{"id":20798,"date":"2023-07-14T13:18:32","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T17:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/?p=20798"},"modified":"2023-07-14T13:18:32","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T17:18:32","slug":"some-interesting-land-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/?p=20798","title":{"rendered":"Some Interesting Land Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

While Echo spent last winter in the south of England we enjoyed lots of family time in Washington State with Brian, Katie, Sarah, Kristi and Fia. \u00a0So much fun time together, including the holidays. \u00a0We enjoyed every minute!<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In early March we wrapped up family \u00a0time with 10 days skiing in Whistler, British Columbia with the whole gang. \u00a0Even Fia hit the slopes.<\/p>\n

\"Do <\/a>
Do you like my hat? <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Family <\/a>
Family dinner Whistler Ski trip <\/div> <\/div>
\"Fia\" <\/a>
Fia <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was hard to say goodbye but we left Washington mid March. \u00a0After a quick stop in England to visit Echo in Gosport we flew off for some land travel to a part of the world we\u2019ve never been.<\/p>\n

\"Rachel,Mary,Mary,Bill,Jeff\"First stop was Doha Qatar. \u00a0Rachel and her husband Sam live in Doha so we planned a stopover there en route to Vietnam. \u00a0Rachel\u2019s parents, Mary and Bill Ryan were there as well and we spent 4 fun filled days together. \u00a0Would have been perfect if Rachel\u2019s sister Kaitlyn had been there too, we\u2019ll catch up with her another time.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doha is a very modern, vibrant city surrounded by desert. \u00a0The skyline is dramatic with so many interesting buildings. \u00a0Our visit was during Ramadan which was quite interesting as there are very strict customs which the predominantly Muslim population follow. \u00a0The largest impact to us was with regard to eating and drinking as restaurants were closed until late in the day because fasting is required from dawn to sunset. \u00a0 We did have some amazing dinners after sunset. \u00a0In addition to just visiting with one another and getting to know Sam we visited several museums, markets and took an amazing dune ride. \u00a0We also met many of Rachel and Sam\u2019s very interesting friends and colleagues, it is an incredibly diverse group of people from all around the world. \u00a0So happy to have had this opportunity to visit with such good friends in a very interesting place!<\/p>\n

\"National <\/a>
National Museum of Qatar <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"National <\/a>
National Museum <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Camels!\" <\/a>
Camels! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"The <\/a>
The gang on the dune ride <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Wonderful <\/a>
Wonderful dinner out <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Amazing <\/a>
Amazing city skyline <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Touring <\/a>
Touring the dunes <\/div> <\/div>
\"Fun <\/a>
Fun time! <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Museum <\/a>
Museum of Islamic Art <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On to Saigon Vietnam. \u00a0What a city! \u00a0It\u2019s so busy and so much to see. \u00a0Just crossing the street is an adventure, dodging the motor bikes along with cars, buses and trucks can be quite a challenge. \u00a0The Vietnamese are busy industrious people and it was quickly apparent in this city. \u00a0All along the streets there are vendors cooking and selling food with small tables and stools occupied with customers. \u00a0It\u2019s a colorful, busy place with so much history!<\/p>\n

\"View <\/a>
View from our hotel <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Streets <\/a>
Streets of Saigon <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Night <\/a>
Night view of Saigon <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Siagon <\/a>
Opera House <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Siagon\" <\/a>
Union Square <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a few days acclimating to Saigon we boarded the Emerald Cruises river boat Harmony to tour the Mekong and make our way to Cambodia. The ship was purpose built for traveling this water and it was very comfortable. \u00a0The food, staff and amenities were great along with the tours organized along the journey.<\/p>\n

This slideshow requires JavaScript.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

There were about 60 guests on board, several from the UK, and several from Australia, \u00a0along with a few Canadians and Americans. \u00a0It was fun and interesting to spend time with many of the group on the ship and during the outings.<\/p>\n

Along the journey we visited with several local people to learn about their lives. \u00a0We saw pottery and candy being made in addition to fabric weaving. \u00a0We also visited musicians, dancers, markets, temples and historical sites.<\/p>\n

We learned a bit of history and visited sites from the war. \u00a0Our guide was born in the mid 70\u2019s and his perspective was from that of \u00a0South Vietnam. \u00a0In Saigon he took us Independence Palace and spoke of the events during the fall of Saigon. \u00a0Almost 50 years later there has been time for memories be shared and discussed from both \u00a0the south and north perspective. \u00a0For us, \u00a0the entire experience was educational, interesting, heartfelt, heart wrenching and so worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Note. \u00a0Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975 after the North Vietnamese captured the city and united the country. \u00a0It\u2019s population is about 9 million people and its estimated to have about 2 million scooters. https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ho_Chi_Minh_City<\/p>\n

