Tai Chi to Aspara

---

In the early morning we had sunrise Tai Chi on the upper deck, it was invigorating! After that morning coffee and chatting, then buffet breakfast, packing, and disembarkation. It was a great way to see a gorgeous place.

We drove 2 hours or so to a beautiful golf course for lunch and repacking of our large and small bags. Then headed another 1.5 hours to Hanoi airport for the 2 hour flight to Siem Reap Cambodia. On arrival there it was like coming into another time. Siamese pitch roofed terminals, stairs off the planes, like an old Bogart movie, it was balmy and felt sexy in a way. Inside, they had just that day changed the format of Visa on Arrival, and there was some confusion for a few minutes, but we soon got the hang of the new system and we were out of there and on our way in about 20 minutes by very comfortable bus to our hotel.

The Sofitel Angkor was beautiful! There were musicians playing on our arrival, cold, icy drinks and cold towels waiting, room keys given out, people waiting to direct us. Mine and several others were in the wing across the ponds, over wooden walkways through lilypads, in a gorgeous wing looking out on those ponds. You could hear the frogs at night if you left the window open, but for good A/C and bug control, you just didn't. On arrival there were gifts in the room, small cinnamon packets, fresh shortbread cookies, and a basket of hairy fruits, which have become my favorite fruit now Rambutan!!!!! After a delicious buffet dinner and beautiful Aspara dancing in the hotel restaurant, I slept like a baby for the first night since arrival in Asia.

---

Photos

Halong Harbor
All junks have been painted white, very controversial.

Many boats crowded the bay
formerly known as the Gulf of Tonkin

Tai Chi on Deck
Very early a.m. at Sunrise

Day breaks
over Halong Bay

Rambutan
New Favorite fruits

Gorgeous hotel and grounds
Acres of landscaped pools

Deck off room
Calm amid the craziness of Siem Reap