Some Pictures of Cambodia

Sunday 28th February

Now back in Kuala Lumpur. Shall miss Cambodia....we really enjoyed it. Just a few pictures to give a flavour of the place....

Leaving wonderful Cambodia!

Saturday 27th Feb.
In Phonm Penh Airport at the moment just waiting for the plane back to Kuala Lumpur. No time to load pictures but I will try when in Kuala Lumpur.

Friday 26th Feb.
This was another quite amazing day although a bit weird. We hired a Tuk Tuk for the day and he took us to S21 which was an interrogation centre for the Khyner Rouge during 1975-79. It was quite a moving experience to think that so many perished here under torture! They have kept it as it was left. We then went on to the Killing fields at Cheong Ek. This again was just an extra ordinary place. Some of the skulls were displayed and we saw an area where babies and children had been killed it just seemed so unreal to think that all this happened in recent times and with the the people that just don't seem that type. We have found the Cambodian people so friendly and gentle. After spending time here we then went on to have a bite to eat and then tackled the very hot and sweaty Russian Market! Didn't last too long here as the swimming pool beckoned us!
Had a lovely meal in a cafe near the river this evening. then back to the hotel to finish of our Vodka, as Gary didn't want to carry the bottle in his rucksack.

Thursday 25th Feb

Today decided we would explore on foot, I think the Tuk Tuk drivers thought we were mad in the heat! My goodness it is hot and humid. We went to visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. It was really lovely the buildings were just amazing with their shaped roofs. We spent some time just wondering around.
Next we went along the embankment and looked at where the mighty Mekong River flowed and joined Tonle Sap and eventually the Mekong winds its way to Vietnam.
We walked to the Foreign Correspondents Club. This was great as it was still in its colonial decor.
Then it was a walk back towards the hotel, this was interesting with so many little shops that sold just about anything it is such a busy City with motor bikes,Tuk Tuks, cars just going everywhere and anywhere they wanted to!!!!

Moved On!

Tuesday 23rd Feb
Did shopping this morning and while I was haggling Gary arranged a Tuk Tuk to take us to see the floating village. When we arrived at the jetty we found out the prices had gone up so naturally there had to be a bit more haggling (which worked!!). It was really interesting although the river is used so much by so many fast boats that the banks are getting so eroded. It really had a bit of a smell as well! There was a floating police station, clinic, shops, and a school for 250 children. We were taken to the floating restaurant where they kept a few crocodiles although I couldn't see why!
Then it was back to get a cool off in the swimming pool back in the very nice hotel. Best Hotel we have ever stayed in its perfect!

Wednesday 24th

Bus collected us and took us to the bus staion to catch the Mekong Express Coach to Phonm Penh. It took a long 6 hours and was quite hot and tiring but we are here. Hotel is good so far in the dark but there are hords of mossies!!! Just hope the Deet100 works!!!! they are even in my hair!

Cambodia travels

Sat 20th Feb

Up at 3.00am after a good nights sleep in yet another hotel. Flight to Siem Reap was only half full so we had plenty of room to stretch out. Flight was 2 hours it was quite overcast when we arrived but it soon burnt off. The visa control in the fairly new airport was entertaining. Six people stamping various parts of the form, but they were very quick and only cost $20 and they did seem to be enjoying what they were doing! Hotel is excellent and can't fault it at all!!!! feel quite posh for a change! Dirty washing unfortunately can't be hung out on the balcony!!!!

People here are so friendly and polite. Food and shopping is so cheap and loads of it... Found a fighting suit for Ryan and a dress for Tasha , only little Violent to sort out now!

Sun 21st Feb.

Got up to a super breakfast then went for a nice Sunday stroll around the town. Came across a Buddhist Temple and were invited inside, I was a bit apprenhensive as my shoulders weren't covered but they didn't seem to mind. It was a lovely experience and the congregation were so friendly and tried to include us in what was going on.

Carried on to the Old Market and bought more bits! Had a drink in a cafe and watched the world go by!

Mon. 22nd Feb.

Hired a Tuk Tuk and did the Temple trail of Ankor! It was a massive complex and was quite awesome. It was extremly hot!!!!!!! and lots of people but something that we will remember. Relaxed by a pool later on. Just about to go and sample some more food again!

Shamus' Adventures

Wednesday 17th

Just thought I would let you know how they are treating me on this epic journey! I have now traveled by Aeroplane, Train, Bus, Taxi and Ferry boat. All journey's have been good and quite comfy.
Today has been another one of those nice relaxing days on the beach which you will see from the pictures. Food and booze going down well. It is very cheap here and the food is hot and spicy..... very nice. It' s been very hot and today has been humid. Just had a lovely meal of Grilled Tiger Prawns and now it's started to rain and it's thundering and lightening. I have been told that we are moving on again on Friday by bus back to Kuala Lumpur then early Saturday morning flying to Cambodia. I am really looking forward to that. Including a few pictures to show what I have been doing. Will catch up again when in Cambodia..

Just having a terrific thunder storm rain just pelting down but I will be snug in Sue's loaned bag which is looking travel worn...sorry Sue!

From the two travelling Lobsters!

