Here's an attempt to writing a post from my phone, since I can't seem to find the time otherwise :) Currently en route to Krabi from Koh Phangan via bus after catching the ferry this afternoon. This so far has been the least stressful day of travel compared to others. Whoever started managing "joint tickets" combining ferry, bus, and trains in Thailand... Bless them.
Ok. So since last time a lot has happened. Let's start with Cambodia!
Jan 15- 25 Phnom Penh (and Kep)
Our first week Kyle and I stayed with Craig, who I had met in Cincy once. Blast of a time. Ate a lot of good food and learned a lot about the Cambodian culture (including about bar girls which the title of this post is a movie of). The prior king had died in October, yet they were still mourning until February and had his picture posted everywhere.
Cambodia. To be completely honest, I knew little to nothing about it or their history. "Khmer Rouge" was just a faint memory from high school history, but after our 2 weeks there, I can assure you I'm now more knowledgeable (Mr. Powell would be so proud). Despite their horrific and bloody (and pretty recent) past, they are the friendliest folk. Maybe because tourism is still relatively "new" to their country, but they treated us with honesty everywhere and not once did we get scammed. Tuk tuk drivers became friends and moto taxis were safe modes of transportation (especially compared to India ;)).
Went to Cambodia because I wanted to meet up with Kelly who is doing this cool project where she's painting murals for non profits. I was supposed to go to Zimbabwe with her in November, but the timing hadn't worked out then :( What we thought would take 2+ weeks of painting, we ended up finishing in 3 days ;) That's what we call amazing teamwork, people! Had a lot of fun painting with her.
The weekend before we took a quick trip to Kep and Rabbit Island (a 20 min boat ride). While this is the "holiday getaway" from the city, it was the most peaceful laid back town with little tourists. Granted, a lot more French people, but overall tourism hadn't chirped this beachside town yet. Spent a day at Rabbit Island trekking around in the jungle and laying on the beach, then eating delicious blue crab at night. I even had another successful bike ride there! ;)
Jan 25-28 Siem Reap
A seven hour bus ride to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh but totally worth it. Cambodia's landscape its hiked with these beautiful gates that mark each of the provinces. On the bus ride (and the one from Kep), I started capturing some of them when I could. Each is so intricately detailed and different from the other, even for what looks like the poorest of towns. I think I'll make a collage out if them. Other things noticed on the bus rides: all cows are white (or off white) and houses are built on stilts for the rainy season in the summer. Apparently then the water levels can get so high, villages look like they're floating on water (some are). Our bus also made a couple of pit stops where you can get your fresh array of fried tarantulas, crickets, and beetles. Yum.
Siem Reap is where Angkor Wat is located. Actually, Angkor Wat is just one of the many amazing temples. There's a whole hoard of them! We spent a whole day climbing them (in the western world this would never be allowed)... Temples over 800 years old, some covered with overgrown trees. Awesome. Note, if you decide to climb all the temples, you will be utterly pooped by the end of the day.
The next day we got a blind massage (mom, if you're reading this, my masseuse wasn't as good as yours), went to the Old Market, and took in an Apsara dance with dinner.
Alright, we're supposedly close to our destination, so the Thailand post will have to wait. P.s. I'm still loving my life :)
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