Days 12-13: Phnom Penh

 Day 12: Phnom Penh 

This morning, we started the day by visiting the Royal Palace, and its Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda.

Silver Pagoda (not allowed to take pictures of the inside)

Stupa at the Royal Palace

From there we made our way through parts of the city

on the way to the Central Market, where we bought a glass of sugar cane juice, some fresh coconut water, and Steve bought a pair of pants.

Layer in the afternoon, we visited theTuol Sleng (S21) Detention Center

Then we went to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (killing fields).

Memorial stupa at the killing fields.

It felt morbid to take many pictures there, so I focused more on taking pictures of these mushrooms 

and this cannonball tree

It was getting dark as we headed back to the port, so the brightly lit bus ceiling showed up

And we could see food stands setting up for the night

Day 13: Phnom Penh

Our first excursion this morning was to visit the Oudong Buddist Monastery. On the way there, we also passed a big fish market.

Oudong Buddist Monastery

Inside the monastery for monk blessings

blessing ceremony 

After the blessing, I walked the grounds

and saw the Vipassana Dhurak Buddhist Centre, while Steve opted to climb over 400 steps

To reach the shrine at the top of the hill 

From there, we headed back to the ship for lunch. 

While there was a tuk tuk tour of the city planned, we were going to skip it and wander around on our own. As we were getting ready to leave, we saw a storm moving into the area. The next pictures show the progression 

sunrise from our balcony

afternoon view from our balcony

start of storm view

middle of storm view

heaviest part of storm view

night view after the storm ended

Days 14-15: River cruising and Tra Su Forest

 Day 14: Relax on the river cruise and cross into Vietnam

Today was a relaxing day just watching life on the Mekong as we traveled south from Phnom Penh and into Vietnam. 

Leaving Phnom Penh

Leaving Phnom Penh

Life along the Mekong

Sunset as we anchored mid-river for the night.

Day 15: Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary

Today we had an early morning excursion to visit Vietnam’s no Tra Su Forest and Sanctuary. We first took a tender from our river cruise ship

Then traveled by bus though several villages

and past rice fields

before reaching the Tra Su Forest, an inland waterway. This region includes cajuput trees, lotuses, water lilies, and bright green moss along with 70+ species of bird species.

We were supposed to take a sampan (small row boat) but as I entered, I realized the seat was too low and I worried I wouldn't be able to get back out, so Steve took the boat and I wandered around on the ground 

I was "attacked" by pigeons (it was terrifying)

Saw fishing nets

Saw all sorts of interesting sculptures 

And enjoyed a walk across bamboo bridges.

When the small row boats returned, we boarded slightly larger motor boats, which I was able to take 

After we finished the boat ride, Steve had to show off by crossing the "monkey bridge" without using the handrails 

We returned to our ship for lunch, then spent a relaxing afternoon cruising further south and enjoying the scenery.

Day 16: Sa Dec and Cai Be

 Day 16: 

This morning we took a tender from our boat for a short ride to Sa Dec.

Once in the town, we walked through the local market where we saw various items for sale.

seafood

dried fish

produce and crabs

Roselle calyces (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

From there, we walked to the "the Lover's House" where French author Marguerite Duras's paramour lived 

from there, we headed back to our ship 

After lunch, we took another excursion to visit a local shop where we learned how to make rice paper.

I even got to try making them.

We also watched them make coconut candy (and sample some)

And we saw how they made popped rice, then turned them into bars, similar to rice crispy bars

And finally, we saw how rice was distilled into "wine" 

with jackfruit, bananas, or snakes 

and I couldn't leave without buying some of the snacks