February 26th-27th
@#%%@*!! I tried getting some pictures up, but I am sure it mus be their fault. I'll try again....nope' that didn't work either. I need some serious help!
So, it was Friday and I was up an out of the GH pretty early. I grabbed my computer and walked the few blocks to the GH I stayed at 3 years ago. I was on a mission. The story:
While I was in Vietnam in 2007 I had some visa "issues", and after staying 3 months I was required to leave the country to re-new it. Cambodia was the logical place to go and while I was there I, naturally, wanted to take in the sites. Understanding the Khmer Rouge and the Pol Pot regime of terror was a natural. I grabbed one of the many moto drivers that hang around the GH's and we went to Toule Sleng High School which they used as a prison, interrogation center, torture chamber and execution ground. Only seven people were able to survive its horrors. Afterwards, we went to the Killing Fields, which is a few kilometers outside of PP. Right after leaving the grounds, a drunken idiot sped down our side of the road and sideswiped us. Long story short, my drivers bike was scratched up a bit, his cell phone was busted, the police made him give the idiot some money! and I busted my hand. We went to a clinic to patch me up, but the next day he showed up to take me to the bus. After the medical bill, dinner and paying the GH, I didn't have any money, but it didn't matter to him! He felt responsible for me!
So, with not much hope of finding him, no name and only a picture on my computer I went looking. I ordered some tea at the GH and showed the picture to the staff and a couple of drivers. Of course, no luck. Finishing some crappy, lukewarm Lipton tea, I went to the street and started asking around. After three or four tries, one fellow, who spoke no English, points across the street and yells to a young man who is waiting on his bike! I showed him the picture and he quickly recalled the events of that day. I had brought $50 dollars over in the hopes of finding him and paying off a debt I felt I owed him. I then brought him back to our GH, got everyone downstairs to meet him and had him join us for breakfast. It has been my greatest moment here thus far.
Peg and I went to the National Museum afterwards, while Jerry and Margy made a run to the airport to pick up something that they had left on there way here and then went to Toule Sleng HS. The National Museum is so beautiful and with a great deal of material from Angkor. Not feeling well, another nap for me, while Peggy did a walk about... yes, she felt quite safe to be on her own. We had made arrangements to meet at 2:00pm and Oun Thom came with a Tuk-tuk driver friend of his to guide us around Wat Phnom, the first pagoda put up in PP by Lady Penh back in the 15th C, I believe. The big reason for this trip was so Peggy could ride an elephant. Well, I ended up accompanying her as well. It was like being in a small boat in really wavey waters. Yes, there are pictures, but.......
On Saturday we were up early for our six hour bus trip to Seim Riep. Thom showed up to say goodbye. He brought me a ball-point pen, and as we were talking, he just choked up and his eyes flooded with tears. He had wanted to take us to his village and meet his wife and 7 year old daughter, but our schedule simply wouldn't allow for it. What a pity for us. We are now "Mother and Father" to Oun Thom...... what a gift of kindness repaid.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Cambodia and Finding a Friend
(So, let's see how I do. I had a heck of time getting to this point. I hope I can get some pictures up this time.)
February 24-26th, 2010
We arrived in Phnom Penh after being in transit for 28 hours; the worst of it being the 6 hour layover at SeaTac after coming from Spokane; that's what you "pay for" when you are on frequent flyer miles, I suppose. Otherwise a good flight to Seoul on KAL, though we were a little late arriving and they gave us a special escort through the airport to make our connection. We both got a couple hours of sleep on the next leg, Seoul/ Phnom Penh (PP). I was actually up early the next morning and walked around a little before the others were up. I could see in that brief walk that things are starting to develop more since my last visit in April of 2007. Yes, poverty is still endemic, but even the poor seem to have cell phones and there are not as many bicycles, those being replaced with motor bikes and cars; "progress" is a double edged sword. I returned to our Guest House (GH) Sokha Heng for my morning tea. A comfortable place for $20 a night, located across from the National Museum and close to the Royal Palace and the river front cafes along the Tonle Sap River, which joins the mighty Mekong here. I finally went and woke everyone up, had breakfast and then we went to the Royal Palace. What an architecturally magnificent compound, what with the palace, pagodas, halls, residences and the gardens and shrubbery. Words can do it little justice nor do the pictures.
At 11:00am they close until 2:00pm, so we walked down to the river front street to rest and get some refreshment. My beverage of choice over here is Pastis, a licorice flavored drink (like Ouzo, Annisette, etc), a sort of paean of times past, about 40 years ago to be exact. The heat, the trip and the beginnings of a cold (granddaughter Maicy this time) sent me back to the GH for a 5 hour rest/nap. Peggy, Jerry and Margy, in the meantime, took a Tuk-tuk to visit the Russian Market. It is a covered market area, much like the Mercado's of Mexico, and absolutely sweltering in the crowded and narrow aisle-ways. After dinner together, Peggy and I walked along the river walk, which is being re-done, and will be quite nice eventually, but at this time we were walking through sand and then some mud. Back to the GH and up the steepest 60 steps you can imagine to our 5th floor room for a good night of sleep.
