Update # 2 from Cambodia - BGGS Team C
Day 3 – Sihanoukville
Today was our first full day in the beautiful beachside Sihanoukville. We got off to a fairly early start, having a 7am breakfast at the GST Guest House restaurant. After a quick check to make sure we had everything, we were very excited to get into tuk-tuks for the first time on our way to the Ream National Park! They were worth the wait! It was so much fun riding along in the open air and it was such a unique way to experience the everyday life of the Khmer people. Riding along, we were able to watch families preparing for their day - working and playing outside. After half an hour of this, we watched the scenery change as we journeyed closer to the rangers’ station of the National Park. When we arrived, we were greeted by our tour guide, Noon, who helped us to organise our day. We decided to take an hour and a half boat ride down the river which winds through the park ending at the beach. The boat was wooden and extremely colourful. The river was lined with mangrove trees and the occasional thatched bungalow, and along the way we saw many local people paddling down the river, often accompanied by their children. The beach was lovely when we arrived, and after ordering our lunch, we jumped straight into the water. After a delicious lunch, we went for a half hour trek to another beach around a headland. It was so hot – everyone was dripping with sweat! (Hence the limited photos available from this particular adventure). Throughout the walk, we were lucky enough to pass through a small fishing village of about 35 families and observe their houses and the way they went about their daily life. It was enlightening to experience their culture and friendliness as we just walked through their communities. We were also able to stop at their local school for a few minutes which gave us some sort of idea of what to expect during our project work. It was interesting to note that it was a "Jesus" school in a primarily Buddhist country. After this, we boarded the boat again and arrived home in time for dinner at one of the backpacker hotspots, The Monkey Republic.It was an experience in itself... I think everyone has now decided to be a backpacker once in their life just to stay at a place like this. After dinner, we decided to take a walk to the local markets, however , on the way we were distracted by a concert thrown by the US Navy. It was hilarious! We were the only ones in the crowd singing along to Miley Cyrus’s Party in the USA and Katy Perry’s California Girls. We couldn't tell who was the bigger hit for the local people; our dancing or the actual band. Tearing ourselves away, we ventured over to the markets (following our original plan) only to discover that they weren't actually markets, rather a fair of rides and food. Needless to say, on our walk home we raved a bit more at the Navy concert.
Day 4 – Sihanoukville / Phnom Penh
Today was fairly uneventful. After waking up early for another delicious breakfast at the GST Guest House restaurant (of eggs, baguettes and fruit), we were loaded onto a courtesy shuttle bus which began our four hour return bus trip back to Phnom Penh. We once again were able to appreciate the immense diversity of the Cambodian landscape (or alternatively, catch up on some much needed sleep). After a quick lunch stop at a small rural cafe and designated rest stop, we hopped back on the bus and arrived in the crowded and busy Phnom Penh at around 1:30pm. After spending a while checking out two different Guest Houses, we decided on the Hometown Hotel, as fancy as it sounds. The rooms are spacious and lovely and it has a foyer which is wonderful for team meetings. After settling in, we went for a walk to the beautiful river district! We passed by a spectacular Buddhist temple on our search for a place to eat a long awaited lunch. By the time we found one and were finished, we decided that we just wanted a "chill" afternoon before we ventured to the night markets in the evening as this was to be a big night. Everyone was really excited! We had a little trouble locating the markets but they were definitely worth the wait! There were rows and row of stalls selling everything from local cuisine to beautiful handcrafted wooden boxes to delicate silk scarves. At our designated meeting time an hour later a unanimous decision (from the girls) was to stay longer. The teachers gave in, and we continued to buy everyone at home more and more presents. Like any markets, we went wild. It was amazing. We got back to the hotel rather late, and were so ready for bed! Showing everyone all our goodies, we had a quick team meeting and decided bed was the right option.
Day 5 - Phnom Penh
Today was possibly the best day to date. This was mainly due to the fact that it was deemed our "Sightseeing in the Capital" day. We had booked 4 tuk-tuks for the day who would take us every where. Tuk-tuks are possibly the best mode of transport ever invented. We were ready to go out for breakfast at 7. Ms McGarry had heard of a really good little restaurant called Malis that we were going to try to find. We got lost. But, half an hour later and we were glad we had waited. This was the beginning of our splurge day. It was a magnificent restaurant with amazing meals (mainly eggs, but still great!). The bread is kind of funky over here. Like everything else, it has coconut in it. Ruby got a nose bleed, which was kind of exciting for all of us - but don't stress, she was well looked after, and fine in no time! Boarding the tuk-tuks, we directed the drivers to Cheong Ek Genocide Centre; the Killing Fields. It was a very emotional, and at times, moving experience. One that I'm sure we will never forget. Following on from that, we went to S-21; the prison. This was perhaps the most confronting part as we saw the detention centres, the places in which innocent people were tortured, and even blood. Amazingly, we saw one of the 7 survivors at the site. He was just sitting there, talking about his experience. By the time we had finished, we all felt abit sick. Mainly from the gruesome stories and photos, but also because it was lunch time and we are teenage girls. We found a quiet little place called Dragon Guest house, which we had a decent Khmer meal. Then it was rush, rush, rush back to our busy day of sightseeing. A quick stop at a bank (we had to change our budget into smaller notes), then we arrived at the Royal Palace; the most amazing array of temples, and buddha shrines, and gold. We spent a good hour and a half just looking around (we did take another Ketut picture- but, i cant send it to you just yet because the computers are different. But, I will as soon as I can). It was beautiful. However, the Silver Pagoda was not quite what we had imagined, but it was different in a good way. It had been a long day and we had to decide whether we made one last stop at Wat Phnom before dinner and home. We decided, why not! We were so glad that was our choice. We saw an elephant and monkeys... in the wild, right in front of us. It was so cool. The temple was also pretty amazing, not quite as beautiful as the palace. But definitely something to compare Angkor Wat to when we get there. We went to dinner at some ridiculously amazing Thai / Khmer place. The dimlit setting of orange and red was just a start. We sat on cushions on the ground and the ambience was just incredible. Traditional food was just the tip of the cake. Words cannot describe how amazing today has been.
So, if you got through all of that I shall leave you with our plan for tomorrow:
We are having breakfast at 6.15 (yes, so EARLY!)
But, we are catching the 7.45 bus to Siem Reap, which takes at least 6 hours. Long long time, with one stop!!
Then we are preparing for our trek.
Mentally, wish us luck :)
Ps- Sorry about not attaching photos. As previously mwentioned- this computer doesnt allow it. SORRY!
Much Love,
TEAM KETUT
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