We flew to Bogota, the capital of Colombia. From there we got a taxi to the bus terminal, and aboard we got on to yet another 9 hour bus journey. It was a long journey, even though the distance to Armenia isnt far, the roads are in awful condition so it was a very windy journey!
We met up with Juliana, Oscars sister and her boyfriend Andres-We were staying in their apartment for 5 days. ´
The next day we went to meet Oscars family and his other half sister who was leaving that day to go on holiday. We went to Oscars parents house to chill out and meet the many pets they own! Then we headed to the restaurant in the centre which they own, and had a free menu to choose whichever beers and food we wanted...dream! All of the family are just so friendly and lovely. And none of them speak english, so it was a great way for me to practice. James is even learning quite a bit too.
That afternoon we went to explore around the local towns in the Area, one being Finlandia-which is very Colombian..people sitting outside drinking the famous coffee, brightly coloured houses, horses and carriages. We went up to the highest point to overlook everything. Armenia is very green and hillly, so it was an amazing view. That evening we went to stay the night in a friends mansion (which the dad is currently looking after) and we watched Colombia has talent and drank Arguardiente (the local bottle of spirit which you drink casually with the family by having shots with water after)!
We visited a coffee farm today to see how the process of coffee takes place in Colombia. Coffee is considered the best in the world here, so its a massive part of the culture. Unfortunatley the whole tour was in spanish so James didnt understand much, so i had to translate as best as I could. It was really interesting though, and we got to pick the coffee beans ourselves! We also tried on the traditional outfits worn in the farms used to pick coffee...i think the girls enjoyed that bit more than the boys. Poor old James didnt really know what was happening, especially when the boys had to get up and dance-a hilarious sight to see J not having a clue what was going on! Included in the tour was a traditional lunch of rice and beans with roasted banana...very yummy.That evening we went out into the town to lots of bars with Juliana and Andres. We went to a fun bar where you have to wear hats to take shots, and some drinks come served on fire!
Next day we walked around the town, buying presents and had some coffee and some traditional sweet bread that they love here. Its just great being with locals, trying all the food and drink out and being shown around. That afternoon we ate a big soup with the parents and chilled at their house. James by this point was becoming a bit fed up of the language barrier, as it was hard to communicate with everyone. But somehow he got by!
The last day was spent driving to a lovely town about 1 hour away called Salento. We looked around the town and walked right to the top of the hill to have a look over the area. There were lots of little boutique shops with lots of sombreros, coffees, touristy goods to buy. Juliana and I bought sombreros. For lunch we ate the typical food of the town, called Trucha (Trout with huge fried banana chips). It was delicious. That afternoon we visited Cocora, well known for having 100 metre tall wax palm trees (please google!) - the most beautiful sight ever, as theyre hidden in the mountains with the clouds low down. We went horse riding around the mountains and lakes, it was just stunning. James horse was not very obedient and it kept going really fast! I also nearly fell off mine because we went into a tree and I had to duck suddenly! Slightly dangerous experience, as the trail was very slippy and very up and down...it looked very difficult for the horses!
On the last morning we were suppose to be going White water rafting but it had been raing and it was too dangerous. So we spent the morning at the restaurant with the family speaking spanish of course!
After an action packed week we had no time to write this blog!
However it was an incredible 5 days and experience, definatelty one to remember.
xxxx
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
From Bocas to Panama City
The last day trip we went on in Panama was to the Starfish Beach (Playa de las estrellas). It was the most beautiful place. Its where huge bright orange starfish lie on the shores of the sea, and you can just swim around them. It was amazing. We spent the day at the beach drinking cocktails made from fresh fruit, by a local rasta man!
The next day we headed to Panama City - It was a horrible 10 hour bus journey in the night, as I felt really ill during it and spent a lot of the time in the toilet feeling very sick. I think it was because I took my malaria tablets without food inside me, as your suppose to take them with a meal. But James slept like a baby the whole time! Typical!
