Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Upon our arrival in Phnom Penh, we were so surprised with how organized and cosmopolitan the city was. There is a strong international expat population here. The European (especially French) influence can be seen in the street names and the many delicious restaurants. The Cambodian people are the friendliest, most welcoming that we have encountered in all of Asia. They have a truly delightful and happy spirit that is palpable in contrast to its neighboring countries.

National Museum...

Central Market...

YUM! Dinner!(keep in mind it's also 100 degrees outside)

After hours of heavy rain, the streets were completed flooded...

What is so amazing about the Cambodian people, is that they have such a happy spirit despite their, relatively recent, horrific history. The genocide that occurred during the Pol Pot War brings the idea of inhumanity to a whole new level. We visited both the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields and left feeling completely devastated. Below is a list of regulations that Pol Pot's army (the Khmer Rouge) required from it's prisoners...

Former high school that Pol Pot turned into S-21 Prison Camp...

Torture chamber...

The absolute highlight of our time in Phnom Penh was spending time and teaching the kids of the small village of Boeng-Salang. This extremely poor village, built along a train track, is where our Cambodian friend Tinath has a little school to teach English to the village kids. The school is actually a room in his home which he shares with his mother, father, and sister. Every day after work, Tinath holds class for 2 hours to give the children an added advantage to improve their English skills. He pays for the school out of his own pocket (even though he has so little) and his devotion to the kids is beyond admirable.

The kids are the most engaging, energetic, welcoming children we have ever met. Their laughter and smiles are infectious, putting us in an instant good mood. It did not take very long for us to grow very attached to them.

Boeng-Salang (Tinath's village)...

Playing Hangman with the kids...

with Tinath...

Every night after we taught the kids, Tinath's mother would cook an amazing meal for us with enough food to feed 10 people! This a perfect example of the generosity and warmth of the Cambodian people. Tinath's family has so little, yet opened their home and gave us so much. We truly feel like we have a home in Cambodian that we will come back to.

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Thailand

After a week in remote Bhutan, westernized Bangkok was a shock to the system. We lived it up and indulged in foods we have not had in over 2 months...Italian, sushi, and steak! Most of our time was spent in the huge malls and outdoor markets buying bootleg DVDs and fake watches and eating cheap, delicious Thai food. The malls also provided relief from the extreme heat and humidity.
It was quite an experience to be in a city while violent political protests seized control of certain neighborhoods. The news reports made it out to seem like all of Bangkok was in total chaos. We toured the entire city the day the protests started and saw nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, all we saw were the Thai people partying in the streets to ring in their New Year. It was a first-hand lesson into how skewed the media is.

Grand Palace...

Trying to get cover from the extreme heat...

After Bangkok, we went to the tropical South to Phang-na, just north of Phuket, to celebrate Ian's 30th! The tranquil beach location was extremely relaxing...



Phang-na was beautiful, but just a 2 hour ferry ride away sits the iconic Koh Phi Phi island, where The Beach was filmed...

Our 10 days in Thailand was the relaxing time we needed and the perfect break from touring. We can't wait to get to Cambodia tomorrow!

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg