We're here in Phnom Pehn and it's Wednesday night.
Nearly 4 days of adventure and that's counting when we left Adelaide.
I feel that if I did no more and just reflected upon what we have seenand done would be a holiday in itself. Everything is so different and there is so much to look at and examine and ponder. From the time we arrived in Phnom Pehn it has been mindboggling.
The traffic is incredible. Millions of scooters with 2 - 5 people onboard, tuk tuks (motorbikes with a cart attached), cars and trucks plusa few buses streaming in all directions.
When we arrived we arranged to be taken to the place we had chosen from our "Lonely planet". The moto turned out to be a motor bike with us and our back packs behing the driver. I at least had mine off and held on the lap of the driver. Brian still had his on our back. It was a long 7km! This is where we first met this traffic. But it works and we arrived safely. We can even cross the road now. I do have to hold Brian's hand though just to give me that little bit of confidence. You just look and keep moving. They just avoid hitting you.
We are staying at a guest house on a lake. Our room is modest but has a toilet and a cold 'shower' and is built over the water. We are unsure of where our water comes from and suspect the loo and shower empty into the lake, though I hope not.
The lane leading to our guest house gives us a little bit of an insight into the daily lives of Cambodian families. Grandpa is busy each day carving out a bedhead. Grandma nurses the baby. Someone else is rocking a hammock putting a toddler to sleep. Mum is following toddler around with his food, getting in a mouthful every now and then. Brother and sister play sword fights - the younger brother tormenting from what we can see.
The markets have been a kaleidoscope of colours, sounds, smells and sights. And crowded is an understatement. I had plans of taking lots of pics but it is just so difficult to capture it.
We enjoyed walking aroung the gardens of the Royal Palace and theNational Museum just because of the quiet and clean and calm environment with shady gardens. Beyond the walls is a noisy, hectic and polluted world. We have little masks to keep out the fumes.
Today we we went out into the countryside, about 40km from Phnom Pehn. Just the ride on the tuk Tuk was an adventure for all we saw of life in the countryside and how people work and live. I was delighted that I managed the 600 steps up to the temple we were visiting and the 400 back via a different route. My knee has held outand I have even been able to reduce the dose of the anti inflamatory.
Today we have tried snake. Brian bought 4 of them. I had a taste but left it at that. I didn't mind the frogs legs which were stuffed with rice and lemongrass. We both said no to the huge toasted spiders orthe crunchy insects that we saw at the market.
We are staying in an area that reminds me of the Bali I knew 30 years ago except that everyone has mobile phones and there are heaps of internet cafes. I've only seen one letterbox. That was at the Central PO!
Very upsetting is the number of kids out selling books and cards. (Are they going to school?) Some seem to be out on the street all day and night. According to a paper report I read here, ony a small age of kids get to grade 3. Too many get no schooling at all. The beggars, many missing limb/s is also upsetting.