We checked into our hostel, an old castle flowing with lots of backpackers exploring the city too. We walked around the Casco Viejo to explore and get to know the town, and after we headed to the Panama Canal. The Canal is the only place which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans together. We vistited the museum there, and it was really interesting. Each ship or boat which passed through the canal is charged 100,000 dollars! This money goes towards the contruction and maintenence of the Canal. A huge industry for the country.
The next day we headed to the airport to get our first flight to Bogota.
xx
The next day we headed to Panama City - It was a horrible 10 hour bus journey in the night, as I felt really ill during it and spent a lot of the time in the toilet feeling very sick. I think it was because I took my malaria tablets without food inside me, as your suppose to take them with a meal. But James slept like a baby the whole time! Typical!
We checked into our hostel, an old castle flowing with lots of backpackers exploring the city too. We walked around the Casco Viejo to explore and get to know the town, and after we headed to the Panama Canal. The Canal is the only place which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans together. We vistited the museum there, and it was really interesting. Each ship or boat which passed through the canal is charged 100,000 dollars! This money goes towards the contruction and maintenence of the Canal. A huge industry for the country.
The next day we headed to the airport to get our first flight to Bogota.
xx
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Panama - Bocas Del Toro
Off we headed to our fourth country of travels, Panama :)
The last night in CR we decided to sleep the night in the international airport (we were flying from a tiny airport about 15 minutes away, but it didnt open until 4am). Surpringly we both slept a few hours on the floor, and there were quite a few other young people doing the same thing as us! We got a taxi at 4am to the other airport, to check in for our flight to Bocas. The plane was so small! Only fit about 15 people in, but there was only like 10 people flying out. It was like a private jet, the windows were huge, it was a really strange but cool experience.
We arrived in Bocas at 8.30am, Panama time. Bocas is this small town, part of an Island called Colon. The town itself has an awesome atmosphere-chilled out, lots of African Carribean people retire here, as well as Panamanian locals and expats too - not very touristy which is nice. Its one main street with shops, restaurants etc, with people just riding around on bicycles every day, sometimes 2 or 3 people on one bike! Very safe place too which is good. Next to the main street is the sea, where you can get watertaxis, boats etc to anywhere you want on the nearby islands for just a few dollars.
The first day we visited Red Frog Beach. It was a 15 minute boat ride, with just us two and the driver. Beautiful scenery and ridiculously hot weather (we both got a bit burnt this day, despite loading on the suncream!). We arrived at this little port run by locals. You walk around the island, between trees and greenery till you arrive at the beach. The beach is by far the most amazing beach weve been to since weve been travelling. Bright white sand and the sea is completely see-through. The sort of beach you see on a postcard! On the beach its known for its tiny strawberry dotty coloured frogs which hop along the back of the sand. We didn't manage to spot any in the morning. Then after lunch a group of 3 local children came up to us with these banana leafs, and in them were a couple of these tiny frogs! They were very sweet, and the children were so excited to have found them. We gave them a dollar each which they were v pleased with!
After a not so comfy nights sleep in our dorm (my bed is so high up i keep hitting my head on the ceiling!), we got up early and scoffed down our free pancakes for breakfast. We decided to hire some retro bikes to cycle around the island with. I got a bright pink one, and james a flurouest green! It was only like 6 dollars, 4 quid for the day. We cycled for about an hour, alongside the carribean sea and through little local villages. We found this secluded beach called Playa Bluff. Pretty much had the whole stretch of beach to ourselves, so we relaxed there for the whole day reading our books and going swiming. Then cycled back home. The people we met en route were so friendly, often locals will stop and wave or shout 'Buenas' (hi). Even the policeman beeped and waved! The people are definately a bit more friendly than in Costa Rica.
Its been raining all day today so were having a quiet one at the hostel.
Much love
xx
The last night in CR we decided to sleep the night in the international airport (we were flying from a tiny airport about 15 minutes away, but it didnt open until 4am). Surpringly we both slept a few hours on the floor, and there were quite a few other young people doing the same thing as us! We got a taxi at 4am to the other airport, to check in for our flight to Bocas. The plane was so small! Only fit about 15 people in, but there was only like 10 people flying out. It was like a private jet, the windows were huge, it was a really strange but cool experience.
