The following morning started our three day pass through the Temples of Angkor with our Tuk-Tuk driver/guide Sareth. We covered almost all of the temples in the following days, even some of the far out ones. We saw sunrises and sunsets over beautiful scapes and sandstone ruins and really came to appreciate the craftsmanship and work that went in to the amazing structures. It was truly an awe inspiring experience.
While in Siem Reap, we also saw many of the other attractions that the city had to offer. We went to a butterfly sanctuary where we saw the entire life cycle from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly. We also went to a land mine museum where we learned about the clearing of various explosives from rural areas thoughout Cambodia that had been placed during the many years of fighting there. One of our favorite was an acrobatic circus that starred local kids.
From Seim Reap we ventured down to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Nicknamed the "Pearl of Asia" for some reason, the busy city is located at the junction of the Tonle and Mekong rivers. Our first day in town was spent exploring the National Museum and the popular river walk.
The next day we went to see the most popular sight in Phnom Penh and also the most sombering, the Killings Fields of Choeung Ek. Here close to 9,000 people were killed and placed in mass graves by the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979. We then drove to the S-21 prison where many of the people executed were held prior to being driven to Choeung Ek. Learning about the genocide was important, but very sad to learn that the nearly 1/3 of the population of Cambodia was wiped out during that period.
The next morning before our flight to Vietnam, we decided to visit the "Silk Island" and see the entire silk making process. It was really cool to see how little worms eating mulberry leaves could eventually produce a beautiful silk scarf. From the island we drove to the airport and headed for Ho Chi Min City. 
On first day in Saigon we took a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels to experience how the Viet Cong controlled a large rural area of 30km during the Vietnam War. They fought the American troops through a remarkable tunnel network that stretched from Saigon to Cambodia. Upon our return to town we visited the extremely one-sideed War Remnants Museum and a post office designed by Gustave Eiffel.
The following morning we took a tour to the Mekong Delta where houses, restaurants, and markets float on the innumerable rivers, canals and streams, all flowing towards the South China Sea. Upon returning to HCMC we attended another acrobatics show called the AO Show, where the cast used wicker bowls and boats to preform stunts.
The next day we caught a flight north to Da Lat to spend Halloween in the honeymoon capital of Vietnam. We took a city tour that consisted of a gondola ride, a mini roller coaster to a waterfall, a flower garden and the Hang Nga Crazy House, which was perfect for a Halloween night with its spooky trees and passageways, accented by the sunset. That night after dinner we went to see a live band at a blues bar, who had a very talented 7 year old girl as their drummer.
In the morning we took a scenic bus ride down from the highlands to the beach town of Nha Trang. We spent the day lounging on the beach enjoying the sun and slowing down a bit after the crazy last week an a half. The next morning, I joined a dive boat for 2 dives while mom explored the town. We capped the night off with some great beer and sushi with our toes in the sand at a beach side restaurant. 
Moms last stop was to historic Hoi An, where upon arrival we each got fitted for custom suits and shirts at one of the hundreds of tailor shops. We then explored the old town seeing old Chinese houses, Japanese bridges and local museums. On our second day we rented bikes to check out a pottery village and some of the surrounding beaches. Hoi An is a beautiful town that lights up at night with the countless colored lanterns and candels that line the streets and trees and we really enjoyed our time there. 
This morning I sadly had to say goodbye to my mom as she left to fly back to San Diego. It was a great two weeks and I couldn't have asked for a better travel partner. Her youthful excitement for traveling really energized me and helped me appreciate all that we experienced together. I am so thankful for her visit and I am sure our future holds many more adventures together.
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