So for the last three days I've had plently of time to relax and do nothing before going back to teach at ABC's. I then suddenly hit a huge brick wall. My plan was to spend the whole month of June in Indonesia with Sierra, Rosie and Jewel; go to the Gilis and around Bali, then fly back to Siem Reap. The cost of the return flight was excellent so it would work in well. Trouble is, I also want to go to Laos. If I did that too then I wouldn't make it back in time...

My first day back and I still can't wipe the huge smile away. Each child, they are still how I remember they were a month ago, all smiling, and there are now new faces too. It's the start of the new school year so the children have been moved into different levels although some have stayed in the same as 'last year'. Riding through the school gate seeing Tammy take assembly was just amazing-it was like I had never left; hugging the teachers to say hello and ask...

So, I travel half way around the world to get some peace and quiet and who decides to rock up...the rents! I'm only joking! It was so weird seeing mum and dad in Cambodia pretty much where my home has been for three months but so so lovely -I'm going to hate saying goodbye to them in a weeks' time! Yes, it was an emotional hello (soppy I know, but this has been the longest I've been away in my life, so far). So I, and my tuk tuk driver (I make myself sound like r...

So, finally since the two and a bit months I've been here, I've managed to make it to the temples. In fact I will be going next week too, eager beaver! Our first stop was a hike (walk) up Kbal Spean (yes, Cambodia actually has a hill). The walk itself was lovely, animals and funky trees, but the waterfall at the top was a bit of a let-down. It was a tiny little thing with a few engravings and carefully placed stones in front to make splashes sound louder. But w...

In my lunch break I went to a pagoda to be blessed - true Khmer-style, where I was blessed by a monk. It was very spiritual; first he tied the traditional red string around my wrist then I sat on the steps, with him standing behind, with my hands placed together. Then my entire body (apart for a tiny part under one boob, nicely pointed out by Jewel) was splashed (submerged) in water while the monk did the ritual speach. The blessing is obviously different for eac...