We arrived in Bocas at 8.30am, Panama time. Bocas is this small town, part of an Island called Colon. The town itself has an awesome atmosphere-chilled out, lots of African Carribean people retire here, as well as Panamanian locals and expats too - not very touristy which is nice. Its one main street with shops, restaurants etc, with people just riding around on bicycles every day, sometimes 2 or 3 people on one bike! Very safe place too which is good. Next to the main street is the sea, where you can get watertaxis, boats etc to anywhere you want on the nearby islands for just a few dollars.
The first day we visited Red Frog Beach. It was a 15 minute boat ride, with just us two and the driver. Beautiful scenery and ridiculously hot weather (we both got a bit burnt this day, despite loading on the suncream!). We arrived at this little port run by locals. You walk around the island, between trees and greenery till you arrive at the beach. The beach is by far the most amazing beach weve been to since weve been travelling. Bright white sand and the sea is completely see-through. The sort of beach you see on a postcard! On the beach its known for its tiny strawberry dotty coloured frogs which hop along the back of the sand. We didn't manage to spot any in the morning. Then after lunch a group of 3 local children came up to us with these banana leafs, and in them were a couple of these tiny frogs! They were very sweet, and the children were so excited to have found them. We gave them a dollar each which they were v pleased with!
After a not so comfy nights sleep in our dorm (my bed is so high up i keep hitting my head on the ceiling!), we got up early and scoffed down our free pancakes for breakfast. We decided to hire some retro bikes to cycle around the island with. I got a bright pink one, and james a flurouest green! It was only like 6 dollars, 4 quid for the day. We cycled for about an hour, alongside the carribean sea and through little local villages. We found this secluded beach called Playa Bluff. Pretty much had the whole stretch of beach to ourselves, so we relaxed there for the whole day reading our books and going swiming. Then cycled back home. The people we met en route were so friendly, often locals will stop and wave or shout 'Buenas' (hi). Even the policeman beeped and waved! The people are definately a bit more friendly than in Costa Rica.
Its been raining all day today so were having a quiet one at the hostel.
Much love
xx
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Last few days in CR
We went on a little boat trip from Montezuma to Jaco on Monday. It took 1 hour and we got drenched! It was only a small boat with about 20 people on but the waves kept splashing overboard! Half way through the journey we spotted some sea turtles swimming around-they were so big and their little heads were popping over the water. Then about 10 mins later there were about 20 dolphins swimming around the boat....they were gorgeous.
´
From Jaco we went staight to Quepos. Its not the prettiest of towns! Bit dirty and lots of locals who kind of stare down at you. But you have to stay here because staying near the national park is VERY overpriced. On Wednesday we took a 15 minute bus to the National Park called Manuel Antonio, one of the most popular places to visit here. Its basically a whole line of stunning beaches surrounded by greenery with loads of different species of animals living there. We managed to see a sloth (they sleep 23 hours a day so we were v lucky to spot one awake) and of course more monkeys. The monkeys were hilarious. They were everywhere on the beach and they kept going into peoples bags and stealing things as some stupid tourists left all their bags unattended with food in, which the monkeys stole in no time! But its really dangeous for them to eat human food as they can become very violent. We also saw racoons running around us, and these huge scary iguanas.
Pretty good few days. But amongst this week we had a bit of rain! And the whole towns water system kept going down so we couldnt have showers/flush toilets etc! Quite frustrating.
Tomorrow we fly at 6.30am to Panama. Our last stop in Central America.
Adios
xx
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Beach times in CR
The next destination was called Mal Pais which we absolutely loved. The beach here is just so
beautiful and there was a big surf competition here and a miss bikini
contest of latin america (james idea to go) so we decided to stay there
for a whole week instead of 3 days!
