Friday 23 Nov 07

Friday 23 Nov 07
Huan took us to Kou Len restaurant Thursday evening. Buffet as much as you like, Thai food, local beer, all excellent. Huge room like a warehouse, with a stage on which we were entertained by (mostly) girls dressed in brilliantly coloured costumes absara dancing. This is the very specialist siamese type dancing with hands bent backwards at 90 degrees, head from side to side, slow movements with much balancing on one leg. Must take a lot of practice I tried some of the moves but fell over.
So this was our last night as a group. I got up to join Annie for breakfast at 6 as she was the first due to leave at 6.40. Next was David and Joanne at 7.30. I had more time so took the opportunity to walk down to the river again, even more activity preparing for dragon boat racing due to start at 2.30pm. Villagers had set up campsites along the river using tarpaulins strung across trees and poles. Street vendors were everywhere selling fruit, toys, pop-rice, everything; also local music (sounding indian to me) blaring out of speakers, lots of smiling hellos from passing locals, very few westerners, a really happy festival atmosphere.
I like Siem Reap.
Left hotel 10.40am, flights all went to plan, arrived Phuket hotel 9.30pm after slight delay in transfer from airport. More on Phuket next blog.
All the Best,
John