24 Hours in Ho Chi Minh

We were in Ho Chi Minh, the capital of Vietnam for only 24 hours. We had flown in around midnight, and had a day to soak in this colorful city. Early the next morning we had to hop on the bus to go to neighboring Phnom, Penh Cambodia. So what follows is a catalogue of sorts, of a day well-spent in the city formerly known as Saigon.

1. Good morning, Vietnam!

Hong Han hostel, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

The Phantom of the World: 5 Cities, 1 Moving Musical

"You alone can make my song take flight.  Help me make the music of the night." 

 -- "The Music of the Night," The Phantom of the Opera

On A Side Note: Guess who replied to our tweets?

 "Say the word and I will follow you." (at least on Twitter)

 
"Could it be? Could it be Christine?"  

The Bucket List 10

Just last year, I crossed two items off my bucket list -- Climb the Great Wall of China, and see the limestone karsts of Krabi, Thailand. Both of these happened purely by grace -- they were an unearned, undeserved, and unmerited blessing from above.

What is also striking about both experiences, is that they happened when I least expected it, but just at the right season in my life. They were not on any of my timelines or to-do lists, they just happened at the best possible time.

So these that follow -- I've no schedule for them. I trust that they will be given to me, or not be given to me, for all the right reasons. After all, my God is a God of perfect timing, and perfect wisdom.

1. Experience the cherry blossoms season in Kyoto

 

Siem Reap: 5 Things You Need to Know

© Jiewwan stockfreeimages.com

1. OVERVIEW 

Siem Reap,which is located in northwestern Cambodia, means "Siam Defeated" -- in reference to long years of conflict with  neighboring Thailand.

The main reason why people visit Siem Reap is that it is the gateway to the 12th century temples of the ancient city of Angkor. And though the town started registering into travelers' radar as far back as the 1960s, it is only recently that tourism has really gone well under way.