Author: Matt Lobas

Another morning in Cambodia. We were able to observe some monks coming down to our vessel and pick up breakfast.

We, of course, had a hurry up and wait.

Then we went to land and waited again as we were oriented by Soken, our guide.

First the Buddha welcoming us to the town.

Then another graveyard for the families on the island.

Then the gate to the village.

From there we saw young children shelling peanuts.

Here is a home over 100 years old.

The Princess and GOAT visited and had to remove their shoes. Oh my Buddha! They kept their socks on.

Here is the Husband and the Influencer looking at property for the international kids camp they are considering building.

Cows mean you have money. A bull is worth about $40,000. The more cows, the richer you are.

Then some other vegetables.

Finally as we were leaving we identified the year we were born and what the animal of that year was. I was born in the year of the rat.

Here is our vessel waiting for us. Beer and air conditioning is in our immediate future!

The view from our stateroom on the river.

We went to an 800 year old temple for our afternoon tour. It is Wat Nokur.

One of the customs is people who are going to get married come to the temple months before their wedding and have over 1,000 pictures taken. Here are three couples we met at the temple.

Then we went to the bamboo bridge. They build it out of real bamboo every December. Then tear it down in May because of the monsoon rains.

Going through town we saw an ad for a dentist. Perhaps Tank wants to come back and work.

Then it was back to the bus and home.

Then it was the captains cocktail party and thank you to the crew.

My favorite server. Jackie Chan.

What a great cruise. See you soon.

Today was going to be a special day. We started off with a dance off to get ready for transfer. No gitty up and wait. This was wait and dance.

Our first stop was Silk Island. 80 percent of the 10,000 people who live on the island are engaged in the silk business. As we walked to the first stop we saw many more of those tombs where people leave the ashes of their loved ones.

Then we walked for a while and came across the local 7 11.

We also walked through a local market.

Then we came to the school we were visiting. Here is our guide and the school headmaster.

Here is the school.

Here they are singing to us.

Here is captain at a table with a student. She is 12. She spoke English and wanted to practice!

Here is the Princess with a student.

Check out this video.

From there we walked to the silk community. Some local people.

Here is the silk factory.

Here are the steps on silk production.

From there we walked back to the boat and saw field after field. Here is a taro field.

Then back on the boat. Note the OSHA approved loading dock.

Upon boarding we had a lecture on the history of Cambodia.

Then a demo on how to use a Cambodian scarf.

Here we are getting ready at our nightly cocktail party. They are discussing all the trips we can take.

Some kids who want to join us.

Some of the crew.

And here is our ship manager cleaning the area outside the vessel to give us the best view of the shore.

We ended the night with a talent show by the staff.

Until the morning folks. Princess said it was her best day ever on a AMA cruise.

Yesterday I discussed the political upheaval and killing that went on in Cambodia. This occurred in 1975 to 1979. It was called pol pot. It stood for political potential. We in America know it as the killing fields.

This morning Mikey does what he does every day. What a great service to get clean clothes every day. Something to take back to America.

Then our morning gitty up and wait.

Today we are on the green bus.

Here is our new guide. His name is Tek.

During our bus ride we stopped at a Happy Room for those that needed to use it before reaching the monastery. At the stop they were selling some silk worms and crickets done in the Kentucky fried chicken style.

Tek told us about being a monk. There are over 5,000 monasteries in the country. All boys need to spend one year as a monk. There they study Buddhism. Buddhism started about 500 years before Christ.

There are about 77,000 monks in the country. Buddha means enlightenment. Pain and suffering is the result of selfish desire. You eliminate selfish desire and you eliminate pain and suffering.

Here is the building where the monks greet visitors.

Here is the Princess and the Captain. She told me I don’t have to be a monk! I was happy!

There are ten steps to achieve full enlightenment in Buddhism. The first five steps are practicing no stealing, no killing, no lies, no adultery, and no intoxication. You need to live by this five to be a first level Buddhist.

Here are the ladies posing by the temple.

Then we went in and saw the Buddha and the monks.

Here are the monks.

Here are the monks doing a chant which is a blessing to us.

Here is the Princess and me with the monks. It is the closest I will ever get to being one.

Outside you could see the grounds of the monastery.

As we watched the monks went to lunch. They are allowed to eat twice a day. Breakfast and lunch. If you are late, after noon for lunch, you have to wait until the next day for your next meal.

Here is the head of the monastery and his home.

