Friday 28 August 2015

Wat Phnom photos

 I will not bore you with my jibber jabber...as you all know, I don't like to talk very much, so I'll stay true to form....enjoy :)


Front steps to Wat Phnom

Outside rear of Wat...Worship area?

various photos inside the Wat



the artwork on the ceiling

is just amazing


Cambodia....The Beauty and the Beast

      Hi, it's me again, from the glamorous to the bleak, it's all there for us to take in and we can take what she gives us and  make of it what we wish. I went to several places in PP, that you 'need to see' and some I opted out of for various reasons. I also went to Sihanoukville, a resort town in the southwest of Cambodia, to which I only saw the not so 'resorty' area in town.

     Phnom Penh, a city of 3 million plus, I had a small sampling of this populous, and each and every one of them, without exception brings a smile to my face...for one reason or another. They are a happy people and it is infectious.  There were shysters, monks, vendors, and beggars, they all had that same smile, and I think that's what I will draw from those 5 days I spent there.

tuk tuks are a great taxi alternative
just don't let them rip you off!



      The Royal Palace is a place of beauty and a must for anyone going through the city, it is quite pricey comparatively speaking at $6 for entry, but there is much to see and to marvel at. From the King's throne room to the historical and religious artifacts and the model of Angkor Wat is astonishing.
Some of the many artifacts found at the
Royal Palace property


    The many markets, full of knock offs were quite remarkable, everything you could think of was available, for next to nothing, in many cases.  There was food, clothes, toys, books, scarves, tailors, entertainment, electronics, whatever you could desire, but buyer beware, not the real deal....hahaha. The best knock off I saw was a pair of Adidas running shoes with Nike soles, if they had my size, they'd be mine now :)
The night market was my favorite


     I went to several Wats in the city, Wat Phnom being the most prolific, and pretty close to my location. In case you didn't know a Wat is another word for a Buddhist temple or monastery, and Phnom means hill in Khmer. So you guessed it....it's a temple on a hill. the hill though, has much history in it.
     The story is of a woman had been in the Mekong and found 3 Buddhas in there and pulled them out and placed them on a hill close to the banks of the river. People came from close and far to worship them and the area soon became a city, the woman's name was Penh, hence the name of the the city now.
Wat Phnom a truly beautiful temple

      I was reminded of their ugly past with a trip to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a bleak look at the horrors this country endured in the not so distant past at the hands of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. I went through this museum/jail/high school with a heavy heart and tears were shed, looking at the hundreds of 'mug shots' of many of the victims. The tranformed classrooms to torture chambers, to cells, to display areas. If you are unaware of this part of world history, I suggest you google it.  I had planned on visiting the 'Killing Fields', the site of mass graves of many of the victims, but I chose not to at this time as I had seen enough of that time in history.
Actual victims' skulls on display at
Tuol Sleng. A sobering day for me. 


     I left the city by bus to go to Sihanoukville, a four hour ride, to drop off my suitcase for my trip to Thailand. I had not committed to any time frame for my stay, and frankly, I could not have left quickly enough. I arrived and was dropped off at the wrong place, but my brother's friend picked me up and brought me to his residence. So far, so good...the area did seem abit off, but hey, I was on the back of a motto. I was given a spacious room for a mere $7 night and for the money, you couldn't beat it. The compound, is just that, a locked area with about 10 units on an acre or so of property. The units were various sizes with basic furnishings (bed, tube tv, armoire, and plastic deck chaise). The property itself had a fence around the perimeter with barbed wire and a big locked gate for the night, as well as a guard dog.  I decided to go for a walk and see the neighborhood. I left the compound, and was struck by the poverty I was seeing. I mean commercials could be shot here for Unicef and the likes. I was not threatened or even looked at cross ways by anybody, but I really had a fear for my safety. I returned to the compound and did not leave till the morning to which I bought a ticket back to Phnom Penh. Then, a ticket to Bangkok from there...that night I was leaving Cambodia and entering Thailand.

Sad news, I lost my point and shoot camera and thus lost many photos, I still have some to share as I had the wherewithal to take some with my phone as well. 

Thursday 27 August 2015

Sleepless in Phnom Penh

     The Riverstar Hotel, what a view! I have a great room with wall to wall windows, facing the river, the mighty Mekong. I settle in and head down to have a walk and acclimatize myself to my new surroundings. I keep it short, as I don't want to start my trip by being lost or disoriented as the time change and the lack of sleep will catch me, I'm sure. There are many, many people trying to sell their products here, from books, bracelets, food, rides, marijuana, to companionship, mostly books, though.
Fishermen setting their nets in the morning

     I return to the hotel and get myself a club sandwich and a water. The outdoor restaurant is quite nice, but anyone can wander in, and they do. The 'riverside riff-raff' see a westerner and they come quickly, selling their wares (as noted above) or just asking for a hand out.  A man who has lost his legs to a landmine, wheels his way to my table with a box of books to which he tells me his story. He was working in a field shortly after the Khmer Rouge were overthrown, and he stepped in the wrong place. I did not want a book, but I gave him 2000 Riels, equivalent to 50 cents US. Three kids come in, selling bracelets and books (same books as the first guy) They were girl 12, boy 10, and girl 7, their english was fantastic. They said they went to school for a few hours a day, then to work until dark. A woman with a baby came and stood by my table next, I looked at her and she just put her hand out, I shook my head no. She did not move for some time...awkward...a staff came over and sent her off. I would see these people, and more like them every time I was out of my room.

