Blogs from Koh Kong , West, Cambodia, Asia - page 3

He grabs hold of me, the father of the dead girl. He spills so much sadness from his heart, but he holds back the tears and can barely speak. So I cry for him, cry here at the funeral for his beautiful twelve year old daughter, trampled by an elephant. Chi Phat and the surrounding region now grieve for this family. The funeral will continue for 7 days. Family and neighbors gather. They ride in, three and four people crammed on each motorcycle, carrying baskets and other things for the family. A photo of the daughter is displayed and is surrounded by offerings of fruit, sweets, and other precious items. I never expected to be at a funeral so soon after I arrived in this little village, situated deep in the Cardamom Mountains in southern Cambodia. ... read more

Στον παραδεισο μου παρακαλεσα τον ήλιο να βγει. Στο monsoon ή αλλιως στην εποχη των βροχων ειναι λιγο ρουλετα η καλοκαιρια. Παρακαλεσα λοιπον και εταξα να μην γκρινιαξω στις επομενες κοντρα συνθηκες. Εσυ εισαι που το λες. Νατες οι κοντρα συνθηκες παει και η γκρινια μου μιας και ο ηλιος βγηκε και βασιλεψε. Πηραμε τα βουνα, και πιο συκριμμενα τα Cardamon βουνα, εκει οπου η ζουγκλα μπερδευευται με τα rainforest. Εκει δηλαδη που χανει η μανα το παιδι. Chi phat. Μια κοινοτητα κοντα στα συνορα με την Ταιλανδη που πηρε πνοη με τον eco τουρισμο. Φτασαμε ορεξατοι και εγω δεν συμβιβαζομουνα με μια βαρκαδα στο χαραμα. Ηθελα mountain bike για τους καταραχτες τρομαρα μου. Και δωσε βροχη και παρε λασπη. Και δωσε πεταλι. Και δωσε πονο. Φανη, δικο σου σκεφτομουν. Για οσους δεν ξερουν τον Φανη, ... read more

Koh Kong Koh Kong was an excellent first visit in Cambodia as it is "true" Cambodia and not a common tourist destination. As possibly my first encounter with an uncommonly traveled town in South East Asia, I soon discovered a need to get some vocabulary lessons after having to pass up eating at one particular street vender as we couldn't portray the message that we would like some of her food and how much does it cost? Eventually our miming skills must have improved as a little further down the line the theatrical wonder that was "I would like some of your food and how much is it?" was more successful, although over time pen and paper were incorporated to write numbers. Getting back to the hostel (Paddys Guest House) we utilized an English speaking Cambodian ... read more