Even though we were only in Siem Reap for five full days, it has turned out to be the most special place for me so far this year. A lot of it has to do with our tuk tuk driver, Haung (pronounced like Song but with an H). He was dispatched by the hotel to give us a free pickup from the airport. We liked him immediately.
The road to Tonle Sap was pretty crazy.
We didn’t have too much interaction on our first full day, when we visited Angkor Wat and a couple other temples. The next day, we had a really good time together at Tonle Sap and the Floating Village. After that, we stopped by a roadside stall for a very famous local dish – grilled chicken. It was really delicious. A kitten came for some chicken and treats, and went to take a nap next to him. On the third day, we toured the silk farm together and had lunch afterwards. The more we got to know him, the more we liked him. He picked us up from the National Museum later that evening. Back at the hotel, he asked if we wanted to visit his home. “Of course!” He lives right behind the hotel.
Wait for us! On the way back from the lake.
Very delicious grilled chicken. We loved it.
Haung’s Wife and Son
His beautiful wife (M) was very nice, and their eight-month-old boy (PH) was just SO CUTE. When I stretched my hands out he came to me without hesitation. Then, he started smiling and making noises at Kenric and me. All was good in the world in those few minutes. When Haung said it was OK for me to take a photo, Baby PH instantly posed for me! I chose to believe Haung when he said that was the first time Baby PH has been so friendly with people.
Look at that cutie face!
River of a Thousand Lingas
The next day, we went to Kbal Spean (River of a Thousand Lingas). It is a religious site “about 800 meters” into a jungle. The main attractions are the waterfall and the carved riverbed and rocks. After he parked, he said he was coming with us because he was worried about us. The trail was actually 1500 meters (not 800 ?) and it was quite strenuous. Well, anything is strenuous for me.
Haung said these carvings used to be covered in gold and with gems, but they’ve all been stolen.
We saw a big trail of ants. Haung said those ants can be used to close/stitch a cut or wound. You just have to let the ant bite you on the open wound, once it’s latched on, pull the body away and your wound will be clipped/stapled together. We wanted to test it on him, but he was too fast for us to catch. Without him we probably would have gotten lost and missed all the beautiful carvings. And, without him, the hike would never have been as fun.
Got a cut? Have these guys bite on your open wound. When they latch on, yank their bodies away and their pinchers will keep your wound clipped/stapled! Or, you can go to the hospital.
Kbal Spean
Hindu God Shiva sitting on a lotus.
Never expected to see a crab in the jungle!
Durian for His Wife
On the drive back, he stopped to buy a durian for his wife because it’s her favorite fruit even though he himself doesn’t like durian. I’ll have to send Kenric to him for some lessons. We got four small watermelons for USD $1.00, and shared one. Closer to town, as he was turning a corner near Angkor Wat, a man on the roadside called out something to him. I asked what the guy wanted and we decided to give him a ride.
Picking out the best durian for his Wifey even though he himself doesn’t like durian.
The man asked if I’m Chinese and spoke to me in Mandarin. He just arrived in Siem Reap three days ago from Phnom Penh. Earlier in the day he walked from town to Angkor Wat (about 7 km / 4.3 miles). He hasn’t been able to find a job and is willing do any job – cleaning, selling food, washing dishes. Not having a place to stay he asked Haung to drop him off near a temple where he will sleep on the temple grounds. At the temple, he asked Haung, I think, for his phone number and wrote it on a pocket notebook. When he got out of the tuk tuk, Haung gave him some money.
They both said they didn’t want to go to the Fish Spa in town.
Jealous of Haung’s New Customers
Haung’s wife and baby came to greet Haung at the hotel entrance when we arrived back. Of course, Baby PH smiled at me again. We were too tired to go anywhere the next day, and were jealous of the new guests that got to hang out with him. We visited his wife and baby briefly twice! By then, Baby PH recognized us and smiled immediately. The morning we left, we got to say goodbye one more time to Baby PH. I said the next time we see Baby PH, he’ll be running around. Haung said, “He’ll run to you.” That would be freaking awesome.
Thank you for the rides, adventures, laughter and friendship. Please give your beautiful family a big kiss for us! You have made our stay in Siem Reap and Cambodia very special. See you next time!
We are so fortunate to have met this cool guy who is also a compassionate man, a loving husband and a hardworking father. Thank you for everything, Haung! We hope to see you again soon!
Map of Places Visited
Kbal Spean (River of a Thousand Lingas)
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Kbal Spean (River of a Thousand Lingas)13.686616, 104.015519
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