The Kingdom of Cambodia—arrival in Phnom Penh

 

Crossing the border on the bus left me with the uneasy excitement of new surroundings, smells, and heightened sensations and emotions. I passed the time by snapping my window's ever-changing display. Such a contrast in terrain within only a few kilometers inland from Vietnam—large trees again.

I happened to arrive in the capital city of Phnom Penh over the King's Birthday. Through past experience, I expected some sort of city wide parade/event with adorned elephants, etc. Each day I waited to little avail. Apparantly the King's Birthday isn't the nationwide

celebration I thought it might be. 

So, I spent my days bipedal, as usual. Found some great pics on my Walk-a-bouts. For a capital city, I really enjoyed Phnom Penh. Reminded me a little of South India, mixed with a little of Vietnam, and a little of Thailand. I had no idea—at one time, Cambodia's Kmer peoples had stretched through Laos, South Vietnam and most of central Vietnam, touched the China border, and had ownership over much of mid and all of South Thailand. Wowsas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Better than hackey-sack, this game is popular in both Vietnam and Cambodia. I especially liked how they kick the “ball” from behind their heads, up and over their heads in dancer-like poses. 

 

 National Museum

 

One of my last days, I ventured forth into the Palace. After seeing so many extremes in Cambodia, this place left me feeling uneasy. It's beauty and wealth is about as extreme as one can get here.

 

  

Scoot-in and Spa-in Saigon in Style

There are many different travelers out here. Some like to see many places, leaving every day or two, watching the country appear and fade through the eyelids of window shades while speeding away on wheels or rails. Some like to fly, touching more ground while spending less time in yet in more expensive transit. And still some like to stop, festering in fewer places but for longer periods of time, in order to gauge a more authentic feel within each experience. I am this type of traveler. But,. It comes with the high price of not being able to see everything I had hoped. I suppose I have always been one to choose quality over quantity, and seeing Vietnam is no exception. Henceforth, I chose to bypass the famous mountain town of Dalat and waterfalls of Bon Me Tot in order to experience quality in Ho Chi Mihn. And, I am glad I did.

Saigon's flourishing arts scene made it's first impressions on me while sleep hung my lids low in these sunrise hours. I sat in a central park amongst the refreshing movements of the public lubricating their joints with tai chi, sword and umbrella martial art lessons, and shimmying and shaking themselves alive.

I was fortunate—a friend from home enabled me to experience this wonderful city from his humble home. The opportunity to experience the “real” city life, is one not easily passed up. Especially when my friend offered me the equivalent of my own room, with my own entrance, two bathrooms, and my own living room. As if that wasn't enough—he always met me on lunch breaks or after returning from work, to swoop me up and drive me around the glory emitted from the neon lights as the city lit up at night. As if that wasn't enough—he threw me some passes for free massages at a quality place he has been attending for at least 5 years. Scootin and Spain Saigon—I couldn't think of a better way to do it!

I always loved walking around the towns I was in, finding the wares within the shops and markets.

 Vietnam's famous laquer artwork.

Lunch break for students at a city square.

Bubba Tea.

 Mugshot.

 MotoModel.

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Shrapnel Sculpture--Vietnam War Museum.

 War Plane--Vietnam War Museum.

 As close as I wanna get to a war helicopter--Vietnam War Museum.

 Vietnam War image.

 

 Tiger Cage & Vietnam War image.

  

Bikes.

  

Embassy.

 

Sailin' Shells.

On my last night, we ate dinner at a fine seafood bbq extravanagza of a place. Complete with live entertainment including karaoke, live music, flamenco dancing and yes...even ballet in high heels! What a send-off!