It wasn't possible for us to hire a car in Cambodia, but no matter, travelling by luxury bus, the Mekong Express, was a delight. Comfortable seats, refreshments, a hostess, and clean toilets were all part of the service.
Once we were on the road north of Phnom Penh and out in the countryside, we found the South East Asia of my imagination. Peasants wearing traditional garments of handwoven cotton and conical hats (or the occasional Man U shirt) toiled in the fields; following a plough pulled by a water buffalo, tending the brilliant electric green rice paddies, gathering corn cobs for the market.
Simple homes lined the roadside, usually wooden, palm-thatched houses on stilts, while chickens, ducks, pigs and goats fussed with their young and scratched around for scraps in the yard. Each small-holding seemed to have a pond (handy for the ducks), often with a huge drift of gorgeous, bold lotus flowers or deep pink long-stemmed water lilies.
I like to find my developing countries as they have looked down the ages since the beginning of time, and I wasn't disappointed on this journey. Sadly, I haven't got any pictures of this bucolic bliss, as I found out that photos taken from bus windows are spoilt by reflections and traffic coming the other way.
The Mekong Express considerately stopped for us to stretch our legs and buy fast food snacks from the market in the town of Khomphong Thom. Mmmmm, these mixed bugs look tasty - - - - - 
- - - or shall we go for the deep-fried tarantula?
Can't wait to see which delight Brian finally selected.
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