So wrong, but somehow so right!
In and around Cambodia
After chilling out on the thousand islands in south Lao we left for Cambodia, 'the land of the outlaw'. As soon we crossed the border I could feel the pressure dropping and a sinister undercurrent developing. It might have been my imagination fueled by our choice of transport - 'the mini van'!!
This mode of transport is used though out the world, I bet any of you reading this would have traveled in one of these trusted friends. However Cambodia gave its spin to it. The van was a '2 in front, 7 in back', which was fine as we crossed the border with a 10hr ride ahead of us. But then we pulled up and 4 Cambodians were planning to join us for the duration - but the van was full - so we thought. 5 got in the front, no lie it is only designed for 2 people. We then insisted 1 got in the back (thats all that would fit, rammed already with packs and all), this left 4 in the front. 1 sat on the passenger seat, 1 put a pillow on the hand brake and sat on that and then the driver pushed the drivers seat far back as he sat on his mate to drive the 10hr trip!! Myself been very wise and living by the motto ' safety first - fun last' was not particulary enamored with the situation. But with no cash points in 500 miles and 10 dollars left in cash our options were somewhat limited. So we went for it, along pot holed roads so bad no words could ever do it justice, 'when in Rome'.
We arrived in Phone Pen, which is highly expanding city but very obvious signs of poverty, and that chilling undercurrent, although the Cambodians seem very friendly. This undercurrent can be highlighted by the shooting range.
We were asked if we wanted to visit a shooting range, ah I thought I have heard about rocket launchers etc but thought it to be an urban myth. So I had to see with my own eyes. So into the country we traveled, not knowing what to expect and somewhat nervous - (Sonja parents - do not worry I am looking after your daughter). We arrive at two massive rustic metal doors, they open slowly, letting out a small wind which allows leaves to swirl around our knees. We enter slowly watching our arks for potential trouble, I was wearing an army hat to look hard, and had a bottle of water at hand to fend off foes... But do not be stupid its fine my imagination was just running way with me, we just sat down and was given a menu, it read: coke $1, Fanta $1, AK47 $30, M60 $30, anti aircraft gun $60, grenade $25, rocket launcher $200 - what an anti climax, where is the f..kin cruise missile!!
I know its wrong on so many levels but I had to have a go, the rocket launcher was tempting but at 200 bugs somewhat out of my range, the grenade at $25 was very tempting but I was worried I might drop it or not throw it far enough, so the AK47 it was. 25 shots, 20 for me and 5 for Son - son is a girl after all. I hit the target but missed when he switched it to machine gun mode, - it would be an Americans wet dream. The doors swung shut as we left, leaving an eery silence.
On a more serious and somber note, we spent a day visiting the 'Killing Fields' and a museum which used to be a prison during those dark days. It was extremely harrowing but important to see in my opinion.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Sonic Pod
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1
Hammocks are so great!
We arrived at Vientiane in Kayaks after capsizing in the rapids on the way down..
Vientiane is the capital of Laos and so although the last t... Continue reading »
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2
In Cambodia...the temples are amazing!
We can't decide if we love Cambodia or not. The place seems to be one of extremes. Children begging, men and women with limbs missing through land... Continue reading »
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3
Ko Lanta: Probably one of the most chilled places on earth
Ko Lanta is probably one of the most chilled places on earth! There is nothing to do all day but sunbathe, swim in your hammock, and go snorke... Continue reading »
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4
Railay - Climbing, speedboats, the beach and buckets!
I am not allowed to write too much about our stay in Railay as Pod wants to write this bit and go into great detail about our speedboat trip and my... Continue reading »
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5
full moon party
Ko Phangan is the venue to the infamous 'full moon party', basically a beach in which upto 20,000 people dance the night away in a very debauch... Continue reading »
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6
Hanoi - the most crazy place to date
After leaving Railay we caught the plane to Bangkok - Yes I know not very hardened traveling but it was very cheap. Besides after the speedboa... Continue reading »
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7
Vietnam - Hue, Nah Trang, Mui Ne & Saigon
We took the sleeper train to Hue. We spent the first day sightseeing on foot and in a cylco (a bike taxi) which included a tour of t... Continue reading »
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8
Fantastic skyline and cuddly friends!
