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Michelle O'Riordan takes a year from rowing and travels the world. Part VII - 15th June 2003.

Michelle's Grand Tour (part VII)

Michelle O'Riordan
2006-03-12 13:03:01

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Hello everyone! Its been a while since I last emailed and you must be wondering whether I have been lost in the depths of Cambodia....I can safely say that I survived (just!) and am emailing from the island of Koh Paghnan off the east coast of Thailand...it is post 'Full Moon' party today and the island is quieter than ususal....for those who don't know, Koh Paghnan's Full Moon parties have become legendary with DJ's coming from all over to play. It is a big beach party where some 5,000 people descend onto a stretch of beach and party from sunset to sunrise...

Before I begin, I just wanted to say thank you for all the emails people have been sending..I do read all of them and love hearing about what is going on in leafy England...I try to respond to as many of them as I can but don't be miffed if you don't get a reply every time, there's just not enough time in the day!

Arriving in Cambodia from Bangkok was quite an eye-opener...it makes Thailand actually seem like a rich country. There were children begging everywhere..its was very sad to see but we were told to stay away from them as they can pickpocket you.

Cambodians are very pretty people..especialy the children - it is hard to ignore them...they have such big eyes and beautiful faces. I really liked the atmosphere in Cambodia...people are very friendly and laid back..they don't harrass you or try to swindle you unlike some of the Thais we have experienced!

The bus to Siem Reap from the border was one to remember! We had been warned that the road (dirt track actually) was bad and it certainly lived up to the hype! I kept dosing off only to be woken by my head cracking the window every time we went into a pot hole...ouch. I don't know how the bus survives going up and down that track every day!

On our first day in Siem Reap we visited a Landmine Museum. It is run by volunteers and was founded ...