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Published: February 6th 2007
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Afternoon folks,
Only a quick blog as we didn't hang around Phnom Penh too long.
After we had done our trip round the Mekong and had a few drinks in the evening we were up nice and early, again. Went for a two hour trip in a rowing boat round a huge floating village place. We didn't get to row ourselves, as we had a grumpy looking Vietnamese woman rowing for us. She was probably upset at having to row two Brits around at half seven in the morning.
We got taken to another little village where we had a swarm of kids trying to sell us stuff. Mrs Deane keeps giving in as she thinks all the kids look really cute.
After this it was a 2 hour boat trip up the river to the border town. About half an hour in a guy took all our passports and $22 from everyone and disappeared. Thankfully he got back on the boat when we got to the border with nice shiny Cambodian visas - the passports are filling up nicely now. Had a bite to eat and a beer - even though I got told off by
the woman serving us for having a beer at midday. Felt like a naughty school kid.
So over the border we went, got some stamps and we were in a new country.
Within ten minutes a bunch of six year olds were out selling us stuff again. The good news is that it was cold, cold beer. 2 for $1. Bargain. I thought to myself, "I'm going to like this country". A new beer as well - Gold Crown, see review later.
Next step was a bus journey. Comfortably (or rather, uncomfortably) the worst so far. About 20 of us crammed onto a creaking minibus with dodgy aircon and a very bumpy road. Not the most pleasant hours journey. Once in Phnom Penh we booked into a gaff for $7 which was reasonable and then headed out for some scran.
Found a food place and a new bit of culture. Beer girls. We got accosted by about 6 tarted up beer girls all trying to sell us their own brand of beer. Quite bizarre - a bit like being in Teasers back home. Settled on the Angkor beer woman and Mrs Deane had the standard lager
whilst I went for the 8% stout. Tasted great as I haven't had any real ales in about 6 weeks.
The next day was our sightseeing round the town. We did all the poignant stuff first which was a trip down to the killing fields and then round the genocide museum. Quite a tough morning so we had some fruit shakes and then went on to more tame stuff like temples and palaces, etc.
In the evening we had another Khmer dinner and then found a bar with beer girls again and had a couple of pints.
Stayed up and watched Utd play Spurs right off the park. Yes, I know Ronaldo dived but we should have had an earlier penalty anyway. And they should as well.
And that was all our time in Phnom Penh done. Beach time next as we are off to the South coast for a few days of R&R.
You'll all be glad to know that it's Mrs Deane's turn again on the blog so you'll get a more factual account and probably more humour. We managed to arrange a fee which included a few G&T's and the promise of
some wine in Oz. She'll probably tell you all about her bites. She seems to get eaten alive by mozzies everywhere we go whereas they seem to leave me alone.
Quick competition - If anyone can guess our next country before we get there I shall buy them 2 pints of beer. Only one guess per person and first correct answer wins. You've got about a week or so to have a go.
Anyway, goodbye from sunny Cambodia.
Mr & Mrs Deane
Beer 27: Gold Crown lager, Cambodia, can, 4.5%, 7.0, a tasty beer sold by a 6 year old. A good start to the country
Beer 28: Angkor Stout, Cambodia, bottle, 8%, 8.5, excellent beer, a bit like a strong Guinness.
Beer 29: Bayon Lager, Cambodia, can, 5%, 7.0, drinkable but not as good as the stout.
Beer 30: Angkor lager, Cambodia, bottle, 5%, 7.5, it's the national drink and its not bad.
Beer 31: Anchor lager, Malaysia, can, 5%, 7.0, not to be confused with Angkor beer although you probably could as they taste the same.
P.S. I think I may be in danger of doing in Cambodia what
I did in Vietnam - drinking all the different beers in the first few days and leaving no new ones for the end. We shall see.
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