It seems a long time since Christmas

16th December 2018

Three days without food has left me weak and feeble-minded but I must gather my thoughts and put out a blog or my brother will be on the warpath!

Yes, my birthday was a non-event this year as I went down with the inevitable “traveller’s diarrhoea” the day before, which wiped me out completely and sent me to bed for three days. Nevertheless, it was not an entirely unpleasant experience (in retrospect) - lying in a lovely quiet bungalow, wafted by a warm breeze through open windows, looking out at the lush green leaves waving gently among the flowers, and listening to the birds calling all around. And as Roy says, everyone living in Cambodia has to have a major purge some time.

Anyway, all over now and fortunately Trevann seems to have avoided the bug. I can build up my strength, start eating again and get on with life.

Not that life is particularly stressful and hard work here of course. We had a warm welcome back to Bacoma and are glad to find that Kep is relatively unchanged since we left in January. Not so in poor old Sihanoukville, up the coast. Having had 54 licences for Chinese casinos granted last year, Snookiville has been rapidly transformed into a huge construction site filled with gangs of knife-wielding Chinese mobsters. Worst of all, commercial and house rents have quadrupled, forcing local Khmer families and ex-pats alike out of their homes. Dreadful.

Most of the ex-pats have migrated down the coast to Kampot (between S-ville and Kep) but our friends Roy and Veasna, who have had a lovely apartment in Sihanoukville for 5 years, have decided to make the move to Siem Reap. It’ll be interesting to hear how they get on - and will give us another place to visit next year perhaps?

Yes, it seems a long long time since Christmas with Holly, Ben and Ellie back in November - and yet strangely we’re told that Christmas is still going strong at home in the UK!

Here are a few pix. Hopefully not too much repetition from previous years!

I always take this pic as we wait for the bus to Heathrow outside St Johns church, Parkstone. Tradition!

Kep beach largely unchanged since we left it

Monk was peacefully enjoying the beach

Until approached by... (t-shirt says WANNA RAISE SOME HELL?!)

The viewpoint seems to be being encased. No longer a "pier" into the sea.

One of the ruined modernist 1950s villas is being renovated

The Crab Market is Kep's major tourist attraction

First of many sunsets enjoyed!

This unwelcome guest at Bacoma had to be dispatched (by tennis racquet) because they give a fearsome bite apparently. It's about 30 cm long.

Entrance decorated for Somnang's birthday

Bacoma has a large lily pond out front. Lack of water is never a major problem here. We've had several hefty tropical downpours with thunder and lightning since arriving - and we're in the cool dry season

Somnang's 10th birthday had plenty of sparkles, balloons, cake and presents. We remember his 5th, the first year we were here.

Not sure why Trevann looks so glum!

Renovation of this ruined villa was started 5 years ago but never completed has been abandoned ever since. 

Our customary sunset beers at our favourite Seagull bar in the crab market continued until Delhi belly put a stop to that for a few days. Soon to be resumed ...