Monkey Xing??? Day 140, Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Finally! Some people enjoying these gorgeous beaches!

On this our only port in Cambodia, I chose to see the highlights of Sihanoukville which ended with a stop for refreshments at Ocheteal seaside beach resort. I was delighted to see families grilling and picnicking at the beach. They did have a different take on picnicking, however. Here they bring all their essentials, set up at a table up on a raised cement covered patio, grill their food, sit in chairs to eat. Real civilized, but a picnic at the beach is not any fun without sand in your food is it? How can they not know this? The kids were dressed for swimming though I don't remember that the parents were. Water was calm and shallow, safe part roped off so guess they would be safe. Good to actually see people enjoying a beach for a change. Of course it was one of the milder days we've had lately so that may have helped.

Back to the Monkey Crossing sign. It truly does exist. Just like our Deer Xing signs. Different country, different road hazards. We had been traveling along what looked to me like one of the city's major streets and our guide had just pointed out their four star hotel in which Jackie O had stayed for a week or so in the 90's, then we turned a corner and there it was! One might ask, so why does the monkey cross the street? To get to the banana vendor on the other side, of course! Yes! Immediately across this four lane street was a cart selling bananas. No not to the monkeys, but to the dozens of tourist so they could feed the monkeys. Just beyond the banana cart was a dense jungle, some three or four blocks of jungle to us. Home to hundreds of monkeys! Oh yes, there were actually monkeys crossing the street near the sign. Guess these monkeys can read better than our deer. What fun!

Our first stop of the day was at Wat leu pagoda which necessitated a half hour drive up to a somewhat remote peak over-looking the city. Almost everything there except the geese and the monks themselves was covered in gold. I must keep telling myself that I'm in a different country with a very different culture and obviously an even more different value system. They all seem healthy, happy and content even without a waste management system. Judge not.

At Phsar Leu market I had great fun engaging in one of my favorite past-times, people watching. Virtually all of these 30 somethings were wearing designer garments. Latest current fashion for the young ladies here is silky looking if not real silk lounging pajamas with various designer names emblazoned on them somewhere. Looked really, really comfortable! Might just have to get me a pair. Along with the lounging pajamas they wore neon colored clogs or thick soled flip-flops. Must be all the rage in this part of the world as I spotted a young woman in Nha Trang scooting along wearing short-sleeved lounging pajamas and brightly colored clogs.

Golden Lions Statue, Sihanoukville, Kingdom of Cambodia

On a serious note, these people do seem to need help. Based on the number of abandoned buildings in varying stages of construction or demolition (hard to tell which) and the massive amount of litter everywhere, their economy needs a healthy infusion. My opinion. Our guide mentioned that the Chinese were here building and or rebuilding but pulled out when COVID hit and have not returned. Ours was the last cruise ship scheduled for this season. Sad situation.

Today Is Someday! Brake for Monkeys!