Day 7 - On the Road Again

Our last breakfast at the Hilary Hotel in Phnom Penh where we were presented with yet another unknown fruit! Looked a bit like an apple on the outside but had white sticky flesh inside - Joanne promptly saved the seeds to take home and germinate!
We checked out, said our goodbyes and boarded the minibus for the journey northwards to Oudong, about an hour away. On arriving at the temple site we were immediately surrounded by children of all ages wanting to either fan us, guide us or sell us something but we gently avoided any commitments and set off up the trail to the base point of the hill where we were told by each of our volunteer 'guides' that there were 509 steps to the top! Off we went only to be met a little way up by a vervet monkey who, spotting an opportunity, grabbed some flower heads from a small child, sat down to eat them and prompted a virtual cascade from the trees of monkeys who also wanted a share! We ventured on and finally came to the newest temple where chanting could be heard from inside which apparently was because this was a special weekend and many visitors had come to pay their respects.
I much prefer the older temples (or burial shrines) as the stonework is a more natural colour and they look all of their 350 years and there were a few more on our route up and down the hills. My young guide, Dorn, had an amazing command of the English language and knew a great amount about the history, which he was keen to tell me. It was also very interesting to talk to him about life as a 17 year old Cambodian, I think he will do very well.
We set off to find somewhere for lunch and finally settled on a sort of transport cafe but unfortunately no one spoke any English so Erik had to ring his wife so she could speak to the cook and tell them what we wanted!! Not our finest meal it has to be said!
Back on the road and two hours later we arrived at Kampong Chnang and checked in at the Sovann Phum Hotel before setting off with our guide, Chamrong, to visit the pottery village.
Very clever craftsmen and women produce the most amazing handmade pottery bowls, cooking ovens, bricks etc using the most basic of equipment and firing techniques. They generally do not have their own kilns but bake the sun dried pots on a layer of wood about 4 metres square over which straw is laid and set alight. This means a constant replenishment of hay is needed in order to ensure the firing process is complete. At the time we visited the fire had already been alight for two hours with just one man keeping it going.
This was easily the most charming of villages in a very rural setting with a wealth of local talent - a really nice end to the day.