so since the 10th when I last wrote my blog quite obviously alot has happened all of which I may not be able to remember but i'll try.
So, firstly I went to Pnom Penh which I hated the only place so far that I am totally not a fan of and not planning on going back. The capital city of Cambodia was dirty and unfriendly with not much to see or do. I moved accomodation three times after the first two places lonely planet had suggested were bug ridden with VERY stained sheets and no security and I feel when travelling by myself as a girl it was safer to move somewhere I was safe and very slightly more comfortable. I visited S21 the prison where thousands of Cambodian citizens were tortured under the communist regime of the Kmer Rouge in the 1970's. It was a very eerie place with blood stains still visible but fascinating and culturally educating. I then went to the killing fields 15km out of the city were prisoners were taken to be killed and where they have found mass graves of upto 500 people. Also very eerie but wonderfully maintained for memorial purposes.
Along with a rather small national museum and another temple there was not much for me to do in the almost three full days I was in the city and I was quite glad when I got back to Bangkok. I am sad that I feel I saw the wrong parts of CAmbodia, as most poeple who go there absolutely love and call it their favourite SE asian country, but not I.
When I arrived back in BANgkok I had another night before my sleepere train to the islands down south. I visited Jim Thompson's house, an american born at the trun of the century who was made famous by his exporting of thai silk to the western world. HIs house is now a memory to him and museum of many of the beutiful Thai antiques he collected and his wonderfully traditional house which is kept in perfect condition in a enclosed landscaped plot. I enjoyed it much more than I expected I would.
I then travelled to Chumpon that night to get the boat to Koh Tao where I completed my PADI open water scuba diving course. I was meant to begin the course on the 16th but after finding that there was to be noone else in my group I waited till the next day to start the 4 day course of theory and practical skills and fun dives with a lovely Belgium person called Robin who I became very close to as a brother type friend. We both succeeded in completing our theory and practical skills very well and eveen chose to do an extra night dive where we saw Baracuda's hunting and eating smaller fish. I am quickly falling in love with scuba diving and am excited to see the GReat Barrier Reef in full detail when I get to Oz.
I have spent my nights on the island enjoying great thai food which I am in no way getting bored of and the cool chillout bar based on the beach with fire shows and gorgeous sea views. Yesterday the boys rented moped's so as I have never driven one before myself and my roomate Cari jumped on the back and we headed to the other side of the island where we found a gorgeous beach with coral at 2m and huge rocks 4o foot high to jump off, it was amazing and we all wish we had discovered these smaller bveaches sooner as they are much more peaceful and picture perfect than the slightly more tourist beach where I stayed called SAiree beach.
I have made great friends whilst on the island from many countries and as most people carry on from here to Pangan for the monthly full moon party I was hoping to go with them until 2 nights ago when my bag was stolen. Sitting on the beach late at night I turned around to find my bag gone. When I went back to the scene of the crime early the next morning my bag had been found but my wallet, iphone and passport were gone. To get a new passport I must today travel back up to Bangkok and appear in person and wait what could be 4 weeeks to get a new one. I am really upset about missing out on the fun of the full moon party as it is a staple for every back packer to THailand and being with my great new friends for another four nights plus my lovely hotel I had booked was prepaid I was really looking forward to it. On top of that I now have no ipod for the next 3 months of travel which has made 12-16 hour bus and train rides more bareable, also a few sentimental things went missing probably not taken on purpose but went along with the idiot who stole my stuff. HOpefully I can get my passport sorted ASAP but probably will have to also miss out on the Singapore leg of my trip as a quicker than waiting emergency passport only allows for one journey which will have to be to Oz so this is also a big bummer. It is difficult to be having to go through SO MUCH hassle and not even have anyone to shout at or a direct person to tell the police about. I have abolutely loved this island, the feel of it, the look of it, the diving and all the amzing people I have met and going to miss when they all meet at the huge beach party on Pangan but at least I have my health.
I am now going to have a huge lunch with beer attached as I needed cheered up and food makes me happy before I head off at 2pm to catch the boat back to the mainland. Bangkok here I come, again.
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