Today was a bit of break from temples. We headed off around 9am towards Tonle Sap Lake. On the way we stopped at a local village (near another temple) who did weaving and leatherwork. Most of the leatherwork was done by orphaned children outside of school and they earn 20% of the sale price. I restrained myself from buying anything which I know is unusual for me.

Next stop was a local market. Very similar to what I had seen in Vietnam on numerous occasions but always good to have a walk through. Bought myself some lychees, about ½ kg for $1. This little girl came running out to us and out of her bag she pulled a koala, obviously she has met Australians previously. Some of the ladies were looking at my feet (I had thongs on) and were having a giggle..I'm presuming at my bright red toenails. I pointed my feet at them which made them giggle a little more.

We finally made it to our boat, although the last km of the drive was bumpy, bumpy, bumpy. We had a Tuk Tuk today (last 2 days we had a car) and we even got out and walked a part of it because of the pot holes. In our boat and down the channel to a bigger channel past rice fields and fisherman until we came to the village which is built on stilts. I thought it was going to be a floating village similar to what I saw in Peru and also in Vietnam but the houses don't float here, they are all built on stilts and living on and around water is part of their daily life. Kids were playing in water, adults and children were bathing in it and people earn a living out of it. They have nets in the water to catch the little fish and when they pull it out it is a family affair to get the fish off it. Someone rolls it out, another 2 bat at it with what looks like tennis rackets into a big container and another 2 roll the finished part of the net up. Very interesting way of doing it but it obviously works because we saw plenty of people doing it.

School was coming to end (morning session anyway) on our way back and we saw all the school kids head off in their boats every which direction. On the drive back, there were loads of school kids riding their bikes to school as well, all in uniforms. They have 2 sessions of school here and some students go to both, some only go to one.

Finished up back in town and said goodbye to our guide. He wasn't the best I've had, it felt like he was disinterested in the whole process so wasn't sad to say goodbye. I had a swim and then a nap by the pool before getting ready for the sunset portion of today. Had arranged for Sim to pick Viv and I up and take us out to Phnom Bakheng. We had Sim's nephew instead. Sim called on the phone and apologized as he was busy. I said that was fine. Well,Sim's nephew should have had P's on his wagon. He was pretty slow and a bit cautious going around corners and sometimes it felt like he was losing his balance. We got there OK and made the trek up the hill to the temple. They say they limit it to 300 people on the temple at once, particulary for sunset but there were no limits tonight. There were easily 500 people up there and they just kept coming.

From this temple, you can see Angkor Wat just over 1km away but the sunset really didn't affect it. The colours were beautiful again. As soon as the sun disappears everyone makes their way down but I hung around this time and some of my best photos were at this point. Viv made it up and down which surprised her as when she first saw the steps up she didn't think she would try it but she did and she was glad she did. Told her to remember that next time she doesn't think she can do it. She said the fear before she went up was the worst and it wasn't so bad.

Somehow we managed to find our driver at the base…there were so many people, tuk tuks and cars and we headed home. About 2kms down the road, Sim met us and they changed over. Sim apologized again and told us what we had already guessed, he was learning. I think he must also had a smaller engine on his bike. With Sim, we flew back into town, what a difference. Dropped us off a restaurant for dinner - The Butterfly Gardens. Would have been better to be here during the day because you would be surrounded by butterflies but at this time of night they were all asleep.

Dinner was OK, not the best meal I've had. For dessert tried Sticky Rice with banana steamed in a banana leaf with coconut ice-cream. At least I can say I tried it, probably wouldn't order it again.

Sim picked me up and dropped me back at the hotel and will be back tomorrow morning at 5am to pick me up for sunrise so bedtime for me!!