Reflection Of The Clouds

Today, we had a pretty interesting day. As usual, I met Thy and Tim out the front of the hotel at 10:00am, and we headed out of town towards a temple called Banteay Srei. On the way, we stopped at the Cambodia Landmine Museum.

This museum was set up by a man named Aki Ra, a former child soldier with the Khmer Rouge. He grew up and started this organisation to clear landmines and to educate both Cambodians and foreigners about them. He also established a home for orphans who had been affected by landmines. He truly is an extraordinary person and has been recognised in the United States by CNN with a Hero Award. Below, you can see two photos I took of Aki Ra—the second one shows him standing with his award.

The museum itself was set out around a water feature, with landmines enclosed in a glass house inside it. Below, you can see a photo of it.

Something else I found very interesting was the Khmer Rouge identity card and uniform, which you can see below.

We spent some time at the landmine museum; there was a lot to read and see. We also sat down and watched a short movie about Aki Ra and his Hero Award, which was presented by Hollywood actress Renée Zellweger. We then left and headed towards the temple.

I have really come to love driving around the Cambodian countryside with Thy and Tim. When we arrived at the temple, it seemed like a more commercial operation than the other two I had been to. There were shops and a café inside the complex. To see any of the temples in Siem Reap, you have to show your pass to the officials, and they scan the code. You are then free to roam around and do as you please.

So, I had my pass scanned, and Tim and I strolled slowly towards the temple. The thing about these places is that there are small structures along the way, and I am beginning to see Cambodia as the Egypt of Asia. These temples are spectacular to see, and if you really think about how old they are and the craftsmanship that went into every one of them, it is mind-blowing.

It’s funny—I’ve been thinking about it, and while Thy is a driver, Tim is technically a guide. His official role is to take people around the temples in Siem Reap, and he has certification for that, as well as a license and uniform. Since last week, I have simply hired him, along with Thy, just to be there because he knows so much, and I really like him—I just want him around. We’ve been to crocodile farms and the ice and snow place, but being with Tim at this temple was a real treat.

This is his specialty, and this is where he shines. He knows all the history, but what I really enjoy about walking through a temple with Tim is that he notices the small details. For example, he admires balustrades and will point out a small section of Sanskrit text carved onto a wall. I think I am so lucky to have him with me all the time, and I think other tourists coming through are very lucky to get him as well. I listened to some of the other guides, and they don’t go into nearly as much detail as Tim does.

Something about this particular temple that inspired me a little as far as my book goes is the guardians. They were monkeys and lions that protect the great Mount Meru. You can see a photo of them below.

I also took these photos around the temple complex.

After we'd taken an extensive look around, we went back to the car and drove towards the main temple area. We stopped for lunch, and as I got out of the car, these two rascals accosted me.

They were selling goods, and they had something I had been meaning to buy—hand fans. So, I bought one from each of them and gave them a dollar each. Today, we were at a new restaurant, but Tim was very familiar with it. I think he brings a lot of his clients there. It was a great place, and I had rice and vegetables again. Below, you can see Tim and Thy eating their lunch.

I’ve noticed that none of the other tourists eat with their guide and driver, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. These two make me laugh, and they have the most adorable bromance going on between themselves.

When I went to the bathroom at this restaurant, I noticed the tiles and had to take a photo of them. They were absolutely brilliant.

There was only one thing left to do for the day, and that was to go on a traditional Khmer boat down the man-made moat in the park. As we left the restaurant, Tim pointed out his son, who is a tuk-tuk driver and works exclusively for one of the hotels. He also brings clients to this restaurant. Tim was proud of his son, and I was so happy to meet him. They live in the same house with Tim's other children and their children, so it's a big family affair.

We left the restaurant and made our way towards the boats. As we walked toward the water, you can see below the view of the lineup of boats.

We gave the attendant our tickets, and a boat was dispatched to pick us up from the dock.

As I was getting into the boat, Tim told me to step into the middle of it. I tried, but I slipped a bit and went crashing down. As I did, I hurt my finger. I heard it snap, and there was the most excruciating pain, which I can still feel as I type this now. It was—and still is—swollen, and I’m sure there is something wrong with it, although I know it can't be broken because that would be unbearable.

The man standing at the back of the boat paddled us down the moat. The water was crystal clear. Below, you can see a photo of the water. That is not a reflection but the vegetation beneath the surface.

The next photo is of a reflection of the clouds, and I think it was absolutely spectacular. At times, the water was like a mirror.

You couldn’t see any temples on this cruise; it was more about taking in the moat and the plant life around it. We arrived at a patch of lotus plants, and Tim spotted a flower. He directed the driver to head towards it so he could pick it for me. Below, you can see Tim picking a lotus flower and giving it to me.

We made our way back to land, and I tipped the driver well because it was hard work pushing the boat along. Thy and Tim dropped me back at the hotel earlier, and it’s now 9:58pm. My finger is still swollen and in a fair amount of pain. I’m going to see how it is in the morning, and if nothing has changed, I may need to see a doctor.