Set off again at 8am today. We hired a minibus as there was myself, the new aid worker Laura, the project co-ordinators Phillip & Conchetta, and their daughter Sophie. Phillip, Conchetta, Sophie and I spent the day painting while Laura did a couple of English classes. Shortly before we left for the day, we had a conversation with some of the children (with the help of our Khmer driver translating) about the food they eat. The responses were heartbreaking to...

Travelled out to Prey Chrouk at 8am for another day painting at the school. At least it was open this time. I had called the School's English Teacher (Mr Vanak) last night to make sure! The other aid worker starts tomorrow, and the two project co-ordinators are also going out for the day, so we're all heading out in a van, sitting amongst numerous cans of paint! Got back to Siem Reap around 4.30pm and rented a bicycle for an hour (it's only $1 a day) and cycled ...

Soo-sa-day Chnam Ta'mai! (Happy New Year!) Hope you all had a good New Year - best wishes for 2008 Today was supposed to be another day at the school. I was up at 7am for my 8am pick-up (would you believe I actually eat breakfast over here - something I never do in the UK). The journey is really enjoyable - you see so much 'life' - I particularly love seeing the farmers washing their water buffalo in ponds at the side of the road. They clearly care so much for ...

I was up at 5am today to head out to the school early. The taxi arrived at 6am and the journey took just over an hour. I am the only aid worker on the project at the moment (another woman is arriving on the 7th) and the school has its own Khmer teaching staff. The village is called Prey Chrouk and is predominantly ex-Khmer Rouge - this area being one of their main strongholds. I'll be honest with you (and many of you know I am a bit of a softie sometimes) but I ...

Soo-sa-day! Sok-sop-bai jee-a dtay? (Hello, how are you?) Well it's now Sunday - a day of rest. Time to work on the tan ;0) I headed out to the Angkor Wat area this morning where I boarded a large yellow balloon, which takes you up 200m, on a static wire, for the most amazing views of the Angkor complex. Sadly due to the heat, it was a bit hazy, but it was a fabulous experience. It cost $15 and lasted 10 minutes (a bit steep out here), but the best bit was tha...