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Log of S/V High Drama

  No.22 Laos & Cambodia

December, 2003

 Lao People's Democratic Republic

      Sabai dee!

      Sosidi!

      That’s “Hello!” in Laotian and Khmer, with deference given for the spelling.

      Please join us while we leave High Drama and travel inland to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This Log covers only Laos and Cambodia. Viet Nam will be cover in a subsequent Log. Viewing this log is not for the faint at heart.

      As we sailed through the South Pacific we developed an interest in the Marine Corps and Naval battles in the area in World War ll. The sacrifices of our parents’ generation rang through as we sailed in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and as we sailed up the Coral Sea off Australia to Papua New Guinea. In this and the next Log we travel to Southeast Asia: Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam, places where members of our generation fought and died.

      We enjoyed historical areas and areas developed for tourism in each country. Before going, however,   we read several books for an update on what happened after United States forces left in 1973. We were shocked to learn that people in these countries are still dying as a consequence of our military action there more than thirty years ago. Landmines still restrict travel in Laos and Cambodia. Unexploded bombs and still toxic levels of dioxin from Agent Orange persist in Viet Nam. UXO still inflicts casualties on farmers and children. Make sure that you read past the travelogue sections.  

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