Finally Day 2 is creeping to an end! Pretty productive today, got quite a bit of impromptu candids and willing folks posing for the pictures :)

The Cambodians are a bunch of friendly people and they are ever so willing to pose for the camera...hmm..Definitely, many would agree with me that this is a "portrait heaven"...

The only thing about Cambodia is that other than temples or Wat as it is called, there are just more temples and Wat! Not much in terms of other subjects of interest....maybe architectural and probably a dose of history here and there, but generally nothing else.

However, I must say that the true Gem of Cambodia lies in the resilence of its people. It's impossible to imagine what went through the lives of the Khmerians, especially during the Pol Pot regime, unless you spend some time here in Phnom Penh to learn more about it. The country hasn't really recovered from the historical scars. Up to this day, this is still one of the poorest countries in the world with the social working class earning an average of USD20 per mth.

Beggars are everywhere but generally you do not see the mature ones at work. At least I do not generally find them around in Phnom Penh. However, the junior ones (often carrying their bady bro or sis with them) are littered everywhere and you will undoubtedly be gushed with the occasional sympathy for them. Solution to this? Not money...but sweets (in a way). Giving them money would only encourage them to continue this way, and will create social problems in the unforseeable future. Just imagine how fortunate we are back home, never ever have to worry about basic necessities like clothings, food or even a roof over our heads.

I think I'm pretty done with Phnom Penh now. I have actually booked the ticket on 1st Feb to proceed directly to Siem Reap. I had wanted to go to the Ratanakiri Province intially, but time and cost proved the prohibiting factors for me. Guess I'll just spend another "lazy" day out at the markets to hunt for my potential "preys". The photographic opportunites are just there...only as and when I stepped out of the comfy of the hotel!

Another long day ahead...Day 3, I'm ready!