Disappointingly, our travel schedule was pretty gruelling and time did not permit us to visit the bear sanctuary out of Phnom Penh. Also, we were unable to visit any orphanages as the children are not ‘on show’ to the public, as it should be. There were, however, many other highlights.
Dyka, Cambodia Guide
Hong Kong was wet and cold so views from the top of Victoria Peak were minimal. Even the Peak Tram was out of action. Not to be outdone, we took a bus climbing 373 metres above the city. Weather was too miserable to even get out to see the ‘Symphony of Lights’ on every night at 8.00pm. The show combines interactive lights of 44 key buildings on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Repulse Bay was a beach playground for the wealthy, somewhere to seriously consider if you wish to stay out of the city and you have deep pockets. With only three days here, it was full on shopping time. For brides, there are whole streets comprised of just wedding gowns – confusing taste of Heaven! Passed a hotel where I saw this purple car all done up. The concierge gave permission for a photograph and explained this is a popular choice for a wedding car. The back seat for two is decorated in silver cloth. Limited time at Stanley Market but thought of all the markets yet to come.
On to Bangkok where the heat and the smells of Asia hit us. March to June is less wet but is the hottest time in terms of temperature. A good time they say to avoid the crowds but it was still busy. Just an overnight stay but managed to find a hair salon and a lovely little spot for dinner. A recurrent theme of this holiday was Beauty Salons – I found so many and freely pampered myself with facials, massages, hair do’s, manicures, pedicures, body scrubs – and I loved every minute. Engaged a tuk tuk driver who took us on a private tour. Only a short stay but filled with activity.
Started our Cambodian adventure (or Khmer as it is known by the locals) the next day with a 9 hour drive to Siem Reap. Fortunately, this was on a private air-conditioned bus. Back at our guest house after dinner, I joined in a birthday party for a one year old. We did a lot of dancing and the ladies were trying to show me how to manoeuvre my hands elegantly without feeling like I was double jointed. Cambodia has two seasons – the wet and the dry. We had the dry with daily temperatures in the high 30’s, early 40’s. There are over 250 temple ruins in the Siem Reap area with many of the most significant within the Angkor Archaeological Park just north of the city. Some are must sees including Bayon, Angkor Thom and of course the incredible Angkor Wat. Watch out for the monkeys. They tend to be a little friendly. You could happily spend a lot of time here but it was time for dinner in Pub Street and a performance by local dancers. Okay, so they can bend their bodies better than me – a mere thing of a lifetime of practise. 
Buses to everywhere including a public bus until we return to Phnom Penh past Tonle Sap Lake and via Kampong Cham. Glossing over the many many hours on the road with stops for drinks and squat toilets.
It was now we were confronted by the atrocities committed by the Pol Pot regime in S-21, a former school which became a centre for detention, interrogation, and torture. Once confessions were received and documented, detainees were then taken to the killing fields at Choeung Ek where they were blindfolded, tied and hit over the back of the neck or head until death or falling into a mass grave. The music was turned up so others couldn’t hear what was happening. Choeung Ek is only one of over 300 killing fields throughout Cambodia, a haunting reminder of a time of horror and terror of the reign of the Khmer Rouge.
It was a sombre group that met for dinner that night before catching another bus to Cham Bok for our homestay with a local family. This was the traditional mat on the floor, mosquito nets and stifling heat. No shower, one light in the room, squat toilet, communal water vat. The Ladies Community supplied us with food and the local children performed dances. Their mastery of the art at such a young age demonstrates the long hours of practise. 
Tired, as sleep was impossible, we finally arrived in Sihanoukville, a seaside resort. Oh, to swim in the South China Sea and just sit on the beach – heaven. Anything you could want is available on the beach – massage, manicure, pedicure, leg shaving with cotton thread, fruit, food, drinks, shopping – the list goes on. We relished this time and it was hard for us to leave for Ho Chi Minh City.
Another seven hour bus trip sees us in Saigon as the locals refer to Ho Chi Minh City. It is greener and cleaner than Cambodia but still as hot. Our guide says South Vietnam has two seasons – hot and hotter. We have now upgraded to our own private car and guide and upmarket accommodation. From Saigon to Can Tho (via the incredible Vinh Trang pagoda in My Tho) to the only luxury hotel in the middle of the Mekong Delta.
Our boat up the Mekong
We board a Bassac and cruise the Mekong experiencing a sampan boat, local food, floating markets, rice fields and much more before our return to Cai Be and Saigon where we leave this world and return to our own.
My experiences: Pampering oneself is great and helps the local economy; tuk tuks should be in Australia; that foot massages, comfortable chairs and drinks should be offered on our sidewalks; that we are so very lucky to live a free, stable country with clean water; that underneath we are all the same.
Sincere thanks to guides, Dyka, in Cambodia, and Lucky (Ros Jeat) who walked us through S-21 and the killing fields, and Quon in Vietnam and to all the drivers who kept us safe in a maze of traffic.
Quon, Vietnam Guide
The last photo is a quirky favourite of mine – it is a hospital in Saigon with a helipad hanging off the edge high up.
