The Break

 It takes a break to have us all together again.

Now that all are working adults, it's difficult to plan for almost anything.

Esther, the adventurous one is always full of tricks up her sleeves and insisted that the family go visit the ancient relics; the seventh wonder of the world.

Yes, it's Siem Reap.

Though not exactly keen as I have been there before, I thought that it is one rare occasion for us to take leave and be together.

So, the stories begin.

By now you know I like to tell stories my way, through my eyes and how they relate to me.

 It is fun that we can get together and take leave at the same time.

We made ourselves available for one another.

All are hard-headed and highly opinionated; so we had to consciously stay humble and try not to fight.

 Siem Reap is hot; as hot as Bangkok for both are on the same latitude and dusty too. With or without a hat, it is still blazing hot. But the tourists had to trudge under the heat for you don't go to  your tour spot to sleep. Fancy getting dad to walk on a hot afternoon in Kuala Lumpur ; never. No one can get him to do it except when his old English friends pay him a visit. So, I could not function without an umbrella and bought one gaudy, red brolly for US$5.

 We walked along the shaded park of the town. Full of lush tress and vegetation.

It is idyllic and would have been a better experience if it is in the evening.

 I believe many come here for wedding photos. There were at least 4 wedding photography at one time.

I noticed that Cambodian grooms love to wear white; like the brides. 

We hardly find grooms in white back home.

 The canal running across the town provided a scenic view and concrete images of the deer, boar and crocodile depicted country sights which the people still want to be associated with. Notice the boat.

What do you think they the boat people were up to? They were performing a duty; clearing and removing garbage in the water. This is how the locals maintain the cleanliness.

When the local tuk tuk driver is tired, he puts up a temporary bed and sleep. How convenient.

The laid-back style I am sure is loved by many foreigners who are tired of the mad rush in life.

At a corner of the town stands some French-influenced buildings. I also noticed that there were many hospitals in Siem Reap; from children to women's. There is a dengue-hemorrhagic hospital too. The Aedes mosquito is endemic here.

Dad was especially attracted to the wooden feature attached to buildings. The strips of wood provided protection and shade to the glass panels. Dad has long loved it and someday I will show where he has fixed them. To be fair to him, he did not copy after the visit; rather he has already installed the feature in a new building.

On a very hot afternoon such as this, the alley nevertheless still look quaint and peaceful.

 Having a cup of coffee with a book will complete the picture.

For rent; the locals will do anything to complement tourism which is needless to mention, the mainstay of the town. Rugged old bicycles.

The girls were attracted to this vendor who is a victim of land mines. He lost both legs and peddles the vehicle with his hands. Sara bought a couple of books knowing full well that they may not be original. Under such circumstances, compassion is reason to help. He asked for support so that he need not beg for the family. The girls helped.

We had a simple lunch and decided to go back for a short rest before a guide came to lead us in the evening.

A very hot afternoon; an introduction to the streets of Siem Reap.
To be continued.