Day 21 - Back to Australia

On our way home...

Our last tuk tuk ride with Saran who took us to the zoo the previous morning.

Early morning in Street 258 - outside our guesthouse.

Tracey sad to be finishing her holiday.

We plastic wrapped our bulging packs so they didn't burst in transit.

Empty check in area.  We had to sit and wait an hour for check in to open for our flight.  Our tuk tuk driver had been a little over cautious with how long he thought it would take us to get to the airport, particularly with demonstrations still taking place that day.

The empty international departure entry hall.

Waiting ... Waiting ... Waiting!

Walking down the ramp to our plane on route to Singapore.

Cleared immigration in Singapore and took the train into town.

Wandering around Singapore searching for some bargains but too tired to find anything.

There is a building in the distance that has a boat shaped top (like a P&O cruise liner) on top of 3 towers... Bizarre!

Having an automated calf and foot massage back at Singapore airport while we waited for our flight.  I loved it but Tracey found it painful. Different shaped feet and legs I suppose.

Finally we landed in Darwin. Tracey's bag came out long before mine and she was almost through customs before I started. We were allowed to bring in everything that we bought with us... Including spices and peppercorns. Tracey almost lost a timber item that had a bit of bark on it but the bark peeled off and then it was ok.

We exited the airport just as a thunderstorm hit and after successfully avoiding the monsoon rain and flooding in Cambidia for 3 weeks, we got drenched within minutes of returning to Australia.  Awesome!  The lightning show was worth it though! 

In bed at Tracey's by 4:30am, With Astroboots and Pinglepop's Cambodian Meander finally over. What a trip!

Day 20 - Our last afternoon

After some lunch and recovering from the mornings bone shaking trip we packed our bags and went to have our final Cambodian cocktails next door at Number 9 Guesthouse.  

We asked for strong cocktails and that is exactly what we got.  We followed this with a one hour blissful massage and free foot scrub.  Bliss!

 

Feeling completely relaxed we went in search of the bug and spider snack vendors rumoured to be lurking along the river near the palace area.  We found the and purchased a selection of local delicacies to try much to the amusement of those around us.

We snacked on: deep fried crickets, tarantula, grasshoppers and some unidentified insects.  They weren't too bad but they were really oily from the deep frying. I liked the crickets best.

We then went in search of a 'sterilising' drink and were very surprised to bump into the Belgian guy we met in Banlung (the guy doing orchard conservation work). 

After a quick catch up on our travelling adventure we then went in search of our last supper before heading to bed.

 

Day 20 - Tamao Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre

This morning we hit the road early (6:30am) with our tuk tuk driver to go to the Tamao Zoo so that Tracey could finally see some Cambodian wildlife (there isn't much actually in the wild and sime of what we saw we can't identify). 

It was a 2 hour trip each way as the roads leading into Phnom Penh are currently in a terrible state with lots of potholes and chewed up roads.  We had to wear face masks as the air pollution on the road was quite bad, mostly from dirt.

We finally arrive at the Zoo glad to be off the bumpy and dusty main road. Our driver said that the zoo had the involvement of an Australian but there was an unresolved argument with the government and he is no longer helping with the zoo. 

Several areas however seem to be supported by various wildlife organisations for example the bears and the elephants, and these areas appear to be better presented and cared for.

A silver 'something' that kept launching itself across the full length of it's enclosure when we first got there. 

An type of deer or elk.

An endangered sun bear looking sad and  lonely.

An Asian elephant that kept blowing snot all over Tracey - histerical!

Otters

Then back in the tuk tuk for the 2 hour ride home and a welcome shower.

Day 19 - On the street in Phnom Penh

Out and about on the streets

Pineapple seller

Deep fried something seller

Pomelo's and petrol seller... Makes perfect sense!

Lotus flowers.... Can you see the little boy?

Here he is....sound asleep!

Check out the tires....

...it's been here awhile!

Found the protestors accidentally as we were looking for a restaurant... Very peaceful... But thousands of them.

Dinner - frogs and quail eggs in a pepper sauce - yummy!!

Day 19 - Russian Market

Today was our second last day in Cambodia and we have been told there are some non-violent demonstrations in the city for the next 3 days.  For this reason we decided to avoid the areas where we knew they would be as there were up to 10000 people involved.  We were told to hang onto our bags as there are increased bag snatching going on.  

We got a tuk tuk to take us to the Russian market and were surprised by the number of police in the park near where we are staying.  No rifles and no demonstrators yet. No one is overly concerned though as it is meant to be a peaceful demonstration.

At the Russian Market there were all sorts of interesting looking food and products for sale.  It was a little hot and stuffy walking around the tight confines of the market but very interesting and vibrant.

Day 18 - Kep to Phnom Penh

Today we trusted the Cambodian system and were surprised to find that the bus that was due to pass our guesthouse at 7:30am, actually stopped at 7:30 am to pick us up - not the usual Cambodian time.

The road from Kep to Phnom Penh is terrible, with 80% either washed out or under construction so it was a long slow trip.  The scenery however was beautiful with mountains in the distance and rice paddies in the foreground.  

The bus had a TV screen with music videos playing.  The music is a kind of soft ballad that all sound the same and have video clips showing the tale of the song..90% about boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, boy does something stupid and loses girl, boys wins girl back (or she kills him in one of them, and them stabs herself).  Very riveting stuff!!

Some sights along the way.

We arrived at Phnom Oenh and got a tuk tuk to St 258 to look for a place to stay.  Settled on Kha Vi (for $10per night twin with fan) and went in search for lunch.  

Had a fabulous Amok fish dish served with brown rice in a brass pot.  Tasted like heaven.

Off to the Silver Pagoda of a little afternoon sightseeing and discovered it is called that because the floor is covered with square silver plates - most are covered to protect them but you can see them at the entry area.

Then off to the Foreign Correspondence Club to recover some of our Kep zen.

Back now at Street 258 for happy hour and some nibbles.  Quite a full on day after 2 days of complete relaxation in Kep!