3 22 Sihanoukville, Cambodia

When we visited here, 2 years ago, we needed to do some blogging and internet work, so we found an internet place.  Notice I did not say internet cafe. 

We had made a mistake, when approached by the tuk-tuk driver and asked if we wanted to take a tuk-tuk tour, we said “no”.  To that he said, “How about later?”  Well, we now know the correct answer is “No.”  We were trying to be polite, and we said “Maybe.”

Well, 2 1/2 hours later he was still waiting outside the internet place even though we kept telling him we weren’t interested.  We felt sorry for him when we were done, and we went for a tour.

It was great.

We saw these lions,

then we went on to this temple

where this monk showed us around.

Did you notice where the water comes from?  Little naked boys  :)

The area was full of these colorful fishing boats.

This time we didn’t need to blog and there was a shuttle bus from the port to the shopping area.  So we went to shopping area.  It was full of little booths under a cover and covered about 1 city block.

Arleen decided to take a chance.  She decided, even though she had cut Duane’s hair, and since Duane couldn’t (or wouldn’t) cut hers, she decided to have it cut in the shopping area.

And for $3, she did.  It was scary but came out well.

 

We noticed, like Singapore, Sihanoukville has grown.  There are multistoried buildings all over now.  There are office buildings being built along with resorts.

But, right outside the port, where our huge cruise ship is docked, is this beautiful fishing village.  It is hard to reconcile the beauty of the village with its lack of affluence.  I hate using the word poverty.  Some people who live without modern conveniences can be happier and even healthier than people with them.  So, not to be judgmental, I will say they have a lack of affluence.

    Having said that, Duane reminds me that due to the former political regime  killing off the educated and professional people in the country, the children do not get educated (90% don’t go to school), there is no public health care and the people are having a hard time.  It was not until 2000 that the government opened the country to outside visitors and investment.  So, little by little, the country is getting more prosperous.  Tourists are discovering the beautiful beaches and small friendly atmosphere of this area. 

It is yet to be seen whether this will be good for the people of the country.  But there are signs of recovery.  And the people are friendly and helpful and very glad we are here.

When we returned to the ship, on the way to our stateroom, we heard music.  We saw a fun show last night.  Catsnjammer, 2 guys playing one piano.  Very funny and very skilled.  Well, they were rehearsing for a later show and we got some pictures and got to enjoy them some more. 

When we leave here we head off to Vietnam.  Duane is going on a tour from the ship to visit Viet Cong tunnels.  Arleen will stay in the area of the ship.  Last time after riding up the Mekong River to somewhere near Ho Chi Min City (formerly Saigon), we took a tour bus to see the city.

This time we will not redo that.  The city, or town, nearest to where we land is Vung Tai. 

So more later.