What do you get if you cross Benidorm with Apocolypse Now?
Thursday, 17 February 2005
'Holiday in Cambodia' is a really good punk track by The Dead Kennedys that I've had in my head pretty much all the time I was in Cambodge. That, by the way, is of no relevence really. But after an extremely Cambodge-ish 15 hour journey we made back to the land of Thai and I thought I'd just tell you a bit about the beautiful resort of Sihanoukville that we spent the last couple of nights in.
Well, Sihanoukville is what you get if you cross Benidorm with Apocolypse Now. I shit you not. It's one of the cheesiest beach resorts I've come across but it's got a kind of raw military "edge" to it. Picture several big, white sand beaches lined with bars, hotels, clubs and the like (all in a very western style) but then picture sitting on the beach and being constantly hassled by people with no legs who drag themselves through the sand toward you. I assume this is to do with wheelchair not being good for sand traversal. I got my mind working on alternative transport for Cambodia's amputees. What about mini-hovercrafts? Hmm...No, could blow sand into everyones drinks...how about wheelchairs but with skis instead of wheels??? Also, to get to the beach we were near you neede to walk through a police station....guess what? They were just chilling with their machine guns as usual (By the way, Catherine wasn't joking about the gunshots over our Valentine's dinner - its true). Well, anyway, in the spirit of Cambodge it was all very odd.
We spent our last few days on said beach just chilling and trying not to attract crowds of random children selling crap and other less entertaining hawkers. My method was headphones on, cap over the face - worked everytime. Catherine was not so lucky, she just gets taken in by the kids in her teacher way.
The beach style in Sihanoukville is in sharp contrast to the Thailand style. Firstly, theres alot of locals and when they swim they wear all of their clothes. Trousers, ski jackets, balacavaras, the afor mentioned pyjamas, motorcycle helmets...erm, Im going a bit over the top here but yes, it's head to toe coverage going on as is the old school buddist way but none of the westerners observe this at all in a rather crap way - it's germans in speedos all the way. Also, in the thai islands theres rather disconcertingly no people who don't have perfect physiques. This is not the case here. All kinds of wonky pale bodies proudly parade the beaches with only one thing in common. Nearly all tourists to Cambodia, old or young, women, child or man, have tattoos. What is going on there? Do tattoists give away free flights to Cambodia????
The journey back to Bangkok was pretty cool in a way, we got in a random minibus and hurtled along dirt roads through fishing villages, jungle and assorted random wilderness for hours only pausing to stop to get on ferries across several rivers. Thing is, these ferries are literally three wooden boats tied together with planks across them and they carry about 5-6 big vehicles and a shit load of people. Strangley, we arrived at the Thai border very brown with dust but not wet at all. Impressive.
Cambodia has been really very cool and we've both decided that we need to come back again and investigate further. It's been by far the most interesting experience we've had in SE Asia so far. I'd definately recommend it.
Next step is to meet Rachel in Bangkok, and get our asses down to the cheesy captial of Koh Phangan for some Daz action and some full moon party action. Bryony, Helen, Jez...tell us your plans.....
And finally, for Mr Fenn's benefit I'd just like to add...
Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn, Fenn and Fenn.
And maybe, Fenn.
Happy?
On February 18, 2005, Fenn (Fenn) said:
Ha haaa Rach take that! Wookies always win.
On February 18, 2005, Lady Rachel said:
ah, but you have yet to reach the dizzy heights of having a title.
On February 18, 2005, Daz said:
I am the reincarnation of a Buddhist Deity. I think that beats eveybody
On February 18, 2005, Timothy said:
I think I understand;
Fenn
Fenn
Am I getting the hang of it?
On February 20, 2005, bryony said:
off the current point, but i have landed..where you guys at??
On February 20, 2005, bryony said:
off the current point, but i have landed..where you guys at??