The Heart of Cambodia Tour Begins
We walked back to Hotel Royal to meet the Explore group. A full tour of 16 people. Five from Australia, the U.K., Isle of Jersey, Edinburgh and us - the token Americans as usual. Karen, Jeremy, Stevie, Graeme, Lynn, Judy, Patrick, Allison, Shehayda, Richard, Kathy, Anna and Gina. Sam (a woman) is our leader and proceeded with today's information. Forms to be filled out and checked, tip kitty paid for and then it was off to Wat Phnom by cyclos.
Cyclos are old traditional bicycle rickshaws. One person to a cyclo and they were all waiting outside the hotel for us to jump in. The cyclo drivers peddled off to Wat Phnom, the lengendary founding place of Phnom Penh. It is said that the first pagoda was built here in 1373. The one and only elephant walking down Sisanouk Quay yesterday was there taking people for elephant rides. Did you ever see an elephant wearing elephant clogs? Well, now you have.
The Wat sits on a hill a little northeast of the city, is a non-working Wat and there was nothing terribly special about it with the exception of the Cambodians selling Lotus Fruit and monkeys. The Cambodians believe that this temple is powerful enough to grant their wishes.
Lotus fruit is green. You take out the seeds, peel them and eat. This was the first time I'd ever seen lotus fruit. Lotus flowers, yes. Lotus fruit, no.
Back in the cyclos (felt sorry for the drivers who peddled ex-Marine/Steve and a few of our other bigger people in the group), to the National Museum with a new guide. ...View image... The National Museum of Cambodia is located in a beautiful, small building just north of the Royal Palace. Since we'd been here...done it...power-museumed through and left.
Instead, dinner at the FCC, Foreign Correspondents Club, set in an old colonial building overlooking the riverfront. Very crowded, good food and they take VISA. FCC was selling 2008 calendars designed and made by orphans with all proceeds going to them. Bought it. (I'll buy almost anything that isn't nailed down and sometimes, even that. Also, a sucker for charities.)
It will be an early start tomorrow for Kampot.
