Wat Hanchey and Kampong Cham
At 6:35a.m. the engines start up for our continuing exploration of the Mekong. It is the last chance for the Tai Chi class led by Mr. Voant, the assistant tour director. Grateful students gather around for a picture near the pool.
Our first stop today is at Wat Hanchey, also known as Hanchey Kiri, a contemporary Buddhist temple and monastery complex, built on a prominent hill. Our group members are excited about the option to ride on a moto with the locals. It is only 1$ one-way and walking down is easy. Arriving at the top at the temple, one has a commanding view of the Mekong River. The site still has the eighth century brick structure of a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
Back on the Jahan, we wait for two monks to arrive to do a blessing ceremony for guests and Jahan staff on the Terrace Deck. Two chairs are arranged in front of a table, filled with flowers and fruit. The blessing is recited in both Pali and Khmer, while water is sprinkled on the respectful crew seated on the floor with head bowed and hands pressed together. Donations are collected for the monks and their temple, and fruit and food are offered to the monks. One of the guides explains the proceedings and answers questions. It is customary to show respect to the monks by touching the ground or moving the hands in prayer three times to indicate the Buddha, Dharma (or Teachings), and the Sangha (or Monkhood).
Just before lunch, the ship arrives at Kompong Cham, slowly moving under the Japanese Friendship Bridge before docking at the riverbank. A lecture presented by Paula Swart on the Discovery and Meaning of Angkor provides background information for our visit to Siem Reap the next couple of days.
At 4p.m. we are ready to disembark the ship for our excursion to Wat Nokor, but at the waterfront we are greeted by schoolgirls and boys, who have prepared a little performance for us. They are so cute and sweet, singing and dancing, but also seem quite serious while performing.
As one of the community projects supported by the cruise ship, school uniforms are bought, music instruments have been provided in order for the children to develop some other skills. Our own donations will assist in providing snacks. Mr. Voant tells me that later this month one hundred uniforms will be given to a school in the area.
Wat Nokor is a small late 12th century Buddhist temple, built by the last major Khmer king Jayavarman VII. It provides a preview of the style and structure of temples we will be exploring in Siem Reap. What is really interesting is that a more recent colourful Hinayana Buddhist temple has been created within the central court of the older temple.
As this is our final evening on the Jahan, various festive events have been planned, including presentation of the entire crew. All the crewmembers who have made our stay so pleasant and assisted us in every way possible, from making ginger tea, to cleaning our shoes after excursions, to providing delicious meals, are recognized. Our final dinner has a fun dessert presentation delivered in the dark with sparklers. That is not the end yet, however. The crew has photographed our every move, excursion and activity on or off the ship and the resulting slideshow is shown with music and much laughter. What a great idea to capture our fun memories.
