Kara arrived in Phnom Penh on Monday October 8. Just as her plane was touching down, a phone-call came in from Dave Collins, Toowoomba, Australia. He asked me for the hand of daughter no. 2 - Melody. Dave is a great guy and because he said 'please' the engagement is all on.
OK - wonderful to see our first-born. First up was a return trip to our 'happy place' - Kep. We made the journey in a van with Kiwis 8 and Aussies 3 - all good people who need to take their needed break times away more seriously!
Kara in Kep - she promises to return
We had already learned that our 5 booked rooms had become 4. More surprises in store however - only two nights had been booked in which meant that there was no room at the inn on day 1. Atay panyaha (no worries) - seven of us took a boat out to Rabbit Island while Graham and Sue Taylor (of moto robbery fame), Sue Hanna and Frank (who I still need to introduce) slummed it at the Kep Beach House - aircon, swimming pool .... you get the picture.
Rabbit Island is a little more basic. Our swimming pool however was great - the ocean at our doorstep; clear warm water and coconut palms hovering over sandy beach. Accommodation is a room each in a village house, where a sleepy scorpion was tucked into Mark and Jo's folded sheets (true!) and the local family are in the room next door - or talking thru' the night under the house.
It was a wonderful way of spending thirty hours or so. Two of those hours that entertained us the most was the wait for dinner - cooked over an open flame. One hour into the wait, and the cook is running after a chook, knife in hand (also true!).
Kara, and our chariot to Rabbit Island in the background. The island lies very close to the border with Vietnam. It is perhaps 2km x 1km; with houses dotted along the coastel strip and impenetrable, hilly jungle in the interior.
Back to Kep, where we were based at Vanna Guest House; where the restaurant cooks with gas and from where there are lovely views out over the little town and out to the ocean, with Vietnam hills in the distance.
Good night, Vietnam
Vanna - home of the famous $1 pancake breakfast
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