Another Buddha at the end of the garden.

Then as we were leaving here was a statue of a lady who saved Buddha from evil, symbolised by the crock.

After lunch and a two hour power rest, we ventured out into the city on a Tuk Tuk.

If you have never been on a Tuk Tuk, here you go.

Then we went to another hill, 90 steps, and some beautiful Buddhas.

For dinner Marky Mark arranged for us to go to a restaurant in town. It was called Wild. They served drinks, I had a James Bond, and many kinds of spring rolls. Here is the group at dinner.

Then it was on to the highest point in town. The Sky Bar!

Finally we took a night to in the city via Tuk Tuk.

It was a great day and the evening made it special.

See you in the morning.

Today we skipped the normal ham and cheese omelet, and went for the AMA version of waffles. I was going to share a picture, but I was so hungry I ate them and forgot. Tomorrow.

We are now in Phnom Penh. Here is a map of the city.

Today’s morning tour started with our normal gitty up and wait.

Getting on the bus we met our tour guide Sokun. We had him for a morning and are excited if we can stay with him for the next few days. He is fantastic and speaks better English than me.

First stop was the royal palace.

Here is the palace. Compare this to the presidential palace in Vietnam.

This is where the king lives.

This is an urn where the ashes of former kings are stored.

Other buildings on the property.

As we left the palace we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the property. But now it was on to the national museum.

At the entrance were a group playing traditional music. Here is a sample for you.

So we left the museum and had lunch and a short, and I mean short time for a nap. Then it was back on the bus for a visit to the killing fields and the museum.

Here we go. Gitty up and wait.

Some of the many statues of Buddha from before Christ to the 12th century.

Then it was back to the vessel for lunch and a short nap. Then it was on to our afternoon tours. First stop was to be the killing fields around the city.

Here is the entrance to one of the many killing fields. Over 400 in Cambodia.

I do not believe in taking pictures of the graves or sites here. I will only relate it is a deeply moving experience. It reminded me of places we visited in Europe and Rwanda.

After a visit, walk and prayer we went on to a school that was used as a prison for Cambodians during this period.

While there we saw a picture of seven men who survived the torture and beatings. Here is their picture.

He was at the museum today. He is one of only two survivors left. He is 94 and shared his story with us.

Another moving few hours. Their philosophy is forgive but never forget.

Now it was time to eat. I tried to get the crew to taste some street food but no takers.

Back on the vessel, we were planning dinner in the chefs table. Our invite is above.

Here is the menu.

Before dinner a group of young adults entertained us. Enjoy the video.

Then dinner with our group. Our favorite waiter was there.

Good night to all.

Today is a special day. Mikey is celebrating his birthday. Here he is with the GOAT.

For breakfast you have a choice. Traditional Vietnamese Pho.

And American.

Then it was time to practice our hurry up and waiting. We were preparing for the rickshaw ride through the city of Tan Chau.

Here is the princess getting into her carriage.

The last member of the crew to introduce. Her name is sticky rice.

For those of you that have not been on Tan Chau and been on a rickshaw join me for this ride.

Here are some pics of what we saw.

First stop was the silk factory.

I wanted to point out this place. You start to look for them everywhere you stop.

Then it was time for another rickshaw ride. Here you go.

Then we visited a sleeping mat factory. I also wanted to share two future tour guides we met in the factory.

Then it was on to evergreen island. That is where 1,000 people grow fruits and vegetables for the city.

The three biggest exports from Vietnam are cashews, latex and rice. The biggest illegal

import is tobacco. 95 percent of the men over 45 still smoke.

On the island we visited a Vietnam was vet who lives with three generations of his family. He fought with Americans and loves us.

Saying good by to his house.

To end our excursions into the sights, sounds and smells the Princess and I had a photo on the river.

We are now preparing for cocktails. Tank says all they want from Americans is our dong. Dong is the Vietnamese currency. 26,000 dong is equal to $1.00. What a country!

Here is the gang having our nightly cocktail party.

Then the Hyde’s and Lobas were invited to have cocktails and dinner with the Hotel Manager and Cruise Director. This is because this was our fourth AMA trip.

Until tomorrow.

Good night.

An incredible breakfast awaited us on our first morning.

As I stumbled from the breakfast room who do I see but Marky Mark doing his morning stretch.

Then we practiced hurrying and waiting again. But this time we did it on a small boat which is the way you get from our vessel to the shore. This is our boat and the crew is waving at the Captains command.

