Kristina

Hi-
Our visit to Koh Ker school is now on the website;
http://www.wired2theworld.com/Cam2007SiemReapDay4.html

Thanks!

AskOksana

Thanks for all your efforts, beautiful photos & excellent writing... I am emailing your links to friends who are enjoying your efforts too!

TylerTraveler

Wow, Nice Pictures! I should do a website similiar to yours... I need more free time haha...


I recognized one of the older temple beggers from your pictures!

At least I'm pretty sure it's the same guy. He's shirtless and sleeping in my picture... I'll take a closer look at yours because I could be wrong, I only looked briefly:

http://www.tylernofziger.com/message...&mode=view

And here are the rest of my pictures from Siem Reap and Cambodia:

http://www.tylernofziger.com/message...forum.php?f=25

Kristina

Tyler-Yes, that is the same old man at the temple!
I spoke to my Mom, and I got the story a little wrong. He said he goes to the temple every day, <i>because</i> he has no family to take care of him. Looking at your photo now, I wish we had given him more money...
Yes, you should create your own website. Your photos are quite nice, but it's hard to follow along in the format you have right now. Believe me though, it's a very time consuming process. That's why it's taking me so long to get this trip done!

TylerTraveler

Oh my word, I understand completely. I spend nearly as much time on the computer going through pictures and doing updates and picure posts as I do in the country.

That is unbelievable that it's the same guy in the temple! I wish I had bought one of his instruments... I always wish I had gotten stuff like that, and spent more time exploring once I'm home, but in the moment it sees more like a nuisance than anything. That is really neat that you know that man's story. What a crazy coincidence, and what a powerful photo...

AskOksana

We are going in Feb., what temple is this elderly man (who makes the instruments) in?

Femi

I know what you guys mean. Sometimes when I get back from a trip I could kick myself for not paying more attention, or taking better/more photos, etc. I resolve to change, but there's always the shoulda, coulda, woulda moments.

Gpanda

The good thing about missing things to do in asia is that it gives you an excuse to return.

Kristina

The elderly man was at the Mebon temple.

I now have pictures posted of the Koh Ker temple and still have more to come of Baeng Melea.

Kristina

I know, it's been a while, but I haven't forgotten.

Now posted are photos of Baeng Melea temple on our way back from Koh Ker.
http://www.wired2theworld.com/Cam2007SiemReapDay4.html
Scroll all the way to the bottom.

Kristina

Well, I guess I was on a roll yesterday because the report is now all done and on the website.

Now I get to move on to the next one; Rome for Easter!

Kristina

To the top for the weekday crowd.

Kathie

Thanks for your wonderful report, Kristina!

HappyCheesehead

Thank you Kristina - I have loved your report and pictures. You have been invaluable in my trip planning and I will be emailing you through your website for your lists. I am sending a link to your website to my hubby too. He never does any trip research but with your visuals I know he will get hooked right into your report.

I will have to say that never in a million years could I have eaten at the &quot;restaurant&quot; outside the temple that dropped the chicken. Whoa. I think food prep is going to be an issue for me on this trip.

Thanks again for all the time you spent to take us along on your trip!

Kristina

Thanks Kathie and HappyCheesehead!

Happy-Bear in mind that they did not try to serve me the dropped chicken and the Pork with Ginger was yummy! It was either eat there, or be hungry for hours before getting back. I needed food!

HappyCheesehead

I was glad they at least tossed the chicken, (or maybe it was at the well getting washed off ) and they didn't serve it to you. The finished pork dish did look pretty good!

I just meant that even looking at the pictures of the stand made me think &quot;I am going to have a problem&quot;. I have left countless restaurants after walking in and noticing &quot;hey, it is not so clean in here&quot;. I imagine I will just have to get over that. I think I will pack some protein bars or something too, just to tide us over if need be.

AskOksana

Thanks Kristina for the best trip report, ever! I email your links to many of my pals, who write back how much they enjoy your descriptions (not too much) &amp; beautiful photos!

When I saw the bottle of water used for 'washing' dishes in the open air cafe by Koh Ker, I thought: 'WOW, she IS brave &amp; I gotta buy some power bars!'

I am happy to say a bought a variety today (for layovers)... my guide LengTek (knowing I can't eata chili or sesame) suggested we pre-&quot;order a picnic lunch w/ a bottle of wine from your hotel to take with you.&quot;

So, I've already emailed &amp; received a reply from the chef at Raffles about what we want (no wine, ice tea, fruit juices, brie on baguettes) and he suggested brownies &amp; potato chips &amp; salad. I nixed the salad.

Did you get the touristas at all?

BTW, I am convinced one of the ways I got sick on a previous trip to the South Pacific, was forgetting to close my MOUTH whilst under the shower!

Thanks for all your hard work. It's lovely to read that the Japanese are not only helping to preserve the temples but to help the schools too.

Kristina

Happy and AskOksana-
I admit I can be a bit of a fanatic when it comes to food hygene (I'm a former professional chef). However, I tend to suspend some of my paranoia when I travel. I just try to be smart about it; avoid ice, make sure things are well cooked to order etc. The place by the temple really didn't seem that bad-at least everything was cooked to order in a high heat wok.

Yes, I did have some tummy troubles which I mentioned but tried not to dwell on in my report.
I've had &quot;bangkok belly&quot; before, and this was not it.
I never had anything severe this trip, just a couple of bad/urgent moments. I think it was more a reaction to my exuberant consumption of too much spicy food than eating on the street.
After a few days I had really bad heartburn too, something I rarely get. I could not find any Pepcid to save my life, just some generic, tums-type Thai antacid which tasted like chalk. So, if you have a favorite brand, bring it with you.
On the upside, I came home a few pounds lighter.

twilightzone

posting - cos I'm interested to follow up.