We got to Hong Kong at lunchtime on Saturday and caught the tube to our hostel in Causeway Bay. Walking from the tube station was like walking in O... Continue reading »
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9
Heading south in record time
There were a few things that hit us when we got to Auckland. The weather, it was cold. The lack of people, we could run and not bump... Continue reading »
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10
Wow and Ouch!
We have just spent four days in the spectacular Milford Sounds completing the famous Milford Tract walk covering 33.5 miles. You may think the .5 m... Continue reading »
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11
Struck gold
Luckily for me NZ has a long history for gold mining, so obviously I had to have a go. We visited a cool gold mine museum in which th... Continue reading »
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12
Climbing Glaciers in New Zealand
We left Simon´s place after recovering from the New Year and drove to the West coast, home of the stunning glaciers.
On the first day we walk... Continue reading »
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13
Tahiti - Not quite paradise!
We arrived at Tahiti aiport at 1.30am and were greeted by three smiling polynesian men wearing flowers around their necks and playing small guitars... Continue reading »
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14
What is paradise
Tahiti is synonymous with paradise, long golden beaches overlooked by shady palms with crystal blue lagoons and if I was single, bronzed l... Continue reading »
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15
Chess with the locals
After the calm of Easter Island we landed in Santiago, the 6th busiest city in South America but we eased into it quickly enough. Over... Continue reading »
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16
Patagonia: Who said this was a holiday!
We flew into Punta Arenas via a short but relaxing stop at the small lake side town of Puerta Varras.
From Punta Arenas we went to Puer... Continue reading »
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17
Wine, bikes and casino chips!
Our last day in wonderful Patagonia was spent looking at penguins and then we were off on a 33 hour bus trip to Mendoza in Argentina.
Mendoza... Continue reading »
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18
Where is Evita?
Everyone we had met whilst travelling had told us we must go to Buenos Aires and so we did and it was a fantastic city.
We found a hotel... Continue reading »
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19
The most amazing waterfalls!
The Iguaçu falls were the most amazing waterfalls that we have ever seen. We had seen a few photos and people had said they were great but they wer... Continue reading »
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20
Anyone for salt?
It took us three hours to cross the border into Bolivia but when we arrived we immediately felt like we were somewhere unlike any other place we ha... Continue reading »
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21
very very silly
I have Decided I am very silly and not very responsible, but it is more fun that way. So myself and some of our friends decided to cycle the... Continue reading »
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22
Crocs, anacondas and pink dolphins!
After spending a few days in the slightly chaotic La Paz we decided we would all go on a pampas tour in the Bolivian rainforest close to the Brazil... Continue reading »
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23
Lucky to still be here!
Leaving Argentina and Chile, crossing to Boliva was a refreshing experience, although the former are cool countries they do seem quite European... Continue reading »
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24
Lake Titicaca & amazing trout!
Lake Titicaca and the small town of Copacabana is home to the highest lake in the world, the most hippies you will see anywhere in Bolivia and the... Continue reading »
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25
What a city!
One of the highlights of the trip was always to trek to the ancient city of Machu Picchu and it was amazing. It was a four day trek and we were acc... Continue reading »
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26
Thankfully there were no shoot outs!
Everyone had told us the horror stories about Rio when we were travelling and so we arrived paranoid. So paranoid that perhaps we didn't give the w... Continue reading »
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27
And relax...
Ihla Grande is a small island just a few hours drive from Rio. We headed there for a few days of sun, sea and chilling. Apart from a near miss with sl... Continue reading » -
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And then there was snow - and a huge smile on Pod's face!
No around the world trip or sabatical would be complete without a visit to the Alps. It was the perfect place to end the trip, catch up with friend... Continue reading »
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