After a long needed sleep we woke to the expected heat and humidity that Cambodia has to offer. After visiting the markets which was a very different experience we visited the NFO kids and what was unique about the experience was the interaction with the kids through sport. We participated in a makeshift soccer tournament and it was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. It was amazing to see what little these children needed to be happy it was a very eye opening. The sheer excitement on our arrival made it very easy for us to feel comfortable around then.
This was followed by a lovely Cambodian lunch which was incredibly tasty! Clara and I managed to be late for this even after we were late for breakfast. We then rode our bikes around the town visiting many monasteries along the way and although it seemed to go forever and it took a serious toll on our legs and bums it was interesting and fun.
At the end of a night after a great dinner we went for our nightly meeting, it was here that Natalie gave out the hero and most awkward moment. The hero award went to Jaddi who's trudged on for kilometers with a broken bike. The most awkward moment went to Jimmy who during the soccer match ran up to Natalie claiming that he had blood on his leg and he didn't know where it came from only to find out that it was betadine.
It was a truly amazing day!
Megan
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Day 1 in Cambodia
Our first day, we've landed in Cambodia in Phnom Penh relieved to have a chance to explore and experience the culture and people who live here. On a day with scorching temperatures as well as heavy rainfall, we noticed lots of differences in comparison to Perth. Drivers in Cambodia not only just drive on the right hand side of the road, they tend to use the middle and left hand side just as much! The general friendliness of the locals was really comforting! All of this came to us as a surprise, the general vibe the group got when on the bus making our way to Takeo was one of really shock and horror. For me personally I felt this was my first glimpse of poverty and I realised how fortunate we are to live in a first world country like Australia.
So after 12 hours on a plane and in a bus we arrived at our hotel! We had a much needed lunch, with chicken, beef, different spices and rice. After that we walked a few kilometres to get our bikes to where Natalie awards the heroes of the day and the most awkward moment of the day. Clara and India's heroic performance of walking two bikes back to the hotel was admirable and for this they were awarded the heroes of the day. The most awkward moment was awarded to myself, for reinforcing that guys can't multi-task! I was unable to pull two bikes at once, so I rode off only to slip over and get a graze on my knee... After having a couple of hours to ourselves we had dinner outside a swamp, personally my favourite meal so far! Salt & pepper squid, fish, soup and rice was a good way to end the day!
Harry
So after 12 hours on a plane and in a bus we arrived at our hotel! We had a much needed lunch, with chicken, beef, different spices and rice. After that we walked a few kilometres to get our bikes to where Natalie awards the heroes of the day and the most awkward moment of the day. Clara and India's heroic performance of walking two bikes back to the hotel was admirable and for this they were awarded the heroes of the day. The most awkward moment was awarded to myself, for reinforcing that guys can't multi-task! I was unable to pull two bikes at once, so I rode off only to slip over and get a graze on my knee... After having a couple of hours to ourselves we had dinner outside a swamp, personally my favourite meal so far! Salt & pepper squid, fish, soup and rice was a good way to end the day!
Harry
Monday, 7 July 2014
The Blog
We seem to be having technical difficulties with sending off our blogs. We are not sure if it's volume, the terrible service or my operating system. They are all written and hopefully will be up soon...Lynne
Lynne- Sent from my iPad
Lynne- Sent from my iPad
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Our first experience of Cambodia- take 2
Our first day, we've landed in Cambodia in Phnom Penh relieved to have a chance to explore and experience the culture and people who live here. On a day with scorching temperatures as well as heavy rainfall, we noticed lots of differences in comparison to Perth. Drivers in Cambodia not only just drive on the right hand side of the road, they tend to use the middle and left hand side just as much! The general friendliness of the locals was really comforting! All of this came to us as a surprise, the general vibe the group got when on the bus making our way to Takeo was one of really shock and horror. For me personally I felt this was my first glimpse of poverty and I realised how fortunate we are to live in a first world country like Australia.
So after 12 hours on a plane and in a bus we arrived at our hotel! We had a much needed lunch, with chicken, beef, different spices and rice. After that we walked a few kilometres to get our bikes to where Natalie awards the heroes of the day and the most awkward moment of the day. Clara and India's heroic performance of walking two bikes back to the hotel was admirable and for this they were awarded the heroes of the day. The most awkward moment was awarded to myself, for reinforcing that guys can't multi-task! I was unable to pull two bikes at once, so I rode off only to slip over and get a graze on my knee... After having a couple of hours to ourselves we had dinner outside a swamp, personally my favourite meal so far! Salt & pepper squid, fish, soup and rice was a good way to end the day!
Harry
So after 12 hours on a plane and in a bus we arrived at our hotel! We had a much needed lunch, with chicken, beef, different spices and rice. After that we walked a few kilometres to get our bikes to where Natalie awards the heroes of the day and the most awkward moment of the day. Clara and India's heroic performance of walking two bikes back to the hotel was admirable and for this they were awarded the heroes of the day. The most awkward moment was awarded to myself, for reinforcing that guys can't multi-task! I was unable to pull two bikes at once, so I rode off only to slip over and get a graze on my knee... After having a couple of hours to ourselves we had dinner outside a swamp, personally my favourite meal so far! Salt & pepper squid, fish, soup and rice was a good way to end the day!
Harry
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Friday, 20 June 2014
2014 Lawley-NFO Tour
The days are slipping away quickly, the donations are ready, the jigsaw of packing is underway. We are excited about this new trip to Cambodia. Our enthusiasm is high and we are looking forward to preparing our new NFO school at "Big Po". Lots of donations are needed for our new school classroom, items are coming in slowly but surely, which is very exciting. We hope to have photos on our blog as soon as we begin the process of transformation from run down community room to a functioning English classroom.
Lynne- Sent from my iPad
Lynne- Sent from my iPad
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)