For the
first 3 nights we stayed here in a place called Cuesta Arriba. We
stayed in dorms of 4 beds. Really cool and sociable place. The first
night we stayed with a couple from Switzerland
who were both nice and we went to dinner with them down the road but they left early the next morning. The second
day though we stayed with 2 really nice girls, one from canada and one
from switzerland who were travelling together and ended up spending lots of time with them by the pool etc. The beach there was so long, and the
waves were MASSIVE! loads of amazing surfers here. Weve both tried to have a
swim but mostly got drowned to shore by the big waves and looked like beached whales!! Lots of hippy people here with long dreadlocks. Because
of the tourism too there quite a lot of drugs. Weve been offered them a
few times but people arent pushy-you just have to say ´no gracias¨ and
its ok.
The
next 3 nights we stayed in a hostel which we randomly came across on
the side of the road, as all the other others were full. It was a very strange place. All very relaxed and
its owned by an Isralien guy called Gingi and the place is called Casa de Gingi! We realised a lot of the people
around us in our rooms were speaking some strange language which we
guessed might be german. Later that
evening we discovered everyone staying there is from Israel too! So random so we feel a bit simps being there! Last night we went to cook
pasta with veg and after we cooked it we
realised there were no plates left...error! so we had to eat out of a
saucepan on the floor of our little pokey room with forks. We both
agreed this represented quite a LOW point of our trip here!!! haha. To cheer
ourselves up we went to the shop to buy some chocolate, came back to
the hostel and outside the room next to us was this massive group of Israelians all singing religious songs in their religious clothing and hats and all
stood around a big feast of food. It did explain where all the plates had gone as there were about 12 plates there!!! The following evening we even got roped into trying some Isralian food and coffee which they cooked for us!
We headed 30 minutes east along the coast to a place called Montezuma. Small laidback beach town surrounded by palm trees. The place we had booked to stay was SO nice. Our favourite hostel in CR by far. Its in the middle of the jungle, and it all has a really quirky design. Also above our room there is these trees full of cashew nut fruits. The monkeys absolutely love these fruits and swing above our room everyday eating the juices from them. James loved being surrounded by cashew nuts too!!! :p We also saw a mummy monkey carrying its baby on its back. Some amazing photos of that. We also saw these weird aardvarks running around outside our room, and ant eater animals too. Very natural experience!
The next couple of days we spend relaxing on the beach and chatting to friends from the hostel. We also discovered this amazing waterfall which we spend two days there! There are actually 3 waterfalls but we went to the second one, the biggest. You can swim infront of it and jump off the rocks. A few other people were there, some locals who were jumping about 60ft up from the fall...crazy!
The last night here we went out to the only club in town as they had a big Reggae night, so we went with some German friends and danced the night away with some Imperial Beers. Were leaving on Monday and off to a National Park called Manuel Antonio for our last 5 days of CR. We are certainly looking forward to our next adventure in Panama next Sunday.
Ciao for nowww xxx
Sunday, 4 March 2012
First 10 days in Costa Rica
After 3 long flights stopping off at Taipai and LA we eventually arrived in San Jose. Feeling surprisingly chirpy we met up with our shuttle service and headed to our backpackers hostel. It was so strange being in a Spanish speaking country and experiencing a whole different culture within just 2 days of travelling. After settling into our room we started to feel really ill. James had been feeling very poorly the night before our first flight, and I think we both has caught it by now. We pretty much spent 2 days catching up with our sleep and getting over the jetlagg.
Day 2 we hopped in a taxi to the bus station, as apparently you pretty much should avoid walking around San Jose due to drug and theft problems. Our taxi man seemed really nice and I was practising my Spanish with him the whole way. He told us to stop off at the ATM because where we were headed only dealt with local currency, not dollars. Stupidly we believed him and off we trotted to get out money. We got back in the car and after 20 minute ride (being told it was only 5 minutes away) we were started to freak out a little. We arrived at the bus station with relief. He told us the wrong time and said to run to catch our bus else we would miss it. He basically took a wad of colones the local currency from James hand and said that was the amount. Not really working out the currency conversion we said thanks and went to catch our bus. Later we discovered he took about 60 dollars. Bad start!
