Merry Christmas everybody, it has recently become very festive for us as the bar/hostel we stay at in Phnom Pehn asked to help with all the xmas decorations, Amy was Lawrence Lewelyn Bowen for the day and gave her orders, I on the other hand sat there and gave my orders, which was mainly glasses of beer. I also bored Amy with my Christmas spirit by listening to Christmas songs on the ipod, Wham is my favourite!!

Since we last spoke to you we had got back to Phnom Pehn after the worst bus journey, but we had a day out to Udong mountain 15km’s from Phnom Pehn , this was the old capital and also where they still bury the bones of their royalty under huge stupors , we also went to a place where some monks hang out and entered a temple that has only been open to tourist twice this year, we were also the only ones around.

There was also the dead body of a famous dead monk, he had been killed in political cross fire and they had since shoved his body in a glass box, we paid our respects which generally involves money, as soon as we did they were so happy they took Amy right up to the top of the glass box which sat 8 steps up. She was face to face with the body, all but some glass, all a bit morbid however our tuk tuk driver/guide told us Amy was very honoured to be taken up to see the body by the monks. Amy on the other hand looked liked she had seen a ghost (she was ok though)

We have since made it down to the costal resort of Shanoukville, very popular with tourists and backpackers. We arrived last night and like Mary and Joseph there was no room at the inn’s (by the way Amy isn’t pregnant) so our tuk tuk driver drove us to one place where we have decided to settle for afew days. Today we headed to the beach which literally has 25 bars sitting right on the water and whilst you attempt to relax you are bombarded with beggars, kids and adults selling you everything from massages to bracelets, Amy buckled under the pressure and went for a manicure and pedicure, it was only 5 dollars , plus she had all the hair removed from her toes (I can no longer all her hobbit girl)

We also get harassed by tuk tuk drivers wanting to drive us as little as 10 feet, also they say ‘you want tuk tuk ‘ so fast you sometimes have to say ‘excuse me that is no way to speak to lady’!! Anyway all these people trying to sell things spoils it because they just don’t stop, so we are going to try and find a quieter beach tomorrow.

Anyway we are off to eat some food for less than it costs to buy in the UK.

Bye Bye