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.