After a great workshop in Vietnam, Dianne and I flew over to Siem Reap in Cambodia to see the Angkor temples and waterside villages on  Tonle Sap lake. The Cambodian people are happy and friendly. The country is 97% Buddhist and many of the children, from poorer families, go into the monasteries to take pressure off the families. 

We met Pau, who entered a monastery at eight years of age and is now in his early twenties. He enjoys the discipline of the monastery. He speaks good English and is studying education. His goal is to open a village school to improve the chances for young people to work and study.

Monastery accommodation is austere and simple.

Pau, happy with his life as a Monk.

Detail of intricate stone carving from Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat Temple

Stone gable carving Angkor Wat

Ta Phrom Temple – slowly being eaten by the jungle.

Thom Bayon Temple features large carved stone heads of Buddha and beautiful, intricate relief carvings of daily life back in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Temple monkey overcome with boredom

Temple monkey overcome with confusion

Temple monkey overcome with enlightenment.

Siem Reap petrol tanker – powered by a mechanical plough.

Fire pot vendor powered by a small motor scooter

Mattress vendor- powered by a small motorbike

With the luxury of a small truck, there is nothing you can’t carry.

From Siem Reap we travelled by tuk tuk down to Kampong Phluk – a village of stilt houses, some colorful, some old and thatched, built in the Tonle Sap Lake. It’s a fascinating village – life is lived entirely on the water. Kids grow up in boats and soon become skilled fishermen.