From Siem Reap to Hanoi


After just a month at home it was back to Cambodia, for two weeks, for me.  I was joined for the second week by our good friends from Canada, Lloyd and Treacy, whose feet did not touch the ground the whole time.  As soon as they flew in (literally)I whisked them up to the remote far north for three days where Lloyd was to do some medical checks on our children - the nearest doctor is three hours drive away from the village. It was certainly a baptism by fire and one they rose to magnificently. The hygeine programmes are working well and even the kindergarten kids are now brushing their teeth, at school, everyday.  It is all working better than I could have hoped for.

Last Sunday, we were up with the dawn to go out to Knar school to collect 20 very excited children yo take them on a field trip that Lloyd and Treacy had kindly sponsored.  A group of 6th grade children, who had never been to the temples ( just 20kms away) were chosen.  We had taken out some breakfast for them as none would have eaten at home.

We then went to: 

Angkor Wat
Angkor Thom and the Bayon
Ta Phrom - the "Tomb Raider" temple
Into Siem Reap - just 28kms from their village but another first for most.
Had lunch in a restaurant - first time, again
Walked around town, eyes on stalks, tried a "flish massage"
Got terrified/thrilled trying an escalator for the first time
Gasped with amazement at the variety of goods available in a big supermarket
Used my ATM card to see the magic of money coming out of a machine
Went to a book shop and chose a book
Had an ice-cream 
Played in a ball park
Sent the children home, exhausted but ecstatically happy

Then .. Lloyd, Treacy, and me, flew to Vietnam.  Quite a day!

Adrian met us in a Hanoi, where we are staying at the gorgeous Metropole hotel for a few days before setting off on a rally to the south in Willy's Jeeps.  I was in Hanoi, for just a few days, four years ago and I absolutely loved it.  Renewing my acquaintance has made me see why.  The old quater is the east as you expect it should be - a tangle of very narrow streets, teeming with life and commerce, food sellers with fabulously fresh produce - the fish are still breathing -just- and tantalising, long dark corridors leading to tiny hidden temples and other delights.

Tomorrow, we are going to see Uncle Ho, which I am excited about.  When in Beijing I was thwarted from seeing "The Chairman" for various tedious reasons, and, when I was last in Hanoi, it was TeT, and the mausoleum was closed.  We set off for the rally proper the day after.  We're more than ready to go now, it should be fantastic. 

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