Video #1 - Wedding celebration across the field from
the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang To Som
Video #2 - video from a moving bike, with panting soundtrack,
Family Home Stay, Ang To Som
Video #3 - cycling near the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang To Som
Passengers on a rural taxi, Psar Thmei (New Market), Takeo City
Farming couple, Psar Thmei (New Market), Takéo City
Father and son, Psar Thmei (New Market), Takéo City
Traditional Cambodian boat, Takéo City
Pre-angorian figure (Vishnu?), Provincial Museum, Takéo City
Pre-angorian figures, Provincial Museum, Takéo City
Pre-Angkorian figures Lingam (stone Phallus) representing
the Hindu god Shiva, Provincial Museum, Takeo City
On a bicycle tour near the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang Ta Som
On a bicycle tour near the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang Ta Som
On a bicycle tour near the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang Ta Som
Village men enjoying beer and rice spirits, Ang Ta Som
On a bicycle tour near the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang Ta Som
On a bicycle tour near the Meas Family Home Stay, Ang Ta Som
BEYOND THE COMPOUND the fertile plain rolled on towards a low horizon. Using the Meas Family Home Stay as a base, one could set off by tuk-tuk to Takéo City or simply take one of the bicycles, that were always handy. On the first morning i caught a ride with Mach, to nearby Ang Ta Som. That was for purely practical reasons. With no access to an internet signal, here at the home stay, i tracked down a puddle of wifi at the town's biggest restaurant/hotel.
For a tuk-tuk tour to nearby Takéo City, i shared transportation with a New Zealand couple. From the post office, old fashioned postcards were mailed off before we all went to the Provincial Museum. We also lingered for awhile in the Psar Thmei (New Market). At the museum, the collection was all contained in one room. It included however some remarkable sculptures that reflected not only Buddhist but also earlier Hindu worship. Many of them were from the time of the Angkor Empire but other pieces dated back even further, to the Funan (2nd-6th Centuries AD) and Chenla Kingdoms (6th-9th Centuries AD). Particularly prominent were the stone phalluses or lingam, used for Shaivism or Shiva worship. This god was considered both benevolent and destructive. Interestingly, i had written a post about the fertility temple in Bangkok, where similiar objects were honoured. All through the region this potent symbol has been worshipped over eons. Shiva, after all, brought not only the threat of cosmic collapse but also the hope of rebirth and abundance.
Exploring the countryside by bicycle was a endlessly interesting. Later in the day came somewhat lower temperatures along with the amber light. One was able to interact to some extent with friendly country folk, which made all the pedalling even more rewarding. Especially enjoyable were the the children who were both shy and curious all at the same time.
Meagre entry on Takéo City:
Takéo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Meagre entry on Takéo Province:
Takéo Province - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Overview of local history:
Takeo Province - Cambodia Travel Guides | Tourism Cambodia
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