Bicycle for Two - Day 7

November 21, 2013

Laura and I rode my bicycle ... together!

Do you think we can do this? I'm scared! ... 8829-1

... We laughed so hard ... but we made it there and back! 8830

We went to visit the WOW village. Laura bought more necklaces and made friends with the ladies.

Glen, Elizabeth with (TukTuk driver) John translating;
teaching the ladies about displaying their handicrafts. 1514

Pondering her display ... 1520

Working together to get it just right! 1525

I was the passenger on the bicycle for the ride home!  Glen joined us for leftover pasta - it was so good to visit with her.

Da took us, some tools and the mirror over to Spein Neak; we hung the mirror and cleaned up the classroom. Laura did a skilled presentation about budgeting and saving. The students all wanted to know how to save for their dreams.

Teacher Jackie at school. 1538

John and Da picked us up and
    we dined on excellent Indian food at the Ababa Curry Restaurant.

John went home
    but Laura and I wandered the Night Market for an hour or so .....

We looked at everything; T-shirts here! 8832

before taking a random TukTuk home
    where we chatted until our beds called for us.

Angkor Silk Farm & more - Day 6

November 20, 2013

We wore her out? Laura has a "sleep-in" morning. I did some garden maintenance and harvesting of wing beans and Chili Peppers; then took an hour's bike ride to run some errands and returned to find Laura and John ready for lunch which was bread and jam and fruit!

Today we went out to the Angkor Silk Farm http://www.artisansdangkor.com/workshops-19-angkor-silk-farm.php. We took the tour: the mulberry tree plantation, the rearing facilities,

Laura listens as our guide describes how the silk worms
feed on Mulberry leaves in those beds over there. 8805

 the spinning of the silk, the dying sheds, the tie-dyeing section,

Mom watching the tie dying techniques used by a young artiste. 1495  

the weaving of fabric on huge looms, workshops, the marvelous showroom and finally; we rested at the Blue Pumpkin's Snack Bar. My lime-mint-ice shake was soooooo good! I now plan to grow mint in our garden! Laura had two drinks (coffee of course!) with our baked goodies.

Dropping Laura at home for a rest, I biked over to school,

Off to Spein Neak to teach ... 1500-1

taught my classes, and biked over to Genevieve's Restaurant where John and Laura were waiting.

John & Jackie at Genevieve's 1503-1

Our host invited us to come climb his back stairs to look over into the neighbour's yard: Alligators! 

Alligators! We woke them up! 1504

Gecko, Gecko on the wall ...  1508

Our waiter serenaded us with a Khmer and an English song!

Wonderful evening!

Da pulled me on my bike home with his TukTuk.

Life is full of little adventures!

A Crafty Day Indeed! - Day 5

November 19, 2013

Laura had a little "sleep-in" again today. We went out with Da to run a few errands: to the pharmacy for some medicine for John (who was feeling rather sick) and to our internet provider to pay the bill. Early in the morning the garden received some stress-relieving attention ... 

... Today, Laura rescued her Mom from "stressing out". I had already begun teaching two English classes and had not yet found suitable (to me) books to use. She investigated the need, researched on the Net, presented several options and then downloaded exactly what I wanted. A trip to the printer and VOILA .. I had my books and a plan! Thank you, Laura. You arrived just in time!

After lunch we went shopping:

~ We were very impressed with Artisans D'Angkor craft workshops and showrooms. Their web site is at: http://www.artisansdangkor.com/.

Copper engraving at Artisans d'Angkor. 8760

There'd be more photos today except that 

my camera's battery ran out of power!

~ We checked out Asia Craft Centre where we worked hard not to buy an area carpet from the manager. They had a beautiful collection of presumably quality fabrics, table linen, and clothing from all over Far East Asia for the discerning shopper (pricey!).

~ We made a pit stop at Madame Sachiko's Angkor Cookie Shop, aka Cafe Puka Puka for coffee for Laura. “Many of the foreigners in this country are aid workers and people from NGOs. I’m not saying they’re not needed, but the longer I’m here the more I doubt the wisdom of simply giving people handouts. In many cases it discourages independence. What I try to do is offer a workplace to people with the will to work, and pay them in keeping with their labor. If they work hard, they earn more."  says Sachiko Kojima 

Their web site is: http://www.angkorcookies.com. I surely will return here.

~ We visited the ladies at the WOW shop as well as the other shops at Angkor Handicraft Association. The AHA web site is http://www.aha-kh.com.

 I recommend the article about my friend Glen and her project.

