Hot Hot Hot

Phnom Penh, Cambodia
April 24, 2009
4:32 pm

Its been a long day today. We left Saigon at 5:00am on a bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The heat here is incredible. I want to melt as soon as I step outside. Luckily, right now, it raining and hopefully it will cool things off a bit. A couple of people left our tour yesterday and we have picked up a new girl from Germany. I am enjoying the smaller group size. It gives us a chance to hangout and interact more.

I have to say that I was a little dissapointed in Saigon. It is really just like any other city in Vietnam just a bit bigger. For that reason, I didn't do much yesterday except go for a message and my first manicure and pedicure. Yeah I know, I got a manicure and pedicure but I have to admit it was not as girly as i thought it would be. Really it is just an easy way to do your nails without actually having to do them yourself, which I liked. And believe me, I gave that girl a run for her money :-). All in all Vietnam was ok but not a country that I would ever go back to. I actually did not think that it had that much to offer. I mean there were some interesting things to see but once you see them it gets old to see the same thing again in another city. I am glad to be moving on and in Cambodia now.

Tomorrow we are going to see the killing fields and the mass graves from the tradgedy that happened during the Camern Rouge regeime. It should be interesting but I am expecting it to be very somber just like it was visiting the concentration camps in Germany. After that we are heading to Siem Reap and going to see Ankor Wat, which I hear from everyone is absolutely amazing. So far I am happy to be in Cambodia and although the city is similiar to the Vietnamese cities I can see changes that I appreciate, such as stop lights. This is surprising since Cambodia is a third world country and Vietnam is supposed to be far ahead.

My overall experience has been great thus far. I am meeting amazing people from all around the world and making many new friends. I still feel as though I could do this traveling bit forever. The two people I get along with the best are Charlie and Kate. Charlie is a cool Brit that studied to be a vet. He is a divemaster and will be heading to Africa to work with lions after this trip. Kate is a cool Chick from Chicago that works in Jewlery. Right now she is on the fifth month of an eight month trip around the world.

Otherwise I am doing well and in great spirits. I hope to tell you more about the sights in Cambodia as soon as they come.