Home » Cambodia » Cambodia really is a hard place to leave...

Whilst travelling, I've often sat in awe of travellers that have changed their itineries in order to be lazy, see more, or be with new friends. I usually find it quite difficult to change the plans I've made in my head as the domino effect is too much for my brain. HOWEVER, my time in Cambodia and with the gang I've met in Siem Reap has changed that. What's a weeks' difference within a year of travelling? I'm still learning the ins and outs of maximising the joys of life on the road. Soooooooo, I've not quite spead off to Vietnam and have instead joined Hester on an extended few days in Cambodia.

Cambodia really is a hard place to leave...

Coffeecat
2005-12-24 18:58:04

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for a life to be taken. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to meet Cambodians and see the land before learning the details of their past. Then scars will always be there, but they are slowly regaining their place in the world.

The following morning we shared a moto to the Killing Fields. Although it completes the end of the story of the Cambodians from S21, I didn't see or learn anything that the museum had shown me. Although, I was there. I saw the clothing and bones poking out of various pits within the

grounds. I saw the 8000 skulls arranged by sex and age within the Memorial Stupa. And now it's time for me to move on too.

We walked back into town for a final exploration. The joys of travelling with somebody are emphasized all along the way as Hester and I walked to areas that neither of us would have gone to had the other not been there. Avoiding some of the flash rains, we had a beer and a game of cards at a restaurant on the edge of the reclaimed lands. The waiting staff within the restaurant crowded around our table to watch us compete in yet another game of cards. Are we that amusing to them? A bit of a squeeze on my arm followed by a squeeze on my calf was enough confirmation that they hadn't quite dealt with a big white girl before! Luckily, a lot of laughter kept us smiling even as we walked out the door.

The surrounding area developed into a Cambodian theme park, mostly for children with flying elephants and pop the balloon stands. It then started to change into a place with just a few hammocks hanging. 'Just a few hammocks' doesn't quite
Looking for dolphins
give the right impression actually. Shall I say, 75 hammocks in each section, and there was a row of about 15 sections! The saying, 'Same Same But Different' is used frequently here, and in this situation is would be hard to find the different. Actually, in most Cambodian shops and food stalls, they're all the same same! I think the next Cambodian business person that really does take on the 'different' in their business, should be a raving success.

So that's my second visit to PP, and my final time in Cambodia. It's been filled with snorkelling at the beach, cooking up a yummy storm, historical beauty in the temples, natural wonder with the flooded waters, many laughters over beers and cards, and more of an understanding of a brutal political history affecting the people. My extra time here has allowed me to do an entire loop within the country. Which now makes this country, the first that I feel as though I don't need to see more of right away. For now anyway, as I know there's alot more out there that I want to see.

Onto country number 12: Vietnam. Soon to be followed by Laos, a very brief
Hester taking in the day
stay in Thailand and Singapore, and then Australia and New Zealand. Isn't time flying? I know I'm flying through everything, but time flies too! Thanks for the supportive emails and comments all, it really is what keeps me going!!

-Fiona