Visiting our Friends in Cambodia

We have arrived in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. Meeting us at the airport was our friend, Chanra. He looks great.

We toured around Phnom Penh with him today, visiting the Royal Palace (of the deposed monarchy), National Museum (history from era B.C., to Khmer empire days, to colonial days), and Genocide Museum (from Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s).

We stopped in for lunch at his brother Maliden's place. Same brother who stayed with us in September when he was in U.S.. Maliden and his wife fixed us an amazing meal. Fresh prawn soup, curried crab, squid salad with mushrooms and bamboo shoots, and Budweiser beer. Several other couples stopped by as well.

We brought presents for Maliden's two young girls - note cards with photos we took in Africa of various animals. The girls know no English, but they were entranced by the pictures.

Maliden and his wife have a very nice townhome in Phnom Penh and he has a successful travel company.

Chanra escorted us back to Siem Reap and we are going to meet his parents tomorrow AM. Not sure what to bring as a gift when visiting someone's house in Cambodia. We asked hotel concierge and she is putting together a fruit/food basket.

In Siem Reap, we are staying at Hotel de la Paix. Very hip, very modern. This hotel rivals anything in style in Manhattan or LA. All is well, having a great time. Bicycle trip in Thailand and Laos was fantastic. Will be home on Tuesday night..