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Published: February 10th 2008
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Hi Everyone,
We left Ko Phangan and got the boat to the ferry port of Chumpron and then took a 6 hour bus journey to Bangkok! Mairie and Kate were on the bus as well, they were heading to Bangkok to spend a few days there before heading home after a years travelling! We stayed one night, the girls all went to bed early apart from Kate and the irish boys whom we met down Koh San Rd by chance. We all headed to a club and were up till 6am, Kieron was pished and fell into a table of swedish guys spiling all their drinks. They all looked like Bjorn Borg, hairbands and all. There was a bit of hassle but it all got sorted in the end! The next day we said our sad farewells to Kate and Mairie. Gill, Barry and I made our way to Siam Riep, the flight was up and then we were down again! Once in cambodia we jumped in a taxi to the Neak Pean Hotel that had been recommended to us by the girls as they had stayed there. It was a bit pricey but we were happy to have a
Angkor Wat
Inside the courtyard! couple of nights luxury after all the travelling we had been doing. It had a tv and hot water, we hadn't had hot water for almost a month.....bliss! The first night we all met at the bar and had a drink while getting a history lesson about the Khmer Rouge from the barman! I knew about the atrocities in cambodia but wanted to hear the history and what gave birth to pol pot, it was very interesting. We all headed to bar st in town which is where most people go to eat and drink, we went to pizza italia and had the best pizza we've had for along time. We needed a break from rice and curry for a while. When we were leaving the pizza place we met a tuk tuk driver caled jumbo who would take us round the temples the next day, we agreed and jumbo took us back to the hotel for a quiet night!
We were to meet Barry in the reception area the next morning at 9.30am to head to Angkor Wat! It really is the most amazing site, the pictures really don't do it justice at all and the same goes for
Angkor Thom
Smiley happy people having fun! the rest of the temples! After 4 hours we were all templed out, i really wanted to see the temple where they filmed Tomb Raider but was told by the driver that it was to far, I later found out he was lying to get another day out of us..........i was not happy! The third day we had to leave the hotel as it was to much money so Barry and Mitch headed out on the hunt while Gill sat on her arse as usual and waited on us! After two hours we eventually found a place, we booked our bus to Phnom Penh. We have loved travelling but the part that really gets to you is trying to find accommodation, especially at this time of year....it's murder! I've realised my grumpyness follows me EVERYWHERE! We got the bus at 7am and had the worst bus journey ever, no toilet and broken air con, my knees were at my chest, it was brilliant! We arrived in Phnom Penh 5 hours later. The irish lads had booked us a room at a guest house so there was no room hunting. The following day we all headed to the killing fields but
Driver
Jumbo! first we wanted to shoot some guns, we knew we had to do this first as we would def not want to shoot guns after the killing fields. When you get to the shooting range you are handed a menu with loads of weapons, you could shoot a rocket launcher for $220! Gill and I decided on the AK47....we all put camo jackets and entered the room! We were all quite nervous. Mitch went first, you get 25 rounds, the first lot is single shot then you switch it to auto.....unbelievable! The power that comes from these weapons is quite frightening but good at the same time! We were all shaking afterwards. Then the bad part, the killing fields! This place was heartbreaking, I do not shed tears easily but this place really got to everyone. We got a guide to take us round, he was there when they found the bodies, he was the guide that showed Princess Diana the fields so he was very knowledgeable! Everyone was so quiet, only when asking the guide questions did anyone speak! Over 2 million people died at the killing fields, men women and children. The thing that really strikes you about
Siam Reap
Khmer dancer from a buffet evening! cambodia is the friendly people, everyone smiles and waves to you especially the kids who are so cute! Cambodia has such a terrrible recent history that you would expect people to be a bit more shut off but they are quite the opposite! We then headed to S21, an old school turned torture and execution prison...that was cheery too! It was quite a depressing and in your face day but is a must for anyone coming to this country. That night we all went out for drinks and ended up at a bar full of prostitutes and greasy old men. Gill was the only white girl in there. We then headed to a club and within 5 minutes left. It had a wierd atmosphere and we later found out it was the gangster hangout of Phnom Penh. The best option was just to go back to the guesthouse where we all had a drink and watched dvds. Gill decided to go to bed around 3am, Mitch and James stayed up to 8.30am drinking around everyone eating breakfast. Embarassing!! In the night Gill woke with no Mitch and did not know which end to put down the toilet, that was her
Dumbo - Phnom Penh
An elephant just walking down the main street....as you do! for 24 hours. We had to delay leaving to head south till the day after. The Irish boys are now in Vietnam and Laos and we are in Sihnoukville (south). We will be going to Vietnam on 12th Feb.
Hope everyone is well and we are missing you. Take care. Look forward to your comments. xx
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Lisa and Barry
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Hi guys! I've just finished reading all of your blogs and it's like reading an exciting novel! I can't wait for the next chapter of the "Thai trilogy". Glad u gt my txt, wasn't sure if u wld! What a place, really glad your both expereincing as much as you can! So proud of you snorkeling Gill! Bet you've had lots of those moments you do where your in a beautiful spot and you say "right we have to take in this and when we're older we've to think back to this time and place and remember where we were" like we did on the bench in caskieberran that night! The photos of scenery are beautiful, experiencing them first hand must be breathtaking! Sounds like you've met lots of lovely people too on your travels. I've sent u an e-mail, just letting you know how we all are and our news. Reece says to say hi and he cant wait to hear the stories and see all the dodgy photo's of you both that you haven't posted on your blog!! not sure if they'll all be child proof though!!! Take care of each other, love you both Lisa, Barry and Reece xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx