We keep running into other fellow travelers from Vietnam as we progress. Hello Bev and Jackie, Bruce and Laurie, Simon and your beautiful bride (?? sorry).
And now a random list of Cambodian commentary, events, and experience that aren’t history and aren’t temples…
The Sinta Mani Hotel is a western focused hotel. Lots of loud Americans, and missing our Asian breakfast buffet. But a smash burger by the pool? That’s alright.
Another round of music lessons – Juju jamming’ for mine victims.
Street food: Amok (traditional Cambodian stew) and fresh fruit and rum slushies (blender powered off a motorcycle!). Grilled quail, squid, and pork belly.
Cambodian Circus Performance – mind blown
Half day market tour and Khmer cooking lessons. Just as good as the one in Hoi An – but just the two of us.
Spring Rolls – it’s hot. But every time you pause for a breath, someone hands you a tightly rolled, damp, ice cold towel – often jasmine scented. This happens 5-10 times a day and washing your hands and cooling down your face and neck with a “spring roll” is a miracle.
Artisan Angkor Center – We attended demonstrations of silk making, wood carving, and metal smithing. I splurged on a silk shirt. You know, for the orphans
Yellow Hornbill Sighting
Toilets: everywhere in Vietnam and Cambodia we ran into the poor man’s bidet – a kitchen sink sprayer, mounted behind the bowl. I’m putting one in when I get home. And also – don’t squat on the seat, Chinese tourists.
Monasteries are a form of social safety net. Disabled kids, delinquents and oldsters without family support take on the robe and exchange a life of piety for sustenance.
Gold Silk Farm: A Wednesday visit to a working silk farm and an education in Cambodian real-politick from the owner Pheach. The farm and factory were built to employee refugees, victims and orphans of the Khmer. Pheach’s commentary cut through the propaganda and changed our view on quite a few things.
Aliens: so Mayan Temples and Cambodian Temples are way more alike than different. And both peaked at exactly the same time (900-1000 AD?) And nobody knows how they did it. And this fossil.
Just sayin’
The Remok: Cambodia’s version of the Cyclo (Vietnam) or TukTuk (Bangkok)
Ms. Moly. Justine met a lovely, warm and gracious young graduate of Shanta Mani hospitality training. Her role there allows her to support her entire family. They met again on our last day and committed to staying touch!
JuJu’s 58th: What a way to spend it! A visit to a 7th wonder of the world – Angkor Wat, a goodbye to Siem Reap, and a business class upgrade to a resort in Phuket.
Goodbye! Thank you to our guide Rom (Seng Phearom) and our driver Ravouth. So knowledgeable, professional, and fun to travel with.
Mac and Juju explore Southeast Asia 