After lunch we set out for an fun adventure- river paddle boarding!
A first for both of us and so much fun!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Day 53 Riverside 29 March 2012
Today we headed out to Kampot. We are staying at a riverside hut on the banks of the Teuk Chow River – our first place without air-conditioning. After a few apprehensive looks with raised eyebrows, narrowed eyes and tight lips from Ana to Martijn – we decided that this is part of the journey – and settled in to an afternoon by the riverside.
After lunch we set out for an fun adventure- river paddle boarding!
A first for both of us and so much fun!
After lunch we set out for an fun adventure- river paddle boarding!
A first for both of us and so much fun!
Day 52 The sea vs. the pool 28 March 2012
Today we checked out the beach close to our hotel and it was delightful- nice temperature and sleepy waves. After lunch we headed back to the hotel and spent the afternoon reading by the pool and swimming until 7pm.Obviously we both wanted to enjoy the water so we put the camera away in the hotel safe. By the end of the day Martijn was sporting his first mild sunburn of the trip and Ana got a bit more color. We ended the day with another classic movie- Goldie Hawn’s Bird on a Wire.
Day 51 Not Into the Sea 27 March 2012
We went into Sihanoukville for a late lunch of mango and banana crepes. Then we strolled along the seashore - 6mi/10km round trip– we are obviously not so good at this ‘relax and do nothing’ thing.
At a beach past the tip on the picture and halfway into our walk we stopped at a beach shack for a drink and to read.
The sunset was peaceful and after dinner at the local backpacker’s favorite, we called it a day.
At a beach past the tip on the picture and halfway into our walk we stopped at a beach shack for a drink and to read.
The sunset was peaceful and after dinner at the local backpacker’s favorite, we called it a day.
Day 50 A Resting Day 26 March 2012
Martijn was not feeling well so we stayed in while he recovered. At least the hotel had amazing air-conditioning! In the evening he was hungry enough to head out to the seaside for a boring dinner of rice and veggies, while Ana had a fresh fish burger.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 49 To the Sea 25 March 2012
We took a 5 hour bus ride to Sihanouk Ville – with real air-conditioning and although they had a TV they did not turn it on – this time Ana was able to sleep most of the trip.
We had a seaside dinner.
We had a seaside dinner.
Day 48 The Plight of Martijn 24 March 2012
Today was our anniversary and Martijn, with the help of the You Khin House proprietor, planned a romantic riverboat dinner cruise on the Kanika Boat.
It was a perfect evening following a most relaxing day by the pool at our charming Bed and Breakfast.
It was a perfect evening following a most relaxing day by the pool at our charming Bed and Breakfast.
Day 47 Phnom Penh 23 March 2012
We explored Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh today with a city walk out of our guidebook. We had lunch at the mall- with the locals.
We are in awe of what people can transport on a bike.
In the afternoon we explored the Royal Place. Here Ana saw a bunch of shoes next to the entrance of the Throne Room so she took off her shoes and headed inside- once inside, she was promptly yelled at that she was not allowed inside and she needed to get out now! Oops!
We are in awe of what people can transport on a bike.
In the afternoon we explored the Royal Place. Here Ana saw a bunch of shoes next to the entrance of the Throne Room so she took off her shoes and headed inside- once inside, she was promptly yelled at that she was not allowed inside and she needed to get out now! Oops!
Day 46 Cambodian Bus Ride 22 March 2012
We took a bus to Phnom Penh- what an adventure! There was a hint of air-conditioning in a packed bus.
At the front of the bus was a TV screen on which they played, very loudly, movies that reminded us of soaps – a lot of yelling, laughing and crying. It was a 6 hour ride and we were extremely glad when we reached our destination!
At the front of the bus was a TV screen on which they played, very loudly, movies that reminded us of soaps – a lot of yelling, laughing and crying. It was a 6 hour ride and we were extremely glad when we reached our destination!
Day 45 Battambang by Tuktuk 21 March 2012
Today we rode the Bamboo train-the must do of Battambang.
Yes we have matching sandals!
We saw some more of the local sites a tree full of flying foxes, a bat cave and the Phnom Banan temple.
Throughout the day all the children jumping and yelling their hellos as we passed by was fun to see. We ended the day with an excellent dinner at our hotel - again – same table and same order (Fish Amok for Martijn and Cashew chicken for Ana).
Yes we have matching sandals!
We saw some more of the local sites a tree full of flying foxes, a bat cave and the Phnom Banan temple.
Throughout the day all the children jumping and yelling their hellos as we passed by was fun to see. We ended the day with an excellent dinner at our hotel - again – same table and same order (Fish Amok for Martijn and Cashew chicken for Ana).
