North, South Vietnam and Cambodia

We spent the Chinese New Year's Eve (Feb 7th this year) in Hanoi, Vietnam.  We went down to the river with about a million Vietnamese to watch the fireworks at midnight. Quite memorable. 

The next morning we visited the "Hanoi Hilton" where American prisoners were jailed during the Vietnam War.  It was very depressing. 

John McCain's flight suit on display, along with plenty of anti-American propaganda.  We left there and went to Halong Bay for a couple of nights. It was much more uplifting.

We took a half day cruise there. It was very relaxing. The hills reminded us of the one's we had seen along the Li River in China.

Our next stop was in Siem Reap in Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat.  We spent two days touring the 12th century ruins. Very impressive!

On our 3rd day in Siem Reap we took a boat ride on the Tonle Sap.  It is the biggest lake in Asia. We visited a floating village about 10 kilometers from shore. What an eye opener. 

This little guy was trying to sell me some crocodile meat. Check out the size of his knife!  Yikes!

All of the food in Vietnam and Cambodia was very good and beautifully presented. 

Rick with a python. 

We had a Cambodia style gondola ride in the Mekong Delta.  Note the color of the water. The entire lake looked like this.

On to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in South Vietnam where the week long new year celebration came to an end. They bring in millions of flowers to decorate public areas. This photo shows us with Don and Janie Homer. They teach in Guangzhou also, but at a different university.  Don is Jerry Homer's cousin!

We had a wonderful time seeing the sites in Ho Chi Minh. The weather was nice and warm and we enjoyed a nice dinner cruise down the Saigon River.  The only downer was a trip to the Vietnam War Museum.  Very one-sided.  All-in-all, a very nice trip.  

We begin teaching again on Monday, March 7.  We have time for one more escapade.  We're going to Hong Kong next week. We love it there!