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Hi, I have just posted one blog and the aim is to send another one tonight, but the internet has just started playing up again, so I may be defeated. This last week has been about working again, socialising and a visit yesterday to Phnom Kulen or Mountain of Lychees, the source of all the stone for the temples and an important shrine for Buddhists and Hindus who visit on pilgrimages. It is 487m high and formed of sandstone. Although only 48 km from here it is a 2 and a half hr journey, in a minibus, over deeply rutted furrows on a red sand track and a very narrow, windy route - vehicles can only ascend am and descend pm. Firstly you have to pay to hire the bus and driver and then pay 20$ cross a farmer's land, so not a cheap visit. It is symbolically the birthplace of the ancient Khmer Empire, where King Jayavarma proclaimed independence from Java in 804 AD. Fortunately/unfortunately, it was also the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge in 1979. Firstly, we visited the river to see the 1000 linga which were carved into the rock below the flowing river - in the 9th century the river was diverted to allow that to happen, and people have always visited them as they are a symbol of fertility. I was amazed how clearly we could see them and how they have withstood the flow of water for the last 1200 years. Then we had to brave the persistent sellers to climb the steps to the Terrace of Sdach Kamilung which is a small temple, but above it lies a sandstone carved 8 metre tall reclining Buddha reaching nirvana - so the guide book says! Unfortunately, the steps were lined with beggars, blind and landmin victims which made the climb very stressful as you cannot help all of them. However, it was fascinating to see the fantastic array of local medicines on sale - from all parts of plants and animals. The volume of water at the waterfalls surprised me as the season has been so dry, so many (not me) wanted to walk underneath or sit in the waters beneath - I did paddle briefly to have my photo taken. After lunch we were all happy to return home, and it is a place I can now cross of my list of places that I need to visit.
Friday evening all the voluneers and staff from Grace House went out for a meal at Vitking to celebrate Grace House's 6 or 7th birthday. It was a very pleasant evening, but I made a disastrous chioce for my meal, so came home hungry. I knew it was a vegetarian place, but didn't think or read properly when I ordered ginger fish - it was man-made and dreadful, I don't think it was tofu, but I don't like that anyway. It was great to see everyone dressed up, and I even managed to keep a little bit of make up on before the sweating made it drip off!
Staurday's ride was Anika's last one as she was returning home to Germany. She has been in Cambodia for two years doing research for her Phd on the effect of very poor diet and nutrition on pregnant mothers and their offspring in the first year of life. Now the rest of her findings have to published and her work presented. Her choice of ride was through the trails of Angkor park, probably my favourite ride, so everyone was happy.
I aim to write last week's events now and post them too, so that I'm up to date.
In case I don't manage that, take care and have a good week, love to all, J xx
- comments
Doreen Pleased to hear about more of your adventures. Weather here changing from day to day, torrential rain all day but not overly cold. New heating system in work is certainly working, you cant breath in some parts of the building, yet other parts you are hunched over with the cold. I am enjoying being back in year 6 in the mornings but do like going back to year 4 PM. Dont see much of Jo as Y3 now go to lunch at 12 and we still 12:20. We have a new cook and dinners are ok again. If you eat it in the hall its only £1, so by the time I get up stairs its almost time for Jo to go back. Anyway take care and stay safe xx
Heather Glad to hear from you again, although I guessed from the photos that you were up and about after your cold. Here we have had a day of rain and everyone and everything is sodden. The chickens are unhappy and so is Belle. Stanley hasn't noticed the rain! The play was a huge success, rather to my surprise, and I can now sew my own things for a change. Lovely. Enjoy and love to all
Meryl First frost today and colours are beautiful, hope there is still some colour when you get back. Enjoy your last few weeks. x