Blogs from Battambang, North, Cambodia, Asia - page 4

We finished off a great day with a visit to the circus. Set up in 1994 to help school children deal with the horrors of the Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge, it's a form of play therapy. Hat was delighted as shed claim in Zindonesia that she'd never been to a circus, even though we reminded her of at least four circus visits in the UK. It was dark when we arrived and the tent was open sided, so we were glad that we'd put insect repellent on. The first act was traditional Cambodian dancers, very graceful and Hat was entranced. The second act was the acrobats and they were very strong and talented. It reminded Ed of Parkour, so he was all in.... read more

We're moving onto Battambang today. It's the King's birthday, so the number of mini buses was reduced and the first one available was 2.30. The travelling was more rugged than we've had before. A bumpy road, some wilder driving techniques, cramped and a bit too hot. The kids were great again and I smiled to myself when Ed said 'it's only a five hour journey' in quite a nonchalant voice. The countryside has changed from both Indonesia and Malaysua. It's now drier and the bare earth is orange, it looks more like Africa. It could be that we're entering the fifty season here and that it happens earlier here than in the southern countries. Most of the land beside the road is farmland and there wasn't a paddy field in site. We also noticed that all ... read more

"Is it safe?" the fair skinned Canadian woman asks, frowning. She eyes the small platforms of slatted bamboo lined up at the station where visitors start their short journey on the bamboo "train." They look like rafts that would sink in water. "Not really," I say. I've ridden this popular attraction in Battambang before. I know how fast the platforms can go, and I know the thrill of hurtling through space with no protective head gear or seat belts. It's something my mother would tell me to never do. "You might as well, you've come all this way. It's very scenic." I have an ulterior motive in convincing her to go. I would only pay $5 instead of $10 if I ride with someone else. She thinks for a moment, and discusses with her tuk tuk ... read more

Excuse me but I just need to add a bit about last night. I know this isn't right but, well, deal with it. So, I was looking for some ice cream and was a tad disappointed when they didn't have any. The desserts menu was limited but I was tempted by the Khmer Delight and so asked the smiling waiter what it was. He said it was bananas and coconut and assured me it was really nice and he liked it himself. I trusted him. And he was right, it was nice. Lumps of banana and nuts in a liquidy coconut mass. It tasted fine. But it was grey! A dirty GREY! When have you ever had grey food unless it had gone off? We can't even think of any food that is grey let alone ... read more

Voici une journée qui est placé sous le signe du repos, marché et massage chez les aveugles pas beaucoup plus à dire si ce n'est qu'elle ce finie par une belle tablé au Flavors of India surement le meilleur restaurant de la ville avec des belles portions comme les gros mangeur les aiment et en plus de ça savoureuse ! Par la suite ce sera un bus couchette direction Sihanoukville en passant par Phnom Phen ont est pas arrivé dessuite ...... read more