The small Cambodian coastal town of Kep has proven to be a worthwhile destination for me to visit during this holiday time of Pchum Ben. Although I opted not to stay right in town and instead situated myself pretty much right in the middle of the Jungle in a fabulously surreal little resort called Jasmine Valley. Staying here has been an experience like none other so far on this trip and I’m so glad that I managed to land myself here for a few nights. I’m surrounded completely by mountains and jungle, gloriously immersed in the forest and all the creatures that this brings. On my first morning here before I was even done breakfast, the lovely owner of this place brought not one but two snakes to show me that were just found in the ... read more

The children at Aziza’s Place (AP) are amazingly resilient and beautiful souls. When I look at their healthy and happy faces it’s hard to imagine the horrific places that they’ve come from or where they might be had an organization such as this one not been around to give them the life and opportunities that they deserve. These children who for the most part came from Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey garbage dump now have the opportunity to attend school, get tutored in the evenings, take traditional Khmer dance lessons, hip-hop classes, Karate, music, study English and Khmer and so much more. The gap in opportunities available to them between the literal garbage dump that most of them came from to where they are now is immeasurable and beyond what my mind can comprehend. Since starting my ... read more

It’s difficult to articulate exactly why, but arriving back in what can only be described as the chaotic and muddled city of Phnom Penh has been incredibly comforting. If the Universe didn’t seem to already have other plans for me, I could actually imagine myself staying here for quite some time. I love the run down yet beautiful French Colonial buildings, the way the city bustles along the impressive Mekong River, and how despite Phnom Penh being the wealthiest city in Cambodia it still looks and feels much like the projects to me. I couldn’t stop smiling when I stepped out of the airport as the incredibly hot and humid air hit me after leaving the comparably cold and dry Sydney climate. I had missed the way the sun invades this city with sweltering heat each ... read more

• After 3 days spent taking no less than 5 naps per day, finally felt rested up enough to make my way to larger-than-life Sydney, Australia. • The fabulous folks in Keriong kindly dropped me at the train station in Woy Woy sporting big smiles…likely since the ‘homeless person’ from their spare room was finally gone and didn’t seem to have stolen anything- other than maybe the bedding which may or may not have been in the wash. • Prepared myself to search for some replacement British people since I am apparently on some sort of English foreigner outreach program, seeing as how I go from country to country and largely ignore the locals in favour of the immigrated/travelling Brits in the area. Does Sydney have a Little England? I should find out. • Took 2 ... read more

It was my last week in Vietnam and I had just decided, on a whim, to go to Bali the following week. Indonesia was always on the itinerary for down the road, but suddenly I couldn’t wait and felt I needed to be there now. Little signs kept pointing me in that direction until it was the only place that I wanted to be. The decision was made and I was set to head to my lovely travel agent in Ha Noi, Vietnam to book myself a flight to this exotic and alluring destination. Although amazing, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam were starting to feel as though they had more similarities than differences. Originally, my next scheduled stop was Laos, and in almost a matter of minutes I decided that I couldn’t bear what would likely be ... read more