You mean "celebrity" as in Bristol and Sarah Palin and Dogster? Or do you mean a "celebrity" on a wannabe travel site mainly concerned with recipies for cole slaw and beans?

laleslie: I keep saying: Marija isn't demonic, she's from Chicago. Mucho importante! I think she's a saint!!!

mercky, mercky, merckyyyy, glad to have you back in here. My life would not be complete without your pith and gobble.

You'll be delighted to know that canine hubris is just around the corner - but, before the fall, you'll have to wade through a bit of pith and gobble of my own.

Knowing you are reading has quite inspired me. I'll try and come up with something that will enrage you even more. I strive for the perfect storm.

Dogster LOL
Merckk, do you come on here to read about coleslaw then?

Move over Pandaw, you’re looking like yesterday’s hero. There’s a new kid in town.

Mekong river cruising is big business these days. There are five boats plying the stretch between Saigon and Siem Reap with two more in the making - that’s three separate companies in tight competition for the Mekong market. There’s a war going on.

Just on nine months ago the new kid arrived. After a few fits and starts Jayarvarman hit the muddy Mekong waters. It’s taken one debut season and some clever product placement for the J’man to blitz the competition. Incredibly, nine months later, the entire second season is sold out.

Nothing this old Dog can possibly write will eclipse that amazing achievement. For once in his life Dogster went on a cruise that wasn’t crap. Even the passengers were fine – well, most of them.

So, if I pass the occasional caustic comment, don’t think that reflects on the product. I really don’t think even the J’man is responsible for his clients. It’s the cruising luck of the draw.

Let’s get the basics out of the way. Go here for the trip I was on:

http://www.heritage-line.com/8d7nthe...eam.php?lan=en

Go here for the cabins:

www.heritage-line.com/cabin_photos.php?lan=en

<i>[For comparison purposes, here’s a picture of the cabins on Pandaw: sorry Pandaw, couldn’t resist]</i>
http://www.pandaw.com/ships-pandaw-s...m-c-71_76.html

On the J'man Mr. Dogster was allocated a small space in the crew quarters, befitting his VIP status. No matter. I’m bigger than that. I won’t mention it again.

Here’s a picture of Thomas:
www.heritage-line.com/contactus.php?lan=en

There’s no real reason to put a picture of Thomas in here – I never did meet him, but there’s something about the picture that I like. It speaks volumes about the management style.

Young. Keen. Enthusiastic.

Do you get the feeling I liked this?

You’d be right.

For once in my life I’m stumped. I have no dirt to dish. There’s nothing wrong with the J’man. In fact, he had so much going for him on board, any grizzling from me is simply the mental wandering of a curmudgeon. What to write? I asked all the passengers who would talk to me… any complaints?

Nope.

Bear with me while I try and dredge up a grizzle or two. It’ll take a day or so.

Really wish i could figure that serenity cruise into my forth coming Cambodia trip.......

Tomollo' and Tomollo' and Tomollo'...

<i>...Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. </i>

I think the last lines are particularly apt.

Is that melancholia setting in, or are you feeling philosophical today? Either way, the Greek Chorus is looking for dogster not Shakespeare here. Glad to hear you enjoyed the cruise, but surely there's still something to write about?

Here's to making the most of however many minutes remain of that "hour upon the stage." More strut. Less fret. Please.

To strut or not to strut...

Will he convince us all to go on the Jayavaraman next year? Will it be the Love Boat? Stay tuned...

Will there be dogster- and marija-led Shakespearean readings aloud upon the deck of the Love Boat?

Since we've already detoured to Elizabethan England maybe a quick trip to present-day Nepal would be OK, since I'm not sure if dogster is still following my Nepal thread.

Dogster - Michelle from Courtyard says "hi". She has single rooms for my dates, but I'm wondering whether it's worth paying nearly twice as much for a deluxe room - did you see both types and do you have an opinion?

Kathie, if the entire second season is sold out as dogster says, you won't be cruising on the Jayavaraman next year.

A Swiss with a sense of humor? Will wonders never cease?

LA--if you estimate Mr. Thomas' age from his photo and read the text, you'll see that at least half of his life has been spent away from the mother ship!