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| Tom, me, Captain Han and new friend Bob in the wheelhouse. |
The remainder of the cruise will take place in Vietnam. Yesterday, as I began to write this post, we were crossing into Vietnam with immigration officers were boarding our ship to stamp our passports. First the Cambodian immigration officer boarded to stamp our passports and exit visas.
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| The sign above the wheelhouse entrance. We’d signed up for the wheelhouse tour. |
Shortly thereafter the Vietnamese immigration officer boarded to stamp our passports for the second of the multiple entry visas, we obtained in Singapore at the embassy two weeks ago.
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| Our ship captain, Bui Huu Han. |
There’s nothing we had to do other than relax and enjoy the view while the ship was anchored in the Mekong River. Yesterday, was a full day “at sea” so to speak, without any excursions.
Today we decided to avoid going on the day’s excursions based on my condition and the strenuous nature of the tours. I was hoping to attend, but after seeing the boats, called sampan, we both agreed boarding would be difficult as well as riding on the tilted backs of the low to the floor seats. No good for me at this point.
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| Ship’s control panel on the bridge. |
There’s no doubt the less I do, the better I feel. As much as this concept of “taking it easy” drives me nuts, I’ve seen over and over these past six weeks that rest is my friend.
We’re still having a great time, loving the interaction with the other passengers and staff. Getting to know 54 passengers and their names is a daunting task as we’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the process.
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| Buddhist shrine in the wheelhouse. |
Obviously, we knew there would be favorites and we’ve had no trouble narrowing it down to a handful of guests. As for the remainder, there was not one person on board, that we haven’t enjoyed one way or another.
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| Border monument between Cambodia and Vietnam as we crossed back into Vietnam yesterday afternoon. |
Mostly, the ship’s manifest consists of Americans and British passengers with everyone speaking English. Then there’s the very special staff, from Kong and Lee, to our two guides, Enrico, the cruise director and manager, to the wait staff in the dining room to the support staff in boarding and disembarking. They all clearly, exhibit joy in working for this company.
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| Part of the Silver Temple. |
When asked how they feel about working for Viking Cruises, their eyes light up. They exhibit pride and appreciation to be working for this company which we don’t always see on some of the larger cruise ships.
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| The city had numerous shrines and temples mixed among modern buildings. |
Sure, the cabins are small but over these past five nights, we’ve become used to the tiny space easily able to maneuver around the cabin to accomplish everything we’ve needed to do during the short periods we stay in the cabin.
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| Traffic was busy in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, but no as busy as in Vietnam. |
Yesterday afternoon, we attended a tour of the ship’s wheelhouse which on such a small ship is compact and efficient. After the tour we settled into the cool cabin for a short rest and to prepare for yet another fine dinner and evening with all of our new friends and hopefully soon, to be many new readers.
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| Bridge over a park area. Note the cobra statues on either end of the bridge. |
We’re so grateful for the warm reception we’ve received from other passengers when inquiring about our lives. We freely share our story with them as we relish every moment in hearing about their adventures as well.
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| Stairway to a temple in Wat, Phnom Penh. |
Have a beautiful day!
Photo from one year ago today, July 18, 2015:
| Location or Ship | Days | Address or Ship | Dates |
| Sydney Hotel | 1 | 9/7/2015 – 9/8/2015 | |
| Fiji Rental | 88 | 9/8/2015 – 12/6/2015 | |
| Fiji Rental #2 | 29 | 12/6/2015 – 1/4/2016 | |
| Sydney Hotel | 1 | 1/4/2016 – 1/5/2016 | |
| Sydney to Auckland – Cruise | 14 | Celebrity Solstice | 1/5/2016 – 1/19/2016 |
| New Zealand Farm | 87 | 1/19/2016 – 4/15/2016 | |
| Sydney Hotel | 1 | 4/15/2016 – 4/16/2016 | |
| Sydney to Singapore – Cruise | 14 | RC Voyager of Seas | 4/16/2016 – 4/30/2016 |
| Bali House | 59 | 4/30/2016 – 6/28/2016 | |
| Hanoi Hotel – to be booked | 10 | 6/28/2016 – 7/8/2016 | |
| Hanoi to Ho Chi Min City – Cruise | 15 | Viking Mekong | 7/8/2016 – 7/22/2016 |
| Phuket House | 41 | 7/22/2016 – 9/1/2016 | |
| Bali House | 59 | 9/1/2016 – 10/30/2016 | |
| Sydney Hotel | 1 | 10/30/2016 – 10/31/2016 | |
| Sydney to Perth – Cruise | 16 | RC Radiance of the Seas | 10/31/2016 – 11/16/2016 |
| Perth to Sydney – Cruise | 17 | RC Radiance of the Seas | 11/16/2016 – 12/3/2016 |
| GAP 12/3/2016 – 3/1/2017 | 88 | 12/3/2016 – 3/1/2017 | |
| Sydney to Sydney – Cruise | 12 | Celebrity Solstice | 3/1/2017 – 3/13/2017 |
| GAP 3/13/2017 – 4/22/1017 | 40 | 3/13/2017 – 4/22/2017 | |
| Sydney to Seattle – Cruise | 24 | RC Explorer of the Seas | 4/22/2017 – 5/15/2017 |
| Total number of days | 617 |
One year ago today, we posted our itinerary which has since changed with more bookings. For photos from this past date, please click here.