In Kampong Cham this morning – then sailed a little way downstream and back again, sailing upstream towards Ho Chi Minh city over the next week. The Mekong is 12th largest river in the world. Some nice scenes along riverbanks in places but water is very polluted. Presently beginning of the dry season and river is currently about 9m lower than it usually is at this time. They have started to build the “famous” bamboo bridge in Kampong Cham and we saw this today. It is built every year then dismantled  for the monsoon season. Pretty impressive – 1km long when complete and strong enough for traffic. Saw an amazing photo of completed bridge totally chocker with people and traffic.
Buddhism is main religion here and multiple temples everywhere.
This morning we visited a temple and then some lovely gardens at the twin holy mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey (Man Hill and Woman Hill). Some massive gilded Buddha statues and stupa erected to honour dead from a nearby Khmer Rouge killing field. Lots of monkeys about so felt reassured that my $ were well spent on a rabies inocculation.

Kampong Cham Tour 2015

This afternoon we went to a Buddhist Monstery on the top of Wat Hanchey. A “water blessing” by the monks – interesting experience. Both pre- Angkor and Angkor temples mingles with contemporary Buddhist structures so a sense of past and present religious life.

Photos at Buddhist Monastery Wat Hanchey

The monks are often very young when they enter the monastery as this is seen as the best way to get a better education. Monks are not required to sign up for life and can come and go.

Our boat is the River Orchid.

Lovely sunset tonight, lightening behind the clouds (very impressive) and fireworks as well.

Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.