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Published: January 26th 2006
Cabodian Life
I've never seen such poverty in my travels. The poeple of Cambodia are just recovering from a brutal regime. I can't see how the Cambodian people can be so nice, courteous, and positive while living in such conditions.After getting our fill of the temples our crew (sans the Aussies) headed down to Phnom Phenh. After a late night some of us had hoped to get some sleep on the ride down. Unfortunately the driver laid on the horn the entire way down!!!! Not 10 seconds went by without a honk. It drove us all crazy!!! Now we realize why the $24 boat trip is well worth the extra money over the $4 bus route.
Guesthouse #9 Guesthouse #9 lived up to its well preceded expectations. The place is a chill hangout for weary travelers to recuperate. With a beautiful view of the sunset over the lake, it was the perfect place to lie in a hammock and enjoy a cold one. Of the four days we spent in Phenom Phen, most of it was on the deck, shooting pool, or watching movies at #9. The only real excursions were to the shooting range, the killing fields, and S-21.
Soccor Game One of the more interesting excursions was when we all went out to see the Cambodia soccor team take on the Thai national team. Although the
Bus Ride Down
THe bus ride down to Phnom Phenh was anightmare. This pic was taken just before we left. Little did we know what we were in for. game was a draw it was great fun to be cheering side by side with the locals.
Killing Fields The killing fields was yet again another wake up call to how well we have it. At this site thousands of Cambodians were executed after interrogation at the S-21 prison. The mass excavations are still underway. Touring the fields as well as S-21, I felt, among other things, very ignorant to the terrible recent history of Cambodia. I am currently reading a book on Pol Pot, his rise to power and his brutal dictatorship. I encourage everyone else to read up on the topic if you have any interest.
The Fellowship is Broken After our stay at #9 most of us split off in different directions. Some headed south the beaches of Cambodia, others headed deeper into the country, while the two Irishmen (Pat and Ross) and I caught a cheap flight back to Bangkok. They headed down to the same islands where Steve and I started our trip. I caught an overnight train up to Chiang Mai, and here I sit in a random internet cafe. Although the train ride had a disco car
# 9 style
Chilling in the hammocks watching the sun set at Guest house #9. I highly recomend it. (quite hilarious) that I spent some time in with some fellow travelers, I'm back to being all alone (hence the time for this massive update). Tomorrow I'll start a 3 day trek through Northern Thailand which will include elephant riding, mountain climbing, white water rafting, and bamboo rafting as well visits to tribal hill societies. I'll be whitewater rafting on the last day of the trek which will coincide with my birthday. I'm pretty pumped, hopefully I get a good crew of fellow trekkers.
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ROSS
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DAMN GOOD ADVICE
Dave speaks the truth, i am the poor unfortunate who fell victim to the dreaded bloodsuckers from hell!! about 500 bites all told, but 2 weeks on and im fighting fit(please god)again, anybody reading this say a prayer to what ever deity you worship that i survive the rest of this trip. ps. many thanks to dave and pat for putting up with and dragging my grumpy bite ridden ass back over the border, CHEERS LADS!! pps. MAY ALL MOSQUITO'S BURN IN THE FIREY GECKO FILLED PITS OF HELL