Different

Local Practices

The good about travels is that you get to know some local practices; some are worth emulating while others really cause you to relish the abundant blessings of your motherland and learn to appreciate them.

In a restaurant in the Capital city of Phnom Penh, this caught my attention. Apparently all crockery are wrapped in plastic before a guest begins a meal. I thought this was very hygienic and a pleasant surprise. This I have yet to witness even in first class countries.

Next, notice the notch on the handle of the coffee spoon. It is made to fit neatly on the cup and don't you think it is unique? Have never seen this too.

In Siem Reap, the town dispenses gas in this form. Petroleum in bottles and it is an expensive item cause the land is not a natural producer of the mineral. Malaysians are fortunate.

The road to Phnom Penh is bumpy and quite laborious as many stretches of the trunk road are badly constructed and easily destroyed. Look at the patch above. The journey was long and ardous again making us feel spoilt at the high quality highways we have.

Cycling is a common mode of movement and bicycles are for rent.

A colleaque visited a school nearby on the morning before we left and related that bicycles are parked in school for a fee. Strange decision.

Classrooms are equipped with furniture that are really ancient; ones which we used some 30 years ago. The children in Malaysian schools are given decent tables and chairs but it's a shame they are not well appreciated.

No glass window panes. Maybe schools should resort to this system ; then it would save plenty of dough as replacement will be minimal. Schools spent thousands of ringgit to maintain window panes and it's a real pain for school budgets.

Look at the simple folks. Though not exposed well, they were not shy but were vey warm. They reached out to my freinds without qualms and were ready to talk and share.

School uniforms are rare and they wear flip flops to school ; not out of their will but out of poverty. Aha... the students in Malaysian schools would have love to wear those flip flops... not out of poverty but out of defiance !

In Phnom Penh, everyone seems to have a motor bike but the helmet does not seem to be mandatory.

But in and around hotels, the local tourists ride on specially created vehicles ; a combination of the bike and the trishaw.

Bu this is indeed the best ; Puan Ung the puller with King Rahim as the master.

Well done, Puan Ung ; as usual the devil in disguise ! She sure is fun.