We're still trying to absorb everything we saw and experienced on this wonderful trip!  We stayed in three areas of Vietnam, one in Cambodia and two in Thailand.  We were graced with good weather and glorious food throughout.

Our journey began in Hanoi in N Vietnam.  There we felt the reverence for Ho Chi Minh, visited his mausoleum and viewed his embalmed body.  We saw the 11^th century One Pillar Pagoda and the Stilt House, his final dwelling.  At the Museum of Ethnology we learned of the amazing diversity in Vietnam with its 54 ethnic groups.  We had the thrill of riding in pedi-cabs through the Old Quarter with its network of narrow alleys and shop houses and The 36 Streets, each named for the merchandise traditionally sold there.  We delighted in a water puppet show.  On a day trip to Halong Bay, we enjoyed lunch aboard a private junk while cruising through magnificent rock formations.  We entered a wonderful, recently rediscovered cave in one of them.

In central Vietnam we started in Danang where China Beach, R&R locale for American soldiers during the war, stretches for miles.  We climbed a portion of Marble Mountain and took in the views.  Continuing on to Hoi An, we explored the town on foot.  We visited a family house where members of the same family have lived for generations.  We spent time on the 16^th century Japanese Covered Bridge which linked the Japanese community in Hoi An to the Chinese community across the river.  We cruised on the Thu Bon River visiting a local woodcarving village en route.  We journeyed over Hai Van Pass, a mountainous highway with spectacular views, on our way to Hue.  There we visited Thien Mu Pagoda and the Imperial Tomb.  We spent time at the early 19^th century Citadel, heavily bombed by the Americans during the war, but a fascinating glimpse into the Nguyen dynasty.  And we enjoyed a Vietnamese Royal Feast, dressed as empresses!

In the south, we began with of tour of Ho Chi Minh City, still known as Saigon.  Outside the city we took an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an important VietCong base during the war.  We explored the former palace of the S Vietnam president which was stormed by tanks in 1975, signaling the fall of the South.  We saw harrowing sights at the War Remnants Museum which details what they call the American War.  Back in town we browsed the Ben Thanh Market.  We spent a day on the Mekong Delta and saw the Vinh Trang Pagoda.  We took a local boat and a sampan (smaller boat) to explore the Mekong River Islands, stopping at a fruit orchard and candy-making company.  Our guide told us about his attempted escape to Thailand as a boy, hidden for 5 days in the bottom of a boat.  His boat was captured and he was eventually returned to his Saigon home.

Bidding farewell to Vietnam, we flew to Siem Reap Cambodia.  There we saw the jewel of Khmer architecture, 12^th century Angkor Wat, which was lost then rediscovered in the 19^th century.  It's the largest religious complex in the world.  A highlight was watching the sun set nearby.  We visited the fortified city of Angkor Thom, a complex of several temples, with its monumental gates and statues of demons and gods.  We saw several other temples in the area as well.  Some of us expected Cambodia to be similar to Vietnam, but we realized even as we were landing that the architecture alone was very different.  Upon arrival we saw that the people, the language and the culture are all unique.  We loved the way the people press their palms together then tip them towards their faces twice in respectful greeting.  Our guide enthralled us with the story of his capture and imprisonment at age 6 by the Khmer Rouge.  Only a miracle saved him from being fed to the crocodiles.  Several of us took a boat ride on to see the floating markets and the incredible floating houses, constructed over boats or with bundles of bamboo to keep them afloat.  The industrious people raise fish in nets in the water that surrounds their homes.

We headed next to Chiang Mai in N Thailand.  There we began our touring with a visit to hilltop Doi Suthep, a major pilgrimage destination.  The gold on the temple roof and in the surrounding décor is stunning.  From there we visited a Hmong Village and learned that the women marry at age 15-16, do crafts, raise the children and work the fields while the men generally just relax.  Many of their crafts were displayed.  One of the trip highlights was our visit to the elephant training camp.  They amazed us with their skills at ball games, wood stacking and picture painting!  We took hour-long elephant rides into the forest.  Later we played with baby tigers in their cage at the preserve.

Our last destination was Bangkok.  There we visited the 4 must-see temples, the  Reclining Buddha, Golden Buddha, Marble, and Dawn.  We spent time at the Grand Palace and saw the chapel of the most sacred Emerald Buddha.  We sped through the klongs (canals) in our small boat where we saw many waterfront homes.  We wound down the trip and reminisced at our Grand Finale Dinner outdoors at a private table facing the Chao Praya river.