ANKOR WAT -- CLYDE ELEPHANT INTERACTIONS

On our trip to the first of four temples (Ankor Tom) we encountered some real live elephants. We didn't have time to ride one but Clyde and Mary got to touch one --- dry skin, deep wrinkles and hair.

 

 

 

Clyde also had a look at the Terrace of the Elephants – A wide terrace from which elephant battles could be witnessed. It was about 10 feet high and ¼ mile long stonework – all carved with elephants.

ANKOR WAT -- THE TRIP TO THE AIRPORT

Our flight to Siem Reap took us into the heart of Cambodia, the home city for Ankor Wat, and a very hot place –104F at the highest when we were there. Clyde took an elephant ride warmup at the airport.

He also noted some strange outfits among the crowd.

The hotel was beautiful and Clyde enjoyed the pool and the noodle soup in the restaurant.

A VISIT TO SAIGON'S OPEN AIR MARKET

 

Everywhere there is commercial activity – vendors on every street corner. Also note the overloaded motorcycles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And notice the modern skyscraper with heliport sticking out

But the real hub of activity is Saigon's open-air market. They sell everything from meat.

To seafood (note the live fish and Clyde inspecting same)

To framed bats (I bought a couple --- of shirts)

To food stalls. Note some of the strange produce.

To jewelry stores (Clyde bought Mary some fresh water pearls)

We went there a part of a cooking demonstration. Check out the food and then preparing same. (Chef assured us that the stuff he bought was prepared under strict safety standards – not bought there). Here is Clyde preparing some garnishes.

IMPRESSIONS OF SAIGON

It had been 5 years since we had been to Saigon and the change is remarkable. The look of the port is very busy, well painted, and ship shape – unlike Hue. There is considerable trash in the waterway like one sees most places in Vietnam, but Saigon is fairly pristine. The are sanitation workers cleaning up the streets and the city hoses down the streets 3 times a week. There is new shipbuilding going on and a continuous string of ship leaded concrete and gravel – seemingly every 5 minutes. Looking at the skyline shows lots of high rises.