You always get a briefing by your tour guide.

As we float by we see the local towns and businesses. This us to be a floating market but it is now gone and the market is on land.

Then we disembark and walk through the town to our stop. Venice on the MeKong.

We passed a local “Safeway.” Not a big selection.

Here is a historical place we are to visit.

This is an altar to the previous four generations that occupied the house. Something we do not do in America.

The furniture is all original from the 19th century.

Then a walk through the garden.

Then as we walked back to our boat we saw a group clearing a local graveyard to venerate their grandparents. Again something we don’t do.

During our trip to the next stop we saw other villages and a beautiful Catholic Church.

The next place we visited was a rice factory. Here they first demonstrated how to clean a coconut. Why coconuts in a rice factory you ask. So did I!

Then they made rice paper.

Then they put the rice paper in the sun to dry it.

Then they popped rice.

If you were interested cobra sake was available.

While shopping Sadie May and Downtown Julie Brown demonstrated their international shopping skills.

I was asked if there was anything new about the lawsuit. This summed it up.

It was back to our boat for another trip from Venice on the MeKong.

Here is a nice shot of our home vessel.

Upon arriving look what our cabin steward left for us. This is an art that the Princess will be doing for me back home.

Before lunch, we had a one hour explanation about the “America war.” Because we are in a communist country I am not able to share what they said.

After lunch it was back on the MeKong. I thought to give you a better flavour of the trip I would give you a video of the river view suites we are seeing.

Our first stop was a Cardai temple. This is a fascinating religion. It is a mix of five religions on one. Buddhism, catholic, Hindu, Confuciusism, and I cannot remember the fifth.

Inside there was a picture of three special men and their story.

Here is the altar.

Then above the altar was a special sign of the leaders of the religion.

Outside is the hearse, used for transporting the body of the dead member to the graveyard. By the way there is no charge to the family for this service. Bring this back to America!

We left the temple and went to a local market. I thought more souvenirs. No. It was a place the locals buy their daily food.

Well it was back to the boat. Goat, Bella, Marky Mark and captain did Tai Chi. cocktails and a Vietnamese dinner. The night was still going with Bruno Mars, I drink tequilas until your cloths come off and ABBA.

I am going to bed. Over and out!

The day started with another great breakfast. It was 630 am and the game was starting back in the states. We decided to go to the market.

We stayed at the Sofitel hotel in town. Nice. Not much French according to Habibi.

Here is our bus. Now I know what you’re thinking. We are on the green bus but this bus is red. We can’t figure it out.

First stop was the market.

Here our guide giving instructions on how to barter with the locals.

Here is one of the aisles. There are over 1,500 vendors in the market. You can buy Gucci, Rolex, LV, and all top line goods here.

One last selfie of some of the gang.

Then we were off to the factory.

Here the artists are at work. One day training course is not available.

Outside we met the GOATs Vietnamese double.

More bikes. There are 8 million people in the city but 9 million bikes registered!

The captain wanted to get in and drive with the people.

After a short break we got into the traditional circle of waiting to prepare to board the green bus for a two hour ride to the vessel.

I need to make a correction. Our cruise manager is AK not TK.

By the way I am writing today’s blog as we sit in three plus, no longer two, hours of traffic on our way to the vessel. I was told it is not a ship or boat. A vessel.

You had three choices during the bus ride from hell. First you could sleep. Second you could stare out the window. Third, our guide gave some informative info about his country. I had a bit of all three.

Yes. We arrived. Here is our vessel.

After finding our Cabins they want us to prepare for any emergency. We put on our life jackets. Here is Mikey and GOAT modeling theirs.

One thing I do not understand. The delta is filled with crocodiles. What good is a life jacket against a herd of crocks? I will ask that question.

Then it was time to pick out your daily excursions. No matter that we had all done this back in Arizona and made our selections. Here the ladies are hard at work.

Here are our selections.

Then it was off to relax in your cabin and then dinner. I sat on my balcony and watched traffic. It seems like that is a favorite past time here in Vietnam.

This is a very different country. Nothing like I expected. Tour day is tomorrow.

Good night.

Our day will be filled with tours and a boat ride tonight. Our tour director, the Princess, arranged for all of us to be on the green bus.

Here we are getting on the bus for our first town tour.

Our first stop is for a picture of where the last helicopter left Saigon in the war.

At our next stop we saw the Vietnamese version of breakfast to go.

