Tuesday 20 May'26 - Mekong River Cruise (Cambodia)
A little later start today but in reality, we upped anchor at 0545 and having a cabin right at the front, the sound of the 2 anchors being bought up was enough to wake the dead. We then cruised up the river, eventually being moored alongside the village of Kampong Tro Lach. Luckily there were several local taxis at the landing, so we jumped in and headed off into the village. On the way, apart from the standard rice paddies, there were numerous waterlily fields as well, which the locals harvest for their seeds and need to be dried before sale. The morning's fishing catch was being dried as well. As we walked through the village, our guide stopped at a few places to chat with locals about their life & if a store owner, what they sell and for what price. The locals were more than happy to chat & it was most interesting. This convenience store was like a 7Eleven but it also sold gasoline, the bottles in the front were all full.
A leisurely walk of about 10 minutes in 37’ with 90% humidity, saw us back at the boat. After lunch, we were shown traditional Cambodian Wedding attire by the crew & after, we headed to the riverbank community of Preak Sala. The building of our bridge to land was amazing. We then undertook a walking tour. Part of the tour included a visit to the village elders house where there was a lounge 2 bedrooms for him & his 2 daughters (no photos), kitchen and ablutions area. After that back on the boat for an hour before doing something different, we had our happy hour on shore in the front yard of the house we visited. It was a hoot and every kid in the village turned up to high 5 us, give us flowers & generally gawk at us old farts… Whilst we were being served our drinks, they were all mustered into a line across the road where the boat provided them all with an iced soy milk and then the music started. We had a few current Cambodian pop songs, with the associated dances, which the kids got fully involved in before I was conned by a few old ducks to teach the kids how to do the YMCA. All in all, a great finish to another great day!
Wednesday 21 May'26 - Mekong River Cruise (Cambodia)
This morning, we were bussed to the ancient capital of Cambodia (circa 1600-1800), Oudong, to visit the Vipassana Dhura Meditation Centre. Whilst waiting for the monks, wise man & nuns to queue into the dining room (in that order), our guide chatted to a 72 year old nun about her life in the Centre. We were then bussed back to the boat, which was now in a different position along the river, for lunch. In the afternoon, we stepped ashore at Puk Russei, a small & remote village on the banks of the Mekong.
Another mode of transport awaited us (#12) to take us to local craftspeople weaving silk (#13-14). After that, a few 100 metres down the road we visited a rice noodle “factory” (single double garage really), which is run by a single family, 3 generations (#15-17).
VIETNAM/CAMBODIA - 2025 (20 & 21 May'25)
Last port of call on this excursion was the local high school, where we were treated to a performance of their Bokator group. This is traditional form of martial arts in Cambodian & their group is rated one of the best in the country (#18-22). At the end of the performance another group from the school sang the Cambodian national anthem for us (#23) & then we visited a classroom of 14-16 year old kids, who were learning English (#24). School is not compulsory and both primary (4 years) & high school (4 years) is in 2 groups, with Group 1 attending 0700-1100 & the other group from1300-1700, 6 days a week. Secondary school (3 years) is 0700-1600, 5 days a week. This was a government school so it is free, but uniforms are at the cost of the family. Then back to the boat, happy hour, dinner & bed!
