Subterranean Fergusons

The Cambodian Countryside 

The Knife Edge of Limestone

Fergusons!!!!

Cave temples are, well, temples in caves. Sometimes the term "Cave" is stretched a little bit, but "Overhang Temple" just doesn't have the same ring to it I suppose. This particular temple, once I survived the jolting through the truly greener than life rice fields, was in a true limestone cave. Inside the grotto is a 7th century Khmer temple, a small structure made of brick and preserved by its location under a roof of limestone.

There are a series of 203 steps up to the top and then down into the mouth of the cave. I did not go this way. I clambered up the knife edge ridges of limestone, urged on by my faithful trio of Fergusons. Yes, the child guides that appear from nowhere, summoned or not, my Fergusons leapt from the very soil, as hydra teeth sown, ready to do my guiding.

Today, my three Fergusons were top-drawer. Their language skills were phenomenal, including a fairly good "Bada Boom, Bada Bing" and they had practiced and fine tuned their running patter until it came off like a well-oiled vaudeville act.

Once we had scaled the heights, we dropped into the cavern. After perusing the cave a bit, I was offered the "secret" way out, which proved to be a slippery and moderately challenging limestone arm that ran down to the base of the cliff and out again. It came complete with bats in the up-close and personal and a nifty cave pond at the very base.

While the cave was fun, the highlight of the trip were my Fergusons, each of whom got a dollar for their trouble. Good day all around. Except for the ass-pounding that is. Oh well, everything has a price.