February 24-26th, 2010
We arrived in Phnom Penh after being in transit for 28 hours; the worst of it being the 6 hour layover at SeaTac after coming from Spokane; that's what you "pay for" when you are on frequent flyer miles, I suppose. Otherwise a good flight to Seoul on KAL, though we were a little late arriving and they gave us a special escort through the airport to make our connection. We both got a couple hours of sleep on the next leg, Seoul/ Phnom Penh (PP). I was actually up early the next morning and walked around a little before the others were up. I could see in that brief walk that things are starting to develop more since my last visit in April of 2007. Yes, poverty is still endemic, but even the poor seem to have cell phones and there are not as many bicycles, those being replaced with motor bikes and cars; "progress" is a double edged sword. I returned to our Guest House (GH) Sokha Heng for my morning tea. A comfortable place for $20 a night, located across from the National Museum and close to the Royal Palace and the river front cafes along the Tonle Sap River, which joins the mighty Mekong here. I finally went and woke everyone up, had breakfast and then we went to the Royal Palace. What an architecturally magnificent compound, what with the palace, pagodas, halls, residences and the gardens and shrubbery. Words can do it little justice nor do the pictures.
At 11:00am they close until 2:00pm, so we walked down to the river front street to rest and get some refreshment. My beverage of choice over here is Pastis, a licorice flavored drink (like Ouzo, Annisette, etc), a sort of paean of times past, about 40 years ago to be exact. The heat, the trip and the beginnings of a cold (granddaughter Maicy this time) sent me back to the GH for a 5 hour rest/nap. Peggy, Jerry and Margy, in the meantime, took a Tuk-tuk to visit the Russian Market. It is a covered market area, much like the Mercado's of Mexico, and absolutely sweltering in the crowded and narrow aisle-ways. After dinner together, Peggy and I walked along the river walk, which is being re-done, and will be quite nice eventually, but at this time we were walking through sand and then some mud. Back to the GH and up the steepest 60 steps you can imagine to our 5th floor room for a good night of sleep.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
February 21, 2010 OK, OK, try #3 on trying to post this blog. Yes, my technical skills in regards to "tech" leave a lot to be desired; son Ryan had to come over and fix my Skype connection. I couldn't even do a simple thing like that without buggering it up.
We have been busy getting ready for this 7 weeks away from home. Today it was celebrating the birthdays of 5 year old Cammie, 3 year old Maicy and the christening of 6 month old Leslie. And what a beautiful day it was! Crystal clear blue skies, relatively warm, plenty of food and lots of family. Great fun and a perfect time to hear "Bon voyage".
Two more nights and we fly out. I don't know how long the entire trip will be, but we have about a 5+ hour layover in Seattle, of all places. Why not that much time in Seoul, South Korea, our next stop?
One of the couples with whom we will be traveling with the first part of our trip, spent 30 hours of travel time getting to Bangkok. Ugh! We will be landing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, recover from jet lag, see a few sites there, then travel up to Siem Riep, our base for exploring Angkor Wat.
Next on our itinerary is Luang Prabang, Laos. I am looking forward to reconnecting with Toon, a Laotian friend I spent time with on my last trip. Laos is a beautiful and laid back country, and LP is very interesting in its own right. I am sorry that we won't be able to spend more time there. From there we fly to Hanoi where we will meet up with Phong, one of my interpreters from my Quy Nhon stay. Phong and a friend have started a small travel company and has made the arrangements and will be traveling with us around Hanoi and Halong Bay. After we return, they head for the south, while Peggy and I go up to Sapa, in the Northwest part of VN next to the Chinese border.
On our return we will travel with Phong to his family's village to the south of Hanoi, and then be going south on the train to Hue. After that to Hoi An, Phu My, Quy Nhon and Saigon. We will be visiting with my Vietnamese friends all along the way.
So, stay tuned and check in on this site for our progress, commentary and photos of a beautiful and intriguing part of our world. Perhaps it will build a desire in you to consider traveling to this lesser known destination!
We have been busy getting ready for this 7 weeks away from home. Today it was celebrating the birthdays of 5 year old Cammie, 3 year old Maicy and the christening of 6 month old Leslie. And what a beautiful day it was! Crystal clear blue skies, relatively warm, plenty of food and lots of family. Great fun and a perfect time to hear "Bon voyage".
Two more nights and we fly out. I don't know how long the entire trip will be, but we have about a 5+ hour layover in Seattle, of all places. Why not that much time in Seoul, South Korea, our next stop?
One of the couples with whom we will be traveling with the first part of our trip, spent 30 hours of travel time getting to Bangkok. Ugh! We will be landing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, recover from jet lag, see a few sites there, then travel up to Siem Riep, our base for exploring Angkor Wat.
Next on our itinerary is Luang Prabang, Laos. I am looking forward to reconnecting with Toon, a Laotian friend I spent time with on my last trip. Laos is a beautiful and laid back country, and LP is very interesting in its own right. I am sorry that we won't be able to spend more time there. From there we fly to Hanoi where we will meet up with Phong, one of my interpreters from my Quy Nhon stay. Phong and a friend have started a small travel company and has made the arrangements and will be traveling with us around Hanoi and Halong Bay. After we return, they head for the south, while Peggy and I go up to Sapa, in the Northwest part of VN next to the Chinese border.
On our return we will travel with Phong to his family's village to the south of Hanoi, and then be going south on the train to Hue. After that to Hoi An, Phu My, Quy Nhon and Saigon. We will be visiting with my Vietnamese friends all along the way.
So, stay tuned and check in on this site for our progress, commentary and photos of a beautiful and intriguing part of our world. Perhaps it will build a desire in you to consider traveling to this lesser known destination!
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