The Quinn Family Excellent Adventure: Siem Reap Cambodia - Day 3 - Phnom Kulen National Park

We thought it would be nice to book a day that had some hiking. Our day started with a quick breakfast and prompt pickup. We had over an hour's drive and I hoped to chill. Our guide tried so hard to share knowledge with us on the trip but I had a really hard time with his speed and accent. I had to tune out. Luckily another person was sitting in front of me so I did not appear rude. Super nice guy.

The drive was easy enough. The roads are great here. A portion of the trip is along a flat section that has become hilariously wavy like being on the water. Once near the mountain, it's one way only. From 9-12, only upward traffic is permitted. After 12, the direction switches. It's a good idea preventing traffic jams. These roads and switchbacks are nothing in comparison to Nepal. It was a breeze We stopped for photos half way up. Soon parked we headed out to see interesting riverbed carvings and walked to the reclining Buddha. We picked a Buddhist celebration day, doh. It was kinda busy but still cool. Our guide knew some tricks to avoid the foot traffic as well as some back end trails. Cool. The day ended with a pretty cooling waterfall. Although super popular, it was nice to get our feet wet. Makeshift change rooms offer people to rent a bathing suit. Water access is along steep sharp rocks. Eeek. Glad nobody fell. A quick stop along the route home was made to explain Palm Sugar. Kinda cool. Male and female plants offer different "flowers" for making palm sugar. I think was was preferred. The trees are climbed on cool bamboo ladders. The flowers are cut and their contents gravity fed into a bamboo holder. Eventually the sap is collected and heated much like maple syrup. Eventually after thickening, the sap is placed into molds for consumption. Yum Yum. It was a simpler day than yesterday and actually pretty relaxing.

Half way up