Wine tasting is just one of the things you can do in Battambang. Yesterday Ann and I went on a full day tour of the surrounding area which included the vine yard. It also included several things that I have done before but because I was with someone who hadn't I saw a completely different side of them. It was great to go back on the bamboo train as they have cleared a lot of the bushes and you can see for miles. They are also building a road across the track, so...

As I have said this week is Khmer New Year. I am now in Battambang and in the Royal Hotel. I always feel this is where my Cambodian adventure started all those months ago so it is appropriate that I am here for part of New Year. Ways that I have seen people celebrate: 1. Fireworks 2. Water fights 3. Family parties 4. Beer and I suspect other alcohol 5. Loud teenagers 6. Music 7. Fairs 8. Markets - esp selling mattresses!! 9. Closed cafes (including my f...

Well I never - we arrived at the "mountain" where the Killing Cave and bat caves are found to be offered a choice, walk or use a moto. I thought to myself - I can do it, it is not that steep, I am not that old..... when I heard Kathryn say let's take the moto!! I loved it and more to the point so did she. The Killing Cave had an atmosphere that is difficult to describe without using the word dread. It is not over done but everyone, including children, just fell ...

One down two to go - before I finish this blog I will have eaten all three. The first was a french chocolate mousse which tasted devine. Before you all put your hands up in horror and say how could she - I deserve it. Interviews through an interpreter all week with only a travel day in between is exhausting. I also stood on a set of scales for the first time since I arrived - lost 6Kg since the doctor weighed me for my medical and it was in the evening with my...

Yesterday evening the deputy director of education asked if I would like to join him and his three sons (triplets, delightful boys of 8 years old) for dinner. It was great you couldn't ask for lovelier company. We went to a local Khmer restaurant and yet again I ate dishes that were delicious and this time I could identify them. Ginger and chicken, beef in a Cambodian sauce, veg (easily identified because they were raw) fish soup and of course rice. I was back in...