After a rather depressing 4 hour windy local bus journey, we were en route to our first stop. La Fortuna. This was a beautiful area which the town looked over Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in the world. We stayed in a tent with a double bed in for 4 nights. However for most the time there we had picked up colds/chest infections. We now realise it probs wasn´t the best idea to fly across the world and not rest properly! However we did have a memorable day whilst staying there. We headed to somewhere called Baldi Hot Springs. It was set right below the volcano surrounding greenery and rocks and there were about 20 different pools of mostly hot and warm temperature. It was divine!! We spend the day chilling there and we discovered some of the most dangerous water slides ever! Photo evidence to follow...
That evening we ended up at this local bull fighting festival and fare. It was full of local families coming to watch this traditional sport. It was really good fun and so spanish.
After La fortuna we headed to Monteverde Cloud Forest. We decided to arrive in style...by horseback! It was the most amazing experience. We got a minibus from our hostel which looks after your bags and takes you to this boat. The boat drives you 15 mins away to this rainforest in the middle of nowhere. There was 2 really sweet Peruvian men there awaiting with 2 dogs and 8 horses for the 8 people in our group! We got on our horses and rode for 3 hours amongst the greenery. Alongside was beautiful views of the Lake Arenal and the volcano in the background. It was perfect weather (unlike the previous few days where we had rain). James managed to not fall off the horse, which I think in itself is a win! After arriving at the minibus with very sore but now toned bums and legs we got back on the minibus which drove us straight to our next hostel.
Monteverde is a gorgeous place, I recommend googleing it to see how stunning it is! We stayed in a tiny hostel with a lovely costa rican family who we often chatted to. The activity we did whilst staying in this place was Extreme Canopy. Mother I do NOT recommend reading this part! haha. It was the scariest experience of my life. It has 15 ziplines, some as long as 1km. The views were really nice overlooking the cloud forests. But oh my word you are so high up and the harnesses really didn´t seem that safe! One part was this tarzan swing where you literally jump off this platform into mid air and throw yourself until your harness kicks in and your swinging high up into the trees. I was screaming so hard and the guys working there had to literally push me to do it! Thats not the worst of it...James was crying! (Ok so I joke! He was surpringly relaxed!) The last zipline you do for 1km horizontally with your arms out like Superman and your only attached to the wire above you by your harness on your back. That was so scary I only enjoyed it once I had landed the other end! We made friends with a really nice Canadian couple that day, and because we didnt take our cameras they are going to send us the pictures so you will get an idea of the experience!
After 3 nights stay there we got a private shuttle with these 2 rather loud American lads we met and headed to Tamarindo where I am typing this from now. Its a place which contains what´s described as ´gringos´ or to us, Americans on holiday looking for sun surf and drugs. Its a touristy built up place but the beach is pretty nice, but its not really our scene. We are also finding getting around CR is pretty pricey so were budgeting here by not eating out and getting supermarket food to cook in our communal kitchen. We are heading to Mal Pais in 2 days then Manuel Antonio (which is supposed to be stunning). Thats about all the news.
Pura Vida, as they always say out here!
xxxx
Day 2 we hopped in a taxi to the bus station, as apparently you pretty much should avoid walking around San Jose due to drug and theft problems. Our taxi man seemed really nice and I was practising my Spanish with him the whole way. He told us to stop off at the ATM because where we were headed only dealt with local currency, not dollars. Stupidly we believed him and off we trotted to get out money. We got back in the car and after 20 minute ride (being told it was only 5 minutes away) we were started to freak out a little. We arrived at the bus station with relief. He told us the wrong time and said to run to catch our bus else we would miss it. He basically took a wad of colones the local currency from James hand and said that was the amount. Not really working out the currency conversion we said thanks and went to catch our bus. Later we discovered he took about 60 dollars. Bad start!
