Day Forty Three. Off to the Airport and onto Kuala Lumpur.

I did not sleep well on my last night in Cambodia as I was incredibly sad to leave. Not only was I sad about leaving the country behind but also my daughter who I would miss terribly. We got up early and Sok our Tuk-tuk driver rang to say he was downstairs early. Got ready, showered and closed my suitcase and went downstairs. We both cried and hugged and off I went with Sok to the airport. Spet the trip crying as did not want to go. When we got there Sok gave me a big hug and we said our goodbyes. He had looked after us well and was going to take Heidi to work every morning which I was pleased about.

The flight to Kuala Lumpur was very turbulent. I was not aware at the time but there were heavy winds and rain there. The descent into this weather was scary. I was relieved when we landed.

It is so nice to walk around Kuala Lumpur airport as it is huge and very interesting with lots of shops to see. I went and found my gate so that I would not get lost, then decided to do the jungle walk which happened to be closed due to bad weather. I was disappointed as I had not seen it on the way through. 

Sat and sent some Viber messages to Heidi and rested for a while. Getting hungry decided to eat and wanted something bad like a burger. Went to Burger King as had eaten fabulous food in Cambodia and wanted a change. Could not eat it all but felt better. It gave me some energy. Went to a lounge area with couches and T.V. and I wrote and wiled away my time in the digital world via my phone. As time got closer to departure I went to the gate area. Other people had the same idea and I had a lovely time talking to a lady from Melbourne and then a Buddhist monk from the monastery in Bendigo. Finally boarded for our night flight back to Melbourne .

Day Forty Two. Last Day in Phnom Penh

My last day has arrived and it is to be a busy one. We got up early and headed around the streets to the jewellery shop and bookstore, both of which were closed. Walked further on to the market for last souvenirs to take home. Found more scarves and got more tiger balms in decorated ceramic containers, which make great presents for friends. Heidi bought t-shirts and I pod speakers. Both nice and inexpensive. Returned to the hotel around eleven o'clock to wait for Socheata who worked with Heidi, who was taking us out for the afternoon. First, it was out for lunch. Local Khmer restaurant around the corner was our place of choice. The girls had a sweet sugar cane drink and I had my usual green tea. I had noodles and vegetables, Socheat had congee and Heidi had noodle soup. We got a tuk-tuk from our hotel out to Phnom Penh University where Socheata was studying Korean language and culture. We had a lovely walk around noticing how beautiful the buildings and grounds were. 

We climbed in a tuk-tuk and headed home. Fabulous to sit back end enjoy the sights that the city has to offer. You never get tired of looking around at all the different things. I will miss this city terribly. 

When I got home I finished packing and then went out for our last dinner. I could choose as it was my last one in Cambodia. I chose airconditioned comfort at the Deja Cafe having my favourite meal of prawns, mango, onions and red capsicum in Asian sweet sauce on a bed of rice. We sat and reminisced about our time in Cambodia. 

Back at the hotel we showered and went to bed for our early start tomorrow. 

Day Forty one.

Washing day so that my clothes will dry in time to pack in the suitcase. Reorganised the drawers for Heidi so she now has more space. Packed my suitcase as much as possible. We went out for tea to the local dumpling restaurant around the corner. Tried their vegetable dumplings and fried noodles with egg. Came home to sit on the rooftop and drink some cocktails that we bought at the Royal supermarket on the far corner. We had to buy a bottle opener so we could get into them as we did not have one. We sat up on the roof enjoying the sights and the cocktails. Finally went to bed and watched Lost in Space. 

Day Forty

Getting close to leaving time and heading back home. Time to sort through my clothes and things ready to pack. Spent the whole day in, organizing. Heidi came home very tired after work so we did not feel like going out to eat. I went downstairs to the supermarket for some goodies and on the way back went into the Teddybear Cafe for some takeaway. Ordered chips and fried rice with eggs. Ate in the room then watched a horror movie called The Haunting, which was excellent. An early night had to catch up on some sleep.

Day Thirty nine.

