After an hours flight from Bangkok, we had arrived in Phnom Penh. Chris was there on his moped to greet me and James and we got on a tuktuk to our hotel. Such a different feel to the place than Thailand. Much more poverty and hardly any tourists. We definately got a few stares from the locals for being so blonde and pasty skinned!
That evening we checked into our hotel and met Emma and Oscar for dinner. They had just come back from a few days on the coast of Cambodia. The next day we headed to Siem Riep. Chris James and myself took the cheaper option by 6 hour bus, while Em and Osc took the boat to cram in some extra tanning time on deck! We explored the local town that evening and checked into our hostel. One thing we had noticed were how friendly and welcoming the people were there, even more so than in Thailand. We met up with a couple of Chris´ friends that evening and went for drinks and Oscar had a fish massage!
The next day we explored the temples. We hired a tuktuk and driver called Tan for the whole day for like 5 dollars each. Such a good service and we loved him! We even treated him to lunch, he couldnt believe his luck!! Angkor Wat was absolutely beautiful, but so were the other temples too. It was so much fun walking around them but it got ridiculously hot and dirty. My white top had turned brown in a few hours! Tan was waiting keenily outside each temple for us and took us around. We spotted monkeys and elephants en route too. At the end of the day me Em James and Osc went elephant trekking up to the last temple. It was amazing! Stunning views over Ankor Wat and the river in the distance. Then we lost Chris en route back down the hill so chilled out in the tuktuk with some beers whilst watching tan and the other tuktuk drivers play this traditional cambodian game where you kick a springy shuttlecock around! That evening we headed into the town and the famous ´Pub Street´ where we always seemed to end up every night! We ate on a busy side street and had a hot grill where you cook your own food on your table, all very traditional. Me and Em also got a pedicure and footscrub/massge for like 7 dollars..dreamy after a day in the temples!
We visited a crockodile farm this next morning. Some japanese guy attempted to jump in and nearly got attacked! There was also a crocodile skin shop full of merchanise made from their skin which we went to after and it all felt a bit strange and wrong! That evening after dinner the 4 of us went to this called bar called Island Bar and drank cocktails and had Sheesha whilst chatting to the locals. We invited the bartender out after the bar shut. He took us to this local club called Hiphip club which was hilarious. Very odd atmopshere in there compared to an English nightclub. All very respecful, noone drinking too much. It was good fun and we had a dance to some khmer music and western tunes too!
We got the 6 hour bus back together, feeling slightly worse for ware after our late evening. After a huge nap back in our hotel in P.P we met up with my Uncle Mike and his parter Ian. We went to the supermarket and bought some drinks and headed to chris´ apartment which we hadnt seen yet. It was a cute flat, and all his friends were there. We partyed the night away with the 70 year old uncles (who were in fact the last ones standing!) and all of chris´ friends, some locals and others not. Em couldnt resist a cheeky night out and went into town with some of them, but the rest of us were knackered so headed home.
The next day we tuktuked it to the Tsong Sleng Museum which is where during the Khmer Rouge Regime, Pol Pot was in power. It was one of the camps where about 30 years ago people from the city (often with education,wealth etc) got attacked and brutally beaten up here and were captured at this place before going to the killing fields. It was a very moving and sad experience and crazy to think it was not long ago. We also went to the National Museum after.That evening we went for dinner with the uncles and James Osc and Chris all ate teranchula!!! It was pretty grose...james was not getting a kiss that evening! After a lovely meal we went to this funny gaybar where this big drag show was on. We sipped cocktails and Osc and James nervously walked around clutching onto each other and not knowing quite what to make of the whole experience. Being the only straight 2 guys and only girls there it was an odd yet v entertaining experience!
The next day we hit the Russian then the Central Markets to buy clothes etc. It was so cheap and you can barter to such a low price, although Emma was not so good at that as we know!!! We ate in the local market with fresh foods like squid and prawns. That evening we went on a boat trip (or as Mike and Ian exaggerate and call it the Sunset River Cruize!). It was gorgeous, the boat took us about 15 minutes away to this little secluded bungalow with a bar and benches and a bed inside! Its rented out as a little bar and we had a few drinks all chatting and laughing together while the sun set over the river. Chris´ hilarious housemate and friend also joined us which was nice.
The last evening and day we pottered around and packed up our things. Mum has given us a generous amount of money to spend on a meal for us all so we went to this restaurant in the shape of a big Ship which overlooked the sea at sunet. After we went to a skybar which overlooked the city. What a way to end an amazing funfilled week!!!
We absolutely loved Cambodia and being with a big group of people was such fun. The locals were just so friendly considering the lack of money and opportunities they have. It was a joy for Chris to take us around everywhere too, to show us the best bits. We would definately recommend the place!
Lots of love
xxxxxx
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