It’s been a lazy day here on the Mekong River as we depart Phnom Penh, Cambodia and make our way down to Vietnam. For many of us, the day started out with a beautiful sunrise walk along the riverside. Waking up early is a great chance to experience the hustle and bustle of Cambodian culture as they prepare their markets for a busy day of selling, engage in their morning exercises, and fly along the local streets on motorbikes and cyclos. With an all-aboard time of 8 a.m., we had plenty of time to explore the waterfront during the coolest time of the day.
Once everyone was back on the ship, we picked up our guest lecturer Jean Michel Fillipi from the University of Phnom Penh and set off for a long day of cruising down river. Jean Michele is an expert on Cambodian culture and history, and his lecture was a truly fascinating account of 20th century Cambodian history. Following his talk, the questions came pouring in during an informal Q & A session held in the lounge to clarify the complex government transitions leading to and beyond the Khmer Rouge. His expertise and knowledge is a fantastic resource, and it’s surely one of the highlight lectures during our week on board the Jahan.
During the afternoon, several guests take advantage of the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the ship on a tour led by the general manager, while others choose to enjoy a pleasant nap on the deck or dip their toes in the pool as we sit at the border waiting for customs to clear us into Vietnam. A little later, cultural specialist David Adams gave a talk on Buddhism and Ecology, providing us more insight into the cultures and peoples we encounter here in Vietnam and Cambodia. Following David’s talk, the galley offered a cooking class in the dining room for those guests who had an interest in learning the fundamentals of Cambodia culture.
The day finally concludes with a beautiful sunset over the Vietnamese countryside as we cruise downriver, providing us with a great opportunity to take stunning images before the night sets in. We say goodbye to Cambodia, a country that has treated us so well, and we look forward to more amazing days ahead in Vietnam!
