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Published: March 6th 2005
SO, finally in Cambodia, Sihanoukville. After a rather bothersome trip from Australia I am finally here.
First I managed to be refused to get on my plane from Cairns to Brisbane. These very cheap airlines are such a pain in the bum. Then, at the international airport in Brisbane I managed to confuse everyone there by claiming that 'yes, I do want to go to Cambodia', and 'no, I do not have a visa yet', and the killer sentence were of course 'no, I do not have a return ticket, or any ticket as such out of the country'. Many phonecalls later, many airport officials later, I finally got them to agree that maybe, but just maybe, there was a slight chance that the Khmer custom would let me in. Pointing out to them that there are more ways to exit a country than by a plane, didn't do me much good though, but when I quite laoud told them that I had checked with the Cambodian Embassy in Canberra they finally gave in, although reluctantely.
So, the planeride to Bangkok and then onwards to Phnom Penh when painless. Fun airline food and all that. Arrived in Phnom Penh, sorted out my visa on arrival, and not only any kind of visa, but a business visa. I wasn't too convinced myself that they would give me the business visa when I was standing there after 24h travel, in my old fisherman pants, bedhair, bad breath, and bleary eyes, claiming that I was there on business, and honestly, who could have blamed them? But they did, and I was happy. Caught the bus down to Sihanoukville the same day, and after waiting for 30min, one phonecall, and having made 24 annoying friends on the busstop the owner of EcoSea came to pick me up.
Although I didn't intend to take a long holiday before I started working, it came as a tiny suprise that he wanted me to start an Open Water course the very next day. But, as the good employee I am (not to mention the lack of money I have) I agreed to do so. My first day was used running around trying to figure out how things are done here, while pretending for my students that I knew my canaries, and portraying the image to my boss that I was the best employee he had ever hired. Exhausting!!!
The next day (sat) we went out for an overnight trip with 7 fundivers, and my students. The trip was excellent and a lot of fun. My students were so good, which made my life so much easier. The divesites were really good, althought the vis were below average. So, came back today, tired but happy. My students are sitting behind me sweating over their final exam, and I can't wait to go for a beer. Tomorrow is another day!
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anonymous
non-member comment
Hei og Hå!!
Åååååå...Got a bit envious now.... Vidar and I really loved it in Sihanoukville, so I'm sure you'll have a great time there too!!! Take a trip down to the Shiva Shack and say hi to Mama from us. We stayed there for 5 nights and were really good taken care of! The beach was lovely, the people even more so - and the fire shows great! Here tings are pretty cold, but we've had some really great winterdays at our cabin! Miss you and hope to see you this summer!!! The date is the July 30 now, so you can start planning ;) Love you lots! Take care! Vibeke - Vibeke