Stayed in all day.  I sat up in the pool area and wrote then went and watched some TV. When Heidi came home we went over the road to the apartments. Got the right one this time but it was on the third floor on steep concrete stairs so I did not climb the stairs. Heidi did the climb but said the apartment was too big with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and very dark. 

When we had finished we walked around the corner to the Deja Cafe again and had a Pad Thai and the best meal ever of mangoes, cashews, red peppers with prawns together with a mix of brown and white rice. We absolutely loved it. 

Home for a shower and some Lost in Space. 

Day Thirty eight. Chinese New Year.

The streets are empty which is very eerie for Phnom Penh. Most Cambodians go home to the country to visit their families over any holiday breaks which leaves the city deserted. Places of business are shut. I sat up on the roof to catch the breeze before venturing out. The jewellery shop was shut so I visited the small bookstore close by. I then had lunch in the Deja Cafe which is nice and air-conditioned. I ordered vegetable spring rolls and a coke. On the way home I called in at the supermarket which was thankfully open. Bought cereal and alcohol to sit on the roof with to celebrate the New Year again. 

Heidi rang to say that we were looking at an apartment at six pm that evening. I worked on ancestry in the afternoon.

At five to six we wandered over the road to the apartments above a house. The owners of the house invited us in to sit down and wait until the agent arrived. We sat and sat and sat but no one turned up for the appointment. The two men that lived there did not speak any English but delighted in laughing at us calling us "Barang" which means foreigner in English. We thought this so funny as we were actually aware of being foreigners. The agent never showed up to show us the apartment and we later found out it was the other side of the building which was only half of it so we missed her.

Went to a special restaurant in our main street called Jars of Clay. This restaurant helps disadvantaged women who are compromised in some way to help them get back on their feet by training them in hospitalities. I ate pea pasta with mushrooms and Heidi had some pumpkin soup.

We enjoyed our meal and the service was great. A lovely restaurant to eat in.

Sunday. Day thirty seven. Aeon Mall.

The cleaning lady arrived at eight-thirty so out of the room by nine am and up on the roof. Our refuge place. Sat by the pool and took some photos. Sitting on the sofa a lady who also lived in the building came and talked to us. She was from England and married to a kiwi. She worked in animal welfare and we talked for ages. Her husband flew helicopters and was away in Thailand working. We had a lovely long talk before heading out to the bookstore around the corner. When we got there it was closed as was the outdoor restaurant so we ended up at a small Japanese place on a corner nearby and got a bento box before climbing into a tuk-tuk and heading off to Aeon Mall. 

We visited a bookstore there and a Cambodian craft store with some lovely merchandise for sale. Heidi bought a lovely baby book in Khmer for a pregnant workmate. She also bought a pale grey top from a large clothing store. We went to the pharmacy for more lomotil[most essential] and then off to Krispy Kreme for afternoon tea.

 We took plenty of photos all the way around the mall.

After Krispy Kreme, we visited the food hall to buy something for tea. We saw cooked bats on top of salads and intestines to buy. Definitely not for us I'm afraid. We instead got vegetable stacks with a prawn on top and a piece of spicy chicken. 

Took our food home and had it in our room that night. We watched an episode of Lost in Space then went to sleep.

Day Thirty six. Saturday. Tuol Tompoung Pagoda.

Visiting Tuol Tompoung Pagoda today. It is not too far from the hotel so we decide to take a tuk-tuk there and walk leisurely back.  The complex was very high surrounded by Phnom Penh's buildings.

 On the way back we called in for a small bowl of noodles before going to the market. 

At the market, Heidi bought up large. A jewellery box, two decorated tiles, two paintings, and a candle holder. 

When we got back we went to the Teddy Bear Cafe for a lunch of fried rice and a toasty cheese sandwich which tasted very strange. 

Came home and Heidi went for a swim while I watched a movie and relaxed.

Day Thirty Five

Going to have an easy day today, washing, writing, reading and then out for a drink at a nearby cafe. Heidi took strawberries to work for her co-workers as they are a real treat. They love them and are very expensive in Cambodia. 

