Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
We left Phnom Penh to start our journey to our home stay in Chambok which was approximately 3 hours drive. We do return to Phnom Penh after a couple of days in Sihanoukville. The place we're staying at is right in the back end of nowhere in the countryside of Cambodia. The village was badly affected by landmines during the war but after the government moved the entire village away whilst they de-mined it before moving them back again. The people at the village were extremely friendly and the children were running up to you saying "hello, hello".
We first dropped our bags off at our room (7 people/room - 2 houses) before going for dinner at the community village hall. The houses were constructed of wood and were built above the ground on stilts which i suppose helps during rainy season. The house i stayed at the room was very simple in design having several windows but having no air con, fan or power. There were 4 mattresses between 7 people so it was a no brainer that we were going to have to share a mattress with someone...the mattress had probably seen better days too. Each mattress had its own mozzie net to ensure that you weren't eaten alive by biting insects. The owners of house gave us a guided tour of there garden which was great as it looked like they were living off their land which i always find fascinating. Typically they were growing rice but they also had tamarind and lemon grass, as well as the usual animals such as cows, ducks and chickens.
After the guide tour we headed for dinner at the village hall and watched some local kids put on some traditional dancing. I was going to give the people at the home stay some of my Kendal mint cake but it had melted due to the heat so i didn't bother, probably a good thing, I didn't know if it would go down too well. For dinner we had fresh chicken curry, I know it was fresh because a lad drove past on his moped with it strapped to his bike, and also noodles and rice. Following dinner we headed back to the home stay and got ready for the nights sleep, of which i failed miserably in. First of all it was too hot, sweat was literally running of me so much that actually I feel sorry to for the next person who has to sleep on that mattress. Also I must have had the room resident gecko situated above my head and every time I was just about to nod off it kept on making peculiar grunting noises. The temperature finally cooled down around 4am and I thought nice one i can get some sleep and then the entire rooster population in the village starting giving some, so in the end I just gave in and had very little sleep. Speaking to everyone on the trip in the morning I think I wasn't the only one.
Morning rose and i literally had to peel my face and body from the mattress before going for breakfast at the community village hall. Following breakfast we were to be going on a small trek to see a waterfall nearby to the village. The trek was only a 6km walk but it was mostly uphill and of rocky terrain, which I suppose is typical if you want to see a waterfall, but overall it was a good walk if not a little too hot for walking up hills. As it is dry season the waterfall was not in full flow so it wasn't as spectacular as it would be if we were to see it in the wet season. I was quite concerned about dehydration and drank my 2 litres of water before I made it to the top with the added joy of having no water for the return journey. The walk did bring actually bring some deja vu of my times in Oz and made me realise that I need to stop putting 100% Deet bug spray on my face. Not only do you look like have given yourself a coat of Ronseal clear varnish, but the stuff burns and when your forehead starts sweating it just runs into your eyes causing more discomfort. We returned from the walk back to the community village where I had several drinks too make sure I was sorted before leaving for Sihanoukville.
I do really like these homestays that these tour company's do as they do give you an insight into local life and they make you realise how lucky you are living in the uk.
- comments
Katrina No way could I share a bed with a stranger. I bet the mattress was minging, "hell no"
stevennokes It was ok, he has been my room mate in the entire so ok. But you're right the mattress was about 2" thick and had seen better days. We were also given a furry pillow, just what you need when it's hot
Ralph Soapbox hmmmmmm... We have more money in the UK but the people you're meeting seem happier and freindlier and probably are.
stevennokes Very true Ralph