Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

We only stopped for day in Sihanoukville, Cambodia which was founded in 1964 to be Cambodia’s primary deep port. 

A Local Beach in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

It was a very poor area. It has very beautiful beaches with white sand and turquoise water which is as warm as bathwater which the people of Silanoukville as well as the tourists enjoy.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

A local Beach in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

A local Beach in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

You saw a lot of women selling food like this in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

The people seemed happy and family orientated but you could see the stress of poverty on their faces.

She and many others like her are the reasons why we all need to care and show love for each other.

 We traveled around the city in a tuk tuk which is a scooter that seats four in a covered back area. It was a lot of fun racing around the city in a Tuk tuk. I use this term racing lightly because our tuk tuk could barely make it up the hills and it lost a few pieces our driver stopped to collect. Riding in a tuk tuk makes you feel like part of the craziness which you could literally reach out and touch. 

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Traveling in a Tuk Tuk

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

We went to many beaches and a beautiful resort for lunch.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

We also went to a temple on the top of a mountain where we found a beautiful group of children. 

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Monks Jack Hammering

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Grave Stones in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville had very interesting market it was full of every day supplies with lots of food freshly brought in from the farms and the sea.  It was not a clean market yet  it felt very well used and a little dark and very damp. The heat was stifling.

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

  There were all kinds of booths including sewing and jewelry making.

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

 One of the funniest areas of the market was where the hair salon booths butted up against the fish seller booths. I can’t imagine getting your hair done was very pleasant, just imagine the smell of hot raw fish and hair product.

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Market in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Ko Samui, Thailand

Ko Samui is the third largest island in Thailand yet its size is only 13 miles by 9 miles across at its widest point. It is located 20 miles from Thailand’s mainland which you can reach by ferry. The back bone of their economy is coconuts and now the growing tourist industry.   I can already see how it is changing this quiet island.

There are many coconut groves all around the island which provide the islanders with  a livelihood and a wealth of materials like leaves they for thatching their roofs or to weave into hats and mats. They also use the shells of the coconut for vessels. To pick the coconuts they use monkeys. I was a little disappointed because I didn't get to see the monkeys do it, but I heard from others that it was pretty fun to watch.

Wat Plai Laem, Ko Samui, Thailand

 The small island was packed with character. We rented a taxi for the day and had him drive us around the island. We stopped at the different beaches, and temples.

Wat Plai Laem, Ko Samui, Thailand

Wat Plai Laem, Ko Samui, Thailand

The island has many beautiful white sand beaches.

 Ko Samui, Thailand

 Also, a couple of interesting Buddhist temple grounds.  One is Wat Plai Laem  featuring an 18 arm image of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion and the other is Phra Yai temple which has a very large Buddha looking down from a small temple on top of a small hill. 

 Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand

 Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand

 Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand

 Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand

 Phra Yai temple, Ko Samui, Thailand

 Ko Samui, Thailand

 Ko Samui, Thailand

                           These Shrines dotted the island in front of every house and business.

 Ko Samui, Thailand

 Ko Samui, Thailand Elephant

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony

I have been teaching art on a Crystal cruise ship called the Symphony for the last two weeks. 

" Odyssey Art at Sea" program, me teaching

Cruising is a fun way to travel. Your beautiful state room doesn't change as you travel through Asia; there is no packing or unpacking. 

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony my state room

The ports to which you travel can be very chaotic and it's nice to come back to this beautiful ship where you recognize everything and have a superior staff to serve you. It’s fun to wake up in a new port, open your curtains and see a wonderful new landscape. 

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony, leaving Singapore

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony 

We've had a lot of fun at dinners where we have made many new friends whom we plan on visiting around the world.  I haven’t laughed so much in years. I think we should have cruise nights in our town where you could go to a restaurant and sit with six new people and just talk. It’s a great way to open your mind to new ideas.  

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony with Amazing Food

On Crystal there is always amazing food everywhere I gained at least three okay four pounds.

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony High Tea was Served in this room. It was so nice.

 I thought I'd be forced to slow my usual crazy pace down which would have been good for me, but no there was so much entertainment and things to do I couldn't even fit them all in. 

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony Lunch on the Lido Deck anyone?

At night I loved to walk around the ship listening to all the music coming from the many dance areas and bars.

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony Music in the Cove.

 I also liked sitting by the pool drinking a Pina Colada , watching the Mekong Delta go by, or perhaps breakfast sitting on the deck looking at the Hong Kong skyline. 

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony Pina Colada by the pool.

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony breakfast on the Lido deck was one of my favorite things to do.

Crystal Cruise, The Symphony this was our view at breakfast in Hong Kong.

 I kept saying to myself I can’t believe I am so lucky as to have this wonderful experience. It’s been a fantastic trip I will always remember with fondness.