In the afternoon I walked over the road from the hotel to a cafe for a mango smoothie and sat under their fan. Did some Duolingo and wrote my blog. A very relaxing way to spend the afternoon. I sat there for over an hour before returning to the hotel. When Heidi came home we went to Brown Coffee on the nearby corner for dinner. We ate seafood pasta and toasted chicken and egg sandwiches that were nice and light. It was lovely and refreshing to sit in the airconditioning eating and chatting.

Back to bed and TV as usual. 

Day Thirty Four. Going to the Russian Market.

Lazy day as stayed in bed till lunchtime then ventured down to the Russian Market. I wanted some DVD's and ended up buying three. Took a stroll around the market looking at everything that I would like to take home but would not fit in my suitcase. Hot and tired I visited my favourite cafe that makes the best mango smoothies ever. It arrived in a gorgeous large bulbous wine glass. The taste was sensational. I loved sitting in this cafe overlooking the market watching the people and tuk-tuks go by.

The monks would wander past with their alms bowls dressed in orange robes. I sat looking at my new DVD's and my phone taking the occasional photo. 

Walked home, visiting the large supermarket on the way. Bought some coconut oil and then back to the hotel for a rest beneath the air conditioner. 

Heidi and I went to the Teddy Bear Restaurant next to our hotel for tea. We were celebrating the fact that she had been accepted for a paid position with World Vision Cambodia. Had a pina colada and a fruit tingle before dinner. Ate a pad Thai and some fish and chips which we thoroughly enjoyed. 

Tired we headed back to bed. Watched the R.V. movie with Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren.

Fell asleep at 9 pm as so tired. Slept well all night. 

 

Day Thirty three. Out shopping

The cleaners arrived at eight-thirty, a bit early for me but it helps get me motivated. I was still in bed. I go up and sit on the rooftop by the pool and look out over the wonderful sights of Phnom Penh. I like to sit up there and write and read and chat with other visitors staying at the apartments. A lot of them work and you find out lots of interesting things. Back in the room, I do some washing before venturing out at eleven am. Taking a leisurely stroll around several blocks. Found some great clothes stores for Heidi to look in and some with handicrafts. Went around the block and back to my Chinese lady for lunch. Her food is so great. Had to have more egg fried rice. She fed me loads and gave me some soup and a banana for dessert. She is so sweet. 

Next was a supermarket visit. Bought some lollies and nuts for the security guard at the gate who is so sweet and called Moon as his name means that in Cambodian. He was thrilled with the purchase. Back in the hotel room, I had a laydown, watched some tv and waited till Heidi got home. 

We wanted to find somewhere for dinner and Heidi opted for KFC. We chatted to the young man who worked there and then ate our dinner. We felt like eating something familiar. Back home and so to bed. 

Day Thirty two. Phnom Penh

Spent the day in our room after the move yesterday. Caught up on the washing and our new surroundings.

Afternoon TV consisted of River Monsters, Nigella, Window Warriors, and Curvy Brides. All good programs.

 Ran out of toilet paper so went to housekeeping who said that they did not supply it. Not the best place to be without any toilet paper, so when Heidi got home we visited the supermarket for some and Dorito chips. We walked down our side street to a restaurant called the Sesame Noodle and ate vermicelli with chicken and salad.

 Back in our room we showered and settled in with our chips to watch TV.

Day Thirty-one. Moving Day.

We packed our last bits and pieces and sat outside by the pool till our tuk-tuk arrived to take us to Queen Mansion. Arrived at a lovely clean room on the fifth floor with spectacular views out over the rooftops of Phnom Penh. We will enjoy our time here I am sure. 

 There was a rooftop pool on the sixteenth floor.

At night it looked magical.

I spent many a happy hour up on the roof away from the crowds enjoying writing, relaxing and taking photos.

 We spent our time unpacking and stayed in after going down the street for lunch as Heidi was unwell. Walked down the street to a small Chinese crepe shop and had a wonderful meal of egg fried rice and a vegetable crepe. 

We brought half of it back home as it was too large to finish, so we ate the rest for dinner with some two-minute noodles after visiting our new supermarket. We now have one at either end of our street which is very handy if we come back from any direction. We were very tired after our moving day so went to bed and fell asleep in front of Fake or Fortune, the art show.