Jol Moi, Jol Mdroy!

The past 24 hours have been very random. I arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia after a bumpy 7/8 hour journey. I jumped in a tuc tuc with two girls from London who I was chatting to on the bus.

They had researched a newly refurbished B&B called the starwood inn. I decided as I hadn't booked in anywhere I'd tag along & check the place out.

Although the $12 price tag (post barter) was a little off-putting at first, I just couldn't resist the temptation of a deluxe double room with air con & en suite. Especially after spending 5 nights in a $3 fan room with shared bathroom.

After taking a shower I went down to reception to ask if there was anywhere I could walk out to eat something. The tuc tuc driver said "I take you to riverside for $2!!"

"no" I replied, I just wanted to walk round the corner.

"I take you for $1!!" he said.

This guy would literally take me to my room for $1 if the logistics were possible.

So after dodging the crazy tuc tuc guy, I took a walk out and came across a local Cambodian seafood restaurant with a keyboard player, singer and random outbursts of Cambodian karaoke.

Having enjoyed my meal and drink which was a lot cheaper than western places, the entertainment finished.

The keyboard player (Don) & singer (Mosa) noticed I was sat on my own and as the only westerner in the bar they approached my table and sat talking to me for a while.

"here we go again", I originally thought. What are the selling, what's the con?! I followed my gut feeling on this one and they seemed genuine.

They asked me to join them for a beer in their local. I agreed (still on my gut feeling).

Fortunately my gut feeling was right. I sat drinking with them till the early hours and Don kindly paid for the beers.

The fun doesn't end there. The next day they picked me up at my hotel, and we went out on a tour of the city.

First stop was a bite to eat at a local Cambodian restaurant. You really do get value for money when you go to these local places, however as the numbers are all in Cambodian, I'd have no chance ordering on my own.

We then went to see the "star bridge" where 500 people were killed in a stampede last Year. I clearly remember seeing this on the news as it was after I booked my trip. It was fascinating to see the bridge after seeing it on the news.

We also visited the Royal Palace which was spectacular, however it was very similar to the Grand Palace in Bangkok. I think I've seen far too many buddah's now!

The last place we visited was s21 which was a school turned torture prison by Pol Pot in 1975. We saw all the rooms where the prisoners stayed and the torture chambers.

We also saw horrific photographs and skulls of some of the victims. The most disturbing thing is how recent it was.

Unfortunately that's where the day came to an end as Don & Mosa needed to prepare for their set at the restaurant.

I'm certainly up for another plate of seafood and some more after work drinks. However I'm sure it won't be a late one tonight as they both work as DJs at a Cambodian radio station (100.7 monday-friday).

Mosa works 6am-8am (ouch!!) and Don works 11am-1pm. I think there's more chance of me catching Don's set than Mosa's!!

What a great day I've had, I'd like to thank you both if you read this.