Spent the last 27 hours riding boats, and buses from 4000 islands to vang vien. We got a good 6 hours in Pakse, and go to see the city. We finally arrived in vang vien and are exhausted. Spending some time here before we try and make our way over to Chang Mia.
645am bus from phnom penh to 4000 islands. We're supposed to arrive at 4pm, which were ok with since the gold medal game starts at 7pm Laos time. Obviously the bus doesn't go to schedule though. We made it to the border, and had to pay 50 dollars for our visas, which really bites. Then we get off the bus, into a small cattle van that takes us to a boat. We get on the little wooden boat and get over to the island just in time for the game. As we search the island hopelessly for a TV, let alone one with the Olympics on, we run into 2 Canadians watching it off their laptop. We Join them, and before we know it there's 7 Canadians huddled around this tiny laptop with hardly any Internet connection drinking beer and cheering on. It's a good day to be Canadian!
With our last day in phnom penh and Cambodia we met up with our Amsterdam girl, again. We took advantage of her hotel rooftop pool and went to the royal Palace. We finished our travels together by going on a street food safari. Basically eating all the street food, no matter what it is. We said our goodbyes, this time it was for good.
Goodluck in Australia, Sophie.
Went outside of the city to see the killing fields. A very heavy place. Over 17,000 women, children and men were killed through mass genocide during Cambodias civil war from 1970-1975. I found it interesting to say the least, but I'd be lieing if I stayed I enjoyed the experience.
We've decided instead of heading directly to Chang mai, we're going to make our way though Laos for a week or so. We have a flight booked on March 12th to India, but until then our options are limitless.
4 hour bus ride from Otres beach to phnom Penh. We arrived with another one of our Phong nhangians, Emily. Checked out some big markets in the city and explored a temple. Having atm issues, so it looks like I'll be living on what I can until I get it sorted. Phnom Penh is a busy place. It reminds me of a mixture between Vietnam, and Thailand, with a little Cambodian twist. It's a cool place, but it's big and loud. in a couple days well be heading back up to Bangkok to make our way to Chang Mia.
With some time to kill, we've decided to take a couple days on Otress. We're heading to Phnom Penh after. As nice as it is to have some time on the beach and relax, it's a touristy spot so there's not as much culture contact as we'd like. Maybe its because we biked through the roughs of Vietnam where there wasn't anyone within a couple kilometers who spoke English, but non the less Its getting time to move on
We spent a couple days at Paradise beach enjoyed it, but we wanted to relocate. We decided to hike to a uninhabited beach and camp. The full moon was on the 15th. We hiked all day. At about midday while walking across "long beach" we came up to some interesting looking structures. Sure enough, the TV show survivor was being filmed here and they were immunity challenges. We kept waking and came across a small village where the camera crew were staying. It was Bulgarian survivors and the cast aways were staying a couple kilometers away where we planned on camping. We eventually found a spot, and we stayed 2 nights on the beach. Rationed our food and Slept in the sand...We were like true survivors. It was Paradise
Pictures will be uploaded soon
In Kaoh rong now, and my god is it beautiful. We got a bungalow on the beach for 10 dollars a night, and we're loving the super, super hot weather. The island doesn't have any roads, just a big jungle. We're going to go hiking over to see what other beaches we can find tomorrow.
Last day in Angkor, last day in Siem reap. Went back to angkor heritage Centre to explore some more temples. Three days is good, but the full 7 day pass would be better. Taking a night bus to Sihanoukville tonight. Should arrive around 730am, which we then need to find a boat to take us across to the island, Koah rong. Time to settle for a bit.
