Day 5 - 9/30 - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia is just full of surprises. It seems as if every where you turn there is another temple. One here...another one down the road then one across town. As of now, we have visited about 10 temples. While they are all similar in design, everyone has its unique story to it. Here is a picture of Lin - he was the guide assigned to Jerry and I for the past two days.



Here is a picture to remind you of the poverty level here and lack of technology. Its a bridge...The guide did not really know the age of the bridge; however, when you crossed it - it would bend and give way. Its metal, but it made a lot of noise. Just after we crossed several big buses crossed. He told us that the buses had to cross fast so they would not get "stuck" as the bridge flexed. Talk about scarey.


Flowers and plants that we pay for at Lowes/Home Depot/Meijer etc are free here. There is an abundance. For example, I paid about 40 USD for a banana tree earlier this summer; yet, in Cambodia they are like grass that is out of control - just everywhere. This was found in one of the moats that surrounded a temple.

Another thing that is unique here is that the government allows vendors to set up right out side the sights. There are everye where and hassle you as they go out. Reading some material in the hotel I learned that over 80% of the income in Siem Reap is acquired through the tourist - hotels, historic sight fees, and vendors. Here is a vendor with wood work. It is original work they make in the back. Its incredible.

During the later part of the day we took a ride out to the market at the sea. It cost 20 USD to purchase a ticket for boat ride out there. Our tour guide, Lin, went with us and explained that many people choose to live in house boats. It just a way of life. They are allowed to claim their space on the water and don't have to pay taxes (smart move). With all the houses out there they have created a "floating flea market" to support them. Pictured here is a family from Vietnam that has rowed to our boat. They use the young child to sell for the family. All she could say is 1 dollar as they handed me the banana. Its a very powerful scene. It took the family about 30 minutes to row to catch up to us.


Once the tour of the water market was complete we came back into port. Look at all the boats here. Each one of these boats are here to take passengers (tourist) out into the sea. The curtains are closed because it was raining. Notice the Ferris wheel in the back.





The final stop of the day was at a college where the Cambodian governments invest in its future. They look for people that have the potential to be artist and teach them more advanced skills. This is a young man that is working on a painting that would be sold for 15USD. Quite impressive.

It is now early Monday morning. It is about 0400 AM hours here. We depart back to Kuala Lumpur today and hope to catch the final night of the International Fire Works Competition. This takes place in Malaysia every year around the twin towers. For those in KY, it is supposedly the largest display in the world lasting around 2-3 hours. So bigger than Thunder Over Louisville.

Day 4 - 9/29 - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Today was the arrival into Siem Reap Camboda. As you can see from the picture, the airport is quite different. It has alot of technology, but also has the feel of a small airport. While flying in there were many rice farm that I passed.

While English is a spoken around here there are alot of areas that speak Cambodia. This sign was on the main stretch as you are passing through town. Note the different languages and the many mo-peds.

To my suprise, the hotel is great. I wont load all the pictures of the room; however, the pool is a start to the story. It is a salt water pool. While outside, you feel that you are isolated in the area; however, the hotel is located in the heart of the city.

The Angkor Wat Temple will be one of the big highlights of this vacation. Here is a small piece of the temple. It is remarkable. The back that is viewed on the limestone is from the rain. It rains in this part of the world about 80% of the year. This is a second picture of Angkor Wat - notice the donkey.
There are many areas where you can climb on the ruins. This picture was taken on top of one of the temples.

All around the temples you are able to see workers. They are harvesting various foods for their families. This was a candid shot of a young girl working for her mother. Her mother is just outside the picture. They had been collecting food all day.

The day ended with at ride to the top of the mountain on an elephant. The person sitting next to me is my friend Jerry. The elephant ride to the top lasted about 20 minutes. The walk down was 45 minutes. I did not realize the difference until I was at the bottom of the hill!

Day 3 - Kuala Lumpur (Cont)

Just got back from a night out on the town. Its incredible...You can see from the pictures....

Day 3 - Thursday 9/27 AKA Friday 9/28

Well. I have arrived safely in Kuala Lumpur. It was quite the journey. Notice the title...While it is day three I crossed the international date line...So I lost a day somewhere in the airport.

The Malaysia Airlines flight started out in Los Angeles. The first leg of the flight was 12 hours. It was from LAX to Taipei. Due to the wind, we landed about an hour earlier. I don't know if anyone who is reading this post have flown Malaysia Airlines; but, if you had you will know about their 5 star service. Its amazing all the stuff that is included in your ticket:


-Airfare


-3 Full Means


-Complimentary Headphone


-Blankets


-Pillows


-Entertainment...And the list goes on. Their customer service was outstanding.





After arriving in Taipei there was one last flight for the day that would get me to Kuala Lumpur. It was four hour uneventful flight.





