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Published: March 7th 2007
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Mon 5th March: Well, we got up as we do everyday and decided to go dolphin spotting, to see the Irrawaddy dolphins (The world's only fresh water dolphins, and an endangered species) and then on to the water fall at Kopamchang. It was a short boat ride to an island, well, more of a rock jutting out of the river and waited around for about an hour. Occasionally a dolphin would pop up for air and a few seconds later submerge again, but it was a nice thing to watch.
Another boat journey and a short drive later and we arrived at the waterfall. It was more like 6 or 7 waterfalls in a short area, and the water was very nasty looking, fast and furious. An impressive site.
Whilst walking around the top of the waterfall taking photos Matt had an accident. He was busy taking some pictures when a green snake came in the water and headed in his direction. Unlike Steve Irwin, Matt ran. In a twisting motion Matt slipped and fell on his knee (the only option available that would enable the camera to remain intact). Matt was up again to escape the snakes' wrath as
The dolphin spotting island.
We colonized in the name of Queen Elizabeth the second of England. fast as lightning. So fast in fact that he missed out on all sympathy from Leanne, dispite his knee gushing blood from it's deep wound. Luckily his adamantium skeleton and rejenerative abilities healed the cut somewhat, and no stitches were necessary. Matt still doesn't like snakes.
Tue 6th March We booked a VIP bus to Phnomm Penn. Thinking we could travel in style. Well, it wasn't that easy:
8am got to boat, the boat driver took 3 attempts to count to 10 for the numbert of people on the boat. In his own language, not a foreign one to him. Matt was quite rude, he finds it hard to believe that anyone can struggle to count to ten.
8.30am, got off the boat and onto the mini-bus.
10am, got off the minibus and got our exit stamps for leaving Laos. We were also charged $1 each for this privilage. Then we walked to the Cambodian border, where we had our visa's stamped. Here we were charged $2 to enter Cambodia (nopt only is this illigal for them to charge, but they are charging in a currency that has no legal tender and is not allowed by
The Irrawaddy dolphin
You'll need to enlarge the picture. Evasive little gits. their own governement). Meanwhile, the minibus has driven off with all our rucksacks. Oh sweet mother of God. Oh, did we mention how hot and humid it was too. Walking further down the road we saw that the giant multi-coloured hump in the distance was in fact all our bags piled together.
12pm, second mini-bus arrives. 25 people crammed into a Ford Transit type vehicle converted into a people carrier, bags on the roof.
12.30pm, bus stops at Voen Kham, we all get off and walk to the ferry. The mini-bus eventually follows and gets on the same ferry (giving several Cambodians a lift at the same time, whilst we - the paying people, walk)
1pm, we arrive at Stung Treng, and sit outside a cafe for half an hour whilst everyone eats. We didn't have any money on us and there were no ATM's about.
1.30pm Finally on the road. 25 crammed into a vehile made really for about 12, air-con was pretty much not working, no fans, the windows can't be opened because we're doing between 80 and 100mph down a big long road and stones flick up, it's also about 40 degrees or
Our room.
There is a plaque in it that says Angelina Jolie sometimes stays in that room. Doubtful. mid 30's at the least. Really quite uncomfortable.
10.30pm, Eventually we arrive in Phnomm Penn. A load of Tuk Tuk drivers approach us and offer to take us to a guest house. Matt doesn't like the idea of his bag being in one vehicle whilst he is in another, so declines. Then some young lad, about 9 maybe 10 years old takes us towards a good hostel (Matt is so happy he is actually willing to give away a small amount of money to this kid, untill some bloke muscles in and takes over from him, so no tip for him). Also, as if Matt hadn't had enough bad luck with wildlife... Walking to the hotel, Leanne was behind Matt, so Matt stopped letting her catch up. Whilst stopped a rat came along. Matt dodged out of it's way very fast. Unfortunately the rat dodged Matt at the same time and in the same direction. The result ? Matt looking upset describing how a rat had just ran over his foot. Wearing sandals he could feel it's scratchy claws, hairy belly and leathery tail all along his toes. Matt now dislikes both snakes and rats, and large jumping spiders
View from our room.
The walkway leads up to the lake. aswell.
11.15pm, arrive at Green Lake guest house. It's nice, clean, fairly central and has a bar and friendly staff, plus it overlooks a lake which is quite beautiful at sunset.
Wed 7th March: Mission today, sort out Leanne's phone. Basically whilst in Pakse, Leanne bought an Adidas bag from the market (about half an hour before Matt had his haircut). By the next day it had split down the seams on both sides, an it hadn't even had anything heavy or bulky in it. A few days later we realised that Leanne's phone was missing. The only thing that could have happened is that it fell out of the bag. So, to sort it out with insurance and that we need a crime reference or Lost property reference number. Ha, easier said than done. After spending the morning walking about, seeing the market, buying shower gel and other mundanities we decided to go to the good old British Embassy. We weren't allowed in, and the non-English speaking security guard eventually managed to explain that they were in a meeting, so we arranged to come back in an hour. When we came back a nice American lady (I know British Embassy, American Cambodian lady - it's an odd world) gave us the number for the police, and explained that insurance things like that worked differently in America. So, with a scrap of paper with a number on we headed back, defeated, to the hotel. An then on to the internet to update our blog, which takes forever because 128 kbp/s is the fastest they have here. It's $1 per hour.
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