"Special Times In Cambodia" a Phnom Penh Travel Page by Cathy&Gary

Sunset Cruise on the Mekong & Tonle Sap

On May 13th, which also happened to be my 50th birthday, our friends told us they were taking us out but wouldn’t tell us what they had planned.

Late afternoon we went to the riverfront, how exciting they had organized for a group of us to go for a 2 hour cruise.

The boat was loaded up with esky's full of beer, champagne, wine etc, and the table was laid out with all sorts of delicious dips and snacks, then off we went.

It was fantastic and also an eye opener to see how loaded up some of the boats were and some of the living conditions of people on the banks.

This boat trip was the beginning of the end for me as I never thought to take my bottle of Bacardi with me, so started having a few wines (which I normally never drink!)

After about an hour we had to get the boat to pull in at a little restaurant on the bank so more supplies of alcohol could be bought.

After seeing a lovely sunset, the skies then opened up with a spectacular lightening show, then not long after it started pouring with rain, the boat turned around and we headed back.

When we got off the boat, another surprise, there were 13 cyclo’s all lined up.

It looked so good and all the riders were in matching tops. So off we all went.

Phnom Penh by night!!

We stopped at the Elephant bar for quite a few cocktails, well it was happy hour and drinks were 2 for 1.

Then back on the cyclo's and off to Sanderson Park, FCC, then the Gym Bar and no doubt a couple of more stops.

Apparently the last stop was at the Pontoon Bar but I don’t remember going there at all, though I do have photos to prove it and my excuse is it was my 50th birthday ha-ha.

So another great time in Phnom Penh and what a way to spend your birthday.

Another day that was very special to us was going to Rada's house at Kampong Speu.

Rada was Gary’s interpreter some 14 years ago and they only met up again for the first time during last years visit.

Gary was also at Rada’s wedding all those years ago, amazing but he actually remembered where Rada's house was. It was a nice drive out there on the 6 lane toll road!!!!.

It was very exciting to meet Radas family and give his 2 beautiful children lots of Aussie presents. Then after a tour of their house, we went in for lunch and what a lunch it was.

They really spoiled us, there was so much food, it was a banquet. We had whole fish, curries, sweet & sour pork, rice and much more, Radas wife and mother must have been cooking for days.

It was a fantastic day and one we will never forget. Rada is family to us and we cant wait for May next year to see them all again.

Actually next year when we visit we will be spending the night at Radas house.

Well that’s the end of my Phnom Penh reports, time to start on Siem Reap. We had the best holiday thanks to our wonderful friends in Cambodia.