Uncomfortable day belly-wise. Also, humiliating having to admit this to a tour group. The Canadian women are determined to foist natural remedies upon me. It must be their love language. I choose to suffer.
But fun day, activity-wise.
First activity is a boat trip to spot Irrawaddy dolphins. There are only 100 in the Mekong in Cambodia. We’d been burnt with the Gibbons in Laos only two weeks ago. My hope of spotting these blunt nose beauties was low. But there were a few around that we got a really good look at! Sadly no one got any photos but you’ll have to believe me that they are there and settle for this photo of the Coffs Harbour Dolphin.
Before we left we watched this four hour long YouTube video about a guy motorcycling around Laos. He was so excited to see the Irrawaddy dolphins. But when he checked into the town where they live they told him… None left. Never seen a British man on a bike look so disappointed. Dad if you’re interested this is the link. The man is a bit of a tosser but he did lower our expectations for Laos’ roads, which was for the best.Midday pick up madness at school. Most public schools run in half day schedules. Students only attend one. There’s not enough rooms for everyone to study there all day, so they share, half doing a morning shift and the second half coming in for the afternoon.After a four hour break spent in close proximity to a bed and a toilet, I embark upon Activity Two: island cycle. We get the ferry across to the island in the middle of the Mekong. About 400 families live here.A natural on wheels.To be permitted to stay on the island you must be approved by the council.Monk chill time. This is the small temple on the island. Our tour leader informs us they are having trouble feeding the monks. Because the island is small, there’s not enough donated. Dad, I leave your $10 here. Cycling is a big hit with the ladies, me included.The ferry runs to its own schedule. While everyone waits, one family takes advantage of the haphazard timetable and jumps in the river.When the ferry does come there’s this cart full of pigs that is a menace to unload.A queue has formed in the meantime for the ferry.Back on the mainland and I am terrified of the volume of gossip exchanged when these ladies get a beer after Zoomba.It’s been very easy to eat healthy in Cambodia. In general, the meals are slightly less flavourful than Thailand but they feel less intense as a result. This is the first proper meal I’ve had in 24 hours. Let’s hope it stays in. For the sake of everyone on the bus tomorrow. I even order a dessert. My hubris knows no bounds.
Have you been caught out with needing to go urgently but being nowhere near a toilet.
On bray st they now pay 2 adults to hold the stop go signs for the one crossing that is used by high school kids. Safety is important but every action has a financial cost that might slowly send us broke. The kids are all at least 12 and the crossing is approx 10 meters.
People from Asia must visit Australia and assume that we have no ability to look after ourselves.
How long since youāve been on a bike and how long was the ride.
Donations should be made without conditions but I want my $10 back. One of the junior monks seems to be scrolling on a phone and that shatters my first world western perspective of how monks should live. Is there a culturally appropriate way of donating or do you just hand the money directly to one of the monks.
Why are all the ladies wearing long pants when theyāre exercising in a hot environment. Is it for modesty or to stop mozzy bites or just for fashion.
Very brave decision about meal. Hope all went well over the next couple of hours.
Dad: I haven’t been caught out yet. But we have a huge driving day today so that could change…
If a 12 year old is dumb enough to not be able to cross a road…
Here 12 year olds ride motorbikes by themselves.
Good question about the pushbike. I can’t remember. Quite some time…
These poor kids have to wake up at 4am every morning. A little bit of scroll time must feel good. Money went in a donation box. If it makes you feel any better about your donation a landmine victim was just sort of lying around in the temple out of the sun. So at least you’re giving that man a bit of comfort.
Long pants= mozzie and sun protection.
Clients complain to us all the time about the most insignificant issues such as the lawn mower left some grass clippings on the driveway or the garbage bins havenāt been returned off the footpath to their allocated space fast enough.
I wish these clients would spend some time where you are to gain perspective on what constitutes a real problem.
Iāve reconsidered the $10 as being a bit light on. Put in another $20 somewhere and Iāll transfer you the money through our clearing house. You can trust the counter party to settle their debts.
