Just a flying visit to Phnom Pehn, having got the bus from Siem Reap (bus with Capitol Tours, $5, perfectly good). Again we were struck by the fact that the buses are mainly used by locals- we were two of four white faces on board. It's great that despite the poverty of the country, people travel far and wide... and it's great that we tourists aren't being tucked away on separate, overpriced buses. What's less great after a few hours are the karaoke music videos played at FULL VOLUME throughout the journey. Crazy.

So we arrived, checked back into the California 2, had Mexican food there for lunch, and planned our onward journey- we wanted to get to Phu Quoc island in Vietnam, ideally achieving this is two days, getting a boat to Chau Doc, a bus to Rach Gia and a boat to the island (staying over in CD or RG depending how far we make it in one day). So we booked a slow boat with Mekong Tours for a bargainous $12 and set about exploring Phnom Pehn. Or at least, having a drink by the lake for sunset and then going to the mega posh Hotel Royale for happy hour cocktails. Both were great- the lakeside is where most backpacker places are. The views over the lake are lovely and the atmosphere in the bar friendly, but the area is really grim and full of drug dealers etc.

So off to the posh hotel where we had a fabulous evening enjoying the cocktails (okay, even once happy hour had finished) and playing pool for ages, Suzie even taking on the concierge in a game... and winning!

At that point it was all going so well. Then, without wishing to impose any details upon you, we both were revisited by that afternoon's Mexican meal. Proper travellers' food poisoning for both of us, and no way were we going to be getting on a boat at 7.30am. So another night in PP for us, and a pretty full recovery, facilitated by sleeping until 2.30pm!