Muay Thai Kickboxing

Muay Thai kickboxing is perhaps a misnomer, as it apparently originated here in Cambodia. It is also a sport essentially unchanged for hundreds of years since its inception. And who better to take us there than Paulie! I joined Roy, Richard, and Erica in heading out to the free fighting event. Prior to that, breakfast, a stroll through the market, and slathering on sunscreen with a bit of help from Meta. It was another bright and sunny day, kids were out in full force and the streets were alive as usual. Traffic, horrendous as always, a controlled chaos that makes me just smile and shake my head. With a faster connection, I will post a video with motos whizzing around us sporting 3+ people or riders more interested in texting than paying attention to the road. Some things are just universal!

The ring was pretty sweet. Apparently as Westerners, we drew a lot of attention including that of the cameraman who was filming the event for live TV. Later we would meet people on the street who recognized us from being in the crowd on TV, go figure! The fighting was fun to watch, and I was even able to catch 3 knockouts on video. The fighters, while small framed in some cases, fought with such ferocity that I'm glad I haven't seen any altercation on the street. I pity the fool who pick fight with Muay Thai fighter! Like kickboxing, it is a combination of punching and kicking, only with the trademark use of elbows and knees. When they would lock together in a grapple, as would happen what seemed like every 15-30 seconds, they would exchange blows with knees until the ref broke them apart to go at it again. Even two little kids on the sidelines, no more than 3 or 4 years old were emulating the fight. Good times!

Later that night, we would return to the Velkommen where there was live music playing that night. I spent some time relaxing on my own by the riverfront at night taking the long exposure pictures, the results of which were amazing in the full moon. Even a party cruise was getting in on the action, the LSD-like effects of that picture not too far from the type of music playing from its deck. I love it here!