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“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” –Mark Jenkins

Monday, 18 February 2013

A full days travel

Smoked salmon and bubbles to start at Heathrow (becoming a holiday tradition that!), followed by a luggage strap and clickie-mosquito-bite-ease-thing purchase (don't ask - I just know they work and are worth every penny).
The main flight to Bangkok was 11h20m and I quickly discovered my "jeggings" (which were chosen for comfort, weight and pack-size when rolled into my rucksack) proved to be totally the wrong choice when it came to getting on the ultra tight flight socks that I needed to stop my legs twitching and keeping me awake. Unfortunately almost as soon as the food had been served and eaten, I began a series of hot flushes, and decided to try removing the socks to regulate my temperature - the attempt ended in another bout of sweat and frustration trying to get the damn things off!  ... after removing one of the socks I gave up and watched a film instead - "Hope Springs" with Merryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones - very amusing.
After not very much sleep and several bored hours of fidgeting, we were served breakfast followed by mild turbulence to shake it all up before arriving in Bangkok at ten to four in the afternoon local time.

The second flight was much better at only 50 mins during which they served yet another meal in record time - although worryingly the plane itself appeared to be a cut-and-shut - as the row numbers went from 14 to 32!.

Coming in to land Mum and I were a little confused as to why we could not see any lights or roads beneath us - the view was ominously dark and devoid of life. Cambodia has power right?
On arrival we successfully bought our visas, a mobile broadband SIM and recovered our luggage before heading out in a taxi to find the hotel. It all seemed very simple and easy to navigate. The only problem being the heat and the mosquitos - they were everywhere - the DEET was out the luggage and applied before we left the airport!
Also turns out Phnom Penh does indeed have electricity, and is actually very lively on a Monday night - it's just all hidden from above. Hilary's boutique hotel is perfect for us - small pool, basic recognisable food and Angkor Beer. We've arrived!

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