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.