CAMBODIA

Our trip to Cambodia was wonderful, albeit brief. We spent our time in Siem Reap and surrounding areas. We were fortunate to connect with a private tourguide (Lay --- pronounced 'lie') who chauffeured us around day and night. It was so nice to have all of our transportation arranged by a decent taxi company. Lay's driving skills were much to our delight. We experienced fewer white knuckle experiences in Cambodia than in any other Asian country.

Our first day was spent at the hotel. The hotel pool area was magnificent and relaxing. Cambodian people are so kind and soft spoken. Staff at the hotel were CONSTANTLY at our sides asking how they could assist. We often had 3-4 waiters hovering which we found imposing especially while trying to eat. Cambodian people take "customer service" to a new level! After day #1, we resorted to ordering "room service" at dinner time. This request seemed disconcerting to the staff. The first time the waiter came up with the food he said "I'll be back in 20 minutes to collect the dishes". We re-negotiated a 30 minute eating time.

Over the next 2 days, we visited Angkor Wat. Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world and includes 70 temples, tombs and ruins. We saw the Jungle Temple, Women's Temple, etc. Each day, Lay escorted us to local restaurants where we feasted on traditional Cambodian and Asian food.

We also had the opportunity to visit a floating village which is located on the largest lake in South East Asia. There we witnessed the most extreme level of poverty we have witnessed thus far in our journey. Like other villages we've seen, the floating village is comprised of bamboo huts. Yet since it is not land-based, it poses unique challenges for its residents. There are no places for the children to get together to play; there are no stores / shops (rather, local entrepreneurs load goods into boats and citizens shop the 'drive through' way); there are no community gathering locations (other than one large floating Christian church!). As we cruised by the huts, we saw many mothers with young children sitting in their doorways simply staring out onto the lake. It looks like a very isolated existence.

Throughout the country side, we noticed many signs indicating that that specific "area" had been cleared of landmines thus reminding us that areas not cleared continue to pose a significant risk of injury. We also saw numerous signs identifying countries (including Canada) as well as the names of individuals (and families) that have supported the digging of domestic wells throughout the countryside through the Clean Water Project.

Of note, was the cash flow in Siem Reap. Cash registers for instance are programmed to display the amount owing in both US dollars and Riels. Similarly, the change owing was displayed in both currencies i.e. $2 USD plus 5000 Riels (combined is the equivalent of $2.50 USD). Change was often distributed in USD and Riels as there are no coins used. This was the first time in our lives that we have withdrawn 2,000,000 from our chequing accounts . . . which when converted was a little over $100 USD.

On our final night, we attended a dinner / dance-cultural show. 400 other tourists were in the audience! We ate Cambodian and Western food and enjoyed watching the dances and hearing the music / songs. It was a great ending to our brief but pleasant visit.