Wat Hanchey

#thingstodo From where our river cruise stopped you walked along the road and pass by Chinese grave sites, above ground. Walk up the hill and minivan option down. Only males, called novice, under 20 years old can be a monk. Our tour group was able to interview one. You may be a monk so as to access education. A little English they would learn. Follow 10 commandments. Wear a robe in the shade of saffron, orange or red. No dinner, only liquids past noon including coca cola and red bull. Buildings just to eat, sleep and pray. Observed a food ceremony where visitors line up and scoop spoonful of rice into their bowls and money donation. When the monks pass, there is music and dancing. The rice would be cooked again as not clean, no spoon tapping to get the last kernel off and big bowls to collect excess rice amount by other children. This is an interesting temple stop during the Mekong River cruise with a great view over the river. It is fascinating to watch the monks and feel a little part of their ceremony. One of the very young 'monks' showed us how to wear his robe which is quite complicated for a little person. Sad though that as an 11 year old, he only sees his family once or twice a year. We walked up a ramp to the top and down the many steps but infirm people could be driven to the temple from the waterside. One of the few places on the Mekong with an elevated position above the river.