Today, Friday, is our last day in Cambodia, and it has been a good one. The group went to visit 2 more temples, Bayon and Ta Prohm, and also went on an Elephant ride. Apologies that we don't have any photos at the moment, as the camera was in the wrong place ! Martina joined the culture vultures and I opted for an extra round of golf at the Angkor Glof Club .. and unfortunately, the camera didn't make it to the temples.
Ta Prohm is unique amongst temples in that it has been left in the same state as it was found -covered in parts by thick jungle, with trees and invasive roots enveloping parts from the roof right down to the huge stone blocks on the floor, and lifting them up in places.These trees are called 'crocodile trees' shady and the group of us felt gave the whole temple a sinsister atmosphere. It's where Indiana Jones and the Temple of doom was filmed and it looked every bit as scary. The temple is approached by a long quiet, shady avenue, where a band was playing melodic local music. The band was made up of land mine victims, many of whom were severely disabled, with limbs missing and blind. They were very dignified and didn't beg, but nevertheless no one could passs by without making a contribution. A similar band played on the exit avenue from the temple. The site is close to the Thai border and was heavily mined in the late 1970's, so it was largely off limits to tourists until fairly recently.
Bayon is the famous temple with the faces carved on it's columns and is many people's favourite, even ahead of Angkor Wat.
Back at the Faldo golf course, I had another wonderful day's golf with Brenda and Tony. Here we are with the caddies after the round. My caddy today was Magera (That's her beside me in the photo). She spoke good English, which she learned at the golf club. She went to caddy school at the Angkor club for about a year, where she was taught all about golf and how to caddy for clients and she's met Nick Faldo when he was over at the club.
After the golf and temple tour, we had some time to relax and for last minute shopping and then off to the Lotus Hotel for our Farewell dinner. We dined very well on local fare and then it was down to the serious business of prize giving. Martina
was the star of the show, having been on the winning team on 3 different days. Mind you, on one of the days, she was with our esteemed Tour Leader Mickey Walker, the former Solheim Cup captain, who lined her up for some deadly puts along the way. Here she is with some of her co-stars. That's Mickey beside Martina. In addition to the team prizes, there was a hidden prize for the highest individual points score, which Martina also scooped ! Well Done indeed to the bandit. She's back to normal handicap now and we'll be expecting great things in the coming games back at base !We're off home tomorrow, via Bangkok, where we might just squeeze in some more last minute shopping at the airport ! We'll be very sad to leave this amazing part of the world and we thoroughly enjoyed our golf and culture adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia.
We're off to bed now. Will soon be time to get up !
Until next time ....
Martina & Kate
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