When life gives you lemons make lemonade!'
This quote made me smile as we had a few things not go to plan over the last few weeks but it lead to some other fun experiences. Our first streak of bad fortune was having our tablet and kindle stolen from Nathan's backpack. To cut a long story short we love Cambodia and we know these things happen and we also realise what this country has been through and the hotel staff were extremely helpful when we reported the items missing to them. Due to the tablet being a gift and the kindle being worth the same as the excess on our travel insurance we decided not to go to the police, we had to accept that we had been very lucky not to have anything taken up until now.
Our next change of plans came when we arrived in Phnom Penh to discover the entire city was closed for the Khmer New Year celebrations! This lead to the girls not getting to go to the coast but that we all stayed in the city instead. This turned into a great decision as we relaxed, had good food and a nice time.
On the girls last day we were all out doing different activities and Lauren and I were walking home from the market when our next bit of bad luck almost struck! Lauren and I were crossing the road when a motorbike with a male driver and a male passenger started driving almost into us. As they got closer they slowed down so that the passenger could lean towards us and grab my handbag that was across my body while the driver then sped up with the hope that the bag straps would snap and they would have successfully stolen my money, phone, camera and credit card! Luckily my Peruvian woollen bag did me proud and although cut into my neck it did not snap as he pulled so he had to let go! Lauren and I were in shock and a little scared as we quickly walked back to the hotel analysing the event. The positive from that experience was that I was not alone, that the bag did not break and that it gave me a very real reminder I need to up my game in regards to safety as I have become relaxed as we have been travelling for so long.
When the girls left, Nathan and i got on the bus to Sikanoikville to get our Vietnamese visas. After about 10 minutes it was evident that our minibus had no air-conditioning and was heating up fast, so on the outskirts of the city we pulled into a garage and all swapped onto another minibus!
Little did we know at the time but this bus was in the garage for a reason. The 5 hour journey ended up taking 9 and a half hours as 2 hours into the trip when we were surrounded by fields the bus stopped and would go no further! Our bus driver made many phone calls and tried to flag down buses for us but it took over 3 hours before help came!
This experience however had some positives, everyone on the bus became friends, we were sharing food supplies and toilet roll between us. Also I read a lot of the book I bought in S21.
We were staying in between Otres 1 and Otres 2 and the next day we headed to the beach, there was literally no one on the beach apart from us! I got straight into the sea to cool down. After about 10 minutes I felt an intense sting on my arm and side of my stomach. I lifted my arm out and saw a rash forming as if I had been rubbing a stinging nettle up and down my arm! In typical 'Peter Thain' style I thought I might die so rushed out of the sea and to see Nathan (and to whatsapp Pete to get more info on jelly fish stings). I told Nathan we had to walk and get help as I was scared I was going to pass out! (On reflection massive over exaggeration). As we walked along the beach we saw several washed up jelly fish. By the time we reached some beach bars I was more interested in food so realised i was going to be ok! But still was not fully convinced til Pete did some research for me later!! My arm stung all day though and has put me off swimming for the rest of the trip!
The next morning we headed to the Vietnamese embassy to be informed our visas would take 24 hours (not the 15 minutes we had read about online). This meant we headed back to the bungalows we were staying in and paid for a third night (originally we only intended to stay for one). This was such a good decision as that evening we sat on the beach, drinking beer, watching the sunset and eating out last Khmer meal!
We headed back to Phnom Penh and ate at a fantastic Myanmar restaurant and booked another few nights at the Tea House before heading off to Vietnam on Friday 24th.
Things may had not gone to plan in Cambodia but we had an absolutely amazing 2 weeks! We loved being with the girls, we loved all the sights and food but most importantly we adored the people. Cambodian people are some of the most gentle and kind people I have ever met.