Sihanoukville is Cambodia's future hope for gaining some of the beach destination tourism away from Thailand. 

 A pretty little spot with far too many motorbike drivers wanting to take us somewhere - anywhere! The air reverberates with "want moto" "where you going" the minute you step out of the guesthouse or leave the beach or anywhere, any hour. We, of course, stubbornly (and for our health's sake) walk EVERYWHERE!

We took a 4 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh with a few other Westerners aboard. On arrival we were totally mobbed for transport and accommodation but fortunately we spotted a mini bus belonging to a guest house that Lonely Planet had recommended so we shrugged off the touts and climbed aboard. Our guesthouse was quite luxurious for the $8 a night with cable TV (2 English stations!) and hot water.

After surveying the beach we decided that a 5 day rest at this place, especially at $8 a night, would be just what we needed. We spent our days walking, swimming, catching up on our blog, reading and getting a bit sun burnt. (you'd think we'd know better!)

A highlight was visiting a branch of the "Seeing Hands" organization. There are many blind people in Cambodia (land mines etc.) and the Seeing Hands organization has taught blind people to massage, as a means of supporting themselves. It seems much better handing over $4 to a blind person for a massage than just giving $4 to a beggar. Avan felt his massage was possibly the most beneficial he has had anywhere.

So it is off to Bangkok again before flying to Hong Kong our last destination before Perth.

We leave Cambodia with a real love for the country its people and what we have seen. It's stories are of drama and sadness but the people are truly beautiful and the temples of Angkor are a memory that will stay forever.