Woo Woo

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Darcie:
Hey folks. so finally got to a computer and finally worked out how to actually sign in.
writing from a guest house thing in this touristy part of Phnom Penh. Just be drinking beers on a boat attached to a warf thing attached to the bar attached to our hotel thing. lovely. US$1 for 3...
Got out of the plane, got our bags, went through customs,
no worries - then came to an ATM to get some money out... which was a
bit of an experience, we nearly got out 1 billion dong, which may have
built a house. Step out side, not as nuts as the Indian airports
though, look around for who ever was picking us up - hmmm... then a
small little man comes running up shouting JEFFI, JEFFI... we had a
little laugh. Jess was in major shock for a while, she didnt realise
just how different it would be - the traffic, the motorbikes,
everything. Our free airport transfer
ended up costing a nice US $7 (just to put that in perspective it
costs US $5 to get to Cambodia). What can you do really - learn from
it and move on. But it's weird as a lot of things are in US $, which i
dunno, i dont like for some reason... =)
Anyway, we spent yesterday
walking around - we waked for about 3km in the wrong direction as we
werent at the same hotel we thouhgt we were - it was good though
because we got to see a bit of HCMC which we wouldnt have. Then we
went to the War Remunents Muesuem which was pretty amazing. So many
photos, the most serious thing about it though is just how relevant it
still is - all the protesting against the US involvement is covered -
and look whats happening now. But yes, they had a lot on the effects
of Agent Orange, and babies in jars...

Jessi:
So yeh, got our bus to phnom penh today. its great, pretty different from ho chi minh. less full on but a bit more touristy. there were about 100 moto drivers ready to take us to wherever we wanted. you feel a bit like a celebrity with everyone staring and shouting. found one who thought our hotel choice was great, especially handy for him cos he gets good commission here =) Paul, the hotel boy keeps telling us we're "fucking aweseom" cos apparently thats what all aussies say... I tell him he's fucking aweseom too and he seems to like that.
Everything here is happy. Happy as in pay extra 50c and get sprinkle of hash on your pizza or in your cocktail or im sure our breakfast cereal. =)
Bob Marley tunes wailing from our hostel and the chilled party people still goin on on the back deck. we're off to bed, big couple of days ahead to see all the sights.
Anyhoo, chat soon.
Stay Happy!!!! =)

Jess and Darc

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Photos

Us on the plane
We were trying to look really natural..

Comments

[Guy]

Well sounds like you guys have started off pretty successfully! Don't spend all your dong at once Darc.. :) Well I'll be keeping up with your blog so don't slack off, I want to hear about everything! xo

[Trev]

New Arrivals
Dear Jeffi and Darc. Glad to see that you both received your initial blast of sensory overstimulation. Takes a while to suss out the "100 guys wanting to take you everywhere all the time". Watch the happy stuff as you might end up taking a nappy and wake up broke(y). Looks like pizza hut have an untapped market in Australia. Have fun, enjoy the ride. Chat soon. love Trev

[Emma]

Hey Chicks
You guys sound like your havin a fuckin awesome time already.....so wish i was there. cant wait till you put some photos up..make sure you do the thngy? ill have some pizza n a sprinkle of hash fuck yeh, make it a side. hehe. ill chat to you guys soon. take care. travel safe. Em.

[Terry]

G'day
Hi Darc and Jeffi. The trip is reading like a bit of adventure with the US$ haunting you all the way!! Seems reall odd that averything appears to be sold on foreign currency for the tourists. The experience with the 'killing fields' must have been truely amazing and yes I agree that the peole must be damaged as well. So even though the country has not been open for tourism for all that long, the tourist is really catered for or is still very raw? The fencing has finally started on the side boundry in Brunswick. It has been really draing to the point that I have felt sick with frustration at the progress going nowwhere day after day with a guy who olny has this 1 week to complete it due to other committments, has no money at all so I have had to put the $ up front so as he can buy materials and I have stayed at home all week to keep an eye on their decision making processes. Selecting the lowest price is not recommended - I should have known better!!! Travelling sounds like the pick of options! Have a great time and we look forward to the next installment in the travel diaries. T and A xx (1 each)

[Maca]

What the!!!!
Jess/ Darc Hash on your pizza's sounds maniac. I love Trev's comments trying to be funny but at the same time quite serious. Just like India hey Trev, bringing back the memories. I rekon that American dollar thing is rubbish i would only pay in local currency terms. The reason for the American thing is to get more money of you cause they round it up by dollars instead of cents so to speak. Sounds like an awesome time hey, really makes us want to start our tour of Asia sooner rather than later. Take care and keep us posted. Maca and Jay xxxx

[cathycat]

going to cambodia
dear jeffi and darc. i like your attitude. i am going with my" family" who survived the days of the killing fields, back to cambodia in a couple of weeks. i am reading the travel blogs. i like your attitude. you are good travelers and people you meet will like you and i can tell you are good ambassadors from the usa. (which as we all know we sorely need) take care, have fun, find joy and stay safe and healthy and happy trails.