FEBRUARY
January 31 - February 21 2015
BY THE NUMBERS
Number of countries: 4
Number of flights: 5 Total Hours 22.75 Total Miles 10,401
HOURS MILES
LA to Hong Kong 15.00 7,236
Hong Kong to Singapore 4.00 1,612
Singapore to Bangkok 2.25 882
Bangkok to Siem Reap 1.00 226
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh 0.50 445
Number of canal boats - 1 Bangkok
Number of elephant rides- 1 Bangkok
Number of sampans: 8
Number of tuk tuks: 7
Number of cyclo or rickshaws: 3
Number of photos: 5,855
Number of hotel rooms: 21
Click here for our flight from LA to Hong Kong to Singapore
SINGAPORE
Click here for our itinerary.
We stayed at the Rendezvous for 5 nights. We have a friend who is working in Singapore so it was fun to get together and S was a great tour guide.
Click on the links below to see our day by day sights.
Day 1
Everyone and everywhere was gearing up chinese New Year, the year of the goat/sheep.
Day 2 click on photo for larger view.
Day 3 click on photo for larger view of Clarke Quay.
Day 4 included a visit to Raffles, the iconic bar.
Day 5
Click here for a tour of the Arab District.
Click here for larger views of these murals in the Arab district.
Click here for more details about Changi.
Some more sights around Singapore.
CHIJMES
St. Joseph's Church
Gardens by the Bay. Click here for more photos.
AND having Suzanne as our own tour guide.
Singapore's famous chili crab!
Food! Click here for what we ate!!! BTW this is pronounced goo-ey duck!
BANGKOK THAILAND
February 5 flight from Singapore to Bangkok Thailand.
InterContinental Bangkok 4 nights - this was booked as part of the Mekong river cruise but only eight of us are here, they rest will join us on board.
Click on links below for daily activities.
Day 1 around our hotel.
Click here for more details about the altars around Bangkok.
Day 2 River Kwai, World War II, elephants and tigers!
Day 3 - First day of Avalon, Reclining Buddha, Grand Palace, Canal ride, lunch, pool time, Chinatown
Click here for a detailed visit to Wat Pho.
More Chinatown
Day 4 - Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-In summer palace, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol,, Wat Maha That, lunch
Click on the links below for more detailed postings.
Markets
Canal ride
Signs
Highlight definitely was the children who followed us around.
Cruising: Phnom Penh
BY THE NUMBERS
Number of countries: 4
Number of flights: 5 Total Hours 22.75 Total Miles 10,401
HOURS MILES
LA to Hong Kong 15.00 7,236
Hong Kong to Singapore 4.00 1,612
Singapore to Bangkok 2.25 882
Bangkok to Siem Reap 1.00 226
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh 0.50 445
Number of canal boats - 1 Bangkok
Number of elephant rides- 1 Bangkok
Number of sampans: 8
Number of tuk tuks: 7
Number of cyclo or rickshaws: 3
Number of photos: 5,855
Number of hotel rooms: 21
Click here for our flight from LA to Hong Kong to Singapore
SINGAPORE
Click here for our itinerary.
We stayed at the Rendezvous for 5 nights. We have a friend who is working in Singapore so it was fun to get together and S was a great tour guide.
Click on the links below to see our day by day sights.
Day 1
Everyone and everywhere was gearing up chinese New Year, the year of the goat/sheep.
Day 2 click on photo for larger view.
Day 3 click on photo for larger view of Clarke Quay.
Day 4 included a visit to Raffles, the iconic bar.
Day 5
Click here for a tour of the Arab District.
Click here for larger views of these murals in the Arab district.
Click here for more details about Changi.
Some more sights around Singapore.
CHIJMES
St. Joseph's Church
Gardens by the Bay. Click here for more photos.
AND having Suzanne as our own tour guide.
Singapore's famous chili crab!
Food! Click here for what we ate!!! BTW this is pronounced goo-ey duck!
BANGKOK THAILAND
February 5 flight from Singapore to Bangkok Thailand.
InterContinental Bangkok 4 nights - this was booked as part of the Mekong river cruise but only eight of us are here, they rest will join us on board.
Click on links below for daily activities.
Day 1 around our hotel.
Click here for more details about the altars around Bangkok.
Day 2 River Kwai, World War II, elephants and tigers!
Day 3 - First day of Avalon, Reclining Buddha, Grand Palace, Canal ride, lunch, pool time, Chinatown
Click here for a detailed visit to Wat Pho.
More Chinatown
Day 4 - Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-In summer palace, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol,, Wat Maha That, lunch
Click on the links below for more detailed postings.
Markets
Canal ride
Signs
MEKONG RIVER CRUISE
Bangkok to Siem Reap CAMBODIA
Number of cities/towns: 11
The Bangkok Gang flying to Siem Reap
Changing their money.
Arriving in Siem Reap we meet Phiem, our tour director and absolutely one of the best we have ever had.
We stayed at the Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa for 3 nights.
