Finally I have taken the time to write about my glorious trip to Cambodia. Be patient, it can be quite a long post.

As most of the others arrived in Phnom Penh the week before SherBear and I did, they did the whole tour - private beach, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Kompong Som, Sihanoukville and the rest. Crap. The itinerary looked really good and included hot air balloons in the sunset, evening shows, water sports, orchid farms and the like.

When we arrived at the airport it was pretty exciting, and more so when we saw a guy holding up a card which had our names on it, only that our genders were mixed up. What was special was that this guy was standing right at the ramp at the airport which was adjoined to the plane and not at the arrival lounge or anything. You could just tell that this guy was a little special. After a very speedy trip through immigration, where I think we went through a diplomatic lane, which was later opened up to the public, and also a speedy baggage claim, we were whisked through customs without a check. I did not even had time to hand in my customs slip !

We went out into the sun and the luggage was lifted onto a Lexus truck, complete with screens everywhere. Impressed. As we started off down the road, I was slightly amused by how alike it was to my trip from the airport when I first arrived at Ho Chi Minh. Dusty streets, few cars, loads of motorcycles, and people everywhere. Not many tall buildings but a couple stood out, like the Korean school, some ministries and there was even a roadside market. On the way, we received a call from KBear, who told us it would only be 10 minutes, and that we would be alone as the rest would only be returning from the beach at around 7 pm.

All too soon, we arrived at a house. From first glance, it was alright, a four storied house with some cars and a yard. We would be surprised. KBear himself greeted us and our luggage disappeared, apparently to a guest house just two houses away. We were brought into a lavishly decorated hall, which does bear some resemblance to some of those old Malay Datuk's houses, with many wooden furniture, fish tanks and photos on the walls. Chatted a bit, and saw how busy he was with the wedding invitations. (Comment : He was wonderfully neatly dressed in shirt and slacks though, making me wonder at my own attire when I relax at home.).

Then we went on a tour and first stop was a little wooden hut, not that small, in the front yard which was apparently his grandmother's office. Where she worked, because apprently she owns her own bank ! There were also some very pretty birds which talked and whistled. Around the back we were confronted with the full extent of the house. Instead of just one house of 4 storeys, I think it was actually 3 blocks of apartments of 4 storey height ! There was an elevator in between, next to the pool, surrounded by the kitchens, sauna and showers. We also experimented with the golf simulator in its own room. Then upstairs to what I felt was the crowning glory, a karaoke room, which was actually also a mini bar ! Amazing. There we tarried for a while, singing songs, while KBear left for some duties. A while later, he reappeared, and we finished the rest of the house, many parts which were being decorated for the wedding. We also met the grandmother, mother and his father, learnt the Cambodian greeting, which was two joined hands, in a clapping motion, before going to the guest house at about 6 to await the others.

Once there though, we were lost. It was also about 4 stories high and had many rooms and back staircases and balconies. So SherBear and I just sat around and watched television and unpacked a bit, since we did not want our clothes to be too creased. After a while, we got bored and walked around the area. We found some restaurants and bought some drinking water as there was none at the Guest House. Then we walked back after checking out the massage place across the street. All in all, it got dark as it was around 8 pm when the rest arrived. It had been a long journey and we got assigned our beds and dressed up to go to the dinner at the Main House (henceforth called that).

It was a typical Cambodian dinner with rice and soup and dishes where we talked a lot. There were only a few tables as it was some friends and family. Later there was a big discussion about the place. I learnt that the massage just opposite was called Lucky Foot (Apparently everything is lucky or big or Happy... eg Happy Burger, Lucky Massage, Happy Pizza) and that the building next door to the Guest House was the Korean embassy. In the end some guys went out to the Riverside where there were some bars and restaurants. Myself, JinBear, SharBear and VBear went for a massage. It was just as cheap, though not as comfortable as the Vietnamese ones.

When we finished, we searched around for the others at the Main House and did not find anyone at the karaoke room. As we walked back to the Guest House, the Riverside people came home. Apparently later we found out there were people who played golf, and also some who hid away to use the internet somewhere. More talking and chatting around the television later, we slept.

And that was just the first day..........................

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