Cambodia 2015

Saturday7November

The Velkommen guesthouse in Phnom Penh where we spent the night. We leave the premises to catch the bus that will take us on a 4-hour journey to the small town of Kampong Cham.

Our bus with a local film screening. At the first stop, tire tightening. You can never be too careful...

We are at the Skun Surya Paradise stop where you can do your shopping and eat.

Could these eggs hide chick fetuses???...

And some cockroaches, quails or larvae might tempt you more...

No. Rather save yourself for this delicacy, prized by some Cambodians and brave tourists. Yes, it is indeed her, the tarantula, fried fortunately, you won't have to eat it alive... How lucky...

Well. To tell you the truth, none of us will be tempted...

Given this pyramid of freshly brought tarantulas, arachno-culinary enthusiasts are not rare...

And off we go, back on our bus to Kampong Cham.

Under its arbor, a wedding reception is being prepared...

A driver (and his tuk-tuk) takes us to visit the surroundings of Kampong Cham. We start with Wat Nokor temple. Our tuk-tuk is parked in the shade of the sacred banyan tree growing in front of the temple entrance.

This tree, a banyan fig tree (Ficus benghalensis), is considered sacred because in India, it was under this tree that Buddha experienced "Enlightenment".

The Buddhist temple dates from the 9th century.

On the right, an apsara. This statue of a dancing woman is found on or in the walls of most Khmer temples. You haven't finished seeing them in photos here!  

The colorful frescoes. You will also see many of them. They tell the life of Buddha and other Hindu gods and goddesses...

It's not just stone here, there's also fur...  

Three Buddhas are arranged around the temple.

Bas-reliefs that time has not spared.

In the center of the sanctuary, a more recent pagoda.

From columns to ceiling, the colors are more vibrant than each other.

Look! Here's our furball again...

Some representations of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, future Buddha.

On the left, Buddha in the Parinirvana posture, lying down and dying in front of his disciples. On the left, an elephant and a monkey presenting offerings to Buddha. The monkey wants to trap Buddha with a swarm of bees while the elephant is benevolent with water to quench his thirst.

Sandstone bricks blackened over time, typical of temples from this era.

Portrait of an Apsara.

The pagoda roof behind the temple walls.

Behind the temple, the countryside extends the edifice.

The countryside is also inside with this little pig on a spiritual stroll...

The holes in the bricks were used to attach gold and jewel coverings.

On the side, this roof shelters a reclining Buddha.

A reclining Buddha is most often depicted lying on his right side, one hand supporting the head, the left arm resting along the body, and the feet perfectly parallel.

On the other side, another small altar with its Buddha.

Back facing the entrance under the banyan tree.

Next to it, water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) obviously wallowing in the water...

We resume our little expedition, not without having refilled our towing vehicle. And no gas station here, no, but "Pepsi" stations with their eponymous bottles filled with the precious liquid...  

Here we are at the foot of the stairs leading to the summit of the hill of men or Phnom Pros. On the other side, rest assured, is the hill of women which we will visit later...

Before reaching the summit, we must brave one of the guardians of the place. A long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascilaris).

But it's worth it, the site is surprising. You don't expect to see this monument and all its scattered adornments.

The hill of men... This one, for sure, is a male, so he has his rightful place on this hill...  

Buddhist monks live on the site.

Macaques have taken over the place. Just keep your distance and everything will be fine... The distance of a worthy photographic framing, of course...  

The impressive blue eyelids of the crab-eating macaque.

Several rows of seemingly identical statues, but each piece is unique.

A Buddha surrounded by his disciples.

Brahma, Deity with 4 faces, and usually 4 arms but here with only 2 arms...

Other rows of practically identical statues.

An immense Pang Umbat Buddha with his alms bowl.

Even more disproportionate, this reclining Buddha, known as Buddha Pang Sai Yat. Compare the sweeper to estimate the scale...

Other edifices complete the ensemble, notably this stupa which houses human remains, remnants of the last civil war...

A fresco representing the two hills. As the painting suggests, the hill of women is higher than that of men... Legend has it that women challenged men to build the highest hill during the night before the first morning star. To ensure victory, they raised a lantern at the top of the hill to feign the morning star. Seeing this, the men went to bed, letting the women finish their hill and win the challenge...  

So we will have many more steps to climb to reach the summit of this hill of women!

After an offering to a female monk, the international selfie is a must!  

Panoramic view of the summit, much more sober than that of the men.

Just opposite, the temple of the hill of men.

This long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascilaris) is kind enough to let me take its portrait!

Here, the tour is quickly done. Apart from the small altar dedicated to Buddha and its frescoes, it's mainly the panorama that's worth it.

We return to the city via the bridge spanning the Mekong. On the right, you can't miss the "French lighthouse", a remnant from the French protectorate era.

Completely abandoned, it is possible to climb to the last balcony using the interior ladders...

Not for the faint of heart! Even without vertigo, the climb is impressive!  

The view of the Mekong from the last balcony of the French lighthouse.

Back in the streets of Kampong Cham. The French architecture from the colonial era.

But how to get the car out of the living room??? No problem... The counter is on wheels...  

Newly built building on Pasteur Street.

The brick red of the French lighthouse between sky and Mekong...

It's not a pagoda but our hotel! Hotel 7 Makara.

And tonight, we're not going out but fully enjoying the restaurant with its tables placed outside... It's Saturday, and tonight it's Karaoke!... A national sport but not for us, fortunately no one will force our hand... Our neighbors love it too much to lend us the microphone! wink.gif

Our meal, a fried loc lac! And our hotel room.

After a good night's sleep, we'll take the bus to reach the next stop, the city of Kampong Thom!