Breakfast was in the same restaurant that we ate dinner in last night since this hotel didn’t serve food. Out the door, across the bridge and down the street. Only two blocks away. The baguettes were hard and eggs greasy. Not one of the better ones.

Heading to Siem Riep today but first a stop at a rural school to hand out two uniforms to a little girl and boy. This is a very poor area and most families can’t afford uniforms for their children. Also, many of the children come from one-parent homes or are orphans. Sam asked the teacher (via Eak) to select the most deserving ones to receive the uniforms. We also handed out books and pens. Very, very cute children and I did my famous “Head, shoulders, knees and toes” rendition with great back-up from Karen and others in the group.

a rural school in Cambodia

school children in Cambodia 

It was difficult to leave these very sweet children, but places to go, things to see.. For instance, Prasat Sambor.

 Prasat Sambor map, Cambodia
There were many temples and monuments in the complex of Sambo Prei Kuk, once the capital of Chenla. The complex is significant for they are the only sizable remaining constructions from the early period. …View image…The Northern group is called Prasat Sambor. The formerly monastic temples (over 100) were from the 9-12th century and scattered through the forests. ,,,View image…

gorgeous old tree in Prasat Sambor Complex, Cambodia 

this looked very Angkor-watish at Prasat Sambor, Cambodia
A peaceful, interesting complex with the exception of all the children selling Kramas, a traditional Cambodian head covering (or scarf). Eak whipped them into shape right away and told them to wait until the group had finished touring the sight before bombarding us with entreaties to buy…and not only to buy…but buy one more….and more…and more… We didn’t want to bargain with them because the money helps pay for their schooling and everyone bought (and bought) whether we wanted Kramas or not, just to help them out. You can see the two I bought around my neck below along with my favorite yak Cowboy hat bought on a previous trip to the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. (Read about it.) This hat was a whopping $1.35. That’s U.S. $1.35!

Sheila and her Kramas in Cambodia
I think Anne was our champion Krama buyer and came back to the bus with 6-7 at a time. Way to go, Anne.

pretty little Krama seller in Cambodia 

Had to buy – hard to resist cute faces like these children in Cambodia 

trying to coax??? into one more Krama, Cambodia
Lunch, another stop to see an old 12th century laterite bridge and Siem Riep, here we come. Four nights in one place…amazing. It’s New Year’s Eve but we’re not great celebrators. Instead, a walk from the conveniently located hotel to the central area of Siem Riep.

Siem Riep,…how you have changed in seven years. There were very few hotels, no restaurants to speak of, or shops. Only the Central Market. Now….well! Almost beyond description. There is a street called Pub Street packed jowl-to-jowl with restaurants and bars. We settled for an early dinner at the Blue Pumpkin, very high-tech with good food and wonderful ice cream. The Blue Pumpkin would become our daily stop for ice cream. Mango, Coconut, Double Chocolate, Passion Fruit…and then there were cheesecakes, chocolate cakes, brownies and so much more… I fell in love with Siem Riep instantly. Sometimes changes are for the good.