Isaac on the last day in Takeo

 Today we up for breakfast as per usual, unfortunately a few of our group were sick, the symptoms of which were horrible enough to make anyone feel sick. Today would be the day we say goodbye to the kids and none of us were in a rush to do so.  But we went anyway and hung out until lunch, which was had at the centre.

On our return to the orphanage later on, many of took on the role of distracting the kids while Brandon and Lynne filled up 150 water balloons to be used later on.  The distractions turned into a big lucky dip in which everyone was given two free prizes.

Brandon and I strategically placed the many water balloons on the upper level of the main building in preparation for the water bomb fight. Soon after, we had Lynne gather the kids in the open area in front of the upper porch. The massive water fight then began. The water bomb’s did not last very long so many resorted to the use of plastic bags and oversized bowl’s to soak each other with, the highlight of the conflict was when Brandon used a huge bowl (used to carry all 150 water bomb’s) full of water to drench Lynne Noack, she then had went home to dry off and change.  After the excitement of the fight had finished, many of us decided to play either soccer or chasey in the playground.

After a big group photo and a skipping competition, we performed the huge hokey pokey with the kids. This was very lively and some of the adults got a bit worried someone would get hurt. (nobody got hurt)

The extensive and emotional goodbyes that followed the hokey pokey lasted quite a while, and when we finally left the gates we all wanted to go back to see them again, and I am sure some of us one day will.

Photos are coming

We have nearly 5,000 photos - all of which have a great deal of meaning. Too many to post but they will all be available to the tour participants by the end of week 1, term 3 - most likely on 2 DVDs. Showing of photos will be in SS4 later this week. Look out for the notices. Laugh and cry together....

The journey home

Today we had two choices of how to spend our morning, to wake up early in order to go to the markets at 7am or the more popular choice of sleeping in, packing or just relaxing at the hotel. At 10:30 we set off for the airport, all very excited to come home to our family and friends.
The flight to Kuala Lumpur went smoothly and the time seemed to just fly by. When we arrived we all went in our separate ways to shop around and get refreshments and within an hour and a half we were all heading to our last flight, the one that would take us home. By the time we took off the sun was setting giving the right side of the plane an impeccable view.
We are currently on our way back to Perth and have 5 hours till we arrive with nothing but one laptop, one iPad and our iPods to keep us entertained.


-Megan

Temples anyone?

Day 14 21st of July


Today we had a reasonable sleep in compared to yesterday but we were out the door by 8.30, on our way to Ta Prohm. After a quick trip in the mini bus we arrived at our destination. The temple was made famous because Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie was filmed there. When we got there it was a small walk through the jungle to the main part, which is covered in moss and old trees growing through the buildings. Ta Prohm was very overwhelming because it was so secluded in the jungle. After taking many photos and exploring it we were off to another temple.

The drive between temples was beautiful because of the jungle and the architecture. We arrived at Takeo temple feeling nostalgic for the orphanage. The temple was amazing because we had to climb very steep steps to reach the top but the view was worth it. The carvings and details on the rocks were mesmerizing. After admiring the view we had to climb back down and go to lunch, so it was back into the mini bus. After a short trip we were back in the city and we went to the small restaurant where we had lunch. The place was quite small and it took a while for everyone's food to come. So long in fact that Jamie, Brandon and Isaac decided to eat chillies that were so hot Jamie had to stuff his face with rice.

After lunch we went back to the hotel for an afternoon nap so we were refreshed for our next outing. Feeling refreshed we piled into the mini bus and traveled to the museum. Whilst there we learned more about the temples we had seen and the Cambodia culture. Then we went back to My Home to get ready for dinner. That night we went to the Cambodian barbecue where we chose our meals of chicken, crocodile, beef and snake and then cooked it ourselves at the table. It was an odd experience but it was quite cool when you got the hang of it.

After dinner it was off to the night markets for some serious haggling and souvenir shopping. After the long day we had it was off the sleep and rest for the next day.

Hollie Gibbons

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Our first day in Siem Reap

Day 13, Wednesday 20th July

This morning, after a long awaited rest we were up at the crack of dawn in the hotel lobby, all in preparation for a viewing of Angkor Wat's world renowned sunrise. Sleepy eyed, we all managed to clamber into the bus and make our way to the historic temple complex.

Unfortunately for us, our passes required photo identification (This was four o'clock in the morning)

After the security process, ours and many other tour buses drove towards the temple. We sat and waited for the sun to rise ... we waited ... and waited. After a while, we were getting quite annoyed as we were up at this insane time in the morning, only to have intense cloud cover ruin the display. However, Lynne assured us that the usual sunrise is breathtaking, and that she would show us photos of her last visit. (Still doesn't make up for the 4 o'clock start!)

