Thurs, 5/3. Day of Transportation. Took an ox cart ride. Suspension needs work. I was offered the chance to drive, but passed on that. Two wheels, yes. Eight legs, no.
Highlight of the day was a visit to one of the Boat villages that populate the largest fresh water lake in Southeast Asian. Huge difference between the dry season (now) and monsoon season (September). A boat stuck in a tree illustrates the change. Each boat has a septic system. People need to catch about 10 lbs of fish per day to survive. The excess can be sold. Trips onto dry land are infrequent. There is a mayor. Crocks! In cages, not lake. Huge tourist industry.
Before lunch Rath had time to school me on the game of snooker, which as apparently a popular sport here. It was a fun and not too expensive education. I was going to buy him a beer anyway.
After a siesta, we visited a War Museum, essentially a collection of mostly USSR scrap metal. Large collection of small arms with serious displays of the Khmer Rouge atrocities and the ongoing problems with land mines. Cambodia deserves some good days in their future. Next we took a leisurely stroll around the city park. Bats the size of small cats run along tree branches. A nondescript shrine uses colored lighting for effect. Birds are sold. Buy one, let it go for good fortune. Discovered a Raffles Hotel, taking me back to Singapore! With threatening clouds we spent an hour on the balcony waiting for the eventual five minute rain burst. I had a Singapore Sling. Duh. Power went out. Walking in the market with no power was a unique situation. Storefronts with dark inner passages. Something evil this way comes.
Dinner and a show. (Transported back in time.) Buffet style, so I had spaghetti. Show was just fine. The way women can bend their fingers and toes backwards so far is painful to watch. After the show people rush up on stage for a photo op. Tacky.
Walked back to the hotel. At 9 PM, beauty shops still were open and busy. Late night dates I guess? Cambodia is largely a matriarchal society. According to Rath, “Men don’t marry and get a wife. They get a boss!”
It’s been a great time Siem Reap. Being the only object of Rath’s attention
Video Provided too.
Huts for parties and lunch breaks. Restaurants provide food.
Note the boat in the trees. High water mark.
Don’t want your helmet stolen while fishing? Easy solution.
Population, 6,000.
A Buddhist monastery.
Big lake, but only five feet deep.
I passed on a chance to buy a crock belt.
Elephant trunk on roofs. I carefully staged the shot with the dragonfly and bird.
I guess someone buys this bird and lets it go. Then it returns to the salesperson to sell again. Good fortune for someone.
Same glass design in Singapore.
Most popular vehicle? Motor scooters. This is the second most popular. Not a joke. Lexus RS300s are everywhere.
Power goes out? Light a candle.
Looks very much like a Mongolian horsehead fiddle, without the horse’s head.
