Orphanages, Snorkeling and 8 in a Taxi!

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Besides the Genocide centre one of the most memorable things we did in Phnom Phen was visiting an orphanage in one of the rough suburbs. As we entered the children surrounded us and one 18 year old girl grabbed hold of my hand for ages! They were all so incredibly friendly, smiley and polite, and given their living conditions this shocked me. They share 10 to a small wooden shack with no beds or anything really. We took along a 50 KG bag of rice (almost as big as me!) but apparently this only feeds them for a day. It was very sad to see but good that they were receiving an education and kept off the streets. If anyone wants to do anything charitable the kids of Cambodia really need some help!

So we finally escaped the hectic Phom Phen and headed to the beach capital in the south. Luckily we bumped in to our group again, and we spent a day snorkeling on near by islands which was awesom! Lots of illuminous fish!

On the downside I got ill (really nasty, dodgy food here, Leila spewed for about 3 days) and rediculously harrassed. I went for a walk down the beach and was swarmed by kids begging and trying to sell everything under the sun. They followed me the whole way down the beach, clinging on to my arms and legs, telling me their life stories. Eventually I just handed the dollers out to be rid of them! Then I sat down for some food and got swarmed again, the ones i had given money to had obviously told their mates and they were all trying to make me feel guilty. It was an expensive day! Unfortunatley you cant give to everyone, but they just dont leave you alone. Not a peaceful day at the beach!

So we left for a nearby fishing village called Kem Pot, we got a taxi (normal car) but the driver spent 90 mins driving around the town until it was full! then on route packed in more and more, now I thought 4 on one moped (we experienced the night before) was impressive, but oh no... 8 in one taxi!!! 2 people sat in the drivers seat! 2 passengers side and 4 in the back, now that was comfy on a scorching 3 hour journey, with potholed roads! But things only got worse... terrential rains, stinking hotels, disgusting food, sinking in muddy roads, being ill... oh the joys of Cambodia! Get me out of here!!

Its definitly been a good experience but it is not somewhere I shall return to in a hurry. The government need to get their priorities sorted, the counrty has not recovered too well from all the years of war and the poverty was just too much for me. It really does make you appreciate what you have though and what you take for granted, also how easy we have it in Britain in comparison.

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Photos

Phnom Phen
A luxury home in the streets of Phnom Phen!

8 in a taxi
The comfortable way to travel.

Snorkeling off Sihanoukville
Blissful day!

River cruise from Siem Reap to Phnom Phen
Views of passing floating villages.

Comments

[tim]

so right
we in the western wolrd think life is hard but when you have been to cambodia you then think how rich and lazy we are