Day 44 Long boat ride 20 March 2012
We embarked on the longest boat trip of our lives. What was supposed to be a 5 to 7 hour scenic boat ride was in fact 11 hours. It was scenic though but Martijn slept for half of it- he really has an uncanny ability to sleep anywhere and everywhere! We were still docked and he was already nodding off.
Around noon, we stopped at a little floating restaurant/shop where we had a lovely rice, omelet and ant combo. Yes, ants- to which Martijn said to Ana “What’s the worst that can happen- you eat an ant” and Ana’s response was “Exactly!” Ana’s bladder betrayed her- yet again.
We meandered for 4 more hours and finally arrived to Battambang, but not without an amazing river sunset.
Around noon, we stopped at a little floating restaurant/shop where we had a lovely rice, omelet and ant combo. Yes, ants- to which Martijn said to Ana “What’s the worst that can happen- you eat an ant” and Ana’s response was “Exactly!” Ana’s bladder betrayed her- yet again.
We meandered for 4 more hours and finally arrived to Battambang, but not without an amazing river sunset.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Day 43 Resting Day 19 March 2012
We slept in until the last possible moment for breakfast, 9:30am, ate and then returned to the room to sleep some more. We had a late lunch at a French NGO (non-governmental organization) that is a training school for hotel and restaurant employees. In the 9 years it has been active they have graduated 100 students a year and 70% have been females, with a 100% job placement record! It was a privilege to help out this organization and the food was excellent!
We did some repacking, had dinner at the same restaurant from the night before and finished off the relaxing day with a nice massage.
We did some repacking, had dinner at the same restaurant from the night before and finished off the relaxing day with a nice massage.
Day 42 Best of the rest 18 March 2012
We started the day bright and early, and went by tuk tuk to Ta Prohm, a temple famous for trees engulfing the stone structures.
Our next stop was a welcome change from all the temples, the flooded forest of Kompong Phhluk, where during the wet season the water rises about 6 to 7 meters (20 feet), overtaking the forest. To cope with the water all houses are built on stilts, which is quite an incredible sight at the end of dry season.
We ended our tour with a visit to the Roluos temples: Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei. At Preah Koh Ana met her fans; ladies of all ages not getting over their surprise about the color of Ana’s skin.
To recover from the heat, we took some frozen juice drinks in a cool butterfly filled garden café.
Our next stop was a welcome change from all the temples, the flooded forest of Kompong Phhluk, where during the wet season the water rises about 6 to 7 meters (20 feet), overtaking the forest. To cope with the water all houses are built on stilts, which is quite an incredible sight at the end of dry season.
We ended our tour with a visit to the Roluos temples: Bakong, Preah Ko and Lolei. At Preah Koh Ana met her fans; ladies of all ages not getting over their surprise about the color of Ana’s skin.
To recover from the heat, we took some frozen juice drinks in a cool butterfly filled garden café.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Day 41 Ending the day with a laugh 17 March 2012
Today we slept in and rested. We headed out in the afternoon for an ice cream and some dinner. We ended the night with an experience to remember- a foot bath with fish that eat the dead skin leaving our feet baby bottom soft. We are both very ticklish on our feet and Ana knowing this hesitated taking the plunge and then lost it and went into hysterics once the fish started nibbling on her feet!
(Note- Ana did not want to post this last picture but Martijn convinced her that it captured the hilarious moment perfectly).
(Note- Ana did not want to post this last picture but Martijn convinced her that it captured the hilarious moment perfectly).
Day 40 Air Conditioned Taxi Exploration 16 March 2012
We hired an air conditioned taxi to explore more distant temples today.
We visited Banteay Srei a temple with the best preserved intricate stone sculptures.
We then took a hike- again in sweltering heat and humidity to Kbal Spean a riverbed with stone carvings, a waterfall and many butterflies. One landed on Martijn’s head and hung out for a good 20min. We had lunch there too.
Then for the highlight of the day and after a cool nap in the taxi we went to what we are calling the Indiana Jones temple or Beng Mealea. Here we got to climb the temple ruins.
We visited Banteay Srei a temple with the best preserved intricate stone sculptures.
We then took a hike- again in sweltering heat and humidity to Kbal Spean a riverbed with stone carvings, a waterfall and many butterflies. One landed on Martijn’s head and hung out for a good 20min. We had lunch there too.
Then for the highlight of the day and after a cool nap in the taxi we went to what we are calling the Indiana Jones temple or Beng Mealea. Here we got to climb the temple ruins.
