Waiting for Angkor
We also found a driver to take us around the temple complexes over three days. We like him – he still has his baby fat and he's chill enough so that we negotiated down the price with little consequence.
Small victories.
I found a fruit stand that mixes durian and jackfruit shakes. Golden. Yesterday, I managed to find a cap (to replace the one I forgot in Pakse), new sunglasses (to atone for the one I broke Champasak), and new sandals (to supplant the ones I broke in Si Phan Don which are the replacements for the ones I lost in the Mekong).
We found a budget hotel to replace the Victoria Resort – the current luxury was a splurge for YuppieNomad's birthday. The new place is within walking distance of the pubs and, while it's no five stars, it's good.. sort of like if Natalie Portman is out of your reach, then that cute girl from the next cubicle is a good second winner.
We also found a driver to take us around the temple complexes over three days. We like him – he still has his baby fat and he's chill enough so that we negotiated down the price with little consequence. Jolly fellow.
The best victory? YuppieNomad floated today. In the hotel's swimming pool. I've finally witnessed her doing something in the water other than flailing. It's been a long road, but she actually floated and even swam a little the length of the pool.
Oh yeah. And then there are those temples. We got a glimpse of Angkor Wat at sunset today. Brilliant. Tomorrow we start in earnest. The heat will be a challenge, I think, and so will the photography... but I'm psyched after reading the about the history of the Khmer Empire (ever notice that the only 'ancient empire' left standing is the Chinese? I wonder why).
Can't wait to see what you think of Angkor! Hope you guys will get some good weather!
Be sure to have to ginger nougatine ice cream at the Blue Pumpkin! It's simply divine!
Posted by: Sharon | July 15, 2006 at 07:59 AM
cute that you wrote about yuppienomad's new success in floating :) *high five yuppienomad!* o i think finding out about cambodia's history will be sad. but write about eveyrthing you learn. i know a great man who is a missionary there but i hvae no idea where exactly in cambodia he is. but he makes me have great love for that country...feel like there are many lovely souls in that country.
Posted by: jojo | July 17, 2006 at 01:34 PM
hey I saw this on the yahoo frontpage. Maybe while you're there you can become an investigative journalist.
http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs7588
but maybe it'll spoil your vacation, so nevermind.
Posted by: kyle | July 17, 2006 at 02:25 PM
Ooh, I'm all about the small victories, though sorry to hear about your continued bad luck with accessories... good thing you're an efficient shopper.
Woohoo, YuppieNomad! (Imagine me singing the theme song)
Posted by: blowingbubbles | July 18, 2006 at 11:15 PM