Couldnt quite find a picture suitable for this next bit.

Got up at 5.00 to leave for Bangkok the next day. Previous two days the road from Siem Reap to Bangkok had been flooded -was debating having to fly or bus/ boat/ mini bus/ taxi it up to the border- which sounding long winded and unreliable. Anyways, the previous night word on the street was that it was possible to cross the roads and get to the border. The GH guy had ordered us two taxis which were prepared to take us all the way so a bit dubious 7 of us set off. We were prepared for having to get on to a truck with our bags to cross the most flooded- river like bits of the road- what we wernt prepared for was how bad the flooding actually was. There was water everywhere and we camre to this one bit which must have been about metre/ metre and half deep. There were lorries and rucks stranged and tilted on their sides half wa ythrough as they had atteempted to cross. I suppose its teir livilyhoo and they had a go but to me i cant see what good it did. Neways our taxi pulled up to the water. There were boats and trucks and things so we could see that getting through so it was possible- great!. Next thing we know we are attached to the tractor in front and the guy is pulling us through the water. We had no idea how deep it was untill we started seeing water on the car floor and my flip flop started to float away. The car actually left the ground and floated. When we tilted to the side the water actually came up on to the back seat and i had to stand to stop my bum getting wet. Managed to take a few good photos amidst the chaos but really!!- you couldnt make it up! Never mind our bags - our stuff, us- or the car! It was fine! Toyota's are apparently amphibious vehicles and i would recomend them to anyone! After opening the doors to get rid of the water and after it had poured out of the exhaust it was fine.! Fine! The guy was more worried about the scratch the tractor had made pulling his taxi past a submerged lorry! I ask you! the guy had jst dragged his car through a river!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kind of in a state of shock we just got on with it! it appears to be the only way to cross the roads in cambodia. NO Problem!

Crossed the border again no problem and after advertising for a few randoms got a good deal on a mini bus straight to bangkok. 5 hours and we arrived. Felt incredibly strange being back in thailand after cambodia. Sitting outside 7/11 at a rest stop felt like a strange thing to do so much choice so developed so westernised! Have decided the only difference between here and home is the rice. Nice to be back with the family for one night. Next evening as in last night left for Ko tao island eastern side. ....comfy bus- fully reclinimng seats- no bumpy roads- slept on the bus, then at the port on the floor, then on the boat this morning, arrived 9am, pretty good sleep really lol....

Im here now- feeling incredibly lucky and bit guilty for living a life of luxury. Am tempted to go back up north in a bit to try and get a job i na school or working with local people thailand or cambodia- it is possible - either way i dont want to leave thailand- grrr to the rund the world ticket- want to stay!

Answers on a postcard!

Lots of love suzie

xxx