Battambang


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Asia » Cambodia » North » Battambang
January 16th 2007
Published: January 31st 2007
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Battambang didn't come across to us as beautiful as we thought it would when we arrived, but we soon changed our minds. We spent two days there with a couple of great local guys who survived the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Even though they both lost many members of their families and are qualified to do much more important jobs, they were still so happy to show us their country.

As well as visiting killing caves where the Khmer Rouge executed prisoners- maybe some of our guides families- they also showed us how the locals work and farm the countryside. They also made us sample rice wine, fish paste, red ants and sticky rice. They knew what we really wanted to see- the real side of Cambodia.


Additional photos below
Photos: 25, Displayed: 22


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Bamboo trainBamboo train
Bamboo train

This rickety thing is great. The actual train only runs every 2 days so we were confident we wouldn't run into one!
Tank wheelsTank wheels
Tank wheels

The bamboo rafts are fixed to old tank wheels to scoot up and down the line!
Killing CavesKilling Caves
Killing Caves

This one of the caves where Pol Pot's army silently murdered hundreds of people. They were thrown in after execution.
BonesBones
Bones

These are some of the remains of Khmer Rouge victims from this cave.
ClothesClothes
Clothes

These are some of the clothes they were wearing when they died.
Sugar CaneSugar Cane
Sugar Cane

This nice lady prepared a foul sugar cane drink for us. It tastes like grass and makes Pete feel allergic.
Bed time for ducksBed time for ducks
Bed time for ducks

These guys have to cross the road every morning and every night.
Fruit batsFruit bats
Fruit bats

They're massive, and well noisy. And they're a delicacy here (only because they're rare and Cambodians eat everything!)
Big BatBig Bat
Big Bat

They call them flying dogs.
SwamptasticSwamptastic
Swamptastic

Our drivers assured us that its safe to drink- but our tame English stomachs weren't up to it.
Dinner at lastDinner at last
Dinner at last

The fruit shakes here give innocent a run for their money any day.
Bamboo cakes Bamboo cakes
Bamboo cakes

Sticky rice, red beans and coconuts juice is stuffed into the bamboo and chucked on a fire. Delish.
Home brew?Home brew?
Home brew?

This elaborate setup is for cooking and fermenting rice water to make it really alcoholic! and grimbergen.
Deep fried birds anyone?Deep fried birds anyone?
Deep fried birds anyone?

They look funny.
Ladies preparing fish pasteLadies preparing fish paste
Ladies preparing fish paste

It stinks here. But they love it. The paste even has maggots in and they cook all dishes with it! The locals don't do hygeine.
Fish pasteFish paste
Fish paste

be sick
Rice paperRice paper
Rice paper

These ladies make 1000 a day!
CowsCows
Cows

Drinking.
Our guidesOur guides
Our guides

After two days harcore motorbiking- these guys took us to a cool restaurant and fed us red ants and fish paste!


1st February 2007

Lots of fish!
Hey there, Seems this part of your travels contains the most fish consumed by far?!?! Cant really keep up with what uve done, your doing amazing! good luck and keep safe - (wise not to drink out of any swamp) love us xx
4th March 2007

At last .... re-found how to add comment!!!!
It`s great sitting here on a wet March evening looking at your amazing pictures....I`ve just got the cat and a bowl of tulips for company! The world seems both very big and very small- that sounds trite but this sort of easy communication is amazing!!! Lots of the family were at Ellie and Simon`s wedding last week - and have evidently been reading your blog. They all send a `Hi` especially Timmy and Sam - who are keen to do something similar one day! Lovely to talk to you earlier today - I will certainly sort out Skype.... As ever - loads of love....many hugs -keep safe and enjoy all that comes MumXX

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