rivers to ruins

Phnom Penh, such a busy place,people, mopeds, tuk tuks surround us with plenty of traffic and only a few street lights. We see this similar driving pattern through out Asia. Steve calls it the flow. In this city it was recommended for us not to rent bikes so we are riding around in tuk tuks (sometimes romantic, sometimes scary). In Cambodia they do not recognize any other license yet the legal age is seven. Went to see the Royal Palace in it's finest with attention to detail both inside and out, everywhere from the artwork on the ceilings to the many variations of marble and colourful tile floors. There are many beautiful treasures kept here from jade Buddha's, collections of gold and silver in shapes of elephants, bowls, and platters. They had a large display of elephant carriages used for many different ceremonies that royalty would magesticaly ride. We met up with Anne's neice Lindsay and her boyfriend Jasper. Had lunch at the famous FCC (Foreign Correspondence Club), aka Anne's old hangout. The night before we tried to find it but the tuk tuk driver took us to KFC. Too funny! We were later joined up with friends of Lindsay and Jasper's and spent the rest of the day and evening with them. They took us to a couple of their spots, one being across the river to a place named Snowy's. Nice sunset spot with a long narrow deck on stilts (hoping it would hold us all). We then went to eat at a local Khmer spot. The dining areas were separated with three sided bamboo rooms. They had performers, dancing and music, later we had Steve on the keyboards pounding out a couple songs. Our group gave him the name Che Van Soy (cilantro) and were cheering him on. Even the large table in front of us full of Khmer men were most impressed. All shook Steve's hand when we left as well toasting at any opportunity. Up early to catch the fast bullet boat up the Tonle Sap river to Siem Reap where Angkor Wat awaits. The boat was long and narrow like a submarine with windows and seats a few feet above the water. What a ride! We left the city and for miles and miles sped down river passing many villagers by their homes on the river. Predominately Vietnamese. These are stilted houses which are also popular in the flood plains. What a sight. I've only seen this on tv or in books. We're in Cambodia... sometimes we have to stop and smell the roses and some are sweeter than others and some we just don't want to talk about! This trip took 6 hours and we would so recommend it. What a view of the river! Now this gives us a whole different view on living down by the river. Oh the memories.