BATTAMBANG (Cambodia)

"Diary of Captain - Cambodian date astral 2012".

As usual, I changed plans again and extended the stay in Battambang !! .. But it is proved, once again, a wise decision and interesting ....

In the morning I left with my trusty Dara, the boy-guide tuc-tuc, at a time of two very interesting destinations: Prasat Banan, a temple which is accessed after climbing 358 steps well and place of sad memory, Phnom Sampeau ...

Only the trip would be worth it to face, almost 25km of tuc-tuc, because through campaigns that separate Battambang from the places where I was headed, everything has proven a wonderful surprise: the warm air that filled his lungs, the surroundings scattered with green rice fields and mango trees, banana trees and papaya ... 

oxen conducted in the fields ... farmers at work, loving the earth ...

Then, while, distracted from the bucolic, listened to music from my iPhone, Dara suddenly stops and shows me the kids who had just driven two succulent prey: two rats of the rice fields, thick and fleshy, they would do the joy of the family on their return ... they think very tasty, although I have not tasted meat mouse ... never say never !!

  

We arrive at Prasat Banan ... the heat is strong and go up those 358 steps gives me trouble and sweat ... but in the end the beauty of the five spiers, who is said to have then inspired to build Angkor Wat, it repays the effort ....

Continue to Phnon Sampeau here ... and the atmosphere changes really !! ..

Infamous, for the deep caves where, during the sad period of the regime of Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge slaughtered more than 10,000 innocent people and they threw the bodies from the entrances of caves ... They've discovered the bones of thousands of unfortunates just around the 2002.

it i breathes really looked sad and heavy, as if still on the walls to feel  the screams of agony and despair for those who were scheduled for slaughter ... Only a Buddha sleeping placid and smiling at Guardian Place reassures me a bit '.. Remembering  that "anything goes" ...

All around the caves there are several small temples and Buddhist monasteries that soothe the mind and sit down a bit 'in the shade of a temple to meditate and exchange a few words with a Buddhist monk about the donations that are made by tourists for school ... of course I also participate !!

Freed from shoc the caves, I wander around this fortress that rises steeply on the flat valley, like a table, surrounded by forests abundant .... other suspended when going down a steep staircase I see two statues of warriors Khmer. ..

and a little cave, dark, humid, where at the end, with a flashlight, I see a small statue of Buddha and sit in total silence to meditate ..

I continue the way back, but first i stop at a winery to taste the products ... I have to say that the wine left much to the imagination, but the brandy product was exquisite !!

 And so, as i returned, a stall on the roadside improvised ... as a farmer  and  my Dara nailing the tuc-tuc to shew, the happy and smiling all the specialties: INSECTS, !!. ..of any kind !!! ... But well-fried and seasoned with dried garlic !! .. a treat !! ... there were crickets, spider-rats, cockroaches and other not always decipherable ..

He invites me to share with him drinking a cold beer .... well how to say no ?? !! And so ... I attach yet another amazing experience of my life !! ...

Finally happy and pleased with the day back at the hotel ... and get ready for our last night in Battambang ... tomorrow leave for Phnion Penh.