Friday, February 02, 2007

Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville... and Kep... Cambodia

Presence and Pace in Phnom Penh

After exploring Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples, Laura and I took a bus south to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. We spent a little extra time there because I got sick, not a fun situation but it gave us a few more days to explore the city. We stayed in a great little guesthouse called "Top Banana", making friends with the employees and fellow travelers. Phnom Penh is by far the most "modern" city in Cambodia, and even had a supermarket for Christian's peanut butter cravings and a mall. Like other places in "Indochine" the built public spaces were French influenced, most noticably in the parks and monuments.





Phnom Penh's National Museum







"Okun" (thank you) Vannah.


Our route followed a Southerly course: Phnom Penh -- Takeo -- Kampot -- Kep -- Kampot -- Sihanoukville, totaling 310 kms. We took a break in Kep to go to Rabbit Island and another in Sihanoukville for the beach.



Epic Arts Cafe
Kampot, Camboia

As tourists interested in giving back, we were fortunate enough to be recommended some socially concious organizations and businesses in Cambodia by PEPY rides (http://www.pepyride.org/) Epic Arts provides a center for the disabled community in Kampot. This community is unusually large in Cambodia, due to the ongoing problem of unexploded mines. One focus is dance and art as new outlet for expression for disabled people. The Cafe brings in money from tourists for the organziation, and raises awareness.

We were lucky to be there during a sign language study group, where we witnessed a roomful of people carrying on beautifully animated and silent conversations. Christian explained the fancy bike parts with his hands too!



Our Transport to Rabbit Island





Statue of Modesty


Kep is a crumbling French seaside resort, with abandoned mansions overlooking the coastline. This is a (naked) mermaid statue, presumably from that time, now covered over to suit the modest Cambodian tastes.




Laura's hourly water break.



"Now Remember... Look both ways before crossing."


After our first 100+ km day, we were happy to reach our final destination in Cambodia, Sihanoukville. This is Cambodia's most popular beach resort, for Westerners and Cambodians alike.


Rambutan Fruits on the beaches of Sihanoukville.



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