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So I haven't had such a good week. The day after i updated my blog my motorbikes engine exploded as i was driving at speed and i had an expensive journey home with a hire bike that had a hole in the engine as big as my fist. It was rather disappointing not to make it around cambodia's central lake as i had planned and when i returned it, the shop tried to get me to pay for half of the engine.
My guide for the day, managed to convince him otherwise and i left paying just 7 days hire before leaving the capital for the "killing fields". This is where the extremeist leader Pol Pot killed hundreds of thousands of intelectuals in order to produce a pure breed of people who would work solely for him. This extreme group of people lead by Pol Pot were called Khmer Rouge, and they also had a prison called S-21, famous for holding, interogating and torturing people before they were taken to the killing fields. After seeing both places and being shocked at how this could happen as recently as 30 years ago, I visited the Royal Palace to lift my spirits.The architecture here in cambodia is quite impressive and a nice change from the doom and gloom that is Vietnam. There is lots of colour, even in private houses, and the palace looks like it is made from gold. Although this is in stark contrast to some areas in Cambodia I do think it sets a good example for the common people who i hope use it as inspiration and hope for a better life for all. Where as in Vietnam, everything was ugly and depressing, here there are things to admire, and that makes it nice for traveling, and one thing i appreciate are the traditional wooden huts people live in in the countryside, rather than the concrete buildings that reak of poverty in Vietnam. You might be, at this point, getting the idea i am much more happier here in Cambodia :-)
As i returned to my hotel that evening, i bumped into all my friends from Siem Reap who i would have missed if i had continued on my bike. They were all intrigued as to why i was there and were supportive as i told them the reason. I ended up joining them for an evening out in Phnom Penh before i made my way down to the coast yesterday with them.
By the time we spontaneously got off the bus at an earlier stop than our final destination, we ran out of time to find a tv that was showing the final F1 race of the season. I ended up glued to a computer in an internet cafe slowly getting updates regards the progress of the race. It was possibly the lowest point of my trip as there was no need to get off the bus early and i made it quite clear to my travel buddies that my only stipulation was that we would find a tv that was playing the race. Needless to say we did not anticipate the local tv's here lacking the channel it was being played on and I nearly cried as i realised i was going to miss the start. At very least though, it makes for a good story and i was able to follow what seemed like a rather boring race well enough to feel as though i didnt miss everything. I am after all, (look away if you haven't heard the result now) happy that Alonso didn't win and hopefully this will make vettel mature into a consistent driver for the future. Red bull really deserve it and i will just have to watch the race when i return home in little less than a month! I was also pleased to see Button finish a good season right behing his team mate, confirming it wasn't just a good car that made him world champion last year.
So, i have mainly chilled out at our hotel today. We are staying in a place called "tree tops"and it has a series of tree houses and traditional bamboo huts to sleep in. I have spent most of the day snoozing in a hammock listening to my music, and for the first time on my travels i felt like i was running out of time. I guess I am finally settling into the rythm of traveling but am unsure how i will finish my journey. I guess i will follow the coast south, through Thailand and make it to bangkok in time for my flight home. So beach time is ahead and we are off to a small island tomorrow called "rabbit island" for some sun bathing and snorkling. That is of course if the weather picks up as it has been mainly overcast with short brilliant bursts of sun light. It has been raining this evening and now we have some amazing thunder and lightning to entertain us. It is quite atmospheric here now as we shelter in the hotels communal area, and i look forward to a chilled evening with good food, games and stories.
Lots of love to all and pictures will follow shortly :-)
- comments
Dad & Mum Hi, as I said in my e-mail to you, make sure you decide what you MUST see before you leave and allow enough time to see it properly. No more bikes now, huh? Enjoy the sun and the beaches, 'cos it's soggy and cold here, autumn passed in a puff of wind!! Take good care of yourself, Lots of love M & D x x
Rachel Hello!!! I've been following you!! Not in a bad way! Can't wait to hear all the things you can't write on your blog!! Take care Rachel and the rest x x x x