Day 6

After a 5 hour journey by bus from Phnom Penh to Battambang we visited the optical centre to discuss the weeks events.

Later in the afternoon, after recommendations we took a trip to the "Bamboo Train", not knowing what to expect. After

a 45 minute journey on a motorbike through local villages and fields and across a swaying suspension bridge, we arrived

at a railway track. This line was built by the French, in the colonial days before 1953. Since then the line has fallen into disrepair

and only one train travels per day under 30 mph. The "Bamboo Trains" which can be seen on the homepage are small flat

bamboo carts on two pairs of bogies. To find out what happens when you meet a bamboo train coming the other way

click on the photo.

Day 7

Spent the day at Battambang Optical Centre (BOC) which Clare helped to set up in 1993 and spent the day training Seyla.

Seyla was trained in Phnom Penh as an Optical technician. Now she has trained to do eye examinations.

She has proved to be a very quick learner.

Day 9

Went out to a Primary School in Bannon District, an hour drive outside Battambang City.

We examined the children, teachers and members of the local community. We were able to help quite a few people by providing them with glasses.

Then we had a  picnic by the side of the river. The local children laughed when they saw the photographs we took of them swimming in the river.

Day 10

"The Smokin Pot" is a new restaurant in Battambang which not only serves Cambodian food but also teaches you how to prepare and make it.

After breakfast we decided to give this a go. First stop was at the local market with Vannak the chef and our teacher for the day, to buy some of the

ingredients for the dishes we had chosen to prepare. Vannak also spent time explaining some of the local produce, such as "bird shit chilies" (don't ask).

Back at the "Smokin Pot" we prepared and cooked three traditional dishes. When we had finished the staff from BOC joined us for lunch.

They said our cooking was delicious (chngan), but I think they were being polite.

Day 11

We were taken out on a day trip by BOC staff. We visited Watt Bannon an 11thC temple, built on top of a limestone hill.Temples were built like a pyramid on a hill to resemble Mount Meru.

Then we clambered and crawled through limestone caves beneath the temple. Some of these caves were used by the Khmer Rouge.

Day 12

More eye screening in Phom Dong, many people came to have their eyes checked. We issued 30 pairs of spectacles.

One old lady had had a cataract operation a long time ago, but was virtually blind because she had no glasses.

She was overwhelmed when we gave her some strong +13.00D spectacles and she could see again.

Day 13

Traveled back to Phnom Penh. We are off to Saigon in the morning. Next update in one week, click on Vietnam.

Day 29- 31

The Water Festival

This is the largest festival in the country, people come to Phnom Penh from throughout the provinces.

Celebrating the end of the rainy season and the hope of an abundant rice crop, praise is given to Varuna, the god of rain, and Kongkea, the goddess of the Mekong River.

The boat races that form the centre of the annual celebrations have their roots in Khmer military history, and were originally an annual show of naval prowess.

The festival also celebrates the Tonle Sap's change in direction around the time of the festival.

During the rainy season, from May to October, the level of the Mekong River rises, forcing the south-eastward running Tonle Sap

(which joins the Mekong in Phnom Penh) to reverse it flow north-westward.

The best part of the water festival is the celebrations after sunset. By the light of the full moon light boats float down the river, accompanied by fireworks.

Day 32

We met up with an old friend for lunch, then went out for a run with the Phnom Penh Hash House Harriers.

Day 33

Spent the day at COA discussing Low Vision Assessment. It turned out to be a very productive day.

Angkor

One of the worlds best heritage sites, Angkor Watt is just one of hundreds of temples built by the Khmer between the 7th and 12th century.

In a recent UK documentary, it was listed as one of the places, out of 50 worldwide, you must visit before you die. 

The Khmer Kingdom at this time stretched throughout the whole of South Vietnam and through much of Thailand and Laos.

The Khmer Kingdom was a mighty civilisation, with armys and hundreds of builders and craftsmen.

The temples are magnificent in their dimensions and exquisite in detail.

Day 34-36

We arrived in the town of Siem Reap at 8am. Clare spent the day with Channy, one of the newly trained refractionists, at the Angkor Childrens Hospital.

The other days were spent sightseeing around the ancient temples.

We left the hotel at 5am to catch sunrise at Angkor Watt the largest of the Temples in the Angkor complex.

After sunrise we went a short distance down the road to the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom ( thom meaning big) is a three kilometer square enclosure.

The Bayon is at the centre of Angkor Thom, then East of this there are pyrimid temples and the terraces used for Royal occasions.

Many of the Temples have become part of the Jungle or have been left in ruins.

The Roluos group of temples are situated 15km outside town, away from the other Angkor Temples.

They are the oldest temples and formed the centre of the Capital until it moved to Angkor Thom.

Other things to see around Seam Reap town are the butterfly gardens, the demining museum and Angkor in miniture.

After our visit to the Roluos group we decided to use our last few hours in Seam Reap at the mighty Angkor Watt temple.

Our final image of Cambodia. We are sad to be saying goodbye but are looking forward to the rest of our adventure.

On to Laos next.