19/01/2011
Ventured out into the busy streets of Phonm Penh today to visit S21, the prison and torture camp of the Khmer Rougue. Well what can I say I felt physically ill and it was so emotional. There was such a heavy energy there, you could almost sense what had gone on. It was so unbelievably sad. What they did to these poor poor people was just so sick.
We were suppose to go to the Killing Fields aswell but we decided to do that the next day. S21 was enough for one day!!!!!
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| says it all |
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| torture rooms |
20/01/2011
Hired Mr Tuk Tuk and headed off to the Killing Fields. The energy here wasn't as heavy but it was still pretty full on . The place had once been an orchard but now, a mass grave site.
They have built a huge memorial which holds hundreds and hundreds of skulls and bones behind glass cabinets. There was bits of clothing and bones still lying around.
I just hope that all the poor souls that perished under Pol Pot are at peace.
21/01/2011 - 24/01/2011
Caught a bus for another long journey to Sihanoukville which is small town by the sea. It took 6 hours aaaah. I had booked a place right by the sea and miles awy from the tourist area. Getting there was an interesting ride, the tuk tuk man tried several times to take us somewhere else but I persisted on him taking where I had booked. Lets just say the road wasn't really a road just a bit of dirt carved out of the ground full of every bump you can imagine. I'm glad the seat was padded!!!
We are staying in this beach bungalow practically right on the beach. Thailand eat your heart out this place is paradise!!! The view is to die for.
As soon as we had arrived we jumped in the ocean. Yay it's just like bath water, so so warm this is just luxary, don't get sea water like this back home.
It's very primitive here, but there is a flush toilet except ours doesn't flush and they have a generator for power which only goes on from 6pm – 10pm. It's just like camping!!!!
We moved on from our accomodation after two nights. Shame the scenery was magic but the energy of the place wasn't right so we just moved down the beach to a great place called Shanty Shanty.
Over the next couple of days we went swimming, kyacking, swimming, snorkelling, swimming. Rather quite lovely.
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| our pad |
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| Mr boatman |
25/01/2011
We left Cambodia today. Thank you Cambodia for having us. You have a huge spirit. After all that this country has endured, the people of this country have huge hearts. They seem to be able to still smile and laugh. They are extremely poor and yet they can still raise a smile. They could teach us a thing or two that's for sure. They could teach us how to live and we could teach them how to respect the environment. It's not until you visit these countrys that you learn to have such huge respect and gratitude for your own country. We grumble about the silliest smallest things and then you see how these people live and you go 'What do I have to grumble about' .
With all my heart thank you Cambodia xxxx
aw kohn ( thank you )
25/01/2011 - 27/01/2011
Sabai-dii (hello)
We arrived in Vientiane the capital of Laos, it is now the 27th Jan and we haven't seen anything as of yet as I have had major food poisoning. I am coming right but it's been really awful!!!
Feeling rather homesick but we have to push on through. Oh well it had to happen sooner or later. It's all part of travelling. At least I made it to the hotel in time. We are making good use of the room that's for sure and I'm making good use of the toilet!!!! Lah gorn (goodbye)
28/01/2011
I'm feeling much better time to get some sunshine and check out Vientiane. It's a lovely quaint town right on the mighty Mekong, not so mighty at this yime of the year as it's the dry season. It lokks quite dismal when the water level is low.
We hired some trusty bikes and set out to explore this interesting town. Don't know if you could call my bike trusty after about half an hour it developed this interesting creaking and rattling sound. But hey it stayed together for the day and never fell apart!!
We entered a park where they have gym exercise equipment for anyone to use. No going to the gym here it's all entirely there to use for free for anyone. It did say on the instructions if you are elderly please have a caregiver to assist you!!!!
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| let's get physical |
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| lotus |
After biking around for the day we were in need of a massage. My body felt like it had been run over by a bulldozer after this sickness. We both had a Laos herbal massage. It was really good. It was a mixture of Laos traditional masssage combined with hot herbal pultices. We felt so relaxed after.
This of course got the digestive system working so off we went in search of food.
29/01/2011
Left today for Veng Vieng 3 1/2 hr bus ride north. Hey it actually took that long!!!
This place is stunning. It is a cute wee town nestled opposite limestone karsts rising out of rice paddies. Hey they probably call them mountains but by New Zealand standards they are hills!!! This place is popular for it's tubing down the river, correction, getting drunk tubing down the river. Popular for lots of young 18-20yr olds mostly Australians getting drunk tubing down the river.
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| laundry time |
30/01/2011
Hiring some more trusty bikes we headed out to explore beyond the town. Along the way we passed several signs indicating caves to explore, great swimming holes and fishing. One sign got us interested. We decided to explore an area that had a cave called Phadeng Cave and a swimming hole to have a dip in after. The small hike up the hill was worth it for the view, the cave was a cave and the swimming hole no where to be found. I think these signs are directed for the rainy season.
Further on we turned off to where indicated on our map there was a lagoon. Sounded lovely. Would be lovely in the rainy season!!! Eden was brave enough to get in I miss chicken decided to spectate.
After a lovely break as it was stinking hot we ventured back to town.
31/01/2011
Today we had arranged to go on a tour which included 4 caves, tubing, villages and kyacking. Our first village we passed through our guide said was a 150 years old. Most of the houses were being reconstructed but there was one original house left standing. It was built on stilts people living upstairs animals under the house.
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| original house |
Our first cave we arrived at was named Elephant cave due to an elephant shaped stalacite and containing a few Buddhist statues.
The second cave called Tham Loup, WOW!!!! Our favourite. A jewellers paradise, a crystal palace!!!! Hundreds upon hundreds of stalicites, sparkling and erupting out of the ground like tubular bells. Sounding like them too, they made a great sound when you banged them.
Onto the third cave called Tham Hoi. Tham means cave, nam is river and pha is mountain. Apparently this cave goes on and on and for days, no end as our guide put it. We only went in 200m.
Last but not least our final cave. Tham Nam, river cave. We were put into rubber tubes and we pulled ourselves along by a rope into the cave for quite a distance. Beautiful blue water, dam cold but worth every shiver!!!!
After lunch we headed off to the river passing through a number of villages and a school. We then kyacked our way back to the town. We passed through what seemed party central. On either side of the river there were places you could swing and slide into the river, and drink!!!!! We passed many who looked like they had had either too much sun,or too much to drink or both!!!!! We stopped off at one place and Eden plucked up the courage to swing off this plateform and then jump into the river. She certainly has more courage than her mother!!!!
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| aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh |
02/02/2011
We headed out once again on our trusty bikes and went on a mammoth bike ride for about 6 hours in and around the limestones hills. We ventured into numerous caves and passed through many villages.
It was a great day. Our road was very very bumpy we arrived back at our cabin rather sore and tired. Ouch our bums!!!!!! (water buffalo)
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| our accommodation, comes with plenty of ventilation lol |
More! More! xx Bat
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