Hi Guys,

This is the first official journal for my site, so you will have to bear with me!

I am now in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and I have just finished my Cambodia leg of the tour that I am doing.

Bearing in mind that I wrote an essay for my last email to you all which was only 3 days, this might be a challenge to fit everything in, but here goes!

After my temple climbing incident in Siem Reap, we left to go to Kompang Chan, which was a poor town right in the middle of the country. As it was such a small town there really was very little to do, so we all went on a bike ride to a neighbouring island. Being an island an all, this involved a short hop on a local ferry - now, one thing we quickly picked up in Cambodia was the locals concept of space! Whereas us westerners like a minimum on 18 inches personal space, Cambodians appear to want to get as closed to you as humanly possible. On a boat, which i am sure must have taken 10 minutes to make, and on first glance should really take no more than 20 passengers, we had over 100 including motorbikes, chickens, children and of course our bikes. It really was a site to be seen, and quite an uncomfortable 10 minute hop! However, it was of course fine, and we did enjoy quite a long bike ride and chatted to the locals, gave sweets to the children etc! - It was a good laugh

After this we went to Kratie which was another small town, where we took a boat trip to see some irraddy dolphins! so that was cool.

We then went to Takeo for our homestay, which was great as we stayed with a local family, where we all eat, drank and chatted together. It was all going so well until we started to play some drinking games! Now of course as most of you know, the last time I played drinking games I ended up with a broken collorbone and a swollen eye that resembled that monster from the goonies! Not nice, anyway, whilst this experience was no way in the same league, it is fair to say that I lost! I actually ended up passed out on the dinning table and required a sick bucket! Not nice, however the family were so understanding about it all! and there was no harm done! Although for the last 5 or 6 days (you quickly loose count) I have had to endure "sorry about Jon!", taunts - when will I ever learn!

After the homestay we drove to Silhounoukville, which was only a 4 hour drive, but bearing in mind we all had hangovers, was particularly unpleasant! Anyway, this place is the major beach resort in Cambodia, and we were able to spend a couple of days here, chilling out, snorkelling and sun bathing! Most of us got a little sunburnt, and I ended up with patches all over my body - again! Gem, Vic and Ben, you remember Portugal I am sure!

Anyway, the scary experience that I encountered in this place was that there was a cow on the beach! which is hillarious anyway, but after the cow sun bathed for a few minutes he decided to take a stroll along the beach, right were we were sitting! I am sure all animals smell fear, as the cow who was quite happily walking past lots and lots of tourists, saw me and decided to gallop torwards me! Yep! he tried to charge at me - I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that I screamed a little! Which of course again made the others laugh hysterically! Oh well!

After the beach town, we went to Phonm Penh which is the capital city and famous for the 'killing fields' of the Khmer Rouge era during the 70's - this was the most depressing place I have ever been to - it was so sad that they killed so many people and in such a short time, and in such an inhumane way! It was an experience to see it!

Anyway, after Phonm Penh we corssed the border into Vietnam, to Ho Chi Minh City - where I am now! We waved goodbye to the friends leaving the tour this morning and I am just about to join the second welcome meeting for the Vietnam leg! The good thing is that I have 3 friends from the previous tour, also joining me - so that is good!

Anyway, I hope everyone is well back home!

Take Care

Jon