At the house, we walked around and lazed, waiting for more ceremonies and dinner. Many pictures were taken this time (incidentally, I know I should probably put up photos to make this more interesting, but they are all over facebook, well maybe not mine yet, but I will find time to do it during CNY). At this time there was also a ceremony involving a little hut on the grounds. According to tradition, the guy is supposed to build a hut outside the girl's house and stay there for three nights to prove his sincerity. Well, symbolically of course, so there was a hut, and they had ceremonies in there too, and KBear ceremonially 'built' it by tying up some bits of rushes to the roof. More prayers and music and chanting and pictures and it was time for dinner. After dinner, we were meant to have an early night because Wednesday was supposed to be the Super Big Day. I played some mahjong before bed. Though KanBear did warn us not to play so long. I think they were really afraid that we would die of exhaustion !

When we arrived, we had to form a giant line, to bring all the gifts into the house. We made a very grand procession, going along red carpets along the 300 metres to the grand staircase. We all received an angpow each for bringing the gifts, a toke sum with twos involved. I believe this was called the Hai Goan Gomloh, or the groom's procession. Then we had a marvellous breakfast of Cambodian porridge. I think my table had two pots. Ceremonies involving prayers and singing began again in the house. As it was full though, we watched through the live feed outside. There were ceremonies, where it seemed the parents were negotiating, presenting the dowry (Chambak Rouy), monk's blessings (Soat Mun), where the religious priest asked questions, where the bride and groom were brought out, their hair got ceremonially cut (Gaat Sah), where tea was poured (Bang Chhat Madaiy), the exchanging of rings, the answering of questions, the receiving of blessings (Sien Doan Taa), it went on and on. Some people, or rather at one point all of us, shushed off to the poolhouse and fell asleep on the deckchairs. Later however, JinBear myself and RaeBear went back to watch the ceremonies. The reason was that, the traditional customs were the high point of the wedding right ? Anyway we had walkie talkies that we were playing with so we were not totally cut off to the people at the poolhouse. At one point, we were reciting Korean food with prices to WoobyBear. So it was like "Bulgogi, 5 bucks, PanJeon, 3 bucks, Bibimbap....". He answered with ordering McDonalds and I think we all shouted back, "Do you want fries with that ?" It was fun.

There was lunch given somewhere in the midst of all these ceremonies of course. The traditional type. With the soup. We could not escape the soup. I think we were feeling a bit out of it sometimes, because we could not understand the language and the customs, and there was noone to explain as the family were all inside the house participating. But after dinner, everyone went into the house, as by now there was space on the carpets in the spacious front hall. Except FredBear and myself. We stayed outside and talked. We could still see the ceremony, it was just that we were not inside. When it was over, we went inside to take photos with the dressed up couple.

And then it was time for the traditional Cambodian love marriage play. Where a girl has to search for help to go over mountains and dangerous rivers to find a magic herb to be given to the boy's family. It ended at midnight. We were all very tired and enthusiastically took up the offer to go home to nap for 3 hours. Except for FredBear and I who played 2 person mahjong. I feared, as he did that we would be unable to wake up for the wedding if we did nap. All too soon, the vehicles reached in time at 4 am to bring us to the bride's house again. This was dawn of Thursday.

Prayers had already started at a shrine on the grounds and it went on, with music and different actions by monks, priests the couple and parents. There was the presentation of the bride and also him leading her back to the house. After a few more prayers, it was complete ! They were married ! And it was picture time. We took so many pictures as they looked so regal and beautiful. They do make a lovely couple. After another hearty breakfast of porridge, we went home to sleep and rest. Some people had some lunch at KCafe after the nap, some went for massage, some slept some more, some played mahjong. It was a good rest, as we had to leave for the reception at 5 pm.

The reception was held in an open air area. We had to walk through a reception committe, a metal detector, and through rows of tables to some of the best tables in the place. There were two stages, one in front, and one in the centre for dancing and the wedding cakes. On the stage were famous singers in Cambodia with big screens because the people sitting at the back would definitely be unable to see the stage, it was that big. Dinner was the typical Cambodian/Chinese multi course dinner. There was a serenading of the bride by the groom, and also the singing of the family theme with powerpoint presentations. We also joined the Cambodian people dancing on the stage. In fact we were one of the last ones to get off, being very proud of ourselves for learning the complex dance moves ! It was amazingly fun, to see ourselves on the big screen as well.

With much merry making and drinking and eating, I can say that we honestly had a lot of fun. And it was sad to get a last look of KBear and KrBear as we really cannot say when we will see them again, but it was great to sort of have this fantastic last little get together. The memories of this wedding spur me again to have a great wedding, not to show off, but so that all my friends can share my happiness. And if my kids were half as well mannered as KBear, I would be happy.