Sunday 14th Feb
Now booked in at the same hotel on Pangkor Island until friday. So lots more relaxing to do as the Island is only quite small. Good beaches and baking weather!! We don't think we have had it this hot anywhere before...
Went for a walk in the jungle but it was too hot and humid to get very far, so we retired to the beach again. It is very busy with lots of people in for the Chinese New Year. Watched a monkey nick a lady's bag of food he ripped it open very quickly ate a bread roll, bag of crisps followed up with a carton of drink .... all she got back was her book!! This happened on the beach right next to us!
Ate in the restaurant attached to our hotel this evening which again was really good food, I had chicken Rendang with is quite spicy, Gary had Nasi Goreng. Having a few beers to wash it down and the bloke who owns a seafood stall who we got talking to on Friday appeared on his bike carrying a plate with Red Snapper and a bowl of Tamarind sauce for us. He said it was spicy and my goodness wasn't it!!!!!!! All for free what a lovely man. Matt you would have loved that dish.
Monday 15th Feburary
God I knew I 'd over dosed on chillies last night! I will say no more but the imodium kicked in quite rapidly.
Quiet day on the beach today as there are still a lot of people about, but we have been told they will thin out tomorrow. A lot of them turned up yesterday without bookings so not sure were they all slept.. We were fine..!!

Kuala Lumpur to Pankor Island

Tues 9th
After going to the Petronas Towers which were amazing we then hit Central Market, and as my feet were sore I suddenly spotted a pool with fish in it and the lady said it was very relaxing and good for your feet to be nibbled by the fish. So I thought why not! But as I have got very ticklish feet it was almost too much to bear I think I was so tense and laughing too much for it to do much good. My feet must have been a real challenge for them as I had a lot more fish than another lady!!
Wed 10th
Walked to the Menara Tower amazing views of city and mountains beyond. Followed this with a cultural show which was okay just! Sue you will be proud as I applied a three day dressing to a bloke from Bournemouth who had been mugged by two guys on a bike for his video camera. he got dragged a bit and gashed his arm.... Walked to yet another shopping mall but didn't stay too long after the air conditioning had done its work.
Thurs 11th
Got up early 6.00am to the Pudarya Bus station and caught the bus to Lumut it was a 5 hour trip good coach and it had a stop half way. Scenery was good with lots of mountains and plantations. Arrived at Lumut and got talking to a woman (tout!) who took us to a tourist booking office. I was a bit suspicious at first but it all worked out fine and got booked in to the WaterFront Resort Hotel for 2 nights Nipah Bay. We were told everywhere was fully booked and we didn't think we would be able to stay any longer. Persistance payed off and we are staying 8 nights now!! Apparently the problem is that it is Chinese New Year and School holidays and weekend thats why everywhere is booked so we are very lucky not to be sleeping in the bus station!!.
Nice beaches here and loads of wild life. Have been feeding wild Hornbills by hand with banana.
Also monkeys living in the jungle just behind the resort.
Food here is very cheap and very good. Last night I was very cheap to keep, I had Nasi Goreng with chicken for 1 pound fifty. Spent the day at Coral Beach which was powdery white sand. Gary collecting bits of coral which he said would be great for the aqarium but I think we would need to much excess baggage!! After one day on the beach we are nicely turning salmon pink.

Greetings from Malaysia!

Hi everyone. We have now arrived in Kuala Lumpur. The Hotel is very good now we have a bigger room, the first one was no bigger than a rabbit hutch! We arrived by plane then caught a coach to KL central station and from there a train to Chinatown. We then walked to the hotel which was an experience after I discovered that my dirty washing was trying to exit through a split in my bag!

Today (Tuesday 9th) we got up early again ( oops Gary did any way) and went to the bus station to get our tickets for the next stage by bus to Lumut then on to Pankor Island. Which will be on Thursday. It cost us 25 rm each (4 pound ) it will take us approx 4 hours, I asked if it would have a loo on board but the two ladies dealing with us just laughed! We then decided to go for a walk and went to Merderka Square and Petronas Towers which were huge! with yet another shopping Mall inside....

This afternoon went to Central Market which was good so many nice things that I could have bought for Tasha, Violet and even Ryan might be in luck with a Ninja suit!

Food here is fantastic and very cheap in fact we are going for more cheapness now to be washed down with the local brew . Just for my mum I'm not becoming an alcoholic! I might have just water....ha ha....

Singapore

Arrived safely and on time. First Impressions .....huge buildings,very clean,well ordered and polite people, a real youngsters paradise! We think you need quite a bit of money here as it is quite expensive. Hotel is fine.

Day 1. woke up very early must be jet lag! decided to go for a walk at 5.00am. Very few people about, so it was great to be able to see everything at our leisure. Got down to Chinatown and through the Colonial district before breakfast. After breakfast we jumped on a bus to the Botanical Gardens....got off a bit sooner than we should have!! So had to walk a mile before we got there. Shamus was knackered!! Lovely place spoiled by european under employed female joggers and power walkers!!! Mum would have loved the national Orchid garden.

Day 2. Got up early again! investigated Little India area bit more down market than the central area, but quite a bit cheaper. Afternoon at Fort Canning Park and Clarke Quay. Good curry in the evening back at Little India followed by a few beers in an alley!

Day 3. Oops woke up early yet again! Legs feel much better today just a shame about the blisters. Still no bites. not seen a mossie at all. Yet!! Caught the train down to the Harbour front and esplanade, mooched around for a while and then went for drinks at the Boat Quay. On way back went into Raffles City Mall, which was very nice with entertainment by five chinese drummers.

Packed & Ready for Asia !

After deciding to re-check, re-pack. I chucked out 4 tee shirts, one pair of shorts, and one pair of trousers, I am now finished and ready for the first stage to Arborfield!!

I am well under weight which is surprising due to the extensive pill bag! Might have enough for six months let alone 1 month. Oh well I'm sure some of will be used. So the first stage will be Arborfield , Berkshire. Then on to Singapore followed by Malaysia, Cambodia, back to Malaysia, Singapore then back home. Hopefully I will be able to write in this blog site in various places and let you know where and what we have been up to.