Took a quick breather and leg stretch on a long bus journey, snap a photo, turn round and the bus was pulling away……..but was assured by a local that it would be back in 10 minutes. Well, 10 minutes in Asia can be long time……Might have been worse, could have been waiting for a Network Rail connection.

The bus was back in 20 minutes and on I went to Battambang.

Nothing like a bank holiday!! Especially one to celebrate independence from the French in 1953. So, I had a long weekend. Could have gone to Phnom Penh, but have heard that as the king is lying in state, ( he died in October, and the funeral will be in February, I presume embalming is a local skill much practiced) that some of the Royal Palace is not open. Hence the trip to Battambang.

As the Cambodians say,” Same, Same , but different”another French colonial city on a river. Unusual name for a restaurant, I think, reading the menu at the Write Rose Restaurant, only to notice next day when I went there for breakfast, that the sign outside says White Rose! And as for some of the typos on menus, you really wonder what you’re going to eat. Biggest difference is that there is not a huge area given over to bars and restaurants for travellers and tourists. One street for mobile phone shops, can they sell that many mobiles still? One for pharmacists, what a hypochondiacal people they must be. One for restaurants, and best street of all , salons where you can have a make over and get your outfit for weddings and other special events, along with the photographers’ shops that go with these occasions.

And weddings there were, they start at 5.30 a.m. Goodness knows what time the Bride has to get up to get ready. And finnish about midnight. Not only was this in the hotel two down from mine, but also two mornings running!!! The event takes place under a very colourful awning right across the street and the music and chanting are all broadcast on speakers across the neighbourhood. In addition to weddings, similarly noisy events were taking place in the town and countryside to celebrate the end of the wet season. Music and chanting , a huge meal, and the monks come along to bless the village and take back lots of food and goodies to keep themselves going.

You’ll have to wait for the next instalment of my bank holiday weekend…

Just a picture to give you a flavour of what I’m talking about.