Girls road trip up Phnom Kulen

A group of about ten of us headed out to the local Mexican restaurant to wave a temporary goodbye to some of our Andorran friends who were heading home for Christmas and a break. There were a few old friend and that night we made a few new ones. 

"I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun." - Charles R. Swindoll

Two of the ladies were heading on a day trip to the Phnom Kulen mountain and waterfall the next day with all the girls they work with and kindly invited us along as there was space in the bus.

The next day we met up at their work place and headed off to Kulen, it took about an hour to get to the foot of the mountain and foreign visitors must pay $20 each to use the road up the mountain. The road is steep, windy and extremely bumpy - certainly not worth $20 per head! The road left us all feeling pretty sick too!

"It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

We stopped off to buy some red bananas on the way - they look different and taste a little different too. 

"Something will pop up in my head. It could be like the weirdest thing. Like all'a sudden like I have like a jumping banana in my head." - Ryan Lochte

First we visited the temple... 

Steps leading to the temple

The gates of the temple are 'guarded' by many animals and mythical creatures.

The view from the top of the temple...

 Small Buddhas placed by the big Buddha.

Big gold reclining Buddha carved into the top of the rock at the top of the temple. 

“True love is born from understanding.” ― Gautama Buddha

 

 The Buddha is housed in here and carved into the rock the 'hut' is built on.

 A monk offers blessings at the bottom of the temple.

"A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and strengthen." - John O'Donohue

Medicinal roots for sale, some of these were massive.

 Lotus flowers for the temples.

Everyone had a paddle in the top part of the waterfall...

...before seeing what was at the bottom of this torrent...

"I love the sounds and the power of pounding water, whether it is the waves or a waterfall." - Mike May

I love a good waterfall!  

  

In we all went and swam over to the main falls to get a shoulder massage!

"This life is like a swimming pool. You dive into the water, but you can't see how deep it is." - Dennis Rodman

In the meantime mum turned her attention to photographing a rather muscular young monk (there were quite a few photos!)...

  

After a lovely lunch we headed off back to Siem Reap, on the way we had a rather sobering visit to the Landmine Museum and a center where people affected by landmine incidents could live and get support. The visit was interesting, but I think the Khmer girls found it a little hard as so many people in current society have been affected by landmine incidents.

"Landmines are among the most barbaric weapons of war, because they continue to kill and maim innocent people long after the war itself has ended. Also, fear of them keeps people off the land, and thus prevents them from growing food."- Kofi Annan

Next we had a trip to the butterfly garden...

...saw pupae growing...

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." - R. Buckminster Fuller

...and managed to photograph some of the butterflies...

"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

....before we headed back to Siem Reap after an awesome, yet shattering day making new friends and hanging out in nature!

"I'm tired, but I'm happy" - Rene Preval