We kicked off the day with a sunrise photo walk in Phnom Penh for the shutterbugs. After a short tuk-tuk ride to Wat Ounalom, we explored the area and the Angkor period temple in the back of the complex.
Jean Michel Filippi from the University of Phnom Penh came abroad for an in-depth presentation on Cambodian modern history. His hour-and-fifteen-minute talk covered the complexities of the interventions and government transitions leading up to the U.S. Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge. Afterwards, we took a short break to enjoy coconuts on the terrace deck before a question-and-answer session with Jean Michel.
Shortly before lunch, we went on deck to watch the ship navigate the narrowest stretch of the Tonle Sap River with a 90-degree "dog leg" turn.
In the afternoon, we took a scenic tuk-tuk ride to the village of Kampong Leaeng to visit local artisans making pottery and palm leaf baskets. There were three options for the afternoon. Some guests took a short ride to return to the ship after the pottery and palm leaf demonstrations. Others enjoyed a scenic return trip, and the third group chose a longer route that included a visit to a pre-Angkorian 7th century temple, Prasat Srey. The second and third options provided glimpses of rural Cambodian life with views of rice fields, traditional houses, and other beautiful scenery on the return tuk-tuk trip.
