Cambodia Now

Well things sure rush by when beer is cheap and the fresh experiences non-ending.

Laos was fascinating, but frustrating -- we chased the Ahka tribe until we realized we'd overshot by two days on the Mekong in an under-sized boat. This was a big deal for Warren because he was intent on photographing the matriarchs of the marginalized tribes. They have receded significantly in 10 years — and we thought we'd find the Akha living traditional lives in Laos.

Having just spent 2 long days in an open boat grinding down the Mekong from Huang Xai to find we had taken a wrong turn two days ago; that their village was one day the OTHER side of Huang Xai, we were dispirited — we just did NOT want to re-trace our steps along that route.

So here we are in Siem Reap where a BIG cold beer is 50 cents and rather alcoholic, it seems. Out hotel, though is $7.50, so I have to keep things in perspective -- that might be expensive beer!

I didn't know that Angor Wat was once the biggest city in the world -- almost twice the size of London in Elizabethan times. It's like being 1000 years in the future and walking arond a ruined New York City -- pondering how it was once the world's largest city, but now just ruins. Eerie.

We are a few days ahead of ourselves thanks to the elusive Akha, but if our first afternoon in Cambodia is any sign, we will quite enjoy it here.

Hope all is well for anyone reading this. It's kind of fun keeping in touch like this -- as I mentioned to my old Friend, Peter -- it's a long way from the old Poste Restante!