Day 1 - Bangkok to Siem Reap, fish massage, market
Day 2 - Angkor Wat, more temples, lunch, dinner, dancers, monks
Day 3 - more Angkor temples, lunch, markets, massages and dancers.
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh CAMBODIA
We fly, because the river level is too low at this time of year, from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh for our first day aboard the Avalon Siem Reap.
Tour director and guide making sure our luggage gets on board for Phnom Penh.
Avalon 7 nights
The ship features 18 suites, each 245 square feet in size with the line’s Open-Air Balconies, and will cruise the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap and vice versa, as water levels allow.
Boarding!
Once aboard we depart and we cruise back up the river so we don't miss anything by flying here.
Cruising: Kampong Tralach–Konpong Louang–Prek Bang Kong
Bangkok to Siem Reap CAMBODIA
Number of cities/towns: 11
The Bangkok Gang flying to Siem Reap
Changing their money.
Arriving in Siem Reap we meet Phiem, our tour director and absolutely one of the best we have ever had.
We stayed at the Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa for 3 nights.
Day 1 - Bangkok to Siem Reap, fish massage, market
Day 2 - Angkor Wat, more temples, lunch, dinner, dancers, monks
Day 3 - more Angkor temples, lunch, markets, massages and dancers.
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh CAMBODIA
We fly, because the river level is too low at this time of year, from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh for our first day aboard the Avalon Siem Reap.
Tour director and guide making sure our luggage gets on board for Phnom Penh.
MS Avalon Siem Reap
The ship features 18 suites, each 245 square feet in size with the line’s Open-Air Balconies, and will cruise the Mekong from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap and vice versa, as water levels allow.
Boarding!
Once aboard we depart and we cruise back up the river so we don't miss anything by flying here.
Cruising: Kampong Tralach–Konpong Louang–Prek Bang Kong
Quite the view when we awake.
Disembarking for our walking tour of Prek Bang Kong.
Cruising: Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban VALENTINE'S DAY
This morning, visit WAT HANCHEY, a temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a TRADITIONAL WATER BLESSING given by local monks. After lunch, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here you will see traditional Khmer houses and visit a LOCAL SCHOOL. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wat Hanchey photos and details.
Disembarking for our walking tour of Prek Bang Kong.
Cruising: Wat Hanchey–Angkor Ban VALENTINE'S DAY
This morning, visit WAT HANCHEY, a temple dating back to the 8th century and the Chenla Empire. Located on a hilltop, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area and partake in a TRADITIONAL WATER BLESSING given by local monks. After lunch, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through the rural village of Angkor Ban. Here you will see traditional Khmer houses and visit a LOCAL SCHOOL. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Wat Hanchey photos and details.
Angkor Ban
Day 10 Phnom Penh City Tour
The capital city of Phnom Penh retains its French charm to this day. This morning, your sightseeing tour by private cyclo includes visits to the ROYAL PALACE with the spectacular SILVER PAGODA and the NATIONAL MUSEUM, featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city. Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will put on a SHOW featuring local song and dance. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Royal Palace
National Museum
An evening out on our own.
Day 11
Killing Fields where over 200,000 people were killed by the Khmer Rouge.
Chau Doc
Day 13 Sa Dec-Cai Be
Click here to visit The Lover's house.
More photos of the market.
Click here to visit the market in the afternoon.
The crew, seeing us off.
InterContinental Asiana Saigon 2 nights
We head out on a walking tour. It is Chinese New Year so it is very quiet.
Lunch is a cooking class.
War Remnants and Reunification Palace - learning their history is very sobering.
Day 2 Cu chi tunnels and free afternoon.
Click here to see the cathedral.
Farewell Dinner
On our last day we arranged for a late checkout. Tonight we fly to Sydney Australia!!
We head out early to see the holiday flower market.
The capital city of Phnom Penh retains its French charm to this day. This morning, your sightseeing tour by private cyclo includes visits to the ROYAL PALACE with the spectacular SILVER PAGODA and the NATIONAL MUSEUM, featuring an outstanding display of Khmer artifacts. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore the city. Just before dinner, children from a local orphanage will put on a SHOW featuring local song and dance. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Royal Palace
National Museum
Afternoon to ourselves so we set out to explore the city. Click here to explore the Night Market.
An evening out on our own.
Killing Fields where over 200,000 people were killed by the Khmer Rouge.
VIETNAM
Day 12 Sailing across the border into Vietnam and a ride along the canal to Chau Doc.Chau Doc
Day 13 Sa Dec-Cai Be
Click here to visit The Lover's house.
More photos of the market.
Click here to visit the market in the afternoon.
The crew, seeing us off.
Ho Chi Minh
InterContinental Asiana Saigon 2 nights
We head out on a walking tour. It is Chinese New Year so it is very quiet.
Lunch is a cooking class.
War Remnants and Reunification Palace - learning their history is very sobering.
Day 2 Cu chi tunnels and free afternoon.
Click here to see the cathedral.
Farewell Dinner
On our last day we arranged for a late checkout. Tonight we fly to Sydney Australia!!
We head out early to see the holiday flower market.