We were excited to be close to family again, but were sad that we would be missing all of the amazing trips that we had wanted to do. To be honest, after Italy I needed a break! I sure didn't want to take any trips for a while! (never thought I would say that) But, after the news of moving back settled in and we could already feel this amazing culture slipping through our tired fingers, we decided to go on one more trip.
We chose Cambodia. We had several friends who had visited there and loved it and I had recently gotten involved with a non profit group called Caring for Cambodia (CFC). CFC builds and sets up schools throughout Cambodia. It is a great organization that was started by an Expat in Singapore who was from Austin, TX. And, the hubby's birthday was just around the corner.
So, we booked our trip and experienced the most amazing people, places and country!
It is hard to imagine that not long ago the Khmer Rouge take over resulted in genoside that literally wiped out an entire generation in this Country.
We traveled to Siem Reap and stayed at the most amazing place called Sojourn. Sojourn was an oasis in the middle of the Treak village near Siem Reap. There are just 10 rooms in the beautiful place. We stayed in an Apsara Villa that was just near the pool. It was the perfect setup for a family with a child. E had her own bed and the room was huge with plenty of room for all of us. The staff was amazing and even surprised the hubby with a birthday cake one evening.
The salt water pool with a swim up bar was our favorite feature. After a long day of touring we would all go to the pool. While E swam, the hubby and I would enjoy a cocktail or 2 and exchange stories with the other guests. Paradise!
But, the best part was the beautiful Khmer culture and people.
The temples were amazingly beautiful and are embedded in this area. We toured Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon on our first full day. Just before having lunch at Angkor Wat, a few young boys approached me to purchase books and postcards from them. I held off and we had a fantastic lunch of fish, rice and veggies. Then on the way back to our Tuk Tuk I was accosted by these same young boys. I had decided to buy a book from the one boy when all of a sudden 5 more showed up all wanting me to buy something. My head was spinning as each said "Won't you please buy from me Mam!" In the end, I spent $20 and ended up with the book I wanted and a package of postcards. What an overwhelming experience. I just wanted to help them all, but felt taken advantage of. Later, I came to understand that it is actually discouraged to buy from these kids in that it traps them in poverty.
Our trip also included a trip to one of the nearby CFC schools. We participated in the "Food for Thought" program. We traveled to the school early that morning so that we could serve the children breakfast. These kids will travel on foot or on bikes to get to school so that they could start class at 7am. They would need to be there by 6:30 to have a hot breakfast of porridge. Although the kids were quiet they were just like any other child. The boys would sit at one table and the girls at another. They younger kids sat with their older siblings and several of the Moms would bring their other children in hopes that they would get a hot breakfast too. The porridge was a soup of rice, broth, a few vegetables and some meat. Not too bad tasting. E tried to help, but just wanted to play. The little kids that she was trying to play with weren't sure what to think of her.
When we returned from our school trip we decided to take a walk in the villages near the place we were staying. In the village we discovered another temple that not many tourists would even know about. The villagers were taking food to the gods in the temple. This Buddhist celebration was in observance of the quarter moon. As we explored the temple some village children came to check us out. One of the men of the village also came to talk to us as well. His grandfather was one of the buddhist elders in the village. As the hubby got a personal impromptu tour of the buddhist temple; E enjoyed playing with the local kids. Serendipity!
My personal favorite part of the trip was enjoying my morning coffee on the front porch of our villa. I would ready read my morning devotional while I listened to the sounds of the nearby village. One morning I was welcomed with Buddist music and chanting, blissful!
The food? Fantastic! Very vegetable oriented, asian inspired, but not spicy. Oh, and did I mention the crickets? As we traveled the road of Siem Reap in our Tuk Tuk we would see women selling something out of huge vats along side of the road. Later that day I asked our driver Sna what they were selling. Yep, fried crickets. The next morning he brought us some to try. Interesting to say the least! Didn't taste too bad, but I personally just couldn't get over the eating a bug thing. We all had one, including E!
Cambodia also uses the American dollar, so it got us in the spirit of going back to the US. And did I mention that everything was cheap? Not cheap in quality (well sometimes), but cost. This was extremely refreshing coming from Singapore!
As we look back on all of the places we have been and the things we have done this past year in Asia, we all agree that this was one of the best trips! Now for the best part - the photos!
Our Villa
Typical travel in Cambodia, and a motor bike is a luxury for many
This photo reminds me of this country. New life growing from a country that was destroyed by evil.
Our Tuk Tuk and driver Sna, the primary form of transportation next to bicycles
Our tour guide
Angkor Wat carvings
(if you look in the distance you will see a stray dog. Our guide said it was unusual for a stray to be roaming Angkor Wat)
Our E!
Shadow Perspective
Cambodian Dancers
One of the Gods
South gate to Angkor Thom
Shows the story of the Churning Ocean
Face to face
Bayon Temple
Amazing!
Getting ready to serve breakfast
The kids washing their bowls
Breakfast!
Going to class
Our CFC representative
Kids riding to school
Village preparing for the quarter moon festival
E getting ready to meditate
Cambodian playmates
The hubby's personal guide
Preparing for quarter moon in the temple
Water Buffalo
Many families have water buffalo instead of cows. They are cheaper and can do the same work.
Rice fields
Heading to Tonle Sap Lake
Fishing
Typical lake home
Lake living
Children leaving school
Lake travel
Siem Reap has centers where villagers can learn a craft or trade. Here they are making candles, but they also do baskets (like you see here), coffee roasting, soap making, etc.
Crickets!
Yum!
Really?
Even E had one
Would you try one?
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