Trip going really well. We missed the disaster in Phonhm Phenn by less than 24hrs. There were 2 million people there for the Water Festival which runs for 3 days. 378 killed & 450 injured. The night before went out for a walk but nowhere near the bridge. Great Dragon boat races.
Currently in Bangkok & will leave today for Khao Yai National Park to trek for 2 days. The project in Battambang was a great success. We demolished an overgrown bamboo fence at the rear of the street families Centre. We had to dig out the old posts & straighten them, recess in new rails & put new cyclone mesh wire 1.8m high. We contstructed 42m of fence in 4.5 days. Looks great & group drew mural on wall of Cambodian & Aussie flag crossed with school names & World Challenge. Donated US $330 to Street Families Centre. Went to Tara Winklers Orphanage (Cambodian Children’s Trust). Currently 28 orphans in old UN building. Kids were so happy to see our group & played games together & had a lots of fun. The orphans have some awful illnesses such as Hepatitis, blood disorders, stunted growth & AIDS.
The orphans put on a Khymer dance concert, which was fantastic. We donated money, about US $1000 from personal money & funds raised at school. A very emotional time & wish we could have stayed longer. Tara was not there but back in Aus going for interview as nominated for Young Australian of the Year. Young girl Erin, a volunteer, was very helpful. Each kid is sponsored back in Aus but they need funds to renovate the building which is in poor condition. Last night at Street Families Centre we ate fried FROGS, GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS. Not a big fan of these but the grasshoppers were alright. Students think they now have a way of ending the locust plague back home.
Then travelled to Siem Reap. Lovely markets many students bought paintings of Ankor Wat. From here a day trip on Tuk Tuks to Ankor Wat. Up at 4.30am. Unbelievable the scale of the temples and area they cover, so many to see. Need 3 days to do it justice. Saw sunrise over Ankor Wat. Heaps of tourists. Then went to Ta Phrong temple were Tomb Raider was filmed with Angelina Jolie. Bayon temple was eerie with originally 54 towers with carved heads looking at you from all directions. Photos of monks here were excellent. Long day. Have had many Tuk Tuk rides, a lot of fun. Now in Bangkok at Soy Rambutri street were Westerners stay & dine out. We are off to see the maurading deer, porpupines & monkeys. Hope we make it back to Bangkok.