After a much needed breakfast of fresh bread and fruit, we began exploring the temple. The temple of Angkor Wat, a centuries year old complex is an astounding experience, mainly as a result of the visual presence, impact, the history and all of the ornate and intricate carvings located throughout. Highlights of the tour included, being blessed by a Monk, climbing the main central tower and observing the stories told through the carvings which surround the temple.

Once we had commenced our tour of the Angkor Wat temple complex, we continued onto another temple, a little further out, named Bayon. Here at Bayon, much like the temple of Angkor Wat, it is thick with history and intricate carvings. We climbed to the central tower, which is topped by an impressive four faced figure carved from stone. Once we were drenched with sweat and had cherry red faces we got back on the bus and were greeted with refreshing air conditioning.

After our tour of the second temple, a lucky four of us travelled via tuk-tuk back to the hotel ... In a tropical rain downpour. However, I must admit the refreshing rain was a change from sweltering humidity.

We went out for dinner that night in a nice little restaurant in the heart of Siem Reap. Once we had had our dinner, we continued onto the night markets (where many of us picked up some amazing bargains), then at long last back to the hotel.

We all slept extremely well that night ... Most likely due to the 4:00 a.m. start.

David Parker

Location:Siem Reap, Cambodia

Our Last Day

Our 16 day whirlwind tour of Cambodia has all but come to an end. We have done everything possible, particularly yesterday. Our day began on the bus and tuktuk at 8am.

We went off to a local orphanage in the jungle where the kids are taught a great deal but particularly painting and dancing. These children are in the care of an Australian lady from Melbourne and a Khmer man (and his wife) who was separated from his family in 1975 at the age of 5. When he was able to make his way back to Phnom Penh in 1979, he was wandering the streets and a surviving Uncle recognised him, took him in and educated him. When an adult, he decided to help other children on the street, believing his rescue meant he had to repay society. He began the Orphanage we visited. The children learn art and sell their paintings at Ta Prohm temple, where we met our first young person from this orphanage. We were touched by the children, their gentle demeanor, their dancing skills and their art gallery. Naturally we bought art-the only way they are able to support themselves.

Next off to a Palm Sugar village, we watched the process of making palm sugar, had a talk of the various uses for all parts of the tree/vine, ate palm sugar sweets, bought and continued on our way. Next stop was the fantastic "Bantey Shrey" temple. This is further out than most temples and was built in the ninth century of pink sandstone. The decorations are beautiful, although the temple itself quite small. Lunch was at a local restaurant near the jungle - an amazingly small price negotiated by our ever present saviour - Chong Ang. As a tuktuk driver he is great, as a translator he is fabulous and as a person he is wonderful.

Then off to the Land Mine Museum. This was fantastic, an American living here for the last few years helps the Khmer man who established it when he began his self styled 'de-mining' process some years ago. He has been removing and blowing up land mines around the Siem Reap region for many years. We were not lucky enough to meet him this week, as he was in Phnom Penh on a land mine course. In the process of helping the villages he also found many children, victims of land mines without arms, legs, feet etc.. They started another orphanage for these victims. They are helped with adjusting to society, prosthetics, learning a trade and in some cases helping with 'de-mining'. They have just set up a scholarship fund and hope to have their first young girl go through to uni next year with a scholarship. The talk we had was absolutely fantastic, he was engaging, entertaining and passionate about helping the Khmer victims in this region. He and his wife sold up everything in the states and moved here to work for at least 2 years. His description was great, but very sad and intense.

It was here we thought - too tired now, back to the hotel before our farewell dinner....but Chong Ang had other ideas and before we knew it we were heading to the Silk Farm....to die for silks! The credit cards got a work out here - no bargain hunting here, just indulgence...oh well its only once.

The 8 hour trip

Our day began with an early rise, quick breakfast, last minute packing And then we all piled into the mini bus which would transport us from Takeo to Siem Reap. The bus ride was scheduled to be 8 hours with 2 stops. Our first stop was at a fruit and vegetable market about 2.5 hours out of Takeo. Here we were bombarded with locals trying to sell us everything form dragon fruit to cockroaches. We stayed at the markets for about 15 minutes - enough time for all of us to grab an ice-cream and for most of us to try some spider. Despite the taste (fury teriyaki) the experience was well worth it - and now we can all say we have eaten spider. We then drove for another 4 hours before stopping off for lunch. Here we ate at a lovely restaurant overlooking a lake with water buffalo in it. We ordered a few dishes and then shared them all, it was our first taste of "sour soup" a traditional Khmer dish that involves fish (or chicken) and vegetables cooked in broth and then served with rice. After lunch we had another 1.5 hours in the bus. Needless to say we were all very relieved when we pulled up outside the hotel we would be spending the next 4 nights in. After settling in we went for a walk down the main street and ate dinner at one of the restaurants about a 15 minute walk from the hotel This was a lovely restaurant with great food and very friendly staff. After dinner we had a quick look around the night markets across the road and then walked back home all very tired and ready for bed.

-Kirsten

Location:The bus