After a rather depressing 4 hour windy local bus journey, we were en route to our first stop. La Fortuna. This was a beautiful area which the town looked over Arenal Volcano, the most active volcano in the world. We stayed in a tent with a double bed in for 4 nights. However for most the time there we had picked up colds/chest infections. We now realise it probs wasn´t the best idea to fly across the world and not rest properly! However we did have a memorable day whilst staying there. We headed to somewhere called Baldi Hot Springs. It was set right below the volcano surrounding greenery and rocks and there were about 20 different pools of mostly hot and warm temperature. It was divine!! We spend the day chilling there and we discovered some of the most dangerous water slides ever! Photo evidence to follow...
That evening we ended up at this local bull fighting festival and fare. It was full of local families coming to watch this traditional sport. It was really good fun and so spanish.
After La fortuna we headed to Monteverde Cloud Forest. We decided to arrive in style...by horseback! It was the most amazing experience. We got a minibus from our hostel which looks after your bags and takes you to this boat. The boat drives you 15 mins away to this rainforest in the middle of nowhere. There was 2 really sweet Peruvian men there awaiting with 2 dogs and 8 horses for the 8 people in our group! We got on our horses and rode for 3 hours amongst the greenery. Alongside was beautiful views of the Lake Arenal and the volcano in the background. It was perfect weather (unlike the previous few days where we had rain). James managed to not fall off the horse, which I think in itself is a win! After arriving at the minibus with very sore but now toned bums and legs we got back on the minibus which drove us straight to our next hostel.
Monteverde is a gorgeous place, I recommend googleing it to see how stunning it is! We stayed in a tiny hostel with a lovely costa rican family who we often chatted to. The activity we did whilst staying in this place was Extreme Canopy. Mother I do NOT recommend reading this part! haha. It was the scariest experience of my life. It has 15 ziplines, some as long as 1km. The views were really nice overlooking the cloud forests. But oh my word you are so high up and the harnesses really didn´t seem that safe! One part was this tarzan swing where you literally jump off this platform into mid air and throw yourself until your harness kicks in and your swinging high up into the trees. I was screaming so hard and the guys working there had to literally push me to do it! Thats not the worst of it...James was crying! (Ok so I joke! He was surpringly relaxed!) The last zipline you do for 1km horizontally with your arms out like Superman and your only attached to the wire above you by your harness on your back. That was so scary I only enjoyed it once I had landed the other end! We made friends with a really nice Canadian couple that day, and because we didnt take our cameras they are going to send us the pictures so you will get an idea of the experience!
After 3 nights stay there we got a private shuttle with these 2 rather loud American lads we met and headed to Tamarindo where I am typing this from now. Its a place which contains what´s described as ´gringos´ or to us, Americans on holiday looking for sun surf and drugs. Its a touristy built up place but the beach is pretty nice, but its not really our scene. We are also finding getting around CR is pretty pricey so were budgeting here by not eating out and getting supermarket food to cook in our communal kitchen. We are heading to Mal Pais in 2 days then Manuel Antonio (which is supposed to be stunning). Thats about all the news.
Pura Vida, as they always say out here!
xxxx
Saturday, 3 March 2012
8 days in Cambodia
After an hours flight from Bangkok, we had arrived in Phnom Penh. Chris was there on his moped to greet me and James and we got on a tuktuk to our hotel. Such a different feel to the place than Thailand. Much more poverty and hardly any tourists. We definately got a few stares from the locals for being so blonde and pasty skinned!
That evening we checked into our hotel and met Emma and Oscar for dinner. They had just come back from a few days on the coast of Cambodia. The next day we headed to Siem Riep. Chris James and myself took the cheaper option by 6 hour bus, while Em and Osc took the boat to cram in some extra tanning time on deck! We explored the local town that evening and checked into our hostel. One thing we had noticed were how friendly and welcoming the people were there, even more so than in Thailand. We met up with a couple of Chris´ friends that evening and went for drinks and Oscar had a fish massage!
