Debbie does...round the world
7th Oct 2006PhnomPenh - where do I start..... Well I have to say the last 36 hours have been an experience from feeling extremely overwhelmed to getting into the travel groove. Flew Silk Air from Singapore to Phnom Penh - here after PP vis Siem Reap. Airline was fantastic and would recommend it to anyone. Had 40 minutes at Siem Reap (NW Cambobia) airport - was tunning - recently rebuilt of local natural timber but modern as well - so pleased I got to see it. Also had a hissy fit in my head at the stupid woman at Auckland airport who somehow managed to get me a seat in the middle of plane - window when I asked for aisle back of plane - however all was forgiven very quickly when I had the most amazing views over Cambodia that you could possibly want. Met an interesting Aussie woman on the plane - worked for an NGO working with street women and children for the last year. She shared a taxi with me in PP itself - halfway thru I wondered if I was being stupid but she seemed to know her stuff. PP - first impression was the dust and the poverty -bit overwhelming. 29 degrees - not too bad. Got to the hotel - on the riverfront but my room overlooked the other way. Air conditioning didn`t seem to make the room any cooler - maybe a couple of degrees thats all - settled in and decided to orientate myself - big mistake - the noise, the smells, feeling tired, my inability to get a break in traffic to cross the road - cars and motorbikes everywhere - got round the block and decided to give up. Spent the rest of late afternoon enclosed in my stifling room watching bad Australian US soaps - didn`t even venture out for tea. Had a 10 hour sleep overnight and today am feeling on top of things. Breakfast - walked thru a casino of all things to get there - black coffee as couldn`t find milk and a fried egg as didn`t understand what they were asking.....toast with strawberry jam - yummy. Two Aussie women came to my rescue and sat with me - they had just finished the exact same tour I am starting and they were absolutely buzzing about how fantastic it had been. One had fallen over and dislocated her kneecap and was managing on crutches. Made me feel a lot better about what I`m doing -contrary to my superconfident exterior I do wonder what on earth I am doing sometimes. Cleaned out my room to move to another shared room - looks like there are 4 x single women. In the new room overlooking the river the air conditioning is working better - yahhhh. Took my first tuktuk ride to the National Museum - beggars and booksellers outside and young kids. Had left Jen`s Lonely Planet guide at home at the last minute - got here and regretted it but I was sold one for $6us - was told I would be able to get one for $3-5 but as usual bargaining isn`t one of my strengths as I feel sorry for everyone. Managed to escape all yje others with the help of my tuktuk driver who shooed everyone else away. Into the National Museum - very pleasant -got told off for not paying $1us for the privilege to take photos outside however there were no signs anywhere. My tuktuk driver still outside waiting for me so he brought me here to the internet cafe - a lovely one - fans, new computers - will come back here. Then on to Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda which doesn`t open until 1430 and then meeting the two Aussies from breakfast at a restaurant /cafe called Friends -set upto employ street kids and teach them various skills to then go on and work elsewhere. Meeting the tour group tonight at 1800 - all 12 people and will probably meet my room mate at some stage - all I know is called Elizabeth and from the UK. Well will sign off here - all well and happy
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