visiting an island in the middle of the river

out of the city into the untouched nature and ruel life.with a very old tuk-tuk and and its funny clumbsy driver we made our way to a place hidden away just on the outskirts of phnom penh.from here a ferry sets over to a little island placed in the middle of the river.the ferry just takes passangers,cycles and bikes.and on the island you wont find any cars.so there we were waiting for the ferry and it was the first time that we felt starred at as we were in a place where tourists usually dont come to.that was also a reason why they wanted to charge us more than the locals but me - supersnail insisted to go for the local price.the ride was only 20 min.once we set foot on the island it was like being in a different world compared to the capital wihich was only 30 min. away.
we got of the ferry and so did all the locals.many little kids in there school uniform on their cycles-what a picture and so cute.everybody kept starring at as and we felt a bit uneasy but i couldnt believe this quiet piece of land.we started walking along the only dusty "road"not knowing where it would lead.but thats what makes traveling so unique for me.you explore and you are open to new experiences.it was only nature nature and nature.it was paradise where you toddle along and where you see cute kids,friendly villagers and women weaving .on the sides of the "road"where those houses on stilts and we could see how the local village people live.which amazed me the most was that humans,cats,dogs,mouses and chicken live hamonically together under one roof.the village people were very friendly and we went into one or two houses to see what they do for a living-weaving silk shawls.i had to buy one of ther shawls and for$2 i couldnt do anything wrong.after walking for miles relaxing in the calmness of the place it was time to go back.our tuk-tuk driver waited for us and wanted to take us back to the hotel.but as i said his tuk tuk was very old and it was no wonder to us that we broke down-lol.but no panic it was only a flat tyre.its part of exploring and experience.he took us to one of the street stalls where a couple of guys fixed our tyre with very simple equipment.unbelievable how simple but it just worked fine for us.and while waiting there it was another chance to see daily life in cambodia on the side of a road.
at the end we reached the night market in phnom penh.its a lovley little market with food and souvenir shops.it reminded us alot of dilli haat market in delhi.
we sat down on matts and had some fresh cold sugar can juice-so yummy.(i never had it before)
people always smile and kids turn up to see those foreigners and to show us some of their toys.in the market we wandered around a bit but didnt really like anything to buy.instead we saw this little old woman sitting in the corner with a old steel wafflemaker which was heated up by real fire-she was so cute showing us the dough as we didnt know what it was.we had to buy something from her-and we had 2 amazing tasting coconut waffles-yummuy yummy.
so far the best food was always the local cheapest one.we ate anything anywhere,some of you woudlnt believe it.but it was always tasty and we are still alive.lol
we had grean tea with local ice cubes which you could find on any table in all those street kitchens.the green tea is really refreshing-you fill up a glass with ice cubes and poor the hot green tea over.
we had the best milkshakes ever-with water,ice cubes and milk(condensed milk).
we ate in the street kitchen where the place is a mess but i cant decribe how tasty and fresh the food was which means it was healthy as well.
and throughout our travels we were fine,healthy and happy.
i cant decide if cambodia is cleaner and more hygenic than india.
i was surprised to see european toilets everywhere.things seems cleaner and more organized compared to india.but then the streets are as dirty.
it is definively much more relaxed as poeple dont hassle you to much and they always smile and never get angry or agressive.even the beggars dont bother you a lot.
im just missing a bit of colour-in india you have all those women and kids in their beautiful saris and dresses.for me it gives a feeling like being in a fairytale but then its me the one who lived in india and who loves it.lol
nevertheless i love my trip through cambodia.its a beautiful country with lovley people.
while walking through phnom penh we noticed all those old men with young beautiful cambodian girls.just like in thailand prostituion is a big business over here.and on top of it childprostituion is a big thing.in every hotel you fill find those signs that sex with under 18s is not allowed.
this evening we had dinner on the riverbank-i had my first crab curry and it was a mess.how the hell do you get the meat out of this thing.not worth all the work and so messy.i decided the crab was crap and made me crappy(jen will smile reading this!)but it was tasty.lol
while sitting and eating we noticed all those cambodians coming together and as we are nosy we had to have a look as well.and we couldnt believe what we saw and heard-such fun