Mozzeenet

Sitting in Mum’s loungeroom in her apartment in Bangkok on the 18th floor. Skyscrapers and buildings as far as the eye can see through a murky haze.

Have had a week off and been travelling around a bit - staying here with Mum for 3 days which has been enjoyable.

We went on a river cruise last night with an amazing dinner of seafood and other delicious thai dishes - I was rather full by the end of it. It was very nice - one fo the old rice barges done up with wooden decorations.

It was a gorgous view of some of the temples along the river including the impressive Wat Arun or Temple of the Dawn all lit up - it is in Cambodian style with a tall tower.

Also interesting were the royal barges which we saw berthed at two locations, used for ceremonies - they were amazing, long gold-decorated, wooden boats with a covered seat in the middle where the royal personage sits. The boats have ornate carvings at either end and are brightly coloured.

Yesterday I just wandered around the streets near where Mum lives - she is central near Sukhimvit Rd in soi running off it. It is a 5 minute moto ride to the closest BTS skytrain station. It was interesting - I had lunch in a roadside restaurant of Papaya salad and grilled chicken - yum. The flavours and combinations are sensational.

Today I spent most of the day out at the weekend market. It is HUGE - goes on and on forever. I bought a fair bit of stuff - clothes, a bag, hat and running shoes (2nd-hand). It is very crowded and my feet are now rather sore from all the walking. You could find just about anything at that market from Siamese fighting fish to American Indian feather head-dresses to hair dye. That reminds me - I saw a few places yesterday where you can get a marriage registration in 20 minutes!

Bangkok is chic compared to PP, very developed. Most people in the city appear to be fairly well-off in comparison - there’s not the same desperation to get a “sale”. In fact, most of the time salespeople don’t hassle customers at all. It is a nice change.

Tomorrow I head back to PP. Earlier in the week, Sonia, Ana and I headed down to Kep in Kampot province - it was fantastic, so peaceful and quiet. We stayed at The Verandah, some wooden bungalows nestled up in the hills above the town amongst the jungle, very natural.

Electricity is only on for a couple of hours a night there. It is so relaxing - the sunsets are beautiful from the hammocks on the balcony.

On Monday, we went out to Rabbit Island for the day, just swimming and lazing in hammocks. It was bliss - had fresh fish and rice for lunch. The water is warm and fishing boats dot the horizon with coconut palms for shade.

Tuesday we just relaxed then went our separate ways because I was headed overland to Thailand. I stayed that night in Sihanoukville after a 3 hour taxi drive. The road is red clay part of the way from Kep to Kompong Som, pretty bumopy. Flat tire at the end of it.

Next day I headed off from Sihanoukville by ferry to Koh Kong, the border town. At first I was a little scared on the ferry because it was a bit bumpy and it was tipping to one side. The ticket man assured me it was quite normal. It evened out after a while - quite claustrophobic down there - the windows are not able to be opened and they close the door. Still, I think it would be pretty rough up on the roof.

At Koh Kong (3.5 hours later) there was a swarm of moto drivers, taxis and pick-up trucks to meet the ferry. I caught a moto to the border crossing at Had Lek and went through the formalities.

Soon I was in Thailand and found a moto to catch to Khlong Yai. It was a lovely drive thorugh green hills, trees and the sun going down over the seas and islands to one side. Enjoyed that. From the town, I caught a mini-van to Trat - about 45 minutes and succeeded to find a good guesthouse after a few setbacks and a bit of searching. There were the usual touts, the first one I saw was pretty dodgy - blue patterned lino throughout and the price of the room stuck up onto the room door.

I wanted a room with bathroom attached - every GH owner told me I would not find that at any other GH but of course I did. The one I settled on was pleasant, close to the centre and very friendly.

Dinner was noodles, chicken and vegetable stirfry in the night market. Then bed early and the next day, a bit of time-killing before catching the 12pm bus for a 5.5 hr journey to Bangkok (boring built-up highway).

I had wanted to go to Koh Chang down near Trat, an island which is reportedly less touristy than other Thai islands but arrival times didn’t fit in with my plan so in the end, most of the overland trip was really just a lot of travelling. Might have been better just to go back to PP and fly. Never mind - saw a few different parts.

Has been a fantastic week off - and preparing for the last intense stint at WMC over the new few weeks.

Ruth e xx
Miss Phnomer in Cambodia