Rainy Forest Treks & Floating Villages

So yesterday was yet another eventful day.
In the a.m. we went for a hike through a forest in a national park in the pouring rain to see some beautiful waterfalls and remains of a temple from back when Ankor Wat was built. The waterfall actually was flowing over sections of the remains which you would think the water would have eroded by now, but you could still see the carvings in the stone which was very cool.
While we were taking pictures at the waterfall, another tourist warned us to be careful because it was really slippery and along with our tour guide (Mr. Phao - who has been our driver for our time in S.R and is a great time) I had a bit of a slip RIGHT on my bum! In white shorts to boot :( Sara was sure to capture the moment (i guess my karma from laughing at sheri over the fence is coming back to me) & we all had a good laugh. Sara went under the waterfall on her own, so I didnt feel so bad that I had to walk around soaking wet all day...and since it was raining anyways, we were pretty soaked as it was.
A strange thing about the temple amoungst the waterfall was that it represented male "parts"and lady "bits". It was a symbol of thanks to their god for life & rebirth which was pretty interesting!
We then stopped at the creamation temple which was very beautiful & since the sun was finally coming back out, we were starting to dry off slowly but surely.

We then went for another long drive to see a really cool floating village...it really is simply that...but not really explainable in words. It's definatley a 'must see' to really believe it kinda thing. These people (which we were told were vietnamese refugees, but have to do some reading to make sure) have a whole village out there...restarants, schools, gas stations, shops, houses, barns (with pigs and all) & even caged in sports fields for kids to play on...i mean its pretty rustic dont get me wrong but a whole floating world...i'll have to post some pics for you to really understand what it was like. I just am so amazed at what everyday life must be like for them. Imagine being born there and knowing only that? Apparently some of them never leave because they have everything they need right there. So amazing to see!

While we were there we caugh the sunset on the roof of a floating restuarant while eating fresh shrimp (that I hope was from further out in the water cause i must say...the water was quite dirty...mystery things floating around and a greenish tint to it didn't make it too appitizing) either way though, it was a gorgeous sunset!

After our boatride back, we got dropped off at our hostel and went for dinner in a great restaurant alley and did a bit more shopping and Dr. Fish in the night market.

Now we are at the airport waiting for our flight to Vietnam!
This morning we just stayed around our hostel area, said goodbye to Simon (who got food poisioning from dinner the night before...poor guy) and did a bit more shopping & picture taking in the local markets, around the river and at a beautiful Buddhist temple that was just steps away from our hostel.
Cambodia was an amazing country to visit and I recommend it to EVERYONE!

I'll update as soon as we get to Vietnam! We have our hostel already arranged (that was recommended by Simon) & should have someone waiting for us when we arrive to drive us there! We are getting the hang of this backpacking thing pretty well! I am pretty proud of us! :)

(oh and i have a crazy case of bug bites going on on my legs. you should see it! I look at bit diseased! Pam & Sara won't even look in my direction without cringing...but I went to the pharmacy and got some stuff to put on them! oh the adventures!)

xox