Just back to capital of Cambodia from a place in the south called Sihanoukville. Its a lovely beach with lots of sea sports to do. Did some snorkelling on the first day and rented a motorbike with some of the travellers I got to know along the trip. None of us knew how to drive one but we went anyway. The guy who rented the bike to us were so worried that he followed behind us just incase. we took the bike to a waterfall in the inland. It was such an adventure as we ride the 100cc bike on dirt roads like they were mountain bikes. Crazy! The waterfal was very beautiful. Its about 4 storey high with water cascading down from the top. I went beneath the water and the force of it beating down the the body were like a strong massager at work.

We came back from the waterfal and I had an accident with the bike ramming into the bush and got my right leg along with it. Luckily, it was only a gash and some bruises. The Norwegian travelling with me toppled his bike and took a chunk of flesh out from his toe. Nothing too serious either. Just a lot of misadventures and laughs.

I will be heading off to Vietnam soon and I bet its another world and another adventure.

S21, Killing Fields and Mines Museum

Its been sometime since I blog abit on the trip. Current now I am in Phnom Penh. Have been here for a few days and the food here is just wonderful. Saw some really bizzare stuff in this country. Its a country which can surprise me even with all the things I have seen. Things like a baby with head about 3 times bigger than normal and the mum is like laying her out as a tool to beg for money.

Went to the killing fields and the S21 Musem today. Crazy world where the atrocities are more than those done by the Japs in the WW2. Down here, the torture and kill the whole family if one of them just like pisses the regime off. Make a visitor manically depressed just by looking and touring around.

Blood Donation

Donated some blood at Cambodia’s Hospital of the Children. It was operated under the funds of a Japanese photographer who went around taking pictures when he was in Cambodia a number of years ago. He then sold his pictures for a good price and donated part of the money back to operate the hospital. I was a bit worried at first because of AIDS and hygiene problems. However, the doctors were professional and the place was clean. Sometimes, I think I worry too much.

Today was an eventful day. Met up with a guy called Ricky and he was so full of bullshit. That was really interesting because he said things from his service in the army as a special agent to like taking LSD, opium and estacy like meals. Then he proceed on to order beer like 8am in the morning and had his stick of marijuana/ganja. The smell is strong though and sniffing in the smoke makes me feel nausea. When I am travelling, I learn not to take what people say as absolute truth...... Sometimes, the world is full of people who wants to be more than who they are but are not willing to take the risk and put in the effort......





Then we went off to see Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders in the world really late in the evening to catch the sunsetting in the ruins. Was really beautiful! Magnificent but as all ruins goes, it gets a bit boring after awhile. Anyway, immersing in the majestic feel was an experience by itself.




Later in the night, I met up with some people from Norway and Iceland and they were completely funloving and dead drunk by 11 in the night. They had jugs of alcohol in their system but it was totally fun getting to know people and sharing your stories around.

Went around town today with the Norwegian guy Daniel. We wanted to get a feel of the place and get some ration like fruits and water. The place is one whole of a dusty town. I bet you die of inhaling the dust more than if you smoke 20 cigs a day.




Anyway, I dropped in at a volunteer organisation and talk to the pple there. It seems that polio, injuries from the mine during Pol pot time is still a serious problem and they are making prosthetic for the pple, teaching them how to use it. Otherwise, the Cambodians will just use scrap metals from the mines and shells to make their own prosthetics. Trust me, if you need to walk in those, it will hurt like hell.

Went to buy oranges and it cost S$1 for 3. Just down the corner, it cost S$1 for 5. The price just kept changing!

Singapore to Siem Reap

Finally, the first leg of my journey has just began. The start of the trip when from Singapore to Hadyai to Bangkok to Arunyaprathet (Border of Thailand) to Poipet (Border of Cambodia) to Siem Reap. Took 2 days and 2 nights of travelling. With the bus getting smaller and smaller and the rides bumpier and bumpier.

The question of why am I torturing myself travelling alone in such outback countries still pops into my mind now and then. Especially when the stink of body (haven't bathe for 2 days...) and the loneliness that creeps in when I miss my girlfriend, family and friends. I guess its all for the spirit of adventure, freedom and new experiences in life. Not to be bounded by the comforts of the ever safe Singapore.

Anyway, for those of you wishing to travel by the bus route, here is how it goes. Get a bus from Golden Mile Singapore to Hadyai. From Hadyai, get a bus to Bangkok. You will end up in the Southern station. Take a cab that brings you to the Mochim (Northern Bus Station) and from there take a bus at counter 30 to Arunyaprathet. Upon arriving, take a tuktuk (ask for the price first. I forgot to and this one chopped me of 150Bhat) to the border and walk across. Get your passport chopped. After that, you get to see the 7 beautiful casinos at Poipot, the border of Cambodia, amidst the street urchins and the trolley pushes that are willing to push your trolleys all the way for a measly 10Bhat. Hitch on a bus that takes you to the tourist station. You can get a cab for USD 60 (can share with 3 other person) or a bus for USD 10. I took the bus...Ouch... I think I left my spine somewhere on the horrendous road. The journey is like five hours of Thai massage by a wrestler. Viola, Siem Reap.

Finally, here I am in one piece at Siem Reap. I got to know 3 other person in the bus trip from Poipot and we are now bunking in the dormitory together.

Cost USD 1 a night for the dorm!

One America Chinese girl, one Norwegian and one Dutch. The American Chinese has been backpacking alone for about one year plus now. Amazing right! How some people can survive way out of their comfort zone. Anyway, I am resting my tired old bones for a day before venturing into Angkor Wat and posting some nice pics!