We sail a little further upstream to stop at Wat Hanchey, a very rural area with an impressive monastery high on a hill. Our excursion this morning involves climbing the 300+ steps to the hilltop. Sattya points out some teak trees which, along with rosewood & mahogany, are valuable for construction, and pine trees, which can be tapped (similar to maple trees), and the sap distilled to a potent "beer".
Some of the monastery buildings are centuries old. There is a large school complex, and we learn that poor families will often enroll their male children as monks through primary school up to university, if they cannot afford to house, feed, and provide transportation for the boys to attend the government schools. We are introduced to a 10 year-old novice who is the youngest of 12 children and comes from a village a few miles away.
He tells us he plans to attend university, but leave the monks' order at age 20 and go into business. It seems very acceptable for people to enter and leave the monastery according to their choice, but re-entry is always at the discretion of the abbot. We enjoy the spectacular view of the Mekong before climbing back down a different staircase. On the hike back to the Spirit's mooring spot we share the road with a group of passing brahman cattle.
Our ship sails back to Kampong Cham while we enjoy a swim and lunch, and we experience a monsoon deluge as we debate whether or not to participate in our afternoon excursion. Nadine opts to stay dry, but the other Canadians tramp the short distance to the waiting bus through the downpour.
We travel for about 25 minutes to the village of Cheung Kok which has been supported by a French NGO named AMICA for the past several years. Villagers have been provided with the knowledge to manufacture and use looms to produce scarves and other textile products. They have also been supported in processing palm sugar and crafts from coconut shells. AMICA encourages responsible management of waste products and education for the children.
We're very relieved to drive out of the rainstorm and enjoy talking with an AMICA worker and walking around the village, speaking with some of the residents and viewing their dwellings. Cambodians favour dwellings built on stilts for some good reasons. Flooding is a constant threat, and the space under the building provides shade in the oppressive heat, which is appreciated by the humans who relax in hammocks for siestas and the livestock who are tied up at times.
Before dinner we are entertained by a children's dance troupe, supported and educated by a different French NGO called "BOT". The kids do an amazing job. We've become very friendly with one of the Spirit's wait staff, a Cambodian girl named Leakena, and we're thrilled to hear that two of the performers are her siblings.
Tonight is our farewell dinner with a thank you from the Scenic Spirit staff. This is a six-course affair and the Konyers' choose lobster while Dan & Nadine have beef as the main course. We're pleased to see Rasmes, our favourite pool deck bartender, receive an award recognizing his good work. We get busy packing up our luggage for an early departure tomorrow.
Some of the monastery buildings are centuries old. There is a large school complex, and we learn that poor families will often enroll their male children as monks through primary school up to university, if they cannot afford to house, feed, and provide transportation for the boys to attend the government schools. We are introduced to a 10 year-old novice who is the youngest of 12 children and comes from a village a few miles away.
 |
| Monastery dining hall |
 |
| We enjoy some laughs with neighbourhood kids |
He tells us he plans to attend university, but leave the monks' order at age 20 and go into business. It seems very acceptable for people to enter and leave the monastery according to their choice, but re-entry is always at the discretion of the abbot. We enjoy the spectacular view of the Mekong before climbing back down a different staircase. On the hike back to the Spirit's mooring spot we share the road with a group of passing brahman cattle.
Our ship sails back to Kampong Cham while we enjoy a swim and lunch, and we experience a monsoon deluge as we debate whether or not to participate in our afternoon excursion. Nadine opts to stay dry, but the other Canadians tramp the short distance to the waiting bus through the downpour.
We travel for about 25 minutes to the village of Cheung Kok which has been supported by a French NGO named AMICA for the past several years. Villagers have been provided with the knowledge to manufacture and use looms to produce scarves and other textile products. They have also been supported in processing palm sugar and crafts from coconut shells. AMICA encourages responsible management of waste products and education for the children.
We're very relieved to drive out of the rainstorm and enjoy talking with an AMICA worker and walking around the village, speaking with some of the residents and viewing their dwellings. Cambodians favour dwellings built on stilts for some good reasons. Flooding is a constant threat, and the space under the building provides shade in the oppressive heat, which is appreciated by the humans who relax in hammocks for siestas and the livestock who are tied up at times.
Before dinner we are entertained by a children's dance troupe, supported and educated by a different French NGO called "BOT". The kids do an amazing job. We've become very friendly with one of the Spirit's wait staff, a Cambodian girl named Leakena, and we're thrilled to hear that two of the performers are her siblings.
Tonight is our farewell dinner with a thank you from the Scenic Spirit staff. This is a six-course affair and the Konyers' choose lobster while Dan & Nadine have beef as the main course. We're pleased to see Rasmes, our favourite pool deck bartender, receive an award recognizing his good work. We get busy packing up our luggage for an early departure tomorrow.
Comments
Post a Comment