Phnom Penh

We spent our first full day in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. We flew into the Phnom Penh airport after a 2-1/2-hour flight; it was beautiful leaving Hong Kong, with the very cospomolitan airport situated with water surrounding it. There were SO MANY cargo ships, undoubtedly mostly full of goods "Made in China" to be shipped to the U.S.

We were met in Phnom Penh by Mr. Eak and Mr. Xin, our tour guide and driver. We had a quick tour of some of the city before we were deposited at the Ohana Hotel to freshen up before lunch. And what a lunch it was -- we ate at Friends, a not-for-profit organization that prepares Cambodian youth who are living in poverty for positions in the food and spa industries. The lunch was absolutely delicious, made in part with foods grown by local farmers who are teaching the local youth-in-training. As a vegetarian, I only can dream of a Quad Cities restaurant with as many aromatic and tasty meal options as I found there!

We then were treated to cyclo rides through the capital, an experience two of us found to be harrowing and two of us found to be, well, almost peaceful, and that all four of us found to be thought provoking. The cyclo rides consisted of a cyclo driver/cyclist pedaling one person around in a small "cart." I'll post a photo tomorrow; unfortunately, our historian has crashed for the night  :)

The hotel we're staying in is across the street from what might be considered the Phnom Penh Riverwalk. There is a multi-mile path that parallels the Tonle Sap River. We're staying right at the junction of the Tonle ("TON-lay") Sap and Mekong Rivers. The Mekong River continues to flow into Vietnam, and the Tonle Sap River is one that you'll be hearing more about in our trip. The river path near our hotel is a very hip and fun area -- there are futbol games, badmitton, and the like going on along the path. Students, be certain that at least one of you packs a badmitton set and another packs a soccer ball!  It's a vibrant area complete with a wide variety of restaurants and a fun night life. You have your choice of Khmer, Thai, Indian, Italian, and American style food -- if you crave it, you can find it here! Mixed into the restaurants and hotels, there are some absolutely beautiful Buddhist temples that have spires that reach into the sky. In their saffron-colored robes, the Buddhist monks provide quite a presence.

Enough said with words.  I'll try to post some photos tomorrow so you can see what we are experiencing. It's wonderful here...

Tomorrow morning at 8:00, we head to Free the Bears to be zookeepers for a day for Asian bears!!  I can't wait to tell you about it! Thanks for following our adventures...