February 2004
I'm here in Cambodia.... more news when I get back.
The story of a lost city being discovered in the jungle by a French Archeologist is pure Indiana Jones. I think the truth is that the temples of Angkor were never actually lost though the peasant farmers of the 180Os never realised the potential of attracting tourists like me. So yesterday, instead of Mr Yerm working 12 hours in a hot muddy field to earn 1 dollar, he can now be my driver for the day and earn 12 dollars (15 with tip). His vehicle is nothing too showy. Not the sort of vehicle you?d hear talked about on the Top Gear program. Just a motorcycle with a sort of pram attached to it in which I was towed fom Wat to Wat. Mr Yerm made good use of the time I I was Wat watching to catch up with his sleep. Angkor wat was magnificent and huge. I?m not sure whether it is one of the wonders of the world (I'll have to loop that up) but it certainly should have been nominated. Angkor Wat is only one of many similar works of art in this area. One of the most Disney like Is Ta Pohm which has been left unrestored looking pretty much as it would have when the French first rediscovered them. Gigantic trees had cascaded their root structure over the brickwork producing what looked like scenery from Indiana Jones sets.
The people here were friendly though the smiling wasn't up to Thai standards and the souvenir vendors, children mainly, would chase after you for a sale. A bit too pushy for Comfort.
A good range of restaurants were available and new hotels were being built every where. Dinner in the Sofitel was the little bit of luxury fir the trip and at 50% off with the Accor card, great value for money.
The picnic in the park was fantastic yesterday. The BSO played music from Miss Saigon? really spooky as Patpong (where it took place) was only a stone?s throw away. Nick and Greeny? you?d have loved it!
No sooner did I mention the word Nick than I received an email from him with a photo of his band - the latest lineup. It's a pity they couldn't affort a studio and had to stand on the street for their pikky.
Can anyone help to find a copy of "The Ugly Bug Ball". The Early Years classes here are doing an assembly and I offered to help locate this music (or better still the video). So far I'm not having much luck. Help!
A 29 day month ahead. We're still in the beautiful weather season here and this afternoon I'm heading back to the park with some staff from school.for a picnic concert by the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra
We continue to monitor the Avian flu scare with a statement on the school website: Chicken Flu update
Otherwise life is steady.. how are you?
Great stuff from Sam and Nick by email .. but a little too much for the gentle readers of this diary. Good to know how to spell Mississippi though.
Thanks to the offers of Ugly Bug Ball... Doug, Ellin and Mark... problem now solved
In addition I got another photo to brighten up a dull diary day from Mark:
"Here's a picture of what I do for fun, taken last weekend. I regularly crew on this 24' boat and am the yellow coat sitting down, flying the spinnaker. It was 4 C and blowing steady at 18 knots (~30 kph) with gusts to 30+ knots (50+ kph). We're doing about 9.5 knots in the picture. That may not sound too fast but actually that is really moving out on a sailboat, very close to the edge of control at all times. Quite a blast!"
So it's half term next week so I'm off to Cambodia to see Anchor Wat. I've been here nearly six years now and still not made the journey so here goes...