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A much overdue update to our blog! We are currently in Chou Doc as it is good place to cross the border into Cambodia. We are booked onto a boat first thing in the morning that will go all the way up to Phnom Penh. Reckon we'll be in Cambodia for about 2 weeks and should be in Laos in time for Christmas.
Yesterday was quite an interesting day starting with the ferry from Pho Quoc Island back to the mainland at Rach Ghia. Once at Rach Ghia we were told that the last bus to Chou Doc had already left so it was a rush in cab to get a bus from out of town. The bus we got was a local "Xe On"and quite an expereince. No chickens as fellow passengers but it could easily of happened! Three local older women who were on the bus with us for a while were quite fascinated by my skin, eyes and my nose of all things. I had quite a full conversation with them in the end, even though we didn't speak each others languages!
There was a bit of confusion when everyone had to change buses half way, we couldn't even work out for sure where we actually were. By the time we got to Chaou Doc it was 9pm and we had nowhere booked to stay.Not a problem when the sight of a westener with a backpack brings out the local pedalo drivers who want to help you find a hotel. With little choice we ended up at the nearest place and had our worst room of the trip so far. Just goes to show you get what you pay for but even at $5 I am not prepared to share with a large cockroach. He was quite determined but Neil got him flushed down the toilet in the end! Using my silk sleeping bag made me feel a bit better. Needless to say we had moved to a new hotel by 9 a.m and have the relative luxury that $12 can buy you for tonight.
Food in Vietnam has been a mixed experience. The hot pot, where you cook fresh ingredients in a heated stock over a burner has been wonderful and a food highlight. Some days there has been very littel choice for non-meat eaters and although I do eat some fish I've found that the smell of the fish sauce turns my stomach. A chilled fresh coconut, with just enough of a hole for your straw to go in has been a saving on some days and we are both missing good coffee. All good fun and a diet of fish and rice to look forward to in Cambodia!
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