After a rather somber ending to our time in Phnom Penh at the Killing Fields and S21, we unfortunately must bid goodbye to our Cambodian tour guides. These 4 have been with us since we first arrived in Siem Reap nearly a week ago. It’s been great traveling with them,…
Phnom Penh is the capital and largest city in Cambodia. Founded in 1434, the city was known as the “Pearl of Asia” for it’s beautiful French-built buildings and grand boulevards. Unfortunately it is also known for the dark, terrible past beginning with the evacuation of the city in 1975…
On Tuesday before departing Kampong Cham, the AMALotus offers a local excursion to a Buddha Garden and an orphanage. Back on board, we have lunch while the ship sails to Peam Chi Kang to visit a Buddhist Temple and Monastery. After our evening briefing and dinner, the ship arrives at…
This morning we’re leaving Siem Reap to board our new home for the next 7 nights, the AMA Lotus river boat. In the wet season the boat is able to cruise through Tonle Sap lake for embarkation about 45 minutes outside of Siem Reap. However, the monsoon rains have been…
We opt out of the first morning tours since we’ve already seen Angkor Thom, the Terrace of Elephants and the Bayon. Instead we relax at the hotel with a leisurely breakfast and some email/blog catch-up. It’s been 7 years since we were last in Siem Reap and how things have…
Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia, former capital of the Khmer empire and now gateway to the famous Angkor complex and a World Heritage Site. We’re back in a Sofitel Hotel property, this time at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra located just outside of central Siem Reap and within a short tuk-tuk…
After about a 4 hour transfer from Hanoi, we’ve arrived at the pier where we’ll board our traditional junk for an overnight on Ha Long Bay. The weather was overcast and wet when we left Hanoi and threatening to cancel our sailing. But, by the time we arrive, it’s still…
After arriving in Hanoi late Monday, we have a free day on Tuesday which we spend catching up on email and relaxing at the hotel. A short stroll outside of the hotel confirms what we experienced last night – traffic is chaotic! There seem to be cars and buses and…
It’s been a very quick 48 hours in Tokyo. We started the trip with a 3am wakeup alarm on Friday to catch a 6:30 flight to Chicago. We were in Chicago about 3 hours before boarding a 13 hour flight to Tokyo’s Narita airport. We’re traveling on a mileage award…
After 3 nights in Bermuda, we’re once again underway for 2 sea days before we reach New York City. Yesterday morning was very quiet in Hamilton in observance of Good Friday. However, we were able to find an open restaurant/pub that offered 1 hour of free internet usage. Thanks again…
