Description

“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

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Ieng Sary, Former Official of Khmer Rouge, Dies at 87


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Thursday, 14 March 2013

Positive exposure for the charity!

Hi again Joanne,
I just wanted to give you the very good news that your visit story was picked up by several local papers for their websites! I think this is the most online interest I’ve seen so thank you so much. It’s fantastic to get news of Plan’s work out there for people to read about.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Westaly
Westaly Duignan
Supporter Development Co-ordinator
Plan UK
|www.plan-uk.org
Address: Finsgate 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9LH
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Sunday, 10 March 2013

on reflection...

It's been a week since I returned now and I have had a little time to review the photos (all 1019 of them), I've even uploaded some (click here to view the first 165!) and spent 3 days working in Italy which gave me yet more flying time to reflect...
Cambodia as a country is a photographers dream, so many subjects, so much colour and so much history. The people are incredibly calm, almost submissive, happy and always pleased to help. The Buddhist religion is also clear throughout - but what sticks with me most are the opposites that are seen all over the country; sweaty rickshaw riders laden with goods bumping along in between the rich Lexus drivers in their air-conditioned cocoons. The holiest of ancient pagodas and immaculate temples perched on top of mountains that are completely covered with waves of

Friday, 1 March 2013

Rest and recuperation my arse!

After a very poor nights sleep we met for breakfast at 8am which was the best we've had so far. Both western and Cambodian food choices, fresh fruit and even yoghurt.
Today we had planned to be a day of rest and recuperation, and seeing as we are at a spa hotel we had booked ourselves in for a 1pm treatment. Having never done it before I opted for the safest...  foot reflexology. With the miles we've clocked up this trip and rapidly growing bunions like mine I was expecting great things, and it didn't disappoint. 45 minutes of foot massage and pressure therapy for a mere £7 was worth every penny. So much so that I decided to book a second treatment for 4pm whilst Mum was having her all over aromatherapy oil body massage. Not one for having my bits felt by strangers, I went for a simple head, shoulder and back massage. On arrival we were again given very fiery ginger tea which was gorgeous (and sobering after the two beers we had already consumed by the pool) and were then taken to the spa treatment room. Mum got given some fetching navy pants and I got a pair of linen pyjamas. I lay on the bed and put my face through the hole as instructed, which felt a little tight I have to admit, but they had kindly provided a view for me by placing an arty bowl of water on the floor filled with pebbles and a fresh lotus flower - which Mum later told me was supposed to waft scents up to me during the experience. The therapist started by asking me whether I wanted a soft, medium or strong massage and having never done it before I went with medium, she was only tiny, how bad could it be?... well.... if that was medium I dread to think what strong would have done to me.
The pyjamas should have given me a clue that this wasn't going to be a soothing affair, but quite a painful pummelling and one that wasn't limited to my head, shoulders and back either, it pretty much covered everything except my chest. The legs, arms and bum were bearable - nice even, but the back and shoulders were seriously uncomfortable. At one point it felt like she was actually standing on my shoulders - which forced my head deeper into the already snug hole cutting off my air supply, which in turn caused a steady stream of dribble to land in the bowl below! Thankfully the hour flew by and before I knew it I was out of there leaving Mum to enjoy her final 30 mins in peace. I don't think I will be venturing into a spa again any time soon.