We entered Cambodia in Phnom Pen and docked the boat for the first time since leaving Saigon. \u00a0All previous stops had been at anchor and we were transported to shore on Sampans. \u00a0 As we began to explore the city on our own we found ourselves in the midst of a very festive New Year celebration.<\/p>\n

\"Khmer <\/a>
Khmer New Year <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Khmer <\/a>
Khmer New Year <\/div> <\/div>
\"Khmer <\/a>
Khmer New Year <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

The Khmer New Year marks the end of the harvest season and is celebrated by gathering as a family from all parts of the country to participate in religious and community events. \u00a0We arranged for a tour of the city in a tuk tuk and rode through the streets where the Cambodian people celebrated by soaking each other with water using super soaker water guns, hoses, buckets and what ever manner to propel water they could find. \u00a0Everyone was smiling and happy. They would hold back somewhat as it was clear we were not Cambodian, but were happy to include us if it appeared that we were ok with it. \u00a0They also would powder your face with talcum powder. \u00a0This celebration went on for 3 days and we never saw any animosity, or bad behavior; \u00a0everyone of every age was just out enjoying themselves.<\/p>\n

The temples of Cambodia were incredible. \u00a0We visited several including the sunrise visit to Angkor Wat along with many other tourists but it was still moving. \u00a0We received a traditional blessing from the monks at one temple and wandered through the ruins of a few other temples. \u00a0We also visited a memorial site of the Killing Fields, a horrific period of Cambodian history from 1975 to 1979.<\/p>\n

This slideshow requires JavaScript.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

The Cambodian people are predominantly Buddhist and we found them to be incredibly kind and friendly.<\/p>\n

We were finished with our tour and next was the event around which this entire trip had been planned. \u00a0Sam and Ben, very good friends of Sarah and Kristi had planned their wedding to be held at a resort near Nha Trang in Vietnam. \u00a0Both are from the US but Ben\u2019s parents and two sisters had escaped from Vietnam following the war. \u00a0So thankful to them for including us in their celebration and introducing us to this wonderful country.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The wedding was beautiful! \u00a0During the time at the resort we enjoyed reconnecting with many people we had met previously and meeting many new people. \u00a0About 80 people traveled to attend the wedding. \u00a0Such an adventuresome group of people! \u00a0It was incredibly interesting to have Ben\u2019s mother tell us her story of having escaped Vietnam following the war and wonderful that Sam and Ben chose to have their wedding in Vietnam and honor that heritage.<\/p>\n

Following the wedding about 45 of us flew to Hanoi for more exploring and merriment. \u00a0Lots more delicious meals, interesting Vietnamese coffees and an overnight boat cruise on Halong Bay. \u00a0From here we said goodbye and everyone traveled to various points. \u00a0Several including Sarah, Kristi, Fia, Sam, Ben and Willie continued on to Bali for more adventure at a surf camp for a week.<\/p>\n

This slideshow requires JavaScript.<\/p>

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a>

Touring the Imperial Citidal of Thang Long with Alex<\/p><\/div>\n

We spent our final day in Vietnam doing a bit more exploring in Hanoi with Alex who was introduced to us by a mutual American friend. \u00a0It was a wonderful end to our Vietnam experience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Such an incredible month!<\/p>\n

Thanks to Rachel and Sam for showing us Qatar and thanks to Sam and Ben for encouraging us to travel to Vietnam! \u00a0Congratulations and best wishes to both couples!<\/b><\/p>\n

~ Mary and Jeff~<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Sam <\/a>
Sam Ben and Willie <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Rachel <\/a>
Rachel and Sam November 2022 <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  While Echo spent last winter in the south of England we enjoyed lots of family time in Washington State with Brian, Katie, Sarah, Kristi and Fia. \u00a0So much fun time together, including the holidays. \u00a0We enjoyed every minute!   … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20994,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","post_format-post-format-aside"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/svecho.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/FBB0ABCB-C042-4145-B63E-2FD7B9B18C93.jpeg?fit=640%2C427","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2y1a7-5ps","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20798"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21039,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20798\/revisions\/21039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20994"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/svecho.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}