Mom sits with her friends at the WOW shop. 1469

This "Woman Of Worth" shows off her creations. Laura bought these and ordered more. 1472

dteuk doang makes for a refreshing drink. 1473

~ We doubled back to Lucky Mall to use the (modern) facilities and to look for Yoga Mats (They had some but were thin and $15).

~We then walked a block to Angkor Market in our fruitless search for a yoga mat ...  but we bought ingredients for Pasta Supper instead.  Laura was up to the challenge of preparing supper in her Mom and John's kitchen. I rested on the hammock and read my new "English for Business" book.

  Supper was delicious!

Laura prepares supper in Mom & John's kitchen. 8764-1

What a fun day!

We relaxed and chatted before going to bed.

John was even feeling better.

~~~

Angkor Archaeological Park - Day 4

November 18, 2013

The highlight of Laura's trip to Siem Reap was her visit to Angkor Wat.

The adventure starts at 8:15 am with a 20 minute TukTuk ride. 8436

And off we go ... 8436

... Destination ahead! 8441

We explored Angkor Wat ...

In my eyes, Laura could be the Model for that Statue! 8445

 

Up the very steep stairs ... 8486

  

Yes! That's where we just went up and down! 8533

For $1 Laura had her photo taken with costumed troubadours. 8524

Statues abound. These are only a few. I cannot even imagine the people stories behind each of these.

Outside, away from the crowds,
we rested in the shade as we ...

... imagine ancient people once rested
 in this very place!  8470 & 1275

On the lighter side: These Gibbon's Monkeys know where the tourists keep the good stuff ... and they aren't shy about getting some for themselves! The one pictured below got our Longan fruits before Laura got to taste any!

Angkor Thom: The once great capitol city with it's older Baphuon and Bayon Temples; it's massive outer walls, moat and troop viewing platforms (Terrace of the Leper King and Elephant Terrace); the 4 huge cardinal point gates and the Victory Gate leading to the Royal Palace were so wonderful to explore.

Photo ops galore ... 1338

The corner posts - so big and detailed!!! 1317

Many are rebuilt but some are still intact 8574

I couldn't resist! 8578

Baphuon -after renovations. 8600-1

More steep stairs - do this every day! 8611

Looking d - o - w - n !  8615

Arches over the rampart pathways 8617 

Atop The King's Platform looking toward The Leper King's Terrace.
Looking off to the Right - That's only half the parade grounds! 1380

Ancient Buildings: Yes, the photos are all mixed up! But so are my memories! One could study a lifetime! :-)

We wandered through walls and into the cooling woods,
     lost of course,
          but not caring ... until we needed to stop for lunch!

Laura couldn't resist looking to see what lay beyond the wall - a secluded jungle pool! 8626

Deep in the jungle, cool and quiet - A wall! 8633

Let's go This Way - or That Way - We're Lost! 8640

Carvings deep inside the Terrace of the Leper King. 8638

We Break for Lunch. Coconut Water, Rice or Noodles with some vegetables and a bit of meat...
... Then we found a toilet.  8645-1

Carvings Everywhere - Each with it's people story to tell!
We are amazed they have survived for hundreds to thousands of years!
So sad they didn't have "caption" back then.

Da picked us up again to ride through The Victory Gate;
     ... through the woods stopping at Ta Keo and
          ... over to Ta Prohm where the trees have rooted in and through the                        rubble and ruins.

Here we experienced vendors selling etchings on silk, carved statues and other touristy wares. I was tempted to buy one of those little flutes - They'd be OK out in the jungle but I am sure John, or the neighbours, wouldn't like me playing a flute around our home! :-0

Laura & I explore Ta Prohm. We really enjoyed this place.

We took a few moments to relax by the shore of Sras Srang (The Royal Pool) and Banteay Kdei. The local little kids were sure persistent at trying to sell us on the idea that we really needed a cool Coke!

In awe of Cambodia's beauty! 

Happy to be sitting down & ready to head back into town. 8738

Good thing we decided on the "small" tour!

The adventure culminated with a very pleasant and relaxing massage at Lemon Grass Spa before dinner at Cambodian Soup Kitchen.

We even took a "take-out" soup home for our sick one (John).



End Note: If you want more information about history or details of where we took the above photos then Google; "Angkor Wat", "Angkor Thom", "TaKeo", "Ta Prohm", "Banteay Kdei" and "Sras Srang".

My memory can't tell you more than I already have!  :-)

Better yet: Come for a visit and I'll go visit, again, with you!  :-)