Counter party has enacted instructions. Invoice to follow.
Really hope that you get better soon. That is no fun but I am glad you are getting lots of s-mothering from the menopause ladies.
Great lot of photos and information about day to day life I really enjoyed it. Really interesting about two shifts for school and loved the pick up madness. Not quite the St Catherine’s kiss and drop š
Bring on the pigs š
Well done Caitie in Kratie!!
Dad: aye aye. Watch out, soon 8 Amber Close will be the new address of Bank of Strong.
In some ways itās a relief James didnāt come on this part of the trip. His flirting within the tour group would be relentless!
I donāt believe you saw any dolphins. Maybe it was a pig that fell off the boat on the last way round and hadnāt finished sinking yet.
The dolphin luck is a massive win after the Laos gibbon debacle, and choosing to suffer in silence rather than succumb to “natural remedies” is truly the only dignified move. Iām manifesting that the “less intense” Cambodian dinner and that dessert of hubris stay put for the sake of everyone on tomorrowās bus. Between the monk donations and dodging pig carts on the ferry, it sounds like a top-tier day for the plot.
Have you been caught out with needing to go urgently but being nowhere near a toilet.
On bray st they now pay 2 adults to hold the stop go signs for the one crossing that is used by high school kids. Safety is important but every action has a financial cost that might slowly send us broke. The kids are all at least 12 and the crossing is approx 10 meters.
People from Asia must visit Australia and assume that we have no ability to look after ourselves.
How long since youāve been on a bike and how long was the ride.
Donations should be made without conditions but I want my $10 back. One of the junior monks seems to be scrolling on a phone and that shatters my first world western perspective of how monks should live. Is there a culturally appropriate way of donating or do you just hand the money directly to one of the monks.
Why are all the ladies wearing long pants when theyāre exercising in a hot environment. Is it for modesty or to stop mozzy bites or just for fashion.
Very brave decision about meal. Hope all went well over the next couple of hours.
Dad: I haven’t been caught out yet. But we have a huge driving day today so that could change…
If a 12 year old is dumb enough to not be able to cross a road…
Here 12 year olds ride motorbikes by themselves.
Good question about the pushbike. I can’t remember. Quite some time…
These poor kids have to wake up at 4am every morning. A little bit of scroll time must feel good. Money went in a donation box. If it makes you feel any better about your donation a landmine victim was just sort of lying around in the temple out of the sun. So at least you’re giving that man a bit of comfort.
Long pants= mozzie and sun protection.
Clients complain to us all the time about the most insignificant issues such as the lawn mower left some grass clippings on the driveway or the garbage bins havenāt been returned off the footpath to their allocated space fast enough.
I wish these clients would spend some time where you are to gain perspective on what constitutes a real problem.
Iāve reconsidered the $10 as being a bit light on. Put in another $20 somewhere and Iāll transfer you the money through our clearing house. You can trust the counter party to settle their debts.
Counter party has enacted instructions. Invoice to follow.
Really hope that you get better soon. That is no fun but I am glad you are getting lots of s-mothering from the menopause ladies.
Great lot of photos and information about day to day life I really enjoyed it. Really interesting about two shifts for school and loved the pick up madness. Not quite the St Catherine’s kiss and drop š
Bring on the pigs š
Well done Caitie in Kratie!!
Dad: aye aye. Watch out, soon 8 Amber Close will be the new address of Bank of Strong.
In some ways itās a relief James didnāt come on this part of the trip. His flirting within the tour group would be relentless!
I donāt believe you saw any dolphins. Maybe it was a pig that fell off the boat on the last way round and hadnāt finished sinking yet.
The dolphin luck is a massive win after the Laos gibbon debacle, and choosing to suffer in silence rather than succumb to “natural remedies” is truly the only dignified move. Iām manifesting that the “less intense” Cambodian dinner and that dessert of hubris stay put for the sake of everyone on tomorrowās bus. Between the monk donations and dodging pig carts on the ferry, it sounds like a top-tier day for the plot.