Bird’s Nest Bevarage – 25% bird’s nest

So, back to Cambodia. A small country of almost 15 million people with a chaotic modern history that reads like an international relations textbook; chapters range from colonialism and indepence to war, coup d’etats, invasions and mass genocide.

One could be forgiven for assuming the final chapter details the wholesale implosion of Cambodian economic, cultural and social life during the long nightmare of the Khmer Rouge. But an epilogue is currently being written. In 1991 a comprehensive peace settlement was signed; reconstruction and stability have tentatively taken hold.

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The return journey to Bangkok from Siam Reap proved equally arduous. Perched on the side of a pick-up truck for half hour before sprinting to the coach in order to gain a decent seat. Again the scenery was engrossing and demonstrated the pace, necessities and priorities of life in this country – traditionally dressed men packed wet clay into brick moulds, row after row baking under the Cambodian sun, town billboards advising parents on child healthcare with simple, step by step instructions and pictures, fields churned and ploughed by cattle and a farmers liberal use of a whip.

Later we passed a village of dust. Houses, shops, produce, signs and most probably dogs were covered in a thick layer of terraccotta dirt thrown up by thundering cars and vans.

Everything danced and jiggled inside the van as our driver tried, and failed (predictably) to navigate around the bumps. The door flung open on more than one occassion.

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Cambodia is so different to Thailand. Dusty and rocky pavements, unmade roads and thousands upon thousands of 2 wheeled vehicles - wealth and development seems to breed four wheeled transport, so for now the roads here are choked with ... [Continue reading this entry]