September 14, 2025
Our first view of Shanghai at night, it's magical!
We traveled to Shanghai via their Bullet train - it took about 4.5 hours and was not as nice as the Japanese trains. The amazing thing was so many of the passengers order fast food delivery via apps and had it delivered to their train cars in the 2 to 3 minutes we were in each of the maybe 4 stops, along the route. KFC, Burger King, McDonald's everywhere! The Chinese also lack social skills, they hardly ever make eye contact, have no concept of standing in line and waiting, and they will climb right over you without a word. We missed Japan!!
We lucked into a VIP upgrade for seating on the upper deck of the river cruise we did tonight. Was such a great way to admire the skyline!!
WOW!! I can't believe it has been two years of sailing around the World already for me and my fellow shipmates on the Villa Vie Odyssey! We left Belfast, Ireland back on September 30, 2024 and it has been such a great adventure to date! We have been to 201 different ports, some more than once, during those two years, with much more to come!
Before coming to Cambodia , I sadly have to admit I was unaware of the landmine problems they face. On our first night in Siem Reap, where we hiked up the hill to try and see the sunset views, there was a small band of men playing instruments and our tuk tuk driver explained to me they were victims of landmine explosions who had lost limbs or their sight and were trying to make money via donations to support their families.
I rallied for our last temple of the morning, because I heard this one was unique and I think it was my favorite. Ta Prohm was built starting in 1186 by King Jayavarman VII as a Buddhist monastery and university dedicated to the king's mother. It was left mostly un-restored so that huge banyan and silk cotton trees grow directly over and through the walls. In 2001, the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie was filmed here.