On the road from Phnom Phen to Battambang
Beside the road is a Function Centre, Cambodian style.
According to Vuttha,these are used mainly for weddings and corporate functions.
He said the local tradition is for the bride and groom and parents to pay for the wedding, and guests to give money gifts to help. He said 1000 people at wedding is not uncommon. We saw photos of his wedding, and over the course of it, the bride and groom made at least 10 changes of outfit.
The shrine On Touch Hill
10am, warm and humid – 456 steps to the first level of the shrine!
Yes I counted every one of them, and they were steep, then another 46 to the shrine itself.
First pause in the cardio workout was at a pool with monkeys part way up.
Back on the steps, a guy was carrying a plastic bag of fruit, but not for long. A monkey came running up from behind, grabbed the bag, and was off over the fence.
At step 311, Vutta our guide caught up with us, said hello, then turned and kept RUNNING up them.
After the first 456 steps, finally reach the first landing, which is a shoes off area.
Some were cautious, and carried theirs with them. I was brave, and left mine in a corner, but soon noticed they had disappeared. After a moment of oops, realised they had simply moved under the watchful eye of my own little guardian.
Meanwhile Captain Steve was keeping an eye on things, and Derek was keeping an eye on him.
The main shrine was closed,but the surrounds were beautiful, and there was a smaller room, with countless Buddha statues.
Next was the daunting task of descending.
At the bottom the shop people had set up camp.
I was still sweating 20 minutes later