The next day we explored the temples. We hired a tuktuk and driver called Tan for the whole day for like 5 dollars each. Such a good service and we loved him! We even treated him to lunch, he couldnt believe his luck!! Angkor Wat was absolutely beautiful, but so were the other temples too. It was so much fun walking around them but it got ridiculously hot and dirty. My white top had turned brown in a few hours! Tan was waiting keenily outside each temple for us and took us around. We spotted monkeys and elephants en route too. At the end of the day me Em James and Osc went elephant trekking up to the last temple. It was amazing! Stunning views over Ankor Wat and the river in the distance. Then we lost Chris en route back down the hill so chilled out in the tuktuk with some beers whilst watching tan and the other tuktuk drivers play this traditional cambodian game where you kick a springy shuttlecock around! That evening we headed into the town and the famous ´Pub Street´ where we always seemed to end up every night! We ate on a busy side street and had a hot grill where you cook your own food on your table, all very traditional. Me and Em also got a pedicure and footscrub/massge for like 7 dollars..dreamy after a day in the temples!
We visited a crockodile farm this next morning. Some japanese guy attempted to jump in and nearly got attacked! There was also a crocodile skin shop full of merchanise made from their skin which we went to after and it all felt a bit strange and wrong! That evening after dinner the 4 of us went to this called bar called Island Bar and drank cocktails and had Sheesha whilst chatting to the locals. We invited the bartender out after the bar shut. He took us to this local club called Hiphip club which was hilarious. Very odd atmopshere in there compared to an English nightclub. All very respecful, noone drinking too much. It was good fun and we had a dance to some khmer music and western tunes too!
We got the 6 hour bus back together, feeling slightly worse for ware after our late evening. After a huge nap back in our hotel in P.P we met up with my Uncle Mike and his parter Ian. We went to the supermarket and bought some drinks and headed to chris´ apartment which we hadnt seen yet. It was a cute flat, and all his friends were there. We partyed the night away with the 70 year old uncles (who were in fact the last ones standing!) and all of chris´ friends, some locals and others not. Em couldnt resist a cheeky night out and went into town with some of them, but the rest of us were knackered so headed home.
The next day we tuktuked it to the Tsong Sleng Museum which is where during the Khmer Rouge Regime, Pol Pot was in power. It was one of the camps where about 30 years ago people from the city (often with education,wealth etc) got attacked and brutally beaten up here and were captured at this place before going to the killing fields. It was a very moving and sad experience and crazy to think it was not long ago. We also went to the National Museum after.That evening we went for dinner with the uncles and James Osc and Chris all ate teranchula!!! It was pretty grose...james was not getting a kiss that evening! After a lovely meal we went to this funny gaybar where this big drag show was on. We sipped cocktails and Osc and James nervously walked around clutching onto each other and not knowing quite what to make of the whole experience. Being the only straight 2 guys and only girls there it was an odd yet v entertaining experience!
The next day we hit the Russian then the Central Markets to buy clothes etc. It was so cheap and you can barter to such a low price, although Emma was not so good at that as we know!!! We ate in the local market with fresh foods like squid and prawns. That evening we went on a boat trip (or as Mike and Ian exaggerate and call it the Sunset River Cruize!). It was gorgeous, the boat took us about 15 minutes away to this little secluded bungalow with a bar and benches and a bed inside! Its rented out as a little bar and we had a few drinks all chatting and laughing together while the sun set over the river. Chris´ hilarious housemate and friend also joined us which was nice.
The last evening and day we pottered around and packed up our things. Mum has given us a generous amount of money to spend on a meal for us all so we went to this restaurant in the shape of a big Ship which overlooked the sea at sunet. After we went to a skybar which overlooked the city. What a way to end an amazing funfilled week!!!
We absolutely loved Cambodia and being with a big group of people was such fun. The locals were just so friendly considering the lack of money and opportunities they have. It was a joy for Chris to take us around everywhere too, to show us the best bits. We would definately recommend the place!
Lots of love
xxxxxx
That evening we checked into our hotel and met Emma and Oscar for dinner. They had just come back from a few days on the coast of Cambodia. The next day we headed to Siem Riep. Chris James and myself took the cheaper option by 6 hour bus, while Em and Osc took the boat to cram in some extra tanning time on deck! We explored the local town that evening and checked into our hostel. One thing we had noticed were how friendly and welcoming the people were there, even more so than in Thailand. We met up with a couple of Chris´ friends that evening and went for drinks and Oscar had a fish massage!
