Prek K' Dam.

Yesterday we have headed back down the river and have been overnight at Prek K' Dam...tied up to a tree!! :-0

Sunset tonight

Lyn and myself with the lovey Jenny, who looked after us each meal on the boat.

                       Today we get on a bus and begin a 5 hour drive to Siem Reap.
We had a few stops on the way, I was right up the back and thankful couldn't see the road ahead, the driving as a bit hairy from time to time!! We stopped at a market

the dried banana and fruits here  look great, not so sure about the fried crickets and tarantulas!!

or cockroaches

more crickets

heaps of them here!!

I think these could be snake fruit but am not sure

Lyn got brave and held a live tarantula, this was close enough for me!!!

We carried on in the bus and passed many interesting things

We passed lots of temples

places where statues were made

the stone mason at work

we stopped for a cuppa, these tiny flowers were in the car park

lots of interesting vehicles on the road

and people selling food.

and rice paddies for miles.

We arrived at Siem Reap in time for lunch and a swim in the pool before our next outing.

Only

one excursion today, to visit the floating village of Kampong Chhnang

the people live on the river, use water from the river to wash, cook and drink and catch fish from the river, they have bamboo floats under the houses and also big plastic drums. The bamboo needs to be replaced every 5 years.

We got off the boat at the river side and had a wander up the street to the market

lotus seeds being dried

anything you need to waterproof your boat here

this man was selling Cambodian jelly, very popular. It is made from a river plant, is black and needs condensed milk and sugar added to it to give it some taste.

this lady sold medicinal herbs 

this was deep fried something!!

Tinny our guide showed us dried fish, this  one was rare and costs US$50 a kg. It was light so you would get a lot for your money and it would keep well.

Back on the boat

Tinny showed us various ways of using the Cambodian scarf, this was for protecting your head while carrying a bowl or tray.

the Chef welcomed us for lunch each day with the lunch dished we could choose from.

In the afternoon Ms Wong gave us a demo of towel folding...

a turtle

monkey

dog

swans

elephant.

then we got to have a try.

Later in the evening we had a farewell presentation from the crew, which was great fun.

More soon.

Oudong - super photo heavy again

Today we visited a Buddhist Monastery and received a blessing from two monks...not every day you get to listen to the monks chanting and then get flowers chucked over you!!

the main temple

the monks before the blessing

the flowers after the blessing

tourist after blessing!

beautiful murals along the walls

the young monks get to clean up after the blessing

this young monk was 14 and visiting from Phonm Penh, he was very shy but happy to ask out guides questions

main temple from the back

it was washing day when we were there

a priest lived here, one room, communal bathroom down the back somewhere and he ate with the monks and nuns

this was where the wealthy nuns lived

and this was where the poor nuns lived

the nuns cook the food and serve it for everyone

and they eat in here

as we were leaving the monks came for lunch, some nuns were waiting further down the path to dish up their food

they were walking sedately almost like they were meditating as they walked 

no one talked

this statue was near the front gate.

We were bused from here to the village of Kampong Tralach where we got an ox cart ride back to the boat. Not the most comfortable ride, nearly lost hubby a couple of times as he slid forward!!

ready for the off!!

the ox next to us

ambling down the road

past the local village and school

and back to the boat.

In the evening we had La Marguerite's Got Talent...a show from some of the crew and passengers which was great fun.

More soon.