Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, meaning the "city of temples" in Khmer, is the largest religious monument in the world, and lies three miles north of the modern town of Siem Reap. It takes at least two days to see the major temples and monuments. 

Constructed in 1H 12th c, during the reign of Suryavarman II, and originally dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu, the king's state temple was also the capital city. 

In 1177, approx 27 years after the King's death, Angkor was sacked by the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer. 

Thereafter the empire was restored by a new king, Jayavarman VII, who established a new capital, Angkor Thom, and state temple, Bayon, a couple miles to the north. 

Transforming to a Buddhist temple complex in the second half of the 12th century, the history is told through detailed sandstone carvings on the walls of the Angkor Wat structures. 

Cambodian snack food

Tarantulas, scorpions, crickets, cockroaches and lots of other bugs and amphibians, fried, are sold at the market as a favorite food. Yum! The fangs were removed from a live tarantula and become a nice pet at the insect market.

The Killing Fields, Cambodia

A visit to the capital is incomplete without paying respects to the 2mm victims of torture, starvation, and genocide, nearly 25% of its then population, led by the brutal Pol Pot regime in the "killing fields" 1975-'79. Mass graves are still being unearthed at the site of the stirring Choeung Ek Memorial where Buddhist monks across the provinces gathered to chant prayers.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Royal Palace in the Kingdom of Cambodia was built in 1866, while a French Protectorat. However the kingdom dates to the 9th c in the original capital in Siem Reap near Angkor Wat. The government is now a constitutional monarchy and the King has no power. The Prime Minister, serving for 25 years now, is the longest serving non-royal in Asia. The distinctive Khmer style is occasionally complemented by the French colonial style as in the post office at the bottom. Beautiful Buddhist temples and pagodas grace the city, the capital of Cambodia.

Cu Chi Tunnels, outside Saigon

Before crossing into Cambodia by land at Moc Bai, we stopped at the infamous Viet Cong Cu Chi tunnels. This was the base of the resistance against South Vietnam and US forces during the Vietnam War. It was surreal to be squeezing into the vast network of tunnels that perpetrated the deadly guerrilla warfare by the N Vietnamese. They had smokeless fires, spiked booby traps in holes, slept in the trees and even wore backward sandals to keep from being detected. At the end of the day we had the option of shooting ten rounds of an AK-47 on enemy grounds. I walked away respecting the American forces even more for enduring this hell on behalf of the good intentions represented by the USA that ended in defeat but a huge learning experience. Never forget.

Train South to Saigon and Mekong Delta

Whirlwind trip in Vietnam continued with a 17-hour train ride from Hoi An to the center of Hoh Chi Minh City, referred to locally as Saigon. 

Some French colonial buildings remain like the general post office designed by Gustav Eiffel. 

War Remnants Museum in HCM City is a stark reminder of the Second Indochina War, also called the Vietnam War. 

Mekong Delta is one of the world's most productive rice-growing regions. 

Life on the water

Here, an extremely hospitable woman prepares traditional rice noodles and paper over an open fire. 

Products include candy from coconuts, rice and other fresh local ingredients. Family-owned candy plant looks like fun on a tour but it's no doubt hard work in hot and humid conditions with pay based on production. 

Hoi An, central coast Vietnam

Hoi An is a charming ancient trading town on the river with a mix of Chinese temples, pagodas and French Colonial architecture. The white rose handmade dumplings are a specialty of the region.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Hundreds of limestone islands, some with impressive caves, dot Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, 4 hours outside of Hanoi.

White Pass to Chinook Pass Backpack, PCT-WA

Picturesque 30-mile three-nighter hiking south to north for secluded lakes and jaw-dropping views of Mt Rainier. Recommend late August or September as this section can get buggy. Car shuttle. Depending on the month, you may run into a few friendly "thru hikers" on the final push to Canada from Mexico last Spring!