The next day we explored the temples. We hired a tuktuk and driver called Tan for the whole day for like 5 dollars each. Such a good service and we loved him! We even treated him to lunch, he couldnt believe his luck!! Angkor Wat was absolutely beautiful, but so were the other temples too. It was so much fun walking around them but it got ridiculously hot and dirty. My white top had turned brown in a few hours! Tan was waiting keenily outside each temple for us and took us around. We spotted monkeys and elephants en route too. At the end of the day me Em James and Osc went elephant trekking up to the last temple. It was amazing! Stunning views over Ankor Wat and the river in the distance. Then we lost Chris en route back down the hill so chilled out in the tuktuk with some beers whilst watching tan and the other tuktuk drivers play this traditional cambodian game where you kick a springy shuttlecock around! That evening we headed into the town and the famous ´Pub Street´ where we always seemed to end up every night! We ate on a busy side street and had a hot grill where you cook your own food on your table, all very traditional. Me and Em also got a pedicure and footscrub/massge for like 7 dollars..dreamy after a day in the temples!
We visited a crockodile farm this next morning. Some japanese guy attempted to jump in and nearly got attacked! There was also a crocodile skin shop full of merchanise made from their skin which we went to after and it all felt a bit strange and wrong! That evening after dinner the 4 of us went to this called bar called Island Bar and drank cocktails and had Sheesha whilst chatting to the locals. We invited the bartender out after the bar shut. He took us to this local club called Hiphip club which was hilarious. Very odd atmopshere in there compared to an English nightclub. All very respecful, noone drinking too much. It was good fun and we had a dance to some khmer music and western tunes too!
We got the 6 hour bus back together, feeling slightly worse for ware after our late evening. After a huge nap back in our hotel in P.P we met up with my Uncle Mike and his parter Ian. We went to the supermarket and bought some drinks and headed to chris´ apartment which we hadnt seen yet. It was a cute flat, and all his friends were there. We partyed the night away with the 70 year old uncles (who were in fact the last ones standing!) and all of chris´ friends, some locals and others not. Em couldnt resist a cheeky night out and went into town with some of them, but the rest of us were knackered so headed home.
The next day we tuktuked it to the Tsong Sleng Museum which is where during the Khmer Rouge Regime, Pol Pot was in power. It was one of the camps where about 30 years ago people from the city (often with education,wealth etc) got attacked and brutally beaten up here and were captured at this place before going to the killing fields. It was a very moving and sad experience and crazy to think it was not long ago. We also went to the National Museum after.That evening we went for dinner with the uncles and James Osc and Chris all ate teranchula!!! It was pretty grose...james was not getting a kiss that evening! After a lovely meal we went to this funny gaybar where this big drag show was on. We sipped cocktails and Osc and James nervously walked around clutching onto each other and not knowing quite what to make of the whole experience. Being the only straight 2 guys and only girls there it was an odd yet v entertaining experience!
The next day we hit the Russian then the Central Markets to buy clothes etc. It was so cheap and you can barter to such a low price, although Emma was not so good at that as we know!!! We ate in the local market with fresh foods like squid and prawns. That evening we went on a boat trip (or as Mike and Ian exaggerate and call it the Sunset River Cruize!). It was gorgeous, the boat took us about 15 minutes away to this little secluded bungalow with a bar and benches and a bed inside! Its rented out as a little bar and we had a few drinks all chatting and laughing together while the sun set over the river. Chris´ hilarious housemate and friend also joined us which was nice.
The last evening and day we pottered around and packed up our things. Mum has given us a generous amount of money to spend on a meal for us all so we went to this restaurant in the shape of a big Ship which overlooked the sea at sunet. After we went to a skybar which overlooked the city. What a way to end an amazing funfilled week!!!
We absolutely loved Cambodia and being with a big group of people was such fun. The locals were just so friendly considering the lack of money and opportunities they have. It was a joy for Chris to take us around everywhere too, to show us the best bits. We would definately recommend the place!
Lots of love
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