March 27
In the morning, we left Phnom Penh and sailed to Angkor Ban.
Since we disembark tomorrow, we spent most of it packing. (and taking photos from our window)
men fishing
After lunch we visited the charming and authentic town of
Angkor Ban. This turned out to be a very special day.
Our first stop was a visit to a pagoda where we received a
special water blessing ceremony by local monks. After the blessing he tied a
red yarn bracelet on each of us. We were told not to cut and to let it wear off
or it would bring bad luck. Nim presented a special gift to the senior monk on
behalf of Mekong Princess. Eric told us at the briefing last night that you won’t
understand a thing he says, but any blessing is a good thing.
arrival at Angkor Ban
the Mekong Princess was tied to a tree on shore
worker from our boat cleaning it
arrival at the village
planters are made of painted plastic bottles
inside a house
Nin presenting the gift
Nin prayed
for the blessing we had to touch or hold hands with someone else
preparing to bless us with the water
blessing us with water
me getting my bracelet
Greg getting his bracelet
Cathy getting her bracelet (we didn't get Tom, hopefully Cathy did)
cat inside with us
the ceiling
Nin saying goodbye
Tom & Cathy on the steps
Next, we visited a local family’s home to meet them and
discuss their lifestyle. Mainly, it was a discussion on the Cambodian scarves.
Some people bought some, but most of us had gotten them in a prior stop.
the color of scarf lets potential suiters know how old the girl is
items for sale
family of the house we visited
he is wearing small shorts
Nin explaining the corn used for animal feed
small market
We continued through the village to the local school where
we joined the children in their classroom to see what their typical school day
is like. We each sat with a student, and they read from their workbooks to us
and we were to help them if they got stuck. They attempted some basic
conversation to practice their English. One person chose not to sit with a student,
so I had 2 sit with me.
the classroom
Nin introducing the teacher
Greg with his student
my students
Cathy and her student (Tom behind them and Greg and his student in the back left)
walking back our of the village
this was once the only bathroom
Back on the boat we sailed to Kampong Cham where we docked
overnight before disembarking.
kids yelled to take their photo
I was just getting a photo of the cow; I didn't know he was peeing
Eric introduced all of the officers, staff & crew before dinner.
pretty sunset
Our final meal on board and we will miss the Cambodian hospitality we have received on this river cruise.
bridge in the distance
another riverboat next to us
gift from Eric
it was so well wrapped, I didn't open it until we got home
While we were waiting for Eric to introduce everyone Greg wrote his TripAdvisor review. When we returned to the suite after dinner the gift was waiting for us, and Eric said he would pass it along to everyone. Eric is French and has been living in
Cambodia for 5 years. He has worked on cruise ships since he was 16 and most
all of them were on Cunard where he started as a bus boy and worked his way up. He had
done 14 world cruises. He eventually went to work on river boats Circle Line, I think. They wanted to be the first to do a Mekong Delta cruise. He learned that Mekong Princess was looking for a cruise director and he was ready for a change and fell in
love with Cambodia. He is the perfect fit.
Tomorrow, we disembark.
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