Blogs from Siem Reap, North, Cambodia, Asia - page 214

The distance between Siem Reap in Cambodia and the Thailand border is 150 km, give or take. On a standard freeway, this should take about 1.5 hours, allowing for some traffic. On a standard highway, going 80 km/hour, this should take no more than 2 hours. This particular journey takes 7 - 8 hours - on a good day. I happened to catch the bus on a not-so-good day. Although the concept of time and corresponding schedules and timetables appear to be a flexible matter in south-east Asia, the “air-conditioned minivan” - which turned out to be a small bus from the hipp 70’s or possibly the glorious 80’s - departed more or less on time. The first part of the trip was relatively smooth, with something that could resemble a paved road. No lanes or ... read more

Well, we have made it to cambodia. The lodge we are staying at is pure paradise, but the experience has been somewhat tough on me. The Leipers are more used to travelling in Asia, but it is fair to say that I am majorly overwhelmed. It is hard for me to be trekking through these holy sites and walking amongst small children and mine victims begging. My inclination is of course to give them all of my money, because really, I can find more of it. Others treat the locals like dirt and you hear that same old why dont they get a job rhetoric as in the states. But here, the tourists own everything, and that is enough to make me more than a bit overwhelmed. I dont claim to have the answer to this ... read more

I open my eyes. The hot Singapore sun beats down upon my face. I realise that we should have been up already. With just over an hour before our plane leaves and realising I'm still in bed, I smack Rohan on the foot and say GET UP WE'RE LATE!!!" We leave the room in 30 seconds flat and head strait for Changi Airport. We make it with minutes to spare. Great start to the day. An hour and a half later we arrive in Siem Reap. Being guided by the man that sits next to me on the plane, who seems very dissapointed to be here... AGAIN, we rush to get to the head of the line for customs. We cruise thru, get our visas and pick up our bag... We are in Cambodia. A short ... read more

Cambodia is a country with an interesting and diverse, if often disturbing, history: In 1975, the Communist 'Khmer Rouge' launched an offensive that eventually destroyed the Khmer Republic that had previously governed the country. The Khmer Rouge soon turned Cambodia into a land of horror. Immediately after its victory, the new regime ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns, sending the entire urban population out into the countryside to till the land. Thousands starved or died of disease during the evacuation. Many of those forced to evacuate the cities were resettled in new villages, which lacked food, agricultural implements, and medical care. Many starved before the first harvest, and hunger and malnutrition - bordering on starvation - were constant during those years. Those who resisted or who questioned orders were immediately executed, as were most ... read more

So we won't bore you with another one of our tragic bus nightmares, but what we are going to say about the entire bus ride from the Thai border to Siem Reap is: - all girls require a sports bra for this ride!! We spent our first night at The 13th Villa where we met William "Bill" Simonsen, a retired Canadian/American expat who soon became a good friend of ours. He was now living permanently in Cambodia and was working towards building a new school for disabled orphans. The DOVE (Disabled Orphans Vocational Education) centre which Bill part funds, is currently located near the Angkor temples where we were invited by the Head teacher for a chicken dinner and viewing of students work. The new school is planned to be complete within the next year. The ... read more