    Went for ice cream and ended up with the three kids from earlier, to which I said I would buy them each a scoop. We ate and chatted, I let them know I did not wish to hear them hawking their wares, but rather a hello instead, Pretty smart, right? They agreed, but did not keep their end of the bargain, they got a job to do, and they do it well.
Vanny, a 10 year old vendor at the restaurant


     This jet lag talk was just that...all talk, I'm fine, I wake up at....WHAT!!! 12:45 am!!!! Nnnnooooo!!!! I try to fall back asleep to no avail, go down and sit in restaurant, where I see many Scooters to which are parked amongst the tables and chairs, I also spot a sleeping security and hotel clerk, I sit and read from my tablet. I wait until 6am to find coffee and breakfast, readily available, and pretty good. This jet lag would haunt me for many days to come, as my bed time was anywhere from 7pm to 12 midnight, my wake up was 1 to 3:30 am for the rest of my time here.

Friday 21 August 2015

The Long, Winding Road to Phnom Penh

    Ottawa Airport. Sister drops me off, Hugs all around. Get pulled from first line I'm in and swabbed on the hands, shoes and luggage, many others (shiftier than me) walk on by. Oh well, wasn't a big delay. Wait for plane, is on time and thus begins the journey.

    Vancouver at 2:20 am, waiting for 3 hours, then leave at 2:20 am,,,,what the? Oh yeah time lines were crossed....as many more will be, soon enough. So I fought to stay up till 5:20 am....Ottawa time, so I will sleep well on 12 hour flight. I took a sleeping pill and dozed off for a deep slu....what the heck???? ! hour later and somehow I've woken up and am unable to fall back asleep. I am glad my sister told me to wear long pants, as it is quit cool on the flights.

    Taipei, Taiwan. 4:40 am, now just need to wait for a few hours to reach last leg. The sun is rising, ready to burn off the fog...and it'd pretty thick. I keep watching so I can get a feel for the city skyscape, but it's not fog, it's smog, and it's not going away. People start to mill about, some with "smog masks", most without. I am chatting with family and friends as I wait, I wonder how we traveled before the internet.
There are buildings and hills back there
     The last flight to Phnom Penh, uneventful, yet pretty neat view of the Mekong river, snaking it's way in all it's brown glory across the land right to the South China Sea. The Mekong really is mighty, at 5000 kms, it's the twelfth largest river in the world.

      I land and we get herded out to the airport immigration area to get our Visas, the line up is quite long and very slow, I try my luck in the art of bribing a government official, I see a uniformed security type person and offer him $5 to process my application. He takes my paperwork and returns in about 2 minutes and I avoid 2 or 3 lines of waiting, I saved at least 45 minutes doing this.

    Someone is supposed to meet me at the airport and I don't see him anywhere, I exit the doors and get hit by a sweaty, hot 36 degree wall, and being in my jeans, was perfect. I look around at the crowd of people waiting for loved ones, when this quy approaches me and introduces himself as Mom and tells me that he is my taxi.  He brings me to the Riverstar hotel and I have finally arrived.
Hotel is at the end of this road

Wednesday 19 August 2015

The last week in Ottawa

Hi everybody,

     It's been a while, but the time is almost upon me. Time for me to share what I've been doing to prepare for my journey. The purging, the financing, the paperwork, the packing, the unpacking, the packing, the small purchases, the re-packing, and finally, the goodbyes.

     When I thought of what I would bring, I figured, I'll just toss a few things in a backpack and off I'll go. Good idea, not really. There is a lot to bring...even when you don't want to bring anything.  I had read many blogs and they all say the same thing...pack for 1 week, laundry is the same all over the world. I have to remember to bring some bug spray, malaria pills, sunblock, a hat, some shoes and electronics. The backpack is now my carry on and I got (a dear friend bought this) a medium suitcase, and now a personal bag (carry on #2).

   Once I figured what I would bring, I realized that, although I had recently rid myself of a lot of possessions, I still have many. I proceeded to gather extra clothes and separate for my kids, and for donation. I donated many items, including my PS3, which for my kids, is outdated (they can use the games for trade bait). My other possessions I have stored in a tote bin at my mother's home. My car will go to my son and more will simply be thrown out.

    I have had to change some money over to the US Greenback, as it's a pretty universal currency that will be accepted where I am going. A very bad time to be exchanging....it cost me $134 CND for $100 USD,....what a rip!!! Well, you gotta do what you gotta do :) I also had to call my financial institutions to let them know where I would be, as I would be in tough if my cards were cancelled on me.

     I was reading about visas and how to get them, Cambodia is quite simple, show up and they will help guide you through at the airport when you land. I figured I would get my Thai visa when I got settled. I then noticed that as Canadians, we don't need a visa for 30 day stays. I was planning a longer stay, so I asked at the Embassy and was told to get one here for 60 days. So I did.



    I packed and unpacked on several occasions, as I had packed too early, too many t shirts, to many sweaters, too many pants, etc. I also packed a Canadian flag and a Senators Jersey (not needed, but who cares). My carry on will have my laptop, tablet, camera, and some clothes, as well as toiletries to keep me fresh on the flights.

    The weekend before the last, some of my good friends had gotten together for our annual cottage retreat/party to which  has been named after Fidel Castro, as there were many cigars during the early years, I am the newcomer to this party, having only been going for 23 years. A great sendoff  was from these dear friends at the cottage, always great times are had with these great people. The last weekend before I leave, there is a great big pool party at my brother's home. What a great time, friends and relatives made it quite special for me.

    Well, I left a bunch of stuff in the car and my son is getting the car and giving his brother a big bag of clothes and keeping some for himself. My favorite sister comes through for me again and again, this time out to dinner and to the airport, thanks for the ride, lady!