CAMBODIA: Kbal Spean

Right up this path and then about a 2 km steep hike through the jungle is a river we just had to see. Enough to take the whole crew with us.

Noah and his little buddy Will hiked so fast "Quick! This is the only way out of here!" Gage was perched high on Daddy's shoulders for the best view.

We hiked up and over huge rocks, up stairs of tree roots, and over small streams. Once we were completely sweltering and had entirely sweat through all our clothes we reached the top.

And it was gorgeous. There were carvings built at the top of the waterfall in the 11th century.

Our guide was awesome and hiked all the way up to explain all the carvings to us. There were mostly hindu gods and animals. A big beautiful one of Vishnu. Thousands of 'lingas' were also carved across the bottom of the river bed. They believed that as the water washed over the lingas it would become blessed and travel down into the rice fields and the city. Can you believe they are still there?

Lee was a bit surprised that the kids didn't stay too long at the top but were ready to turn around and hike down. He told me that when Cambodians do this hike they stop at the top to picnic or take a sleep in a hammock, because "Cambodians like to rest." Unluck us crazy Americans? What a great sport.

Gage could have stayed all day. Throwing rocks and sticks into the blessed water. Finding tadpoles and dragonflies.