last three days in Cambodia

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It's 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, November 29, here in Siem Reap. We're leaving for the airport in an hour and a half. Luckily, we're flying back to Paris via Kuala Lumpar because most of the flights via Bangkok have been cancelled, and lots of the foreigners in this cybercafe are using the Internet and Skype to try and rearrange their travel plans.

I've had a marvelous time in Cambodia. This past week was fantastic, what with the Angkor Archaeological Park and the competence of our guide. As for the first week, it was very interesting, too, esp. from a humanitarian point of view. Probably what I'll remember most, though, is the kindness and the "resilience" of the Cambodian people.

The end of a good trip is always a bit sad, particularly as I know I'm going back to the cold and grey of Paris!

My thanks to all of you who have followed my travels and a special thanks to those who have sent me messages or made comments.

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Photos

house of our hosts
This is Sopheak's parents' house. They have 7 daughters and one son; her aunt also lives with them. Sopheak works in the booking department of Asian Tours. Her parents host lunches like ours about once a month. These meals and Sopheak's salary help support the family. One daughter is married. Sopheak is the only one who works. All the other children are still students at the university.

Sopheak's mother
heating water in the outdoor kitchen

Sopheak's father
frying fish (from their own pond in the yard) in the rainy season kitchen

making amok
This is the national dish. It's made from fish, pork, eggs, curry, etc. and is wrapped and steamed in banana leaves

Angkor artisans
This is an NGO first sponsored by the French government, then the EU, and is now Cambodian run.

painting on silk
The young woman is deaf and dumb.

Darith at chapel
Darith used to be a monk and is very religious. Here, he's placing lotus flowers and incense and giving an offering to Buddha.

eating by candlelight
the lights went off one night at our hotel at 21h. After dinner, I went for a swim. The water and outdoor temperature were "delicious", and I very much enjoyed swimming beneath the stars.

Comments

[Caroline and Nick]

Thanks for sharing
your trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. What a trip - photos are great and especially enjoyed the extra information about cooking, schools, crafts, etc. We had 14 to Thanksgiving here in California - hope to see you here soon!