Hi Mum,
This is just a quick message to wish you a happy birthday. I tried calling you but nobody answered the phone. I was going to call back but I don't think I'll be able to because we are heading out in an hour to catch Angkor Wat for sunset and it will be too late when we get back.
As you've probably gathered we are in Cambodia. We spent two days in Phnom Penh seeing the sights (both good and bad) and eating and drinking lots. Jackie has now taken over typing to elaborate a little more. Seeing the sights - The first stop was the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum which was very overwhelming and tragic. I wont say too much about it but you can ask us when we get back if you like. Then it was a tuk tuk ride out to the Killing Fields. Thankfully they have left this very simple and it didn't have a nasty touristy feel. It was sort of understated, it was simply just a whole lot of excavated ditches with a memorial stupa in front housing the skulls of the victims of the Pol Pot regime. The height of this building is almost too much to take in. After returning to city we went to the National Museum which was full of early Angkor sculpture. That afternoon we took a break, perhaps to recover ourselves a little, and relaxed in the gardens of an old French villa. There is a stark contrast between the grandeur of the Palace, the happy smiling faces and these charming colonial buildings, and the horrifying past, the war torn beggars and the despate shoe shine boys on the street. This is a place which I think we wont forget. The next day we did a quick trip to the palace and a long walking tour past markets and shopping malls (there's that strange contrast again) and finally returned to our french villa for cocktails and wedges.
Today it was an early morning and a not so bad bus trip to Siem Reap. On arriving here we found our last hotel had sold our name to another hotel and there was someone waiting for us with Brett's name on a sign. We craftily dodged him and got a free ride to the hotel we wanted. It has the not very ironic name of Popular. Now as Brett said we are making an evening stop at Ankor Wat so we must be going.
And by the way - our flight is scheduled to land at 9:20PM on Sunday evening at Tullamarine Airport. - Thanks Mum. (Says Brett)
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4 comments:
Hey guys,
Sounds like Cambodia is very interesting. We're in Vang Vieng, and wont be getting there till the 10th.
The contrast is something that comforts/haunts you throughout South East Asia I think. I mean, Laos is the most bombed place on earth. Wouldn't know it by talking to the locals. I'm sure Cambodia takes this even further.
great to hear you are having such a great time.
see you both soon
Dean
hi darling ones. Mum here. Thanks for the catch-up. Sad to read of the tragic and horrifying events that have scarred this country. Words cannot express the attrocities and truths that happened over there. You are brave to venture there and to be willing to be exposed to such vivid and obvious violence perpetrated at the hands of humans. My heart goes out to the people of Cambodia and all that they have endured. There is no prayer that can heal them and I dare not even try. As you move around Cambodia may you know our love with you and may those around you know your love with them. Peace be with you both. love always, Mum and Olivia xoxoxo
Hopefully you guys can finish your holiday on a happy note, like half decent food on the planes.
Luke.
hi guys, Olivia got your email, thanks, she's written back, so check it. How was the train trip or was it a bus. You'll be wearry after that long trip. Are you still in Cambodia. Hope you're getting lots of pictures. Hope we can see them soon and hear some of your stories and highlights (unedited) Good Night. It is only 10.38pm on Olivia's birthday. We went to se Deja Vu - good movie. Then had coffee and cake with a candle on it and sang Happy Birthday quietly in the cafe. A great day and great presents and good friends to share it with. Bye, lots of love Mum and Olivia
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