(Warning again - there is a part in the middle of this post that again has to do with past Khmer Rouge activities and there is one photo that may bother some.)
Today started with a tuk-tuk ride out to Phnom Sampov mountain, and then a trek to the top to see the complex of temples that are located up there ... and some pretty fantastic views over the surrounding countryside.
The ride out to the base of the climb took about half an hour at which our group leader asked if any of us wanted to visit the "happy place" before we started our climb. I need to tell you, this is one of the more sophisticated "happy places" I've seen over the past few days.
The climb up the mountain was fantastic, and there were lots of temples and altars along the way.
Thought you might like to see the group I'm travelling with:
About half way up there's a turn off the main path that leads to some caves that were used by the Khmer Rouge and the area is now called the Killing Caves of Phnom Sampov. There's a golden reclining Buddha lying peacefully beside a memorial filled with the bones and skulls of people killed by the Khmer Rouge and then thrown into the caves.
Unfortunately, Cambodia has no shortage of places like this to visit!
The major temple is at the top of the mountain where not only is there a wonderful temple and monastery, but there is also another remnant left over from the Khmer Rouge.
It was a bit hazy today --- there haven't been any rains for the past two days and the rains really help clear the dust out of the air. Nonetheless, the views were still pretty spectacular.
On our way back down look at what accompanied me for part of the walk - the most awesomely cute macaques!
And then once we got back down to the bottom we were in a little country village.
This afternoon found me back in a tuk-tuk again, this time exploring the countryside around Battambang. Our first stop was in a little village where the inhabitants make their own rice paper, for their village and surrounding countryside.
Second stop was to see a family that is reknowned for their weaving:
And third stop was to see a family making rice noodles:
And then all of a sudden we were no longer in the village (and completely surrounded by trees) but out in the open surrounded by rice fields.
Our next stop was to see a family that catches and keeps snakes and then sells them to villagers ... and yes, eaten.
After this long out in the tuk-tuk we needed a bit more gas - or petrol as it's called in this part of the world. Yes there are more "traditional" petrol stations (at least in the bigger cities) but this is a far more common way of buying petrol. The different colours are apparently different brands --- but all the same price, just depending on size.
After this, a stop at a place where a group of local villagers all make fish paste to use when it isn't fishing season and there isn't any fresh fish available.
And then our last stop for the day was at a crocodile farm!!! Yes everyone, you read that correctly.
No, they are not farmed for food here but they are raised to hopefully have babies, and then the crocodiles are sold to other countries.
And mid-way through the trip this afternoon we stopped for a local snack - sticky rice with coconut milk and black beans and then all cooked together in bamboo. It was pretty good!
And I don't think any day in Cambodia is going to be complete without a few photos of local children.
Scary crocodiles. Glad you didn't fall in.
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