Sihanoukville, Cambodia

JOHM RIAB SUA—Meaning Hello from Cambodia.  Today is March 9, 2011 and our port of call is Sihanoukville the natural waterway of the Mekong Delta, leading to the interior of Cambodia.  This city was built in 1964 during the Vietnam War to give the country an alternative gateway in and out of the country by sea.  It is a pretty but small town where Buddhist temples are the main attractions.  More than that, Sihanoukville is the drop off point for passengers who will be doing the multiple day overland tour to Angkor Wat. 

After the ship was cleared by the local authorities, we caught one of the shuttle buses to the downtown area about 3 miles from the pier.  We decided to do the touring today on our own utilizing one of the local Tuk Tuks.  These are motorbikes which are hitched up to a two-wheeled passenger carrier.  After fighting our way off of the shuttle and though what looked like over a hundred Tuk Tuk drives, we made our way out to one of the streets.  There we were able to begin negotiating for a 2-hour tour to the temples and the city.  The prices were all over the board, but we finally came to a deal and headed out of the city center.  Actually, travelling by Tuk Tuk is much better than any tour bus.  It’s cooler and affords you the opportunity to take photos without trying to shoot them through a bus window.   

Off we went on our tour stopping first at Wat Krom known as the Lower Temple.   This Buddhist temple cares for many orphans, handicapped, and elderly people and is manned and managed my Monks.  Many of the orphans were selling their handmade crafts on the temple grounds.  From there we ventured higher up Mount Sihanouk to Wat Leu known as the Upper Temple which overlooks the port and town offering sweeping views of the coastline and the Gulf of Thailand.  We wondered the temple grounds and were lucky enough to meet some very nice people.  They were preparing chicken and an older women had started the kitchen fires for the lunch time meal.  We asked about the restroom facilities and were escorted to the typical hole in the floor known as a squatter or two footer.  We were reminded to take a bucket of water and use that water afterward.  When they advise you on the ship to travel with toilet paper they REALLY mean it.  

Back on the Tuk Tuk we toured all around the city passing the Independence Monument, the Vietnam Cambodia Monument, the Angkor Brewery, the Golden Lions Monument, resorts and beaches.   Then it was time for some fun walking the indoor Psar Lu Market.  There you can buy just about anything from fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, dry goods, jewelry, etc., etc., etc.  Out on the streets you can find gasoline in soda bottle or have your shoes repaired or shined. 

Our day ended back at the pier and we reboarded the ship and prepared for our departure at 4:00pm.  Next stop in the morning is Laem Chabang, Thailand (Bangkok).            

So it’s LIA SUHN HAO-Y-Meaning Goodbye from Cambodia.

Lombok, Indonesia

It’s been a few days since we last posted to the blog.  Since then there has been several things which have occurred.  On the evening of Wednesday, March 2^nd at around 7:30pm the Australian Coast Guard did an emergency helicopter medical evacuation from our ship.  The ship’s crew prepared the ship in advance of the helicopter’s arrival.  The evacuation went well and from what we are hearing, the evacuated passenger is stable.

Yesterday, March 5, 2011, at around 8:00am the Pacific Princess arrived in Lembar Harbor off the coast of Lombok Island, Indonesia. It is a short 20 miles away from Bali across the Lombok Strait.  Lombok resembles how Bali would have looked some 40 years ago.  Lombok is like taking a walk back in time.  The island is beautiful with lush palm trees, white beaches, rice fields, mountain ranges and volcanoes.  Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second highest peak is one of those volcanoes that towers 12,000 feet over the island.    Over 90 percent of the population of the island is Muslim. 

We decided to take one of the ship’s tours which was called Senggigi On Your Own.  We boarded our motor coach for the approximate 1-hour drive north from Lembar, passing through Mataram to Senggigi Beach.  This is a premier destination that boasts over six miles of superb white-sand beach.  The drive north was very interesting and surprising to say the least.  We saw the primary taxi on the island.  This taxi is a modified Lambretta which is pulled by a horse.  These would have as many as 8 people loaded into them.  But one of the most interesting aspects of our trip to the beach was the rice production that was taking place in the fields.  People were cutting the rice stalks and then beating them to remove the rice.  Once the rice was removed, it was placed on the roadways to begin the drying process.  As it dried, the rice was placed in large bags and then transported by motorbike or truck to collection facilities. 

This drive ended at Senggigi Beach.  We walked along the beach for a pretty good distance, and then decided to venture in to the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort for a look.  This is a wonderful hotel with a magnificent view of the beach.  They have a very nice outdoor restaurant overlooking the pool.  The food smelled great so we decided to give it a try.  Our choice from the menu was a spicy shrimp dish with rice and vegetables.  It was great and so was the service.  From there we ventured through the local shops and did our best to avoid the street vendors.  By 2:45pm we were back on our tour bus and headed back toward the pier.  En route we made a side trip through the capitol city of Mataram then on to a small village to observe local pottery being made. 

All-in-all it was a good day, full on interesting sights and new food dishes.  Of course it was hot and humid, but this is always expected near the Equator.  By 5:00pm, the Captain had our ship underway out of the harbor heading for our next stop Sihanoukville, Cambodia.  We will be at sea for 3 days before arriving in Cambodia.