At the orphanage before we left... Ready for our big day...
Kulen Mountain is part of the Kulen National Park – about an hour and a half from the orphanage. Being a higher altitude, it’s somewhat cooler than the normal 35 degrees around lunchtime... It’s also host to a giant reclining Buddha, some nature trails and 2 beautiful waterfalls – a wonderful day for a weekend day excursion with the kids...
We started out in a couple of tuk-tuks from the Guest House at 6.30am and switched to 2 minivans when we picked-up the kids at the orphanage. The photos paint the picture, but when I say ‘a couple of minivans’, there were 40 of us... Pretty much 2-to-a-seat, ‘Cambodian style’... We had 23 of us in the 11-seater van... :)
This van looked like one of those cars that people just kept-on coming out of... :)
How do you get 22 people in an 11-seater van?? You get VERY close... :)
We got to Mount Kulen by late morning and walked-up the 145 steps to the giant reclining Buddha. The kids said some prayers at a couple of shrines and Savong gave them a couple of short ‘educationals’ along the way...
We gave each of the kids some money to give to the poor (...) as they ascended to the reclining Buddha
The more needy are seated on the right as we go up the stairs...
That's one big reclining Buddha...
What goes up... :)
One of these guys hasn't cut his hair since 1984!!... :))
Having lunch...
After lunch we went down to the 2 waterfalls and had a ball – the water comes from deep within the ground and was cool and clear. Most of the kids went in for a dip or a swim, others just waded in the shallows, but we all had FUN!!...
Steph and some fans...
Lining-up for the photo...
The larger falls just down-stream...
And the stunning surroundings...
On Sunday we got up at 4am to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat...
As did a few hundred other crazy people... :))
The ancient temples... over 700 years old...
Jess getting a blessing... Just look at the expressions on their faces... Priceless...
On Monday it's back to school - and another full-on week... We'll have Sports Day... and Pancake Day... And of course a surprise... :))
Wow! I say that alot when I'm looking at yr photos. wow!! The sunrise wld have been so worth getting up at 4am for. A peaceful feel to it. The waterfall just gorgeous. The stairs leading up to the reclining buddha looked like a stair way to heaven ;-) Aviv, having the children sing Happy Birthday to Allison was a gr8 idea she was tickled pink!! Megz
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