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Cambodia/Kâmpóng Saôm Round the world trip 2007
12-20
Today we rode through a picture postcard of Cambodia. Rice fields being harvested by hand, cut, baled and piled into carts for bulls to pull out of the field or taken out on a long “justice” pole over a farmers shoulders. The rice is removed from the shaft by beating it; sometimes on a table-like arrangement and also using a mechanized process. The rice is then set by the road on plastic to dry. Several times a day someone turns it by hand or rake. After drying, the hulls are removed by throwing it up; the dried hulls are blown away by the breeze. We saw one innovative family who had rigged up a fan and shook the rice gently from a basket, resulting in the rice falling into a pile and the hulls being blown away.
Several days ago we saw teams of water buffalo pulling five wagons upon which were constructed straw houses. Outside hung a variety of ceramic wares: cooking pots, spoons, strainers, etc. We had been flying downhill and did not stop for a photograph, figuring we would see more of these amazing Conestoga wagons of Cambodia. But, we have not. Instead we see motorcycles rigged in an assortment of ways to transport people, ice, and other goods. Vans are used in lieu of buses and are so overloaded, a dozen passengers sit on the roof! SUV’s roar by, taking the whole road as only the very self-important wealthy can do. There are carts pulled by Brahma bulls/cows, and a zillion bicycles. These come in several types and sizes, but most often are the standard Chinese built bicycle, one size fits all. Small children ride these standing up because they can not possibly reach the peddles if they sit on the seat. Most bicycles have more than one person, and motorbikes cart multitudes on each bike. And almost everyone smiles: all say Hello and the young adults, high school age Cambodians, flag us down to practice English as we all peddle along.
The heat makes days feel long. Food is usually noodles in broth or stir fried veggies with rice including a selection of mystery meats which we usually shift off to the side of our plate. This doesn’t provide much energy for our big American bodies. We are going to have to buy some snacks that are not rice-based to supplement our meals.
Cambodia is changing so rapidly. Our Rough Guide mentions few of the places we choose to stay. Everything is new! Rough roads that internet travelers have warned us about are now paved; towns that were basically dirt are paved and organized for tourists. But still we find, like Takeo tonight, the out of the way spots are cleaner and more fun but not really set up for the tourist trade with no restaurants, only street stalls, etc. The Cambodian people are so resilient and warm.
December 24 Cambodia/Phnom Penh Weltreise 2007 >
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December 19 Cambodia/Kampot Weltreise 2007
Today we rode through a picture postcard of Cambodia. Rice fields being harvested by hand, cut, baled and piled into carts for bulls to pull out of the field or taken out on a long “justice” pole over a farmers shoulders. The rice is removed from the shaft by beating it; sometimes on a table-like arrangement and also using a mechanized process. The rice is then set by the road on plastic to dry. Several times a day someone turns it by hand or rake. After drying, the hulls are removed by throwing it up; the dried hulls are blown away by the breeze. We saw one innovative family who had rigged up a fan and shook the rice gently from a basket, resulting in the rice falling into a pile and the hulls being blown away.
Several days ago we saw teams of water buffalo pulling five wagons upon which were constructed straw houses. Outside hung a variety of ceramic wares: cooking pots, spoons, strainers, etc. We had been flying downhill and did not stop for a photograph, figuring we would see more of these amazing Conestoga wagons of Cambodia. But, we have not. Instead we see motorcycles rigged in an assortment of ways to transport people, ice, and other goods. Vans are used in lieu of buses and are so overloaded, a dozen passengers sit on the roof! SUV’s roar by, taking the whole road as only the very self-important wealthy can do. There are carts pulled by Brahma bulls/cows, and a zillion bicycles. These come in several types and sizes, but most often are the standard Chinese built bicycle, one size fits all. Small children ride these standing up because they can not possibly reach the peddles if they sit on the seat. Most bicycles have more than one person, and motorbikes cart multitudes on each bike. And almost everyone smiles: all say Hello and the young adults, high school age Cambodians, flag us down to practice English as we all peddle along.
The heat makes days feel long. Food is usually noodles in broth or stir fried veggies with rice including a selection of mystery meats which we usually shift off to the side of our plate. This doesn’t provide much energy for our big American bodies. We are going to have to buy some snacks that are not rice-based to supplement our meals.
Cambodia is changing so rapidly. Our Rough Guide mentions few of the places we choose to stay. Everything is new! Rough roads that internet travelers have warned us about are now paved; towns that were basically dirt are paved and organized for tourists. But still we find, like Takeo tonight, the out of the way spots are cleaner and more fun but not really set up for the tourist trade with no restaurants, only street stalls, etc. The Cambodian people are so resilient and warm.
