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Hello again,
After some relaxing days in Mui Ne in Vietnam (where we last wrote the blog I believe) we got a bus to Saigon where we spent an afternoon/evening only before we got on a very scary propeller flight to paradise; Phu Quoc. In Saigon we had time only for the war museum and of course our big-city-dinner-treat, a pleasant habit we've taken up lately. Basically, we treat ourselves to a stylish, yummy and well-over-our-budget dinner as soon as we get to a big city. We truly deserve this.
Phu Quoc though, aahhhh, probably served up the best dinner ever. The place was called Sand Restaurant and was located about 30m from our beach bungalow. Just before sunset the tables and chairs came out on the sand, 2m from the water, and the big bbq was lit up. And then, once you've had a sip of your 35p beer you go up and point to what you want cooked, brilliant, and very tasty! Had a lovely time in Phu Quoc, where we also had time for some snorkeling and 3 days in an "earth bungalow", with a very interesting open bathroom at the back, at honeymoon resort Mango Bay. The reason we only stayed 3 days was not because they kicked us out or that it was too romantic, but we accidentally saw a copy of our bill...:)
Sunbathing, beer in the sunset, cooling off in the sea/pool/cold-water jacuzzi (oh yes!) has been the deal of the last 3 weeks. It's been tough but we've managed.
After a week and a bit on paradise island we crossed the border Cambodia, where Chris had to pay $1 on failing to produce a vaccination card. No one could explain what kind of vaccination that was required and neither did he get an injection but $1 less we got on the bus to Sihanouk Ville and some more beaching. The bus broke down 3 times during the 4 hours drive there but the driver/mechanic didn't think this was anything to bother about. Life in Sihanouk Ville was very similar to life on Phu Quoc/Mui Ne except that all restaurants had $3 bbq and 50c beer :)
We spent about 5 days on Serendipity beach and one on the allegedly most beautiful beach, Otres. Otres was indeed pretty, white sand and very quiet, so quiet in fact we had difficulties getting dinner in the evening! In the morning the following day Chris thought we should build a dam for the tide. I sympathetically helped out for a bit and then took photos when it was being washed away... Anyway, during the construction work we were, unknown to us at the time, bitten by over 100 sand flies each. Yes, we have counted. And it's crazy, they still itch 8 days later! Hence, we fled back to Serendipity beach as soon as we could!
One difference between beach life in Cambodia and Vietnam though is that people are poorer (as expected) and there are so many children, teenagers, old and handicapped people that are begging or selling bracelets, offering massage etc. Even if you wanted 25 massages in one afternoon it would just be weird. Bless them.
The kids in Siem Reap, where we are now, have a special tactic. They ask where you're from and then bombard you with facts about you country that we hardly know ourselves! Or, "if I tell you the capital of Sweden you buy 10 bracelets". Clever :)
Siem Reap is a nice little town with a river, a night market, Pub street and The alley with loads of restaurants and bars and of course; is located 6 km from Angkor Wat and the other old temples. We rented bikes two days ago and braved the 38degC for old stone buildings that nature has infiltrated (Ta Phrom) and the big Angkor Wat that was typically under restoration and hence covered in green safety net...sigh... But it was all in all very impressive. The only downside was that after looking forward to the cold jacuzzi for 8 hours it started pi**ing down on the way home, so typical!
Also stayed 3 days in Phnom Penh on the way here from Sihanouk Ville. We went to the S21 prison where up to 10000 people suffered torture and imprisonment under the Khmer Rouge and also to the Killing Fields where all the above except 7 where executed and buried in mass graves. Truly horrific history. Luckily it's over now and the country seem to be recovering. We also visited the Royal Palace, where a clever man is making a fortune outside selling t-shirts to not properly dressed people, and also had time for a few big-city-dinner-treats :)
Speaking about treats, yesterday we had a cookery class Khmer food and stuffed our faces with fresh springrolls, spicy shrimp salad, tom yam soup and khmer style chicken, mmmmm :)
In the evening Chris had a fish massage (see pictures) and would you believe it, not less than three fish died during the 15 mins Chris's feet were in the water! Overeating? poisioning? who knows...
- comments
Chris Cooper That brings back some memories!!
Helena Did you go and had a "happy pizza"?