Today we’re in the middle of the P’Chum Ben Festival (Festival of the Dead) – today being the most significant day during the 15-day festival, and to give you an idea of how quiet it is, imagine Christmas Day in Brisbane. Almost nothing is open in PP, the only exception being the tourist strip at Riverside (Mekong River). The festival was explained to me by one of the Cambodian guys, as being a time when the ruler of hell lets the spirits out to feed – they get 15 days of freedom each year. They believe that if you do one wrong thing in your life, you go to hell, and as your relatives generally don’t know which way you go when you die, they all prepare food and offerings and take them to the wats ... read more

Not many words today, just some photos to back up my recent ramblings....hope you're all enjoying your Sunday. Today is my first day off in ages, so I just went for a long walk, didn't get lost (woohoo), and checked out my neighbourhood. There is a food market in the next street, and all I can say is that if our cook gets her meat there, I'm turning vegetarian - I've seen plenty of Asian food markets, but this one was probably the most unhygienic I've seen to date....ugghhh... read more

Wow, five days down....and yes, I will stop opening my blogs with references to the amount of days I've been here.....it just seems that I've been here for a month....it dawned on me today that this time time last week I was saying my farewells and packing, sans cash cards... Today I have been ripped off by one computer company that sold me a wireless USB that only worked in their shop and nowhere else.....tried to get a refund, but they refused.....No worries I now have their business cards and will ensure that no other voluteers head their way. But then, I found a lovely, friendly and helpful girl that had wireless installed on my laptop for the princely sum of $2....and now I'm mobile and sitting by the busy road, at the DrinkMart drinking a ... read more

So I packed my bags for 5 months.........shorts - check; tshirts - check; undies, PJs, toothbrush; my Blue Card etc - check .....you get the picture......... So, I'm out of town for months and need cash......right? So guess who left their fully loaded Travelex cards at home somewhere? Hmmm, also left my USB at home with my lessons etc.......but I can redo those easily, so not worries. Just need to sort out the card/cash situ....thank goodness I brought cash....I've emailed house-sitter, and will try to contact Travelex tomorrow to see if they can offer a solution. I've never, ever left anything behind.....I'm blaming it on the drugs I was taking for the chest infection - my story, and I'm sticking to it. Apart from that, my trip up to Phnom Penh was good. Had great company ... read more

Wow, 10 weeks left........49 works days thanks to a public holiday.........9 weekends..... So much to do, but I'm soooooooo excited. Just think, in 11 weeks I will have completed a week of teaching, and met some amazing people, and experienced life in Phnom Penh, and already dealt with so much.......but gosh, it's going to be awesome, I'm so excited. And, I will have five days off to get out and explore.......Mon, Tues, Wed are public holidays, so will try to catch up with new friends; or friends of friends; or my old tour leader, and get out and have some fun. It's all good. In the meantime, I will enjoy every moment left in Brisbane (I promise, Maus), catching up with friends, and making the most of life as I know it.......it's all about to change, ... read more