Phnom Penh

Sunday started with a five thirty am wake up where we moved locations from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh via a seven hour boat ride across the Toenail Sap (Tonle Sap) lake. Arriving in PP (Phnom Penh) at around two pm, we moved into the Paragon hotel where you can conveniently sit on the toilet while showering at the same time! We then went to the FCC for wood fire pizza which was fabulous.

Monday started with a seven am wake up where we had breakfast at the chill cafe which is right next door to our hotel. This was a very emotional day as we learnt about the history of Cambodia at the genocide museum as well as the killing fields. After a difficult day we split into two groups where one group went to a traditional Khmer cooking class while the other had a relaxing night at the hotel. At the cooking class Lucky number 2 (teacher) taught us how to make spring rolls and fish amok.

Tuesday began with a 5.45 am wakeup call. We were off to build eleven houses in a remote village of PP. After traveling for approximately an hour and a half via mini bus we arrived at the village where we split into four groups to build the houses. This is when we began putting the floor into place by nailing at least a million nails into the bamboo flooring. We then helped to put up the walls with the help of the Cambodian villagers. After a fantastic team effort we finished a couple of hours ahead of schedule. We had a short ceremony to hand over the houses to the eleven families where we gave them a blanket as a house warming present. Arriving back at the hotel we had a short break and then swapped roles from the previous night with the other group attending the cooking class.

Wednesday began with possibly the first sleep in for the entire two weeks, however with the renovations going on downstairs, the alarm clock of several drills woke us up much earlier than planned. We headed to the Russian market where they had everything from car parts to toilet paper. After a few hours of looking around we boarded the Tuk tuks and headed off to Royal University of Phnom Penh. This is where we visited an English class. After getting to know the Cambodians we received a tour of the campus where Kerang David turned down a date from a lovely Cambodian boy. After returning to the hotel we had a short remembrance ceremony by the river before heading off to the pool for a buffet dinner where cheeky Craig thoroughly enjoyed the burgers and reading over my shoulder.

Catchyas, Tegan H, Ashton and Tiarnah. #cambodialyf