[Untitled Blog Entry]

Good morning,
In Sihanoukville, what a mouthful. Got to the coast a few days ago and made a cruel discovery; every beach looks the same in the rain. On seeing the sea for the first time Ciaran said, looks like Dollymount. Our destination was Koh Tonsay, had heard lots about it being undeveloped, where we could sit on the beach all day and eat crab. But then I began to hear about rats, bedbugs and packs of dogs. That with rain and rough seas made my mind up. I'm just not that kind of girl anymore. In fact, instead of getting less bothered by where we stay it's bothering me more. I was ranting around our €8 room last night, railing against this ever present smell. Everywhere is musty. I'd say I will regret complaining when I see my "rustic" bungalow on Koh Rong today. I wish I didn't mind sleeping in other peoples dried sweat and body fluids but I seem to have reached saturation point, literally.

The weather looks better today. We booked into a place with a pool yesterday. I was conducting an experiment as to how long the kids would stay in the pool, rain and all.Three hours later I had to fold, how much longer could they have gone?

I can't get over the availability of western food in Cambodia, those NGO's have a lot to answer for. It makes it difficult to get the kids to tow the party line of local food. I prefer the food in Laos, although the choice was limited it seemed fresher, spicier, with more herbs. Khmer curries are surprisingly mild with potatoes, onions and pumpkins, a lot like stew at home.

So our time is getting shorter. Harry's B day tomorrow, Ciarans soon after. I think we will all be happy enough to go home, kids want to see their friends, I look forward to some silence. I'd say work has a certain appeal for Ciaran. That is of course until we arrive home and realise how good we had it here!
Caroline

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