We left Siem Reap about noon and arrived at the boat around 4:30. Driving through the Cambodian country side was really interesting. The bus was an air conditioned coach and we were accompanied by a local guide. Perfect, all my questions answered. It seems that my questions have to Mangos growing on trees, lots of bananas growing. The small villages we passed through looked very poor. Rice and fish are the main diet staples. The rice was being dried on mats in front of the homes. The road was dirt, very dusty. Every other house had a small stand selling gasoline in old booze bottles-enough to fill up a motor bike-a few mangoes or bananas and a few cans of soft drinks. It is warm and many people were taking a siesta in a hammock. The nicest buildings in every village were the temples and schools. Some of the wealthier people had solar panals on the roof, and an occasional Tv antennae.
The land is flat and dry, no rice crops growing yet. Lots of rubber trees. They stopped the bus and showed us how they score the trunks and collect the sap in small ceramic bowls wired to the trunks. Similar to the way maple syrup is harvested. The villages near the rubber plantation were wealthier looking.
Still horrified at the plastic bag litter everywhere. Our guide said that policy from the top and education were the key to change. Isn't that true of all change.
No photos as we were bouncing along in the bus.
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