LAT Report
This is the last day in Siem reap. It is a beautiful tourist town but you see rich and poor, old and new.. Today our trip in the morning is to a school way out in the country where children attend that are very poor but are selected because they show promise. As we arrived after about an hour drive we were greeted by the children. Each child "adopted" an adult on the cruise Andi had three that adopted me. They took me to each classroom and showed me what they were learning and the computers which had a very elementary word/typing game on it. One of my guides read to me from a book in the library, it was a child's book, he was learning not only how to read but English. He did very well..and he was very proud. He asked me my name, my mothers name and what I do. He told me about his mother and family and that he wants to be a teacher..his friend wants to be an engineer...I wished them much success. Linda had a sweet little girl adopt her and both my little guy and her little girl are good friends. We had our pictures taken together ..it was so much fun!
We then headed back to the hotel to get ready to leave for the boat....did I mention to anyone that it was hot? The ride was 200 miles and with the roads and the traffic being what it is..it was a long trip to the boat. The boat was docked and we had to go down the side of a hill to board quite something given my sure footed ness yikes......the cabins are small but very nice ..very carefully designed to maximize space and optimize closets and drawers. We had a nice dinner and the upper deck is an open bar for beer and it is good beer...I was in bed by 8:30 and sound asleep five minutes later.
LMR report:
8am gathering for breakfast before part of the group went to a school supported by Viking cruises. Way out in the country..kids are screened and tested then ad mitten to the program. They take computer and English classes. We were met at the bus by kids, each one sort of adopted one of the bus riders and showed us around. My little girl was 8 years old and an absolute delight. She read the three little pigs to me and only had trouble with the words "huffed and puffed". I would take her home in a minute! I suppose however grand mother, mother and brother would object. Pictures of her can be seen along with this update. Upon returning it was time to check out and take the 4.5 hour ride to the ship.
It was docked in such a way that we had to climb down a steep hill, but Vilking staff was lined up to give us an arm. Cabins are small-- bed is even higher then mine at home, need a stool to climb in!
Cocktail hour on the sun deck, then dinner in the dining room, after dinner a lecture on Pol Pot ( we skipped it), as we still had to unpack and be ready for early departure in the morning.
Cabin is quite warm, cannot figure out how to turn the air conditioner down. Water in bathroom is scalding, Linda burnt her figure ..but Neosporin to the rescue! laundry service is available every day..so will take advantage of..have lots of sweat baked clothes.. Room does not have phones or tv...
Have been teasing Dick about our favorite team...OSU ...he is a duck fan..so teasing all in good fun!
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