The next stop was the Presidential Palace, their version of the White House.

Here is the first tank that penetrated the walls around the White House during the war.

Here is the presidential receiving room.

Of course every white house has its country flags.

The captain could not pass up the opportunity to try on some horns and a hat.

Here is our tour guide, Thin, discussing a beautiful flower and water feature in the house.

Then it was on to a special

Museum that gave the Vietnamese view of the war.

Too many exhibits and items that made you stop and think how terrible war is. One exhibit was a paper from Mikey and Goat and my home town.

Then it was on to lunch. Here was our restaurant and the gang who was on this tour.

My lunch.

Then on the walk, or forced march, home some motorbikes could not fit on the road. So they took to the sidewalk.

We finally made it back and let me introduce you to the wife of the husband and the influencer, former blogger, Habibi.

For the evening the Princess and Dirk found a vessel that took a cruise of the harbour and had dinner and dancing. Here is the vessel. Hmmm…. I wonder why the Princess liked the name!

Here is the crew getting ready to embark.

Then we sat down for dinner on the top deck.

Honestly the food was not the draw. It was the experience and views of the sky line. Here are a few.

Then after dinner our ladies of course started the dancing.

Then Sadie May, another new member of our crew took over the stage and sang with the band.

We closed out the night with another ship nearby that was lighted like a fish.

What a great day. Everyone is tired and looking forward to embarking on our boat tomorrow. Until then.

It is our first real full day in Vietnam. We start with breakfast. You have so many choices but essentially it boils down to two.

And the other.

All of my friends that know me well know which one I selected.

Outside of the breakfast place is the meeting room for the Vietnamese chapter of the Mulligans. Here is their gong.

The group decided to go on a walking tour. Marky Mark was our tour guide. Here is the group getting ready.

First stop was a bank. We needed dong. That is Vietnamese currency.

Then we walked. On our way to the post office we came across a bear. He was lonely so I came to give him a hug.

Then it was on to the post office.

Here is the opera house and a picture of the princess and me.

Then we went to a gallery that our friend bill recommended.

Then for lunch we stopped by a place. Best craft brewery in Ho Chi Minh City.

One last stop. The Heineken sign drew us in. But you could also pick your lunch from a large selection of sea food.

The afternoon was going to be special. First let me introduce you to Tank. He was here for the war. It is a special trip for him.

Then we all got into cyclos. They were special. The princess led the way.

Let’s see if you like the video!

Next stop was the Vietnamese version of Sprouts. All fresh and ready to eat!

Fresh fish anyone?

Then on to our restaurant where we would cook our own dinner. Here are a few pictures.

To close out dinner Mikey had an egg coffee.

What a fun filled day. Now a shower and bed. It was 80 degrees but north of 80 on the humidity index. Not Arizona weather!

See you tomorrow.

Good night!

Well we got to our seats and the princess immediately had some champagne. She thought it might help her sleep.

The captain used his traditional companion, John walker black, and a blue pill and got a solid 8 hours. Saw F1 which was a great flick. Brad Pitt is ageing well. I recommend you watch it.

We landed in Singapore for a four hour layover. Their lounge was fantastic. I had a more traditional breakfast of home fries and dumplings.

The princess, because it was her birthday, had chocolate ice cream with cherries.

Being it was her birthdays I sent her off with the others for a shopping trip for a gift. Being in a generous mood I suggested these two locations.

She found nothing. Thank the lord! Plenty of shopping time left on the trip.

They came back to rest up for the next flight. What did we do before cell phones?

We had to take the sky train to another terminal for our next flight. On the way there was a fantastic garden inside of the airport terminal.

Here are some of the riders.

The lady is today’s introduction of a traveling companion. She is Bella. She is with Omaha.

Finally we are at the gate. My birthday girl relaxes with the captain.

After a short two hour flight from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh city, we met our transfer specialist, or not in my view.

Then I learned that there were 40 million living in the city. About 20

million, in my view own motorbikes. Here are a few on our way to our hotel.

They park here, there and everywhere.

Now in our hotel. Watching BBC news. Check out how Vietnam controls commercials they do not approve of. Take a lesson America.

Ok, we are now ready for our first group dinner. Only a part of the group. Rest on their way. Here is the place.

Our “local Vietnamese guide”, Dirk ordering for the table.

Here are a few dishes.

Then before going back to the room we saw the skyline.

Finally, back to the room to celebrate the princess day.

See you in the am!