It was surprisingly easy to pass through customs and get our luggage. It made it! What a blessing. Finally, in order to get to the hotel I had to take an express train. The airport in KL is about hour outside the city. It is in a remote location.





The hotel that we are at is called the Crowne Plaza located in downtown KL. Very nice hotel...I have some pictures of the room here. Also...There is a great view of the world famous Petronis Towers.





Its about 3PM KL Time and we are getting ready to walk around town and learn about this area.





Tomorrow, we will venture out to Cambodia. The flight there is only three hours and the visit to AngkorWat will probably be my highlight of the trip.

Day 2 - Wednesday 9/26

Today has been a good day. If you have been following along, I was delayed something fierce last night and arrived in LA early this morning.

I have not done much today; however, I did have lunch with my Aunt and her husband. We went to PF Changs and had and excellent meal. It was a great time. I can't recall the last time I saw her.

Is about 5PM PST and I am at a hotel. I dont have to be at the airport will 10PM. So I have about 5 hours to kill. My friend Jerry should be arriving here in about 2 hours. He was delayed in Minneapolis. Go figure - thats Northwest for you (Lynn you know what I am talking about here)...

Finally, here is a picture of that storm that caused all the delays over the mid west. I hope you enjoy. BTW - Thanks for posting Lynn (Maybe others will as well)...

Day 1 - Tuesday 9/25

Its about 4:55AM EST and about 1:55AM PST on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, and I have just arrived in LAX. What a day. I was scheduled to get here about 10:00PM EST; however, there was some weather in Chicago that allowed me to spend quality time with the staff at Southwest Airlines.

We departed from Louisville about 30 minutes late. I was told it was a ground hold due to weather in Chicago. About 15 minutes before landing a decision was made to divert the aircraft to Indianapolis. So...I got to see Indy...We were not allowed to get off the plane. Simply put, we needed gas to continue our journey...At this point all the passengers on board were told they would miss their connections in Chicago. After about an hour we departed again to Chicago.

Once in Chicago, I realized that I would not miss my connection. In fact, every plane arriving and departing into Chicago was about three hours late. This worked out great for me. I had about an hour layover and boarded for Los Angeles. It was a long flight (even though it was considerably shorter than the one tomorrow). Four hours from Chicago to LA.

I arrived in LA about 1:35AM and just now got to the Radisson. So I am off to bed. More to come in the following days...

Monday - T minus 1 day

Well...I am about there. I am there. I am all packed and ready to go. I have quite a bit of luggage. One suitcase for me...Another one that has items for David and Hilary's clinic. I have one carry on.

The adventure is about to start. I will depart tomorrow (Tuesday) for Los Angeles. I plan to spend the night and fly out early on Thursday 1:00AM. Jerry, my friend from Louisville, will meet me in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening. He gets in about 7P.

While in LA, I plan to have lunch with my Aunt Jody. (Might as well see the family while I am on the road). Its been a late night...So I am off to bed.

Have a good one!

Saturday - Errands and More Errands

Today was just a mess. I had to run errands, get supplies, and deal with the bank.

First of all, who would ever think about the fact the PNC only has three banks in the entire region that are open on Saturday? I mean...Its ridiculous. I made it to the PNC in Southern Indiana and ended up with a teller that did not know how to issue Traveler's Checks. About thirty minutes later I walked out of the bank. Oh well...Now I learned my lesson - don't go to the bank on Saturdays.

I started the initial part of my packing today and my cat did notice. Every time I pull out the suitcase she starts to meow and walk around the room. She has learned that he suitcase is the initial sign of me leaving. She will be in good hands - Loren, Noel and Christy will provide her with love and attention during my travels. (Thanks by the way)

I also worked on some supplies that were sent from El Paso from David's parents. I will be delivering them to the Philippines once I arrive. It is safer and cheaper for me to check them as luggage than to risk them being lost in the mail system.

Saturday - T minus 3 Days till Depature

Well...Where do I start. Many of you wonder why I am going, where I am going...While the original intention of the trip has never changed, the methods and stops along the way have changed.

I have a friend from high school that moved to Cebu City in the Philippines that operates a non profit facility called Glory ReBorn. David and his wife Hilary have been there for several years working a field that God has called them to. A visit to support David and Hilary was the primary reason for visiting overseas.

As I planned out the trip I soon learned that I would be making a connection in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I figured - why not spend a few days in Malaysia to visit the area. Who knows if I will make it to that area again. Furthermore, when talking with a local friend in Louisville, I learned that he had always been interested in going to Cambodia to see the historic Angkor Wat ruins. I looked into it, changed my plans and added Cambodia to the adventure. I have know Jerry for about a year and look forward to an adventure with him. Jerry will be departing back to the States one the day I leave Malaysia and depart to the Philippines.

So there you have it...That is why I am going...And this is the start to many post to come!