As I’ve made my way along this interesting journey I’ve managed to learn a great deal .......... however, some mysteries remain and I hope to also find enlightenment re these conundrums as I continue along this merry path... For example:- • What is the significance of the little cream flowers that are sold at the traffic lights? • Why, in 30+ degree heat, do people wear beanies, hoodies and thick socks? I understand covering up to avoid burning their skin, but seriously, beanies!! ..............hoodies!! • Similarly, what is this “fashion statement” of wearing pyjamas out in public..........SO many people do it.........I even saw someone last night walking down the street in her PJs and a very flash pair of sparkly high heels........BUT they weren’t pretty satin PJs, more like the cotton equivalent of winter flannos’ !! ... read more

So it’s October already and today I’ve been here 3 weeks........in reality, it feels like I’ve been here for more like 5 or 6 weeks.....wow. Every day is jammed packed with things happening and each week is full to the brim, so days and weeks feel long (in a good way), but on the other hand, it feels like time is racing by and I cannot believe that I only have 6 weeks left in Phnom Penh – two months felt like such a long time at the start. I also cannot comprehend that I was in Brisbane just over 3 weeks ago – it seems like another lifetime ago. We were talking on Friday night about the fact that you never quite relax here......oddly though I feel chilled out – it’s just that you never ... read more

In the months leading up to my trip, my colleagues at Energex donated spectacles to my collection of items to bring up (70 pairs in total). One of the Projects Abroad staff (Sophan) took some of them to his village, and some neighbouring villages. Here are the pictures....a couple of the pictures made me get teary - the gratitude is evident. Thanks SOOOOO much to my colleagues for your generosity. I will take the other half of the donated glasses to Siem Reap with me in November. Rob, xx... read more

According to the Cambodians, Tiger Balm will cure everything. If you have mosquito bites, use Tiger Balm. If you have a cold or sinus issues, use Tiger Balm. If you have any pain, anywhere, use Tiger Balm.....it’s a miracle cure-all .............apparently. Not surprisingly, we all have pots of Tiger Balm in our kits now, as it really does ease the itch of mozzie bites. Talking mozzies, the nasty little suckers creep up and draw gallons without you feeling them attack, all you get is the nasty red lumps as their calling cards. Oh, and the mozzies thumb their noses as Aeroguard, so am ditching that for something with more DEET. I love the instructions for the use of Tiger Balm........one of the things it’s supposed to be good for is flatulence, and the instructions say to ... read more

Wow, what a huge day...............and a day full of contrasts, and “wow, haven’t seen that before”.... Started the day with a “feedback session” with Projects Abroad re my observations on living in Cambodia, my school placement, and the apartment we live in... As you know, I will nearly always tell it like it is, so I was straightforward about the fact that the apartment desperately needs some TLC, and future volunteers will be able to thank me for the rooms being given a new coat of paint etc. Then I walked less than 100m down to the local dressmaker and have organised for some tops and dresses to be made. One of the family members living in the shop/house is a newly qualified doctor and spoke good English, so he translated for his sister-in-law (dressmaker) and ... read more