Moonlights

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Our drive to and visit at Kamworks was probably the highlight of the day. Our tuk-tuk ride was over an hour, and we loved seeing the homes, yards, and countryside--as well as the always-entertaining traffic. We kept wondering why a factory would be built so far out in the countryside, especially when we turned off the pavement onto a very bumpy dirt road for the last 3.7 kilometers.

We were greeted at Kamworks by a Dutchman who Don had previously emailed to set up our visit. He was outside under a shelter made of coconut leaves and bamboo working in a nice breeze on his laptop at a stone picnic table. He gave us some good background on the company. We learned that foreigners cannot own land in Cambodia, but this factory is on land with an orphanage (through some connection). So, we also got a tour of the orphanage as well as the training company Peko Sol, a nonprofit organization that does the training for companies that install the solar power units that Kamworks produces. Quite an impressive facility, all run on solar power, and it has an on-site dormitory as well to house visitors who come for training. Seemed low-key, low-stress, but hi-tech and well run.

Wat Phnom (temple mountain)

Don found the girl at Wat Phnom who sold him a bottle of water for $1 two years ago on our first morning in town (we later learned we could buy a case of water for $1). She and her family are still there--still selling water and treats. Amazingly, Don recognized the mother of this girl and gave her a picture he had taken two years ago; she sent for her daughter, and sure enough, this girl recognized Don.

A family business (wish these children could attend school).

Lotus flowers for sale.

Beautiful Brittan

Visit

Can she win?

This sister doesn't want to paint her walls because she loves the memories of her children's writing.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Tonight we visited the wife, three sons, and one daughter of one of Ben's favorite member families from his mission here in Phnom Penh. I was impressed that the older son remembered the stories and puzzles I had shared with them when we visited two years ago, and he recounted them to me.

Sobering

Monday, August 15, 2011

On our way back from the zoo, we stopped by the "killing fields," where 18,000 of the 3 million people who were killed during the Pol Pot regime were executed. A quiet, reverence pervaded that visit.

The Zoo

Comfy bear!

These red fruits were o.k. to eat, but were best for feeding the birds at the zoo.

Monday, August 15, 2011

This morning the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and we're off to the zoo.

The zoo was a good experience. We were four of the few visitors there today because of it being off-season, which was nice. We saw birds, elephants, tigers, monkeys, snakes, bears, a crocodile, and several types of sheep--all in quite natural settings.

Hmmm. . . . looks like most of the zoo pictures must have been taken from Ben's camera, so we'll add to this post later.

Tuk-tuk Rides

Our favorite mode of transportation in Cambodia was via tuk-tuk, and we would usually have the same driver for several days.

Bus Ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh

Sunday after Church

We arranged a bus trip from Saigon to Phnom Penh--only $11 apiece for a 6-hour ride. Quite comfy, too. The border crossing was easy enough, and Ben's countenance was noticeably brighter once we were somewhere that he could speak the language. Ahhh. . . blessed communication! One fun surprise along teh trip was crossing a river on a ferry--we got off and enjoyed the ride wedged amongst the people, chickens, and pigs.

Seihah came to meet us at the bus station in P.P. to get us settled into our motel, arrange for our tuk-tuk drive, go to Ben's favorite Chinese noodle place, and then back to the motel. There are rivers of water in the streets from the heavy rain, but we feel lucky that the downpour came while we were traveling and not out sightseeing.

Church in Saigon

Sunday, August 14, 2011

One of the highlights of the day was sacrament meeting at the Saigon Branch. Lovely meeting house--even lovelier people. Most impressive was a young South Korean family with 3 sons; they've been in Vietnam for 7 years, the husband teaching at a private college (he speaks 7 languages). The three-year-old son is so cute that Brittan said she wanted to take him home.

Everyone was so friendly, and we were able to hear the talks and prayers in English by wearing headsets and listening while one of the members there translated. Singing was great--they sang loudly and in multiple languages (we heard at least Vietnamese, Korean, and English). Loved it!

Tomorrow Morning!

So excited. Our flight leaves at 6 a.m. for our Don-Mary-Ben-Brittan trip to Vietnam/Cambodia/Thailand.