GOOD NIGHT, CAMBODIA

Day 29, April 19th

After the past two days here in Sihanoukville, our expectations are very low and there are no plans at all today.

I'll suffer through a sunburn for this.

My sunburn is still beyond painful and I am starting to get the water blisters everywhere.  Last night was another painful night spent trying to find a comfortable position and slowly peeling the sheets off of me.  It serves me right.

We are up a little later than usual.  The three of us head down to breakfast about mid morning.  Patton and I enjoy our usual grease with a side of eggs, under cooked bacon, toast, coffee and orange drink.  We’re convinced it is Tang mainly because it is crunchy.  Mom dines on a piece of toast and Lipton’s hot tea.  I don’t think she has had anything other than that for breakfast the entire time we have been traveling.

Over breakfast we discuss the upcoming plan of action.  Today is our last day here in Sihanoukville as well as our last day in Cambodia.

A few kids working.

Early tomorrow morning we leave by bus and arrive in Saigon, Vietnam sometime tomorrow night.  My guess is things will be suspect until we hit the border and then smooth sailing to Saigon.  If I remember correctly, the transportation system in Vietnam has its act together much better than Cambodia.  Nevertheless, we need to make sure we have enough snacks and water in case we go a long stretch without stopping.  Of course, the exact opposite is usually what happens and we stop way too much.  But, a good rule to follow when backpacking is to always have some food and water on you.  We need to inventory and stock up.

We also need to resolve the issue with the towel.  We have to pick it up today and turn it in to the front desk at the hotel.  I just hope that girl is there and not the dude.

After breakfast, we split up.  The kids head into town to check it out.  I again head to the beach.

I know, I know, I have a horrible sunburn and there is no reason I should be there.  And you are right.  But, instead of sprawling out like my manties-clad brethren from snorkeling the day before, I plan to slide under an umbrella and stay fully clothed.

Not a bad way to spend the day.

As I get down to the beach, it is noticeably quieter.  There are fewer tourists and fewer hawkers.  The Khmer New Year is completely over and most people have returned to the big cities.  And being so empty, there is a high demand for my business.  Every bar and restaurant has a few people outside trying to coax me into their beach chairs and under their umbrellas.  Naturally, I pick the place where the people put forth the least effort to secure my patronage.  My thinking is they will likely not hassle me when I eventually fall asleep.

It is a really beautiful day today.  A light breeze.  A bit cloudy.  The water is blue.  And no noise.  It is as if everyone woke up from a bad bender, and most probably did.  They are certainly doing their thing, but not with the same energy, just going through the motions.  The hawkers display their wares, but almost listlessly.  They hold them up, all I do is smile and they just keep on moving.  Quite nice indeed.

I pull out my ipod and tune in to a chill Café Del Mar medley, lay back and watch time crawl by.

My new friend.

A couple of naps, a few mango smoothies, several Tiger beers and one plate of french fries later and it is about time to pack up and head back.  As I am about to go, a couple of kids come up and start chatting me up.  They hold up their bracelets for sale and I lazily look at them.  A couple of them are interesting.  The kids aren’t selling hard, they are just bored and we do less business and more talking.

While we are talking, I see the foul-mouthed girl from two days ago turning up the heat on a group of Sihanoukville newbies.  She gives them a right nice welcome and tells them to, “Go back to your F*#@!%G country!”  I’m guessing they didn’t buy either.

I get a couple of skull and crossbones bracelets for two special Hellions from my new friends and I mosey on out of there.  I feel pretty damn relaxed.

I link up with the kids and we go grab the towel from the laundry service.  Imagine that, no blue stains.  Well, at least barely noticeable blue stains.

So soft.

So refreshing. 

We head to a nice dinner across the street from our hotel.  American food.  Certainly a nice break from what we have been eating.  During dinner, mom walks back to our hotel lobby to call home.  Ironically, while our hotel will charge you $8 for a stained towel, they will let you call back to the United States for free.  Mom calls PaPa and wishes him a happy 86^th birthday.  She says he and MaMa still can’t believe we are on this trip and are more amazed that we extended it.  A few desserts.  Coffee.  The check.

As we head through the lobby, I stop off and turn in the towel at the front desk.  The kids continue up to their room and let me handle it.  The girl is there.  Towel issue settled.

In my room, I sit out on the balcony and overlook the boardwalk by the beach.  It’s quiet.  The town is quiet.  The sky is quiet.  The night is quiet.  This is exactly what I needed.  Completely relaxing.

Oh wait, I just remembered, I still have this EXCRUCIATING sunburn.

Not exactly relaxingly yours,

Tang

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