Entering our third day with our tuk-tuk driver, we went further afield, and did the "big tour". It was a 1.5 hour trip to Kabal Spean, and we really got to see the countryside, and watched people going about their business. Pictured left is a typical Cambodian country home, built on stilts to take account of the heavy rains when they come. People hang out at ground level, but scurry up if water is on the way. We also saw motorbikes loaded with entire families as well as people transporting farming produce to the cities. Cathy, Dave and I started a challenge to look for the most laden motorbike, or the most bizzare cargo. The tuk-tuk would fill up on fuel in used plastic bottles sold by road-side shacks. I even saw one shack that had a petrol tanker reversed into it as a petrol station!
On the way back to Siem Reap, we went to see Banteay Srei - a temple of pinkish hue and of Hindi persuasion. It was full of the most ornate carvings, including intricate cobras and snarling faces fitted with individual teeth - ahead of their time!
Kabal Spean is the site of a waterfall and some carvings lurking under the water. The best part of it was the interesting hike up to see these - this was jungle territory and we could hear the sound of monkeys and strange insects filling the air. Winding tree roots sprawled before us and we had to clamber over rocks. The middle picture is a view of the jungle canopy view that we got part way up.
The carvings and waterfall were rewarding, though we hoped that the water would be of sufficient volume for a swim, since we had brought our swimwear! Dave and I were persuaded to take a dunk under the waterfall anyway.
On the way back to Siem Reap, we went to see Banteay Srei - a temple of pinkish hue and of Hindi persuasion. It was full of the most ornate carvings, including intricate cobras and snarling faces fitted with individual teeth - ahead of their time!
The evening was completed with another trip to the swimming pool, and then a further trip to our favourite restaurant. I ate "Fish Amok", Amok being a traditional Khmer dish - a fish curry with coconut paste and a delicious combination of spices - it bears some similarities with Thai curry. Khmer is the ethnic group to which the majority of Cambodians belong.
I also had some better news from India... our Didi Kerna has come home from hospital, and is on the mend.
I also had some better news from India... our Didi Kerna has come home from hospital, and is on the mend.
