Seaprated in Siem Reap

We were all up early yesterday (Wednesday) for a 5:30 van ride to the boat scheduled to take us to Battambang. With three and a half down with gastro-intestinal distress, four of us made the trip along with Arn, Srey Ma, So-Pa, Charley and Sara. Apparently the boat was a local – taking on passengers at floating villages on route, the initial twenty-seven passengers swelled to almost forty, along with a propane tank and other goods to be delivered along the way; 8 and 1/2 hours later we arrived in Battambang as the monsoon rains began a little weary and, for those westerners (baraang) riding on top, a little too much sun. There is a zen to this local travel that, with time, we would learn to savor.

Battambang, closer to the Thai border, is very different, and pleasantly so, from Siem Reap. Not tourist focused, the markets cater to locals so we see bolts of fabric for making karmas rather than individual karmas for sale. We’ve found a few local restaurants that have good inexpensive food for both dinner and breakfast - $8.85 for dinner at the Smoking Pot last night and $12.00 for breakfast at the Sunrise Coffeehouse (very good coffee). The four of us plan to rent bicycles and do a little exploring today (Thursday).

The others will arrive by cab around 2 this afternoon. We are eager to see them and begin the Mahasrop together.