You may be saying, "What the heck is she talking about?" Well, in Cambodia, I (and every other tourist lady... I am not that special) am known as lady. And everyone wants to sell something to the rich Westerner, so I am constantly being yelled at. "Hello Lady, you want fish massage. Only $2. Free Beer." For this reason, at first I didn't like Cambodia. I constantly wanted to shout, "No! No! No! Obviously I don't want your tuk tuk!" Also, I didn't like it because I was no longer a special feature or attraction. Parents don't point you out to their children here, unless they want them to come and try to sell me something. So I don't feel as special. But it has been growing on me since that time. Unfortunately, it still isn't any Vietnam.
When we left Vietnam, we took an approximately 6 hour boat ride from a border town to Phnom Penh. We had to stop at the Vietnamese immigration center and check ourselves out of Vietnam. Then we had to stop about 5 minutes later to check ourselves into Cambodia. We got the sweetest Visa for Cambodia.
We spent 3 days in Phnom Penh, where we explored the downtown area, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and obviously some of the clubs. It was the first time I had been clubbing in southeast Asia. It was interesting. Our tuk tuk driver took us to a "last resort" club/disco (We were at one club, but we wanted to try somewhere else. So the tuk tuk driver took us to a pub in the backpacking area, which was closed. Then he took us to the other better disco/club, but that was also closed for some event). It was a huge building with lots of lights. Eric got patted down and was not allowed to bring his camera in. Man! But when we got there, the music was great. Everyone was dancing. We thought, "Oh, just one quick drink and then dancing." Well, about 5 minutes in, the dance floor clears and the live music begins. It was not what we were expecting, nor what we really wanted to be truthful. The Cambodians have different taste in live music apparently, because it was super corny, but we still enjoyed it. We were the only foreign people there, so obviously we enjoyed it.
We then took a 6- or 7-hour boat ride up to Siem Riep. I decided it would be a good idea to sit outside most of the time. I also thought it would be fine if I forgot to apply sunscreen. Guess what? It wasn't fine. I came off that boat looking like a lobster that had just been boiled. Oh goodness, but it has already pretty much disappeared, thank goodness. But then, I fell and scraped my knee. Always something.
Today, we also went to visit the Temple of Doom, Angkor Thom, and Angkor Wat. Amazing, amazing, amazing. But at the Temple of Doom, Sean and I were off exploring. About 15 or 20 minutes into our adventure, we realized that no one else was really where we were. Turns out we were exploring in the "Danger Zone" of the Temple of Doom. And it was dangerous, Sean totally broke his ankle. Well, he didn't break it, but close. He stepped on it wrong and it "hurt." He of course blamed it on me. Then at Angkor Thom, I was exploring on my own and heard Alex and Sean talking. Sean got stung by a scorpion. He also blamed that on me and my "gossip" gods. I thought it was hilarious either way and served him right. Why? Because he kept saying that those things were going to happen to me. But then, I guess I got it served right back when I fell and scraped my knee.
Tomorrow, we are leaving for a floating village, where we will do a homestay. We are constantly on the run, and I am exhausted, hence the above post, which isn't so clever. I am way too tired to think of anything that might actually entertain you. But please read next time anyway!!!!
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| Me and a demon at the entrance of Angkor Thom. I might marry it, but I hear demons don't listen very well. |
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| Eric looks like a warrior, or perhaps a bushwhacker in this photo. Bandanna and hat. Only way to soak up all the sweat apparently. |
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| Angkor Wat. Pretty sweet staircase up to the highest (accessible) part of the temple. |
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| Vietnamese Pagoda. It was in the border town that we stayed in for one night before heading to Phnom Penh. |
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| Red like a lobster!!! Hair like a zombie. Oh my, thank goodness everything can be tamed after a while. |
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| Temple of doom!!!You may recognize it from some movies...guess which ones! |
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