Flying in to Phnom Penh - Reunions!

I'd like to say that I was awoken by the alarm clock on my mobile phone, but I'd by lying. There was a noisy party going on somewhere near my room that meant that I only managed to get snatches of sleep. So I got up, showered, packed and took a taxi to the airport.

Having successfully negotiated my way through Duty Free without buying a new iPod I boarded the Air Asia plane for the one hour flight to the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.

Three forms, a passport photo and US$20 later and I had my 30 day visa - which is a bit of overkill since I'll only be spending 2-3 days here as a 'stopover' on my way to Vietnam. Next was to get a taxi to the guesthouse that I'd be staying at and where I'd be meeting up with Maria. I ended up on the back of a motorcycle, whilst the driver weaved his way through traffic and pointing out various landmarks along the way. The traffic was light, but manic enough to keep the ride the right side of interesting.

The guesthouse was located on the side of the Boeng Kak lake which had flooded. This meant that I had to enter the guesthouse by hopping across sandbags and a gangplank. The room was very basic, but it only cost US$4 per night (plus it had a moat!) so I couldn't complain. Having dumped my pack on the floor I soon fell asleep.

Maria woke me with a knock on the door and we were having something to eat on the verandah overlooking the lake when Annie arrived. That afternoon was spent at the local market where Annie and Maria bought new iPods and not the pigs trotters and skinned frogs that were for sale.

Whe we got back to the lakeside - on the back of motos, naturally! - I dropped my passport off at a travel operator so that I would get my Vietnam visa back the next day. Whilst I was waiting Neil and Jess arrived on the back of a tuk-tuk and booked themselves into the same guesthouse.

For dinner that night I had Amok - a dry curry of chicken, coconut and eggs - which was interesting. And by 'interesting' I mean I'm not sure if I liked it or not?. I ate it though, since you have to try the local dishes or whats the point in travelling, right?