New year full of glamour

First of all, cogratulations to glorious Anssi Koivuranta for winning in Innsbruck!
We're now in Don det -island in Laos and this place is better known as the Four thousand islands. It's been a while since the last blogging but also some unfortunate things have happened to us. More shocking revelations coming soon!

The last morning we were on an island I had a little bathroom related emergency and also a little panic because we only had an hour before check out and two hours before the two-hour ferry ride back to mainland. Being forced to get familiar with some Imodium I was ready for the trip although the weather was very windy and the boat was rocking so hard that water flew to my lap once in a while. Before the boatride I had also vomited some blood which was nothing to worry about later but the mental panicing was enormous at that time. All and all I managed to get to mainland without throwing up even though there was an Australian guy next to me throwing up couple of times. Then we found a nice and comfortable double room with an own bathroom for only 40 USD.

Taking account that the date was 30th of December we were compelled to spend some money if we wanted a double room and all we managed to get was a sort of like a massage salon, where were places to sleep for five persons and the price was 80 USD. It was a good idea to take it because on that night Olli got sick also. While I was getting better, Olli spent his new year in the bathroom.

After getting a little better in a couple of days, we headed to Phnom Penh by bus and spent the night in there. The place we spent the night was familiar to us from before and the owner family of the place very kind. They were them who invited us to spend the new year with them in Koh Kong but we were unable to go there. Best greetings to Ma especially and thanks for the hospitality! On this one night in Phnom Penh we went to check out the market scene in the central market but it was just about to close.

So far we managed to find our way to here but more about that on the next chapter.

Holiday in southern Cambodia

Heippa hei to everybody! We're now on an island of Koh Rong in a beautiful and sympatic country of Cambodia. Last few days have been very relaxing and peaceful and tomorrow we're heading to another place on the western coast called Koh Kong. Actually we became friends with this khmer guy who had a guesthouse in Phnom Penh and he invited us to his hometown, Koh Kong, to spend the new year in there. Without thinking too much we accepted the offer right away.

Arriving to the island time was something over six and the sun had just set. We had no place to stay but we were full of hope to browse with lots of options. Well, our hopefullness ran out very quickly while we found out that the whole island was full booked until January. With full of adventure spirit going on and almost fixing up the hammocks to sleep on a beach we scored a tent accommodation for a hefty ten USD per night. By the way, they use double currency here, USA dollars and Cambodian riels, where one USD is about 4000 riels.

Waking up at six a.m. the ocean rushing a couple of meters from us I went to a little walk on the beach. I went to another side of the island but afterwards I found out it really wasn't the other side. I have been reading about this island several years ago when there was a Finnish guy having a bar, nowadays enjoying a cult fame, and the first bungalows only under construction. Comparing what this is now, it's a complete opposite. Local entrepreneurs have had plans about an airstrip in here and also a road that goes around the whole island but either hasn't completed yet. Anyhow, ignoring western-owned restaurants offering same Khmer food five times more expensive this is still relatively easy place to just stay and chill out. There's really no activities here.

We've met loads of British tourists here and also many Aurstralians. Beer is cheap but with other things island prices do exist, such as dorm room á 5 USD, bungalow á 35-65 USD etc... Olli was feeling sea sick when we came here and threw up a couple of times on the way. The boat ride was about to last for two hours but actually it was closer to three because of the high wind.

So far the best thing in this island have been the local kids who are so eager to all the electronical devices such as iPods and headphones. We had a little experience with them yesterday when we were having breakfast in a local food stall when Olli gave his iPhone for charging and when getting it back they had locked his sim card and played some Worms. The sim locking isn't sure yet but the incident is still under investigation. Nice kids!

Yesterday night we winessed a die hard game of bingo in a beach bar with the whole bar crossing the right numbers. The first prize was a modest bottle of Mekong whiskey worth 2,5 USD but it's the thought that counts, right? Also, many of our friends that we got to know to in the main land town of Sihanoukville have came to this island. Yesterday we ran into these couple of Argentinians who are really nice and got to refresh some of our solid Rioplatense. Having nothing to do with this, I also had barracuda for the first time ever yesterday. It was good!

So far we've met two people who have scored a job in here very easily so for somebody being a westerner and wanting to stay long periods of time someplace warm this is an ideal destination. Also, almost every bar in Sihanoukville had a sign saying ”Western staff wanted”.

Killing fields and Tuol Sleng prison

This day was a little more down to earth than the beginning of the trip. We visited the must see places of Phnom Penh, the Killing fields and Tuol Sleng prison. Everybody visits, or at least should visit, these places in Phnom Penh because the genocide, happened during years 1975-79, still has so much to do with the Cambodian history and identity.

