Day 48 - Batdambang to Sisowath Quay, Tonle Sap River, Phnom Penh - Fri 12 Apr

Day 48 - Batdambang to Sisowath Quay, Tonle Sap River, Phnom Penh - Fri 12 Apr
Party across ditch didn't stop until after 11pm, brief interlude then wailing prayers and Bollywood music from 4.15am. No one got good sleep, and long drive ahead. Some of the boys arrived around 7am and watched all our morning routines intensely - fascinated by whistling kettle. I put on John Williamson's Mallee Boy CD really loudly to drown out the loudspeakers. Gave them rest of stickers, they waved us off.











Driving driving driving trying not to get killed.... fascinating sights but tiring staying so alert, and no-where to pull off road. High stilt huts, made of timber, rattan, bamboo, sometimes with carved doors; men and children sleeping in hammocks; cattle on road, in gardens, eating rice spread out on tarps to dry, even one running amok inside a shop. Celebrations in many places, bright tents and people dressed up in best clothes. Crazy overcrowded vehicles everywhere; new lanes forming, vehicles of every description coming straight at you in wrong direction. 

Turned off to see "lake", turned out to be filthy shanty town on muddy estuary. Floating village way out. Many shacks so small no one could stand up inside. Rubbish littered for miles. Too depressing to stay. 

Had Khmer special ‘chicken amok’ in a coconut for lunch. Ran into huge numbers of women streaming out of a factory and chaos of bikes, taxis, tuk tuks, trucks, tractors, bicycles and cars as they all headed home. Rain as came into Phnom Penh;  tuk tuks here look like longtail boats towed by motor bikes. Got stuck in an intersection with trucks carrying standing people crowded into backs, only feet from our faces, we all waved and smiled at each other (OK, maybe not BoyRob).  All wearing same headscarves, must be on way home from work at same place. 

Followed JnJs coordinates past coffin making shop and straight to car park on Sisowith Quay in centre of city, and they were happy to let us both in to camp for night. All vehicles side by side, very cosy. Into Gloria Jean’s for real hot chocolate (not bitter cocoa, or super sweet "meelo"). Went for walk in rain, through night markets, waterfront, watched fireworks and retired to our very public, very noisy bed.