Au Revoir Phnom Penh

Sorry for the delay, but since leaving Phnom Penh internet connections have been difficult. I was given a small send off by the radiology department, was taken to a beer hall for dinner that night by Ellen the director of strategic planning, and then into tourist mode the next day. Our initial plan to go to Battambang first was thwarted by cancellation of the minibus schedule for two days because of planned demonstrations on the road there, related to the garment workers escalating demands. So we changed plans and first headed to the beach town Kep by way of Kampot, the center of the pepper and salt industry.

Vannarith Chea the head of Radiology 

Kanitha the ultrasound doctor at the clinic is expecting her second son. She spent two months in Chicago to learn mammography and is enthusiastic about women's health. She enjoyed American idioms, especially "take the heat" when I offered to do the dictation on complicated cases.

Presenting me with tokens of appreciation. Margie was given a scarf by the "librarian". We were given T-shirts with the hospital logo and a hardcover book of pictures documenting the hospital's mission. Every one wanted to know when we were coming back.

I got a carved statue of Apsara, the dancer to the king, and a bottle opener (not a coincidence). And of course the special bananas, made from a flattened whole banana dippied in a special batter and deep fried, compliments of Vanarith.

Dinner at the Cambodian beer hall, a busy night as it was Valentine's Day, the end of Chinese New Year and a Buddhist  holiday

Kampot is the durian capitol of the country. We haven't tried it yet but were told it smells like hell and tastes like heaven.

Kampot green pepper

Our favorite noodle shop with a limited menu of noodle soup, fried noodles and dumplings. Noodles are made fresh for the order.

Riverside on the Kampot river, which empties into the ocean

Scattered old colonial architecture

Salt workers monument

Sunset