It has taken a while to report about our trip to Cambodia. It was just fascinating. Siem Riep was a charming little city with its temples of Ankor Wat which we went to see. A peaceful little town with smiling people who still think that tourists are exciting - not only their money. We stayed in a little villa which was run by Australians. Everyone who considers of travelling in Asia, should go to Siem Riep. Actually, I thought it was even better than Luxor, although the history is of course not that long at all. Temples were an interesting mixture of buddhism and hinduism.

Then Phnon Penh, where we met many friends who work there. The city itself was nothing so special, but the tragic history with the civil war early 70s and then the era of Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot where approximately 1,7 millions of Cambodians were killed, gives you pretty much of thinking. And after all that, people keep smiling and trying. Nevertheless, easy to notice that Cambodia is still far behind its neighbours, e.g. not many cars around. Beggers instead, whose you do not see many in Hanoi.

It was nice and interesting to compare our experiences with those Finnish friends whom we met. Similar challenges in both ountries with continuous efforts of chieting foreigners and bargaining, bargaining...Even after that, I had a feeling that I would really enjoy living in Cambodia. Who knows one day...

After all that, on the third day of my return I booked the next trip to Luang Prabang in Laos, which is another UNESCO heritage and supposed to be at least as nice as Siem Riep. Is there life between holidays, I am wondering right now and thinking how can I manage once I need to be back in "real life". Oh boys/girls, give me your fully support once that needs to be faced!!

I am also happy because next week I should get stock-filling of Presidentti-coffee, rye bread, women´s magasines, Finnish sausage and Novalan hand cream. That is my top five order list for my godparents who are coming to visit us.  And not to forget mustard, of course. By the way, it seems that none of my family members are planning to visit us. A pity, but my dad just likes too much his own villa and thinks that travelling = wasting money. I instead hope that once little Toivo grows up, will be a global guy and work around the world where mum and dad need to bring filling of Presidentti-coffee and Finnish sausage with mustard. I will promise to visit every single place, whether he likes it or not. And I am afraid that he may even need to escort "PPO:n seniorit" group sometimes, or what do you guys think?? Ha haa...

Take care and enjoy. Do not work too hard, dream about traveling instead!!


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