Cambodia
ព្រះរាជាណាចក្រកម្ពុជា
Aboard the Toum Teav I - Day Two
លើ​ទូក​ទួល​ទុំទាវ I - ថ្ងៃទីពីរ

From Kampong Tralach and Koh Chen to Phnom Penh

We woke up in the morning tied to the shore. Got out early and rode on ox carts to a small complex of Buddhist temples. There were several monks about including one who showed us a blessing, gave us little woven red bracelets, and spritzed us with water. Back in the ox carts and to the boats, where we cast off heading to our next destination.

The temple area had a foundation made of laterite (a clayey soil and rock material rich in iron and aluminum) which is also used in Siem Reap and many other places. It was quarried from the hills 50 to 80 km away, but is relatively easy to transport because it floats! Full of air pockets formed long ago.

In the evening we were graced with a performance of traditional dances on board ship. Slow, graceful, and sometimes whimsical as well.