Cambodia 2026 Day 3 Siem Reap

 

from Angkor National Mesuem

After two days in the park with stones, today is different. We visit the Lotus Farm (website) for a workshop and boat tour. 

Lotus stem and silk

Before this, I only know silkworm and spider can make silk. Out of plant is flax (亞麻).
The workers bend the stem and expose the silk on the table; then collect these strings into something similar to what we see from the textile process of making fabrics.

We got a chance of making one string! Amazingly, it has been on my wrist for more than a week now. It won't break. We've made a paper and decorated with flowers; let it dry for a couple of days and will collect it before I depart.

The boat tour is in the nearby pond. Two passengers on one boat. No lifesaving vest. I guess there is nothing to worry about:)

During the tour, the boatman/boatlady picks the lotus leaves and flowers; makes hats for us; and this beautiful bouquet.

That afternoot, we visit Angkor National Mesuem. Some says visitors should visit the mesuem before heading to the park. Although we did it in reverse order, I think it is ok. The vast amount of information is just overwhelming regardlessly.

The mesuem does provide information in a better way as shown below, a scale down replicate of the temple. It also explained the difference between Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Of course they are located at two different sites with different scale. The meseum does explain the "Thom" is a city (or town?), compared with "Wat" is a temple.

from Angkor National Mesuem

There are six? galleries in total. So lots of stuffs.

In the Siem Reap Center, there is a wall showing the conflict in the border.

Can you spot the bats hanging on the tree?

Cross the street is the Royal Residence.

Continue to the next day (link).