Final day before departure

Here is our scheduled itinerary:

Blessing from the monks – check that already done

Ride thru the Cambodian countryside on the back of an Italian Vespa- now that’s something new…but it’s supposed to be for 6-7 hours…and here is that agenda:

1. Visiting a local family who climbs high in the coconut trees to harvest palm juice – check already done that

2. Visit a local market – check done several of those

3. See hidden pagodas – check seen many of those

4. Have lunch in the country – check already done

So we change the agenda a bit.

Cancel the monks, keep the Vespa trip but mostly to see the country and drop most of the visits. 2-3 hours sounds great and then take the afternoon to really relax and enjoy the Belmond.

So 9 am we are met by our tour guide Johm and he prepares us that a high percentage of all their drivers are women. He then states The drivers today for our group are “Oll women”. His pronunciation of all was a bit offf and Ian didn’t hear right and said they are all Old women! They were far from old. And we are off with our new scarves and all. Quite a day for my last unworn outfit would be white!

First stop and old herb and pharmacy shop. This is becoming a lost skillset.each of these pieces of tree ark that can be made into tea or bed in steaming water to breathe in the fumes. And

We smelled cinnamon and turmeric among others.

Next a few blocks up the road we hit the required market, while we have seen these maRkets around the countryside. This time Johm walked us thru them giving some detailed descriptions,

Then he showed us how even the flowers can produce silk from their stems

Then over to see the piranha’s. The locals do not know they are piranhas and have another name for them.

Look at the size of these carrots!

And these are mushrooms. John’s grandmother told him the mushrooms below we chicken to get to eat them as a boy – he hated vegetables. Guess it worked.

Johm taught us to peal back flower buds and we practiced. Some of us are more creative than others – especially how they display their work.

Evenly the folks in the country also still use MSG

And now to cross the street to check out the gas station. Each of the bottles holds what is basically a Plus octane level. They were out of premium. So you pull up and they get out a large funnel and pour in your fuel.

back on the bikes and a stop at a school for young boys training to become Buddha’s. This is a way young boys who have no access to education beyond elementary school (or any education) train to become monks and then are helped to complete a more advanced education.

These are the boys recycling cans and making candles for them to study by.

Another quick stop by their man made resort lake. Fresh coconut water for Ian and Yvonne.

And he tried out the water!

Now I am taking pictures on the move…pretty amazing even some came out.

Now back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon and a spur of the moment massage for all. That would be our 5th for the trip…and 3 of them were included in our accommodations.

I think the above picture is a great one to end this on.

But I have a surprise coming up. Two days ago I assigned homework to my travel companions – they are to write their favorite thing about the trip. And believe me they won’t disappoint. Stay tuned.

We are headed home!