Kratie

We got an early bus up to Kratie (Kra-chay, NW of the Phnom Penh), and went out on the Mekong River to see some rare Irrawaddy dolphins (only about 100 left in the area). They have short stubbed noses and are really shy - very different in appearance and mannerisms to the dolphins I saw in NZ!! Also quite clever wee animals – never stayed above the surface long enough for us tourists to get a picture, but always disappeared and then surfaced behind us...they were toying!





As wide as the river was, we were told that in the “dry season” there would be no water on this section at all – incredible, there must be an amazing amount of rain! The dolphins move further down the Mekong River at that time of year. On the way back we stopped at Sombok Mountain, but it was really too dark at this time to see much. Still, the boat trip was really lovely and our moto driver + guide was good fun and really informative!



Had a nice evening – watched a really impressive thunderstorm with incredible lightening strikes! Then relaxed at the Star guesthouse with one of the workers who we’d met on the bus – he had some ‘friends’ which we both picked up and held – fried spiders is actually a delicacy here (along with several other fried ‘specialties’ which we have seen). However, as much as I like to try new things, there is NO WAY I will be trying those!!