Hi All,

Yesterday evening, after we arrived at the King Guest House it started pouring with rain. Emma, Emily and I decided that we couldn't wait for it to stop and so ventured out into the rain to find a place to eat. We found the Mekhong River Cafe where we had noodles and rice. Very very good food!!! We then wandered down the river side trying to spot the Pink Elephant bar, but we were not successful so we started heading back to the guest house. Emma then spotted a fun looking street, which we began to walk down, before we noticed a p**** Cat club and a Hooters, and then quickly turned back to the main road.

We then spotted a Dr. Fish Massage. I was very skeptical, but of course the argument came up...when in Asia! So we took off our shoes and plunged our feet into the water where 100's of tiny little fish swarmed to our feet and began eating the dead skin off our feet. I was not happy about the initial sensation, well I more or less freaked out. But I decided to continue as the lady promised after a few minutes it would be fine, which it was. Very weird experience, but you should try it just for saying you have :)

So today we had an early start to the day - woke up at 8am and were out the door at 845am, destination- the Central Market. We planned to get breakfast there, however after wondering around countless clothes stalls & jewelry stalls we found the food section. Not exactly what we were expecting. Endless stalls of fresh fruit and veg and plenty of chopping live fish up and plucked chickens and ducks hanging from hooks. Needless to say we did not find breakfast. So we wandered around a bit more and found a cafe type place where we orderd noodles and rice for breakfast- quite different from usual toast and cereal. Emma had really nice noodles, however Emily and I took the chicken with fried rice, where the chicken was mainly just bone...not the most enjoyable...:s First lesson of the trip: don't order chicken from a street market.

We then headed up the main road to Wat Phnom, which was very beautiful and a nice peaceful break from the busy streets that were below. We also witnessed an elephant having a bath in the park that surrounds the temple.

After we decided to see what the river looks like in the day time, and took a stroll down the water front. We ended up walking as far as the Royal Palace, which was closed, but at least we got to see some of it. The buildings looked amazing from where we were standing, too bad we couldnt get into the grounds to get a closer look.

We came back to the guest house for a quick snack and then met the tuktuk driver who drove us from the airport yesterday. However, when we asked how much he wanted to charge, he told us $20, but we only wanted to go two stops and remain in the city centre. Our haggeling skills had to come into play, but the guy was pretty pissed off with us, so we told him we would pay the "lost charges" he had from coming to pick us and and to drop us off at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and we would find the rest of the way. Lesson 2 of this trip: Don't preorganise tuktuk drivers unless certain of the route, and don-t say yes just because they are nice.

Tuol Sleng Museum was a big wake up call. I was saying to Emma and Emily we really are quite sheltered from some of the happenings in today's world. But also, how could a group of people put a whole population through so much horror! We read some interesting stories of surviving prisoners, as well as the camp employees. We also saw the remains of the torture rooms and even blood splatter on the ceiling. A very sobering visit. Of course when it came time to leave, another monsoon decided to pass us by, so we waited for about 15 minutes before pulling on our panchos and rain jackets to make the treck down to the Russian Market.

The Russian Market was much more of what we were expecting from this mornings market. 100's of tiny stalls packed under a dark dingy roof, with plenty of clothes, jewelry, dvds, motor parts and fresh food. There was also a food court where Emma and I decided to try a spring roll. Lets hope it goes down well :)

We are now back at the guest house, going to go to the local food shop to stock up on some snacks for tomorrow 6 hr bus ride. The journey will begin at 6:30. That way we will have the afternoon to roam around Siem Reap and then have all of Sunday to do the temples.

Meal count so far:

Emma 3 noddles and 1 rice dish

Emily 3 noodles and 1 rice dish

Jessica 3 rice and 1 noodle dish.

Hopefully this won't get old, or we get the option to switch it up a bit :) But so far I am not complaining too much, lasts nights dinner has to be the best so far.

Ok, off to stock up on snacks.

If everything works out we will be staying in the sister guest house to this one, in Siem Reap, so should have access to internet again and hopefully keep the blog updated! :)

Jessica