The prison itself locates almost in the center of the city and is actually an old school building. The atmosphere was very spooky when we entered the building. We were running a little late after the long trip to the Killing fields and the sun was just about to set. It was also the closing time of the museum so there weren't lights on anymore in all of the rooms. With the darkness and flashlights from our cellphones battleing we marched in and checked the place out. It would've been more shocking with more facts provided and the top floors of the building consisted only of empty rooms with an empty bed on the center. With an idea in our minds it was very scary but as a museum, in my opinion, only a little effort was put into it.

The Killing fields were a little more out of the city and the drive there took about 30 minutes with a tuk tuk. We were provided some audio guides which featured some stories of the survivors as well as some former Khmer rouge officials.The place itself wasn't so shocking as I had thought because we didn't actually see anything, only places where the actions have taken place. Still, what it comes to the scenery, the place gave me a little view on where and what kind of places had the genocide taken place back in the days.

 

After all this insaneous history lesson we were compelled to go and chill our minds a little on a local restaurant. They gave us crayons free of charge and we got to let the artist inside us free. 

 

Protesting in Bangkok

We are now in Phnom Penh, the fabulous capital of Cambodia and these last couple of days have been really awesome. 

 

A few days back in Bangkok, we saw harsh reality of some side products of mass tourism. Also we found some qualities of this Asian traveling hub very appealing. The feeling of no control was overwhelming and sometimes even a little disturbing. An old phrase, nothing works but a decent amount of money will make everything happen, would describe the city more than great. Luckily the weather was mild and we hardly even had to wear any sunscreen to protect our delicate bodies. After all, the capital with nine million inhabitants felt a little too big and bustling to me and everything circling around the money was just enought to take for these four days.

The city is divided right now because of the ongoing protest between the royal family- and the Thaksin supporters. The protesters separate themselves by wearing either yellow- or red t-shirts and take part on these crowded gatherings on the central parts of the city. We were not meant to take part but by an accident we we stranded by a huge mass of people while going shopping. The idea escalated a little bit and then we already were among the locals to witness this ear-braking experience. People had whistles and many were waving a Thailand flag. Everybody were in a happy mood and the thing reminded more like a festival of some sort. Not much other Westerners were there but we stll were not being paid too much attention. One thing is sure, the Thai people have a very strong self esteem and respect for their country despite the political mess going on. After, we heard that there was a total of two million people protesting on that Sunday in various locations of Bangkok.

 When finally going home after a long day of wandering we came across this some sort of street festival. There was bands performing and some stalls offering handicrafts and food. A really different atmosphere comparing to the protest only a few blocks away.

The image that Thailand left in my mind was still a question mark. Spending only four days in the capital city didn't give too much what it comes to the genuine Thai culture. Also, can there be a genuine Thai culture? Maybe that is a mix of modern western influence and an ancient Asian tradition. That we will continue finding out in four weeks when returning to Thailand and heading home.

 

The beginning of an endless trip

Here are we, with my friend Olli, in Bangkok! Everything is fine, the weather is mild and humidity is ok for my delicate nose.

We experienced some random stuff in the way down here while the airlines made us to wait six hours in the Paris airport. The plane was delayed because of there was some problem with the turbine which we found out from one guy who we got to know while waiting. This guy was totally amazing, his dad had worked in Malaysian airlines and he knew some of the sfaff in the airport.

After the delay we got the info that the plane was about to take off and we'd about to get to Kuala Lumpur. Then, on the plane, we got the chance to sit next to each other and managed to sleep some one to three hours. Olli is suffering from a coeliac disease and there was pretty unique set of airline cuisine organized for him. Because of that, I got to eat some of his food and
all he got was some frozen water and beef. When the flight came to an end we went to the KL terminal only to find out that we were scheduled to a new flight to Bangkok at 9pm which was eight hours ahead. We were offered a free hotel room by Malaysian airlines in a five star Marriott hotel and we took the most out of the half an hour we had in there. Also a free buffet was included but the rush was so overwhelming that we had to take smuggle ice cream and couple of pitahaya-fruits with us. Then, when we finally made it to the next flight we were so exhausted that we both fell asleep straight away. There was some delay in that flight also and we waited on the airstrip maybe for an hour but it didn't worry us anymore.

When finally landing to Bangkok we didn't have anywhere to stay but luckily we came across with these wonderful Finnish girls who knew
where to go. We would've went to the same place also but it was nicer to browse options with these Oulu-flickorna. Walking a while back and forth the Khao San Road we found this place we're staying right now for about 6e per night in a double room.

Everything's okay in here now and we're just  enjoying our stress-free life in here now. Wish all of you the best there in Finland and everywhere you're reading this right now! Special thanks also for my best roommates ever, Danny and Meg, who organized and cooked us a never forgetting Vietnamise hotpot-farewell party!