ourselves in the marvels of the temples, we took a 5 hour boat trip down the Mekong River to Phnom Phen, the Capital of Cambodia. The boat ride was beautiful. We passed "Floating Villages"Another crazy city! Very busy, very polluted, very populated....but very beautiful. The water front was beautiful, with the asian style architecture, parks, restaurants...and ELEPHANTS walking down the sidewalks with their keepers. We stayed in the ''Lakeside'' region. Our guest house was directly on a lake, with a lakeside patio, with lounge chairs and a restaurant. As nice as the lakeside view was, we only stayed there one night...because our room was infested with Cockroaches (who came out only at night!). During our days in Phnom Phen, we went to a few markets. They are huge, with so much to buy (always bargaining...I hate haggling!). Unfortunately, there are also a lot of children, mothers with newborns and disabled people begging for money. This has definetly been the hardest part of my trip so far...seeing the extreme poverty, and not being able to help. You just cannot give to everyone. We've been told that it is ''better'' to give to children/disabled people that are selling things (like books or postcards) because then they don't become 'dependent' on begging for money. We've also given a few children some food..so I've been picking and choosing who to 'help' and feeling overwhelmingly guilty when I have to say "No thank you" or "I'm sorry'
We also visited the ROYAL PALACE and the Silver Pagoda...incredible buildings. All gold, and beautiful structures/budah's. The Silver Pagoda houses the Emerald Budha, definetly worth it!
Our last night in Phnom Phen, we had another "creature"problem. A mouse (well, size of a rat) running around our room....discusting!
We are now in Shinokville, the southern coast of Cambodia for some Beach Time! We've opted for a more expensive room...so hopefully NO CREATURES!! Unfortunately, it's been POURING RAIN all day. It hasn't let up AT ALL...not even a light drizzle....so hopefully we'll get to enjoy some sun (or at least NO RAIN)
Will write again soon!!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Day 1-5
Hi!!
So much has happened since I arrived in Bangkok...after 34 hours of travelling. Julie and CP met me at the Bangkok airport, and we spent the night at Jamie and Sarah's (friends from school). Bangkok is a crazy city. It's massive, never quiet, quite polluted...but very beautiful. Skyscrapers and tall condo's stretch for miles, among the poverty. On Saturday, Julie, Cp and I went to the weekend market. It was unbelievable. we were only there for 3 hours, and probably didn't see 1/8 of the entire market. It's sort of like a Flea Market...but much busier, much nicer things, bargaining everywhere...We'll definitely be heading back at some point.
Sunday, we took a 13 hour bus to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The "road" to get to Cambodia and all the way through until the city, is potholed, dusty, rough and completely unpaved. The reason the road is so bad, is because Thai Airlines paid the Cambodian Government $ to NOT pave the road. That way, people are more inclined to fly to and from Cambodia, instead of the long bus trip.
The small villages alongside this main road were poverty stricken.very sad. once in Siem Reap, it's a whole new world. It's a beautiful city, mixed with poverty and riches. It has some 'french' feel, and the french have done a lot for the city and temples. It is way smaller than Bangkok, with no skyscrapers. The people so far are fantastic and very helpful. and the food...oh my god...amazing! Last night I had a Pumpkin and Coconut Soup with Chicken for 2.00, and it was to die for! The heat, however, is not to die for...we're all roasting...and don't care too much that our showers in the hostels are not hot water! We wouldn't use it anyway!
We've been staying at guest Houses or Hostels, for no more than $6 a night, split b/c the 3 of us. Yesterday and Today, we've been on a guided tour (a young man who has a private tour guide business) through the Angkor Wat Temple and other surrounding temples. I can only describe them as breathtaking. Overwhelmingly breathtaking. When I get a chance, I will upload some pictures. I'm thrilled to be starting my trip on such a high note (except for the bus ride!). The very sad part, is the children begging and pleading for money...or to sell any souvenir they can. They live within the Temple gates, in small villages...so at every gate entrance or exit, they're all over the place. They are adorable...and know just what to say to get you to buy anything from them. Apparently they only do half days at school, so the other half they are working for their parents. We're heading to Phnom Phen on Thursday, for a few days. Then South, to the coast for 4 or5 days.
I will write again soon!!
So much has happened since I arrived in Bangkok...after 34 hours of travelling. Julie and CP met me at the Bangkok airport, and we spent the night at Jamie and Sarah's (friends from school). Bangkok is a crazy city. It's massive, never quiet, quite polluted...but very beautiful. Skyscrapers and tall condo's stretch for miles, among the poverty. On Saturday, Julie, Cp and I went to the weekend market. It was unbelievable. we were only there for 3 hours, and probably didn't see 1/8 of the entire market. It's sort of like a Flea Market...but much busier, much nicer things, bargaining everywhere...We'll definitely be heading back at some point.
Sunday, we took a 13 hour bus to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The "road" to get to Cambodia and all the way through until the city, is potholed, dusty, rough and completely unpaved. The reason the road is so bad, is because Thai Airlines paid the Cambodian Government $ to NOT pave the road. That way, people are more inclined to fly to and from Cambodia, instead of the long bus trip.
The small villages alongside this main road were poverty stricken.very sad. once in Siem Reap, it's a whole new world. It's a beautiful city, mixed with poverty and riches. It has some 'french' feel, and the french have done a lot for the city and temples. It is way smaller than Bangkok, with no skyscrapers. The people so far are fantastic and very helpful. and the food...oh my god...amazing! Last night I had a Pumpkin and Coconut Soup with Chicken for 2.00, and it was to die for! The heat, however, is not to die for...we're all roasting...and don't care too much that our showers in the hostels are not hot water! We wouldn't use it anyway!
We've been staying at guest Houses or Hostels, for no more than $6 a night, split b/c the 3 of us. Yesterday and Today, we've been on a guided tour (a young man who has a private tour guide business) through the Angkor Wat Temple and other surrounding temples. I can only describe them as breathtaking. Overwhelmingly breathtaking. When I get a chance, I will upload some pictures. I'm thrilled to be starting my trip on such a high note (except for the bus ride!). The very sad part, is the children begging and pleading for money...or to sell any souvenir they can. They live within the Temple gates, in small villages...so at every gate entrance or exit, they're all over the place. They are adorable...and know just what to say to get you to buy anything from them. Apparently they only do half days at school, so the other half they are working for their parents. We're heading to Phnom Phen on Thursday, for a few days. Then South, to the coast for 4 or5 days.
I will write again soon!!
Friday, September 14, 2007
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