The torture of Cambodian Karraoke on the long-distance buses
At the market in Kompong Cham. You can buy anything at the open air markets, including French Baguette, a yummy reminder of Cambodia's French past.
Our tuk-tuk around Kompong Cham
Wat Nokor, personal effects of the guardians of the temple
Cow grazing in front of the Lotus Pond
Buddhist Stupas, Wat Nokor
Beautiful Decoration
Shiva or Bramen? I'm really bad at remembering the different deities
Wat Nokor is one of the oldest surviving temple complexes in Cambodia, from the 11th century, pre-dating Ankor Wat
Apsara - temple dancer, Wat Nokor
The outer wall, Wat Nokor
Rahu, the demon who eats the moon and is associated with Lunar eclipses
Inside the walls of the old complex, incorporated into the ruins of the old Wat, they have built a new temple
Inside the new temple, Wat Nokor
The amazing artwork tells the story of Buddha
Buddha was a friend of and revered by all creatures
The beautiful mosaic floor and painted columns
One of the temple custodians of Wat Nokor
Novice Monks
Old and New
A friendly, young family
Our guide while in Kompong Cham
Some curious kids hanging out with us at the old US Airstrip while watching sunset
Sunset over the rice fields
Work in the rice fields never seems to end...
Maha Leap Pagoda Complex. This building is the library.
Beautiful Architecture...
and more curious kids... There was a school for the deaf at this complex
The monks living quarters at Maha Leap
Peppers drying in the sun outside the wooden pagoda. This is one of the few remaining wooden pagodas not destroyed by the Khmer Rouge.
Dried Peppers...Yum
Ruins from the Pagoda
Inside the Wooden Pagoda. The Khmer People love color.
The Buddha
Ceiling Details from the wooden pagoda
Painted Details from the Wood Columns
Such beautiful artistry
Work horses on the temple grounds
The bells they wear make the most beautiful music
The backside of the Wooden Pagoda. The only reason this survivied the Khmer Rouge was because it was used as a hospital.
One of the deaf boys who quickly became our friend
The entrance to the gardens
Gate Details
Reclining Buddha (new; the old one, was of course, destroyed by the Khmer Rouge)
A reclining Buddha represents Buddha giving his followers as much wisdom as he can just before his death
The spirals on Bhudda's feet represent enlightenment
The Buddha tree. At least one of these is planted in Buddhist temple complexes.
The Crematorium
The Maha Leap library
Our friends
Seeing us off as we head back down river
A small fishing boat and traditional fishing basket
Walking through Prey Chung Kran Silk Weaving Village. Under the stilts of every house, the women and their daughters sit and weave the most beautiful silks in Cambodia.
Freshly died silk threads sit in the sun to dry
We were lucky enough to have a guide who knew many of the families, so we were able to watch them at work.
The colors are so vibrant!
All the fabrics are weaved with traditional looms. The amount of work that goes into a piece of fabric is unbelievable.
Rice drying on the road
Fishing is a part of every day life for most villagers. Fish is the basis for the Khmer diet.
What a lazy dog
Lazy....
New piglets
House Boat
A peak at a Wat through the trees
Some of the fishing boats are really quite impressive!
Fishing
We spent a day with some Christian missionaries from the States, playing games with the neighborhood kids.
Rion really got into the spirit of things...
Did I mention that Cambodian kids are adorable?
This little girl was a bit shy
Running backwards
One of the little girls playing in a rainstorm at the end of the day
