Yes, things are looking better this morning especially when we sit down to our breakfast at the guesthouse. It is generous and tasty, and we are seated with three young ladies who are delightful companions. Two are from the UK and one from Germany; all three are on extended trips of six plus months. They are all thrilled with their visit to Angkor Wat which reassures us immensely. We're here for 5 nights/4 days so we plan to do a walk-about in SR today then spend the following three days on AW.
Our host, Reinhart, cautions us about traffic in SR and reminds us to look both ways, look again and once again before crossing the street. (Apparently a female Chinese tourist was struck and killed by a bus recently.) Cambodia drives right; we've just gotten used to changing our look pattern for Thailand where they drive left. And Cambodian drivers are 'creative' - not as creative as the Indians but creative nonetheless.
Couple of observations . . .
Cambodia uses the USD. They do have a national currency - the real - which currently trades at about 3800/1$ but the only time you see it is if you buy something with an uneven dollar amount, you'll get real as change (US coins didn't make it over here - only paper money). Everything is quoted in USD.
Their tuk tuks are modified scooters which have been fitted with a hitch-like device behind the driver's seat to which the towing compartment is attached using a ball and socket-type device. It's all quite efficient and allows for the tuk tuk to easily convert from passenger to 'freight' conveyance.
Wearing a helmet is mandatory for scooter and tuk tuk drivers; we actually saw police writing tickets to non-helmet wearing drivers.
Everyone we've met (except for yelling customs lady) has been very kind and most are able to communicate in English, albeit haltingly. As a country, they still seem to be working on the basics - personal and public hygiene, universal education, health care, affordable housing . . . the ravages of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge are beyond imagining. Estimates vary, but most people agree that approximately one-third of the population was killed during that regime. And like most totalitarian reigns, this one finally consumed itself . . . and now 35 years on this country still struggles but there are hopeful signs.
We begin our walk-about with a wander along the banks of the Siem Reap River where a spectacular display of photos by a French photographer documents Life along the Mekong.
While this is nominally a Buddhist country, the Indian/Hindu influence remains.
I was so taken with this young fellow . . . his coloring is so non-Asian.
Today is some sort of Buddhist holiday, and this shrine at the base of a sacred tree was the site of a number of worshippers.
These two young boys were ready with their contributions to the shrine.
We see so many children during the day . . . apparently universal public education hasn't quite made it here . . .
On our walk-about we run into our two UK friends from breakfast at the guesthouse. Over delicious fruit smoothies, we continue comparing travel notes and adventures. Later we all make our way to the public market - enormous and labyrinthine - and eventually make it back home. Good day - we're both starting to relax and feel safe. Tomorrow, our first day of a 3-day visit to Angkor Wat!
Our host, Reinhart, cautions us about traffic in SR and reminds us to look both ways, look again and once again before crossing the street. (Apparently a female Chinese tourist was struck and killed by a bus recently.) Cambodia drives right; we've just gotten used to changing our look pattern for Thailand where they drive left. And Cambodian drivers are 'creative' - not as creative as the Indians but creative nonetheless.
Couple of observations . . .
Cambodia uses the USD. They do have a national currency - the real - which currently trades at about 3800/1$ but the only time you see it is if you buy something with an uneven dollar amount, you'll get real as change (US coins didn't make it over here - only paper money). Everything is quoted in USD.
Their tuk tuks are modified scooters which have been fitted with a hitch-like device behind the driver's seat to which the towing compartment is attached using a ball and socket-type device. It's all quite efficient and allows for the tuk tuk to easily convert from passenger to 'freight' conveyance.
Wearing a helmet is mandatory for scooter and tuk tuk drivers; we actually saw police writing tickets to non-helmet wearing drivers.
Everyone we've met (except for yelling customs lady) has been very kind and most are able to communicate in English, albeit haltingly. As a country, they still seem to be working on the basics - personal and public hygiene, universal education, health care, affordable housing . . . the ravages of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge are beyond imagining. Estimates vary, but most people agree that approximately one-third of the population was killed during that regime. And like most totalitarian reigns, this one finally consumed itself . . . and now 35 years on this country still struggles but there are hopeful signs.
We begin our walk-about with a wander along the banks of the Siem Reap River where a spectacular display of photos by a French photographer documents Life along the Mekong.
While this is nominally a Buddhist country, the Indian/Hindu influence remains.
I was so taken with this young fellow . . . his coloring is so non-Asian.
Today is some sort of Buddhist holiday, and this shrine at the base of a sacred tree was the site of a number of worshippers.
These two young boys were ready with their contributions to the shrine.
We see so many children during the day . . . apparently universal public education hasn't quite made it here . . .
On our walk-about we run into our two UK friends from breakfast at the guesthouse. Over delicious fruit smoothies, we continue comparing travel notes and adventures. Later we all make our way to the public market - enormous and labyrinthine - and eventually make it back home. Good day - we're both starting to relax and feel safe. Tomorrow, our first day of a 3-day visit to Angkor Wat!
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