One last special day (1)

One of the remarkable things about this trip has been that every day has been terrific in one way or another. So many memorable events, places, people - and there was still one more to go.

This morning we set off for Angkor Wat. Well, actually, at 7.30 this morning, we began the day at Ta Prohm, another temple in the Angkor complex. This particular temple has been overcome by trees; the roots of the Spong trees have strangled parts of the ruin and the atmosphere in the early morning steamy jungle was quite remarkable.

This was the temple of Tomb Raider stuff and as we wandered through the dark and musty galleries, we tried to imagine how it must have been. In the central hall, holes in the wall remain where jewels had been placed - hard to believe how it could have once been studded with diamonds and pearls when now it was such an empty shell.

Hardly any colour beyond the trees and the occasional saffron draped buddha. So photogenic - I filled two whole memory sticks!

We were not quite lucky enough to have the place completely to ourselves, but our guide's experience led us to find the places others didn't go and his patience meant that we were able to wait until the tour group rushed through.

This was too special an experience to hurry.

The Fish Paste Village

Our guide took us to the "Fish Paste Village" - it has a proper name but the local speciality resulted in the nickname and it's stuck. Unlike the floating village, this riverside community is built mostly of wooden homes on stilts, allowing for a cool shady place to be during the day.

The houses front onto a muddy street, with the backs on stilts above the water on one side of the road. The lady is doing the rounds, selling dumplings.

You can see what a high price is set on education- this private school in the village operates some English classes, which bearing in mind the average person earns about $40-$50 a month, are pretty pricey.

Then, ting-a-ling, the ice cream man comes along. Some things are the same the world over!

A different life on the Mekong

We're now at Siem Reap, further up the Mekong and near the Tonle Sap lake. This afternoon we visited a floating village which was fascinating.

 

The people here are self sufficient in that they have everything they need in their community. They move their village around according to the season and the level of water in the lake.

 

There are mobile stores, a petrol filling station, basketball court, pool hall, a school and a police station in the community, alongside dozens and dozens of houseboats.

 

There's a Catholic church for those who wish to attend Mass

And the farmer can still keep his pigs happy in a floating pigsty

 
Not too sure about the sanitary conditions, however, though our guide tells us that all homes are registered and the villagers still have their taxes to pay. There's no escape from that.

 
Well, Maggie said in a recent comment that she used to bathe in the water as a child, but I don't think I'd like to join her in this water.

Out in the lake it's more peaceful, though the drink sellers still buzz alongside and offer their wares. Persistence sometimes pays off.

Cambodia

There's quite a bit of catching up to do, but no time right now! Arriving in Phnom Penh yesterday meant a new hotel and a better internet connection so at least I can share one experience with you today. Bearing in mind events at home just before we left, we found it rather funny

 

Phnom Penh is very interesting indeed and the Cambodian people charming. Having checked in, we headed straight for the Royal Palace where we were captivated by the wonderful colours, the stunning architecture and overall beauty of the place. Our guide filled us in with just enough background information and we spent a happy hour or two there.

As we left, there were the first few heavy drops of rain, typical for an afternoon at this time of the year, said our guide.

On then, to the National Museum and another guide. This time a happy, giggly lady who had a delightful manner but whose face became anxious as the rain began to fall and a bit of thunder rumbled in the distance. The rain became heavier and heavier and we watched, amazed at the powerful tropical storm outside, which continued for the whole hour we were in the museum.

Time to go, then, and what should we find outside, but a good 12" of water in the street! Our driver insisted on bringing the car right up to the steps so that Sir and Madam wouldn't get their feet wet - Madam's Crocs wouldn't have proved a problem but perhaps Sir's leather Timberlands might not have been so waterproof!

Up to the junction then, and *bang* - our driver reversed the car into another in the middle of the water. We sat whilst the whole accident stuff was sorted out, watching the goings on in the water, children larking about and trying to get our attention, the crowd building up to see what happened - and the antics of the driver of the other car trying to get the best out of the situation as he could. His car was not badly damaged, a light broken at most - but clearly this needed to be sorted and we didn't mind how long it took - the scenes through the window were better than TV.

Sorted out in about half an hour, by which time the waters were receding and the deluge over. We returned to our hotel for a quiet night in, happy hour in the bar and a brilliant Khmer dinner - more later.