First we took a small bus, then a second bus down a dirt track to the boat mooring in a small shallow waterway. About half way there two Germans on the bus realised they had left their passports at their hotel! The whole bus groaned. The rest of the way the driver was on the phone. We thought he was trying to help them but we later found out he was just doing his own thing! The two Germans were not getting on the boat.
The waterways are clogged with a thick floating weed which meant we would battle through then backup to free the prop.
Yes we are on a boat. We then passed through many floating villages.
Some people from these would be ferried out to join our boat. Some with crates of eels and stuff for market. One woman had a small bag of tiny chicks which cheeped the whole way.
This family are coming out to get on board.
We also had a kitten stow away who was under the floor boards and meowing a lot. When we stopped at a small floating store, the boatman lifted the floor and rescued the kitten who was promptly unceremoniously plopped on the floating platform. Guess they now have another cat!
Here is our boat, moored and a kitten rescue underway.
The boat had hard wooden seats and limited space. It also took over 8 hours. Not a trip I will repeat but definitely an adventure, especially as the afternoon downpour started.
We alighted off the bow onto a set of metal stairs which was also a challenge.
Once in Battambang we did the touristy stuff such as the bamboo train.
We had our own carriage( if you can call it that) but were told the one ahead had broken down and we would pick up two people. No problem. Would you believe it was the two German boys! Obviously got their passports and caught the bus. Took about 6 hours, with air con and a comfy seat.
As there is only a single track when a train comes the other way,the one with less passengers gets off the track.
It was good fun except all the bugs in our teeth.
Our tour continued to some temple ruins.
With a lot of stairs.
These two boys came up with me fanning me the whole way for a dollar.
I left Sue at the bottom for the next temple as it was even higher and in this heat is hard work.
Half way up a strange little man called me over and for a dollar loaned me his torch to go in the cave.
What was I thinking!!
I can tell you there is nothing in this cave except bats and tree roots coming down and freaking me out touching my hair. It requires you to bend over to get through. It's a long cave and at the end! Nothing! Great use of a buck.
I continued up to a higher temple where I was chased by a monkey. Missed seeing the stone carving cause all the monkeys were stalking me. I chose a different path back and ended up bushwhacking. Not something you do in a high land mine area. Had to battle through the locals burning leaf litter to finally arrive back safely.
Ok! That was interesting.
Battambang was interesting cause there are no tourists, you are just in Cambodia, seeing the real place as people go about their lives. Did find a great pizza place run by a Frenchman and a wonderful cafe called gecko that is set up to train locals then have them take over the business. Great food. Best we've had. The market was interesting.
Dried Fish anyone?
Or how about some eggs?
We have returned to Phnom Penn now and home to chilly Melbourne tomorrow.
I'll be bringing home a container of hair gel, what do you think of the name?
I'll have a neater top with that then!
Uke complete me!
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