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Cambodia/Kâmpóng Saôm Round the world trip 2007
12-19
We are definitely in Cambodia and things are different! Little houses on stilts make a border between the road and the rice fields. Small ponds are dug out front of many of the homes to collect water. The more affluent homes have wells. Water buffalo are used extensively and make their home in deep water holes, also in the yards. We hear two-stroke gas engines everywhere, powering 100’s of 12 volt batteries lined up around the “electric” stores. The hellos echo after us from the dozens of children shouting the greeting to us riding by on our unusual bicycle. Here, too, are many bicycles; ridden to and from school, work and play! But, none of us have the right of way.
This poor country has been at war and a target of take over for years: Thailand, Vietnam, Japanese, Chinese, Khmer Rouge and even the US released 100’s of mines here – many still live. The Cambodians have been war-free since only about 2000-2002. During the Pol Pot years many millions of Cambodians were slaughtered: the intellects, teachers, and leaders. There is a great hope and exhilaration in the people, making one feel that the country will once again prosper.
Bokor National Park is on top of the Elephant Mountains just west of Kampot and we signed up for a 4WD tour up a challenging dirt stream bed that used to be a road to visit the park. The French developed a resort, an elegant hill station in the 1920’s. The cool climate drew visitors to the casino and hotels atop the mountain. The Japanese, Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese laid waste to the area. Little remains but the skeletons: concrete hulls loom over the plateau and the vast views out to the sea islands. We jungle trekked through the dense foliage on our way back down. It was hot, sticky, steep and slippery. How could any army fight or move effectively through this mass of tangled greenery and we were on a cut trail!?
We picked up our truck ride again after 45 minutes that transported us to our sunset boat ride. We arrived at the river Tebk Chhou to board a long tail launch to propel us down river to Kampot. Our guide surprised us with cold beers for $1US; most of us partook of his offer. We arrived at the quay side as the sun dropped behind the mountain range. Judee and I headed off to a second dinner of Pork medallions in a thick local pepper sauce, mashed potatoes and veggies. A wonderful long day.
Vision to See
Faith to Believe
Courage to Do
Inscription from sundial in front of Union Station Los Angeles, CA
December 20 Cambodia Weltreise 2007 >
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December 16 Cambodia/Kâmpóng Saôm Weltreise
We are definitely in Cambodia and things are different! Little houses on stilts make a border between the road and the rice fields. Small ponds are dug out front of many of the homes to collect water. The more affluent homes have wells. Water buffalo are used extensively and make their home in deep water holes, also in the yards. We hear two-stroke gas engines everywhere, powering 100’s of 12 volt batteries lined up around the “electric” stores. The hellos echo after us from the dozens of children shouting the greeting to us riding by on our unusual bicycle. Here, too, are many bicycles; ridden to and from school, work and play! But, none of us have the right of way.
This poor country has been at war and a target of take over for years: Thailand, Vietnam, Japanese, Chinese, Khmer Rouge and even the US released 100’s of mines here – many still live. The Cambodians have been war-free since only about 2000-2002. During the Pol Pot years many millions of Cambodians were slaughtered: the intellects, teachers, and leaders. There is a great hope and exhilaration in the people, making one feel that the country will once again prosper.
Bokor National Park is on top of the Elephant Mountains just west of Kampot and we signed up for a 4WD tour up a challenging dirt stream bed that used to be a road to visit the park. The French developed a resort, an elegant hill station in the 1920’s. The cool climate drew visitors to the casino and hotels atop the mountain. The Japanese, Khmer Rouge and Vietnamese laid waste to the area. Little remains but the skeletons: concrete hulls loom over the plateau and the vast views out to the sea islands. We jungle trekked through the dense foliage on our way back down. It was hot, sticky, steep and slippery. How could any army fight or move effectively through this mass of tangled greenery and we were on a cut trail!?
We picked up our truck ride again after 45 minutes that transported us to our sunset boat ride. We arrived at the river Tebk Chhou to board a long tail launch to propel us down river to Kampot. Our guide surprised us with cold beers for $1US; most of us partook of his offer. We arrived at the quay side as the sun dropped behind the mountain range. Judee and I headed off to a second dinner of Pork medallions in a thick local pepper sauce, mashed potatoes and veggies. A wonderful long day.
Vision to See
Faith to Believe
Courage to Do
Inscription from sundial in front of Union Station Los Angeles, CA
