Wednesday 17th June 2009, Kratie

Another early start as we were due to be picked up from our hotel at 7:30am. It was more like 7:45 but not bad for asian time keeping. Lisa had already left at 6:15am for her journey to Vietnam so we were back to just the 2 of us. The bus left Phnom Penh at 8am and we arrived in Kratie at just after 2:30pm. Along journey but with ipods for company and working air con it wasn't so bad!

Once in Kratie we were once again swarmed by men wanting to take us to various hotels, we did go and look at one but were not so sure as it wasn't that clean. So we looked at the Loney Planet and followed their advice. There were only 4 and 2 of them were fan only and because we wanted aircon we settled on the Santepheap Hotel. It's fairly nice and still pretty cheap and with a view over the Mekong river not much to complain about.

After checking in we went for a walk around the town, it not very big and most of it centers around the market square, so the walk was just around the square and then we stopped at the Star guesthouse and restaurant for some lunch as by now it was about 3:30pm. Whilst having lunch we got chatting with the owner and he suggested going to see the dolphins (the reason for being here) this evening, as it would be cooler and we could see the sun set as well. Plus he had another 2 girls who wanted to go and so it would be cheaper for the boat. It sounded like a good idea to us so off we went. To get there we had to go by motorbike as it's a 15km drive to Kampi which is where the dolphins are spotted most of the time. It was a very bumpy road and my got did our bums hurt by the time we arrived!! The area we were in was called Kampi and the stretch of water was also the Mekong River. For the four of us it was $7 each for the boat ride out to see the dolphins and we out on the water for about 2 hours. So well worth it. We didn't have to sit and watch for long before we started to see the dolphins. The dolphins are known as Irrawaddy dolphins and they are fresh water dolphins. They are endangered as there are only about 100 of them left. It was really nice to just sit out on the water and watch for them. Thankfully they made a noise very time they came up for air so we new which way to look.

We arrived back to shore about 6:30pm and hopped back onto the bikes. Unfortunately there was a thunder storm looming so we were driving at some very big black clouds and lightening that lit up the sky. It was fairly windy so a bit of a hairy drive back with leaves hitting us in the face. Not pleasant!! We did get a bit wet but not too bad. Once back in town we decided on having a few beers with the 2 other girls. They were called Caroline and Emily. Really nice and both of them have been away from home for over a year and with no plans on returning, yet! We got back into town at about 7pm and suddenly it was 10pm and none of us knew where the time had gone. By this point we were all fairly hungry but none of the restaurants were open!! Very strange! So we had a walk along the water front and found some local stalls doing food. Noodle soup for all before heading to bed at about midnight!!

Thursday 18th June 2009, Kratie

Both of us were quite happy to have a lay in today so it was12pm before we left the hotel. From there we went to get some lunch. Caroline quite enjoyed hers but I have to say it was by far the worst burger I've ever had!! Not an experience I wish to repeat!!

After lunch we went back to the waterfront to catch a boat over to Koh Trong Island. We had been told that there was a ferry over but we ended up in a local's very wooden boat with engine. Neither of us were sure if this was the right boat but either way it was going to the island and it was only 1000 riem (about 16p). But it felt like we were going to get a free swim included so I was very happy when we reached land!! I've decided that really when it comes to boats especially small ones I am a wimp!!! Caroline always seems so calm where as I just show my fear!!

Now Kratie is not a very attractive town so we were really pleasantly surprised at how beautiful, green and lovely Koh Trong Island was. Unfortunately I had to walk around the island bare foot as my flip flops broke on arrival at the island whilst wading through water to get on the main island. As stated by Caroline it was a good job it was my flip flops and not hers!! Whilst on the island we didn't see another westerner any where it was just the island people. It was lovely and all the people we came across (which was a lot) were so friendly. Hello appears to be there favorite word!! All the houses on the island were wooden and on stilts. It seemed quite a prosperous island although very rural. As well as the people there were lots of farm animals and lots of farming land to go with it. The majority of the houses were on the outskirts of the island with the middle area used for farming. It was great and a good walk around as well. Were glad we went. The boat back had a lot more people in it and between the 2 of us I was convinced it was going to capsize and Caroline thought it was going to sink! So we were glad to be back on a dry land.

Once back we grabbed a drink and me some shoes before coming to the internet café, which is where we are now. After this we will be getting dinner and a few beers. As for tomorrow we are heading further north to Ban Lung. Bye for now and happy reading xxx