Day 6: The Bamboo Train

Vidotours provided comfy cushions for our posh bums

We were allowed a bit of a lie-in this morning as today's tourist attraction is just a few miles from the hotel. Battambang's Bamboo Train is a very simple bamboo platform on 4 wheels, powered by a small motor. The system was set up by the locals to carry goods and passengers as there was no local transport but it also happens to provide good fun for us tourists! It was a 5 mile rickety ride, getting up to a speed of 25mph, and gave us a great view of the luscious landscape without hiking through the undergrowth. There were paddy fields, banana trees and jack fruit as big as rugby balls. As there is only one track, if two trains meet, the one with the lightest load has to be taken off the rails so the other can pass. We disembarked at the next 'station', to visit a delightful little village. We were escorted around by the children, who gave us presents they had made from blades of grass. One older man, complete with what looked like old bullet wounds and other torture marks, spoke a little English. He urged us to 'share our money with the good people of his village' by buying their wares. I'm not sure that advertising your competitors fits into any Havard business model, but it filled us with a warm feeling. Louise and I were pleased we had brought along our gifts of sweets and pens for the children. I gave an older girl a pack of lovehearts and she shared them out with all the ittle ones. Ahhhh.

Seriously sweet little girls with their grass-hopper presents

Wow, that's a big pair!   Jack fruit

Louise spreading some of her hard-earned cash

Richard looking very pleased with his purchase

The kids were clearly thrilled with our presents

Here's a youtube 3 minute video from The Asian Development Bank, who are investing in Cambodia's railway showing how Bamboo Trains Make Way for Modern Railway (published in 2010) and a 2 minute touristy clip of the train ride showing just how far we flouted Health & Safety in the name of having fun. And talking of fun, here's a game to build a train track.  Nothing to do with Cambodia.  For the competitive among you, it took me 3 games to get the train in the station.

Swimming and relaxing by the pool

On the way back to the hotel we made a short stop at a local NGO that provides schooling for street kids and then enjoyed a very welcome afternoon at leisure, which was spent at our pretty, colonial-looking hotel. In the evening we went walkabout to soak up the atmosphere of Battambang.  As recommended by the guidebooks, we headed for the market, which was lively even at 6pm with people picking up groceries on the way home from work.  This town definitely isn't as touristy as Siem Reap, but we did find one road that had a few shops that we could browse and a street cafe for a drink.  There was a stall with ladies selling Khmer handcrafted eggs and jewelry, part of an AIDS project supporting communities suffering from HIV and poverty.  They seemed genuinely excited that I wanted to buy their goods, which I thought were very attractive ( I hope Carole & Danielle did too).  None of the three optional restaurants that Louise had selected from the guidebook worked out (one was closed up, one sold just drinks and snacks and the other we couldn't find), so we ended up back at our hotel for dinner again.  This wasn't such a bad option as the food was good and the staff extremely friendly and in any case, Ian and I were pleased to be near the facilities - if you know what I mean.

MARKS OUTTA 10

Rich:  The train was the best. Nothing bad today.  7/10
Ian:  The train was great.  Unfortunately I am still getting too hot and not feeling well.  7/10
Louise:  I liked the train ride and also the village.  Not finding one eating place in Battambang was disappointing.  7/10
Jackie:  The train was good and I feel like I've met some real Cambodians today (as opposed to tour guides and waiters).  I am still a bit too wobbly to enjoy our evening stroll.  7/10