We didn’t
depart our moorings until about breakfast time.
It was a short trip up to Oudong where we all disembarked and took our
buses for a short trip to the Vipassana Dhurak Buddhist Temple. The location and exterior were really lovely.
There we attended a Buddhist blessing, provided by two monks.
We then transferred to the refectory (dining hall) where we were all given a large bowl of rice and a spoon. At 10:00 the monks started filing in and each of us placed a spoon of rice in the monk’s rice bowl.The monks then were seated and began their lunch. The monks only eat twice a day…breakfast and lunch. The lunch must be completed by noon, hence the early start time.
There we attended a Buddhist blessing, provided by two monks.
We then transferred to the refectory (dining hall) where we were all given a large bowl of rice and a spoon. At 10:00 the monks started filing in and each of us placed a spoon of rice in the monk’s rice bowl.The monks then were seated and began their lunch. The monks only eat twice a day…breakfast and lunch. The lunch must be completed by noon, hence the early start time.
We then
re-boarded our buses for a trip to a spot in the middle of nowhere (a very pretty nowhere).
There we were greeted by dozens of locals with their ox carts. We piled into the carts, two per cart, and took a 20+ minute ox cart ride through the countryside. The intent was not to go anywhere in particular but to get to experience an ox cart ride. The carts are made of wood with large wooden wheels and no shocks or springs. Fortunately they are outfitted with a cushion so it wasn’t too uncomfortable a ride.
It threatened to rain during the ride but it didn’t start raining until we were on the buses.
There we were greeted by dozens of locals with their ox carts. We piled into the carts, two per cart, and took a 20+ minute ox cart ride through the countryside. The intent was not to go anywhere in particular but to get to experience an ox cart ride. The carts are made of wood with large wooden wheels and no shocks or springs. Fortunately they are outfitted with a cushion so it wasn’t too uncomfortable a ride.
It threatened to rain during the ride but it didn’t start raining until we were on the buses.
During
lunch the boat took a short ride up (or down) the river to Phnom Penh, the
capital of Cambodia. After lunch Paul
headed out with Tara and the other Mary on a tuk-tuk ride through Phnom Penh
while Mary stayed at the boat taking medications to try to ward off a
cold. The streets were somewhat
congested, and masks were handed out because of the fumes – Paul carries his
own mask with a charcoal insert.
Traffic was typical of Asia – lines on the pavement not respected very much. Merging and turning onto a street is accomplished by just starting out and slowing making your way forward until traffic lets you in.
The tour drove by the river walk...
and a park with lots of kids having fun.
The architecture and art in the city was very interesting.
This evening a group of school children performed some Cambodian dances in the boat’s lounge.
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Watch the performers 1
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Watch the performers 2
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After dinner Paul, Tara and the other Mary headed into Phnom Penh to the night market while Mary stayed behind for more medication and an early bedtime. The night market was 90% clothes and accessories, with a lot of watches, some jewelry, and a few other things.
Traffic was typical of Asia – lines on the pavement not respected very much. Merging and turning onto a street is accomplished by just starting out and slowing making your way forward until traffic lets you in.
The tour drove by the river walk...
and a park with lots of kids having fun.
The architecture and art in the city was very interesting.
This evening a group of school children performed some Cambodian dances in the boat’s lounge.
---------------------------------------
Watch the performers 1
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
Watch the performers 2
---------------------------------------
After dinner Paul, Tara and the other Mary headed into Phnom Penh to the night market while Mary stayed behind for more medication and an early bedtime. The night market was 90% clothes and accessories, with a lot of watches, some jewelry, and a few other things.
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