer. There are little roadside stands selling goods along the way. Some have bottles of gasoline to sell to passing drivers. Houses are built on stilts often. Perhaps due to flooding of the Mekong River. There was a lot of litter along the roadside - plastic bottles, food wrappers, all sort of stuff.
There was some scooter traffic on the road, some hauling trailers loaded with goods. The bus would honk and they’d move over so we could pass.
We came to the Mekong. Someone said it is the 4th longest rover in the world. I believe it.
Next stop Phnom Penh Cambodia.
@
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)