I have recently returned from an incredible sketching tour of Cambodia and Vietnam. I took a dedicated, inspirational and interesting group - what more could I ask for? Often it is the wonderful people you meet or get to know on your holidays that make it that much more special.
The sketchbooks contain personal memories of a special time and for me, and I am sure others, the sketches are far more personal and meaningful than a photo.
I can always visualise exactly where I was when sketching, what the weather was like, who was around me and also aromas.
So I would like to share with you a few of my sketches done on this latest sketching tour.
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m2KUfdaSmPOFzj3yDsrZQ-tC0AGDI9MB68EUX8Dccmt9azI-DlysKkqXBVb__QWbIKlD5yga5aybsXTvL3HycoxLppuL-LrchgddNvNqUaYKSZ0vyRPgZreCI6XhZkeHfeaFI_Ta8L8/s640/Buddha+in+Preah+Prohn+Roach+temple.jpg) |
Buddha in Preah Prohn Roach, city temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74x7qioyNkPWbwSzndOOKhLZl_h_I8Lf2YQLE6yyyO35tO4C8_LFw-SaBW4eWz5mtSLGF62VLtJKEx9vJnFUXPfs4uhdCZTsrA2UqdgojDfmEcckozObRwMDqcoWCEorVa8h4JZvOe9g/s400/Angkor+Wat+Temple.jpg) |
Angkor Wat temple, near Siem Reap |
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5796pxHtybJl0Eo8dRDHHEe8EKaHu03vowkKLi9nuD-C0zpKDR6wbWQs_0CZVqYojFw-lwhgX1B0zpuFDSUrDCroOsZXNCP7WcNI5HC59cX7Cvf6t6G94rUpCuAD6NPPxkRf2u3fcnQ/s400/Kompong+Phluk+stilt+village%252C+Siem+Reap.jpg) |
Kompong Phluk stilt village, Siem Reap |
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When the river rises the water comes up to the houses, the streets are flooded and the children row to school in boats. See below a photo of more stilt houses.
HOI AN, VIETNAM
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEflgXGH5ssAss5dLAFlyhNLotq2mjrlx4xQDBJtNIRtKZqSQR6YFECo7D_M_6AbNomys3a6SbCWi8kUUlp8HYVclBP9NHQpbbnZtDGAXUNHI2jtjJr3i_GhqNq_VqxIjPajejXsucKDY/s400/Hu+Hua+Temple%252C+Hoi+An%252C+Vietnam.jpg) |
Hu Hua temple in the old town on Hoi An |
The villagers were constantly watering their crops from the wells situated around the vegetable area. This area also boasted a temple, a wonderful cafe, a cooking school and the greenest, healthiest crops I have seen.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3TuM4cPJP6QbacDQ73NSOMhkiqBDNt0tK5JVbgs_n1Qlo59YmPap5PugPY1z6OF0MprH3_jDw5_7jzOhbLvRizXBGpMNeaaUozZ4cTjvJtaFxvEPImDkVfyJiUW8gOrRYh_iJnoUEXI/s640/Gom+Thanh+Ha+pottery+village.jpg) |
Gom Thanh Ha pottery village, Hoi An |
The pottery village is a 16th-17th century traditional occupational village. They still use the original potting wheels which are operated by foot, and the original wood fired kilns.
This is a 92 year old woman still making pots. Notice how the wheel is turned by foot. There might be a message here for us in the modern world - on how to stay bright and healthy in later years.
Isn't she wonderful?