It's a Wrap!

Well, it's just about over! I can't believe it! sorry the blog has been so quiet but I have run out of room on the hard drive of the computer so cannot download photos and frankly, I think pictures speak much more succinctly than me. In a nutshell, Siem Reap was incredible, our last night in Phnom Penh was terribly sad, Bangkok has been a blast and tomorrow it is over! It has been SUCH as busy time. I think we are all pretty exhausted and have been staying in hotels and spare beds for over a week now. So am I ready to come home? Yes and no. This adventure has been almost beyond words. So much more that we dared to dream. Nick has loved the work and the kids have thrived. I have met some amazing people and seen some incredible things. Opportunities have opened themselves up to us that we had only dreamed of. I think the fact that we will be returning to he same neighborhood makes that pain of leaving a little more bearable. We are tired but happy. Much wiser and more educated about the world than we were 10 weeks ago. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat! So tomorrow night we will board the plane to come home tired but happy. We can't wait to see you all again and share our adventures. I will try not to think of saying goodbye again so soon but at least now I know that it really is quite easy to stay in touch. I also know the kids adapt, that Nick loves the work and that I CAN do this. So thank-you all for sharing the ride. I hope you have enjoyed reading as much as I have writing and please stay tuned for our Vietnam Adventure.....Mrs Saigon anyone?

Siem Reap

Arrived in Siem Reap this afternoon. It was all a bit of a whirlwind as you can imagine! Had a fantastic night last night. The Australian Ambassador threw a going away party for me. Well, actually, it was a cocktail function for the AWC, the Australian Women's Connection but what the heck...I'll claim it! This group of women are truly inspiring. They are from all walks of life and all with the commonality of living in Cambodia. They raise funds for nominated charities as well as forming a network for us Aussie chicks in cambodia. So lovely to be surrounded by such inspirational and really wonderful women. *Sigh* I can't believe I am leaving them all....it was very bittersweet! Thank goodness we are in the same neighborhood.
So I have said many goodbyes over the last few days and it does not get any easier. Those who know me know that I hate them and will avoid at all costs. Difficult over here as you really do need to rely on others and give a little more of yourself away. Feeling quite drained but the fact we are moving to Vietnam makes it a little easier. I know I will be back.

Arrived in Siem Reap this afternoon. Flights were fine and the kids were great. It is only 50 minutes so the kids barely had time to eat their muffin before we were descending. Staying not at a hotel but a B and B call Journeys Within. LOVE it so far. Very boutique and very lovely. We arrived and were met at the airport. Whisked away to the accommodation and presented with fresh pineapple juice as we settled in. 2 story villa with the pool out the front of our door. They continued to tell us about the free WiFi, free soft drink, free laundry, use of a mobile phone they give to each guest....man....unbelievable. Who wants to stay at a sterile old hotel! Had a quiet afternoon by the pool. Gearing up for a visit to the temples tomorrow morning. I do not have my cable with me so no photos as yet unfortunately. You will just have to use your imagination. (hint...picture paradise!) The American couple who own it have 2 children our kids age so there are swings, slides etc. There is also a beautiful dog called Tuna who has just had 7 puppies. Scarlett is in heaven!

Must sign off to sleep and rest up for tomorrow. Nick is upstairs sleeping with Scarlett and I am downstairs with Quiddy. He is lying next to me sprawled over a double pull out bed and I am doing a great contortionist impression next to him in the single. Anything wrong with this picture? Anyway, I'm so tired I could sleep in the floor so....goodnght!

One Happy Tuk Tuk Driver!

Wrote him a letter with the names of all of you who donated. Wanted him to know that it was most definitely not just me, but all of you....who cared.


This is a photo of the front of the little alley that leads to Mr Phea's house. You can see it in the background. No electricity and pitch black!


Mrs Phea turned up as we pulled up!


I guess this picture says it all. He was shocked but so grateful. It was a bit of a tricky situation as we had to be careful that he did not lose "face" which is so important here.

It was wonderful. I wish you all could have been there. Thank you all so much for enabling it to happen. He really is a lovely man whose life will be a little easier and his future a little more secure thanks to your generosity. X

OK...that lady has officially freaked me out!

Wow, where do I start with this one? You will recall in my last post that the old lady in the market said with 100% certainty that we would be living overseas. I did not think she meant next month! Most of you are now aware that we have been offered a post in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This has been a dream of ours for so long. I cannot tell you what it is about the place. From the moment we set foot in that county I knew we would live there. That was 15 years ago. I swear to you....I knew it. So much so that we geared our lives toward it. Nick studied the language full time for one year and we made work decisions according to "the plan" Now of course there is an argument that doing all of this made it happen...maybe that is true also. Either way it is happening. Our excitement was tempered with the fact the the circumstances around our offer were tragic. The current serving member passed away. I feel sick when I think about it. I cannot even imagine what his family are going through at this time. So as exciting as it is we have not felt much like celebrating. You just can't in those circumstances. That being said, who are we to question the way life works. We will just go with it. And what a ride it is going to be. We arrive back home on the 13th and Nick heads to HCMC on the 1st of March. He then comes back to do a Pre-Deployment course (irony not lost) for 3 weeks in CBR on the 6th of April. He hopes to fly home on the weekends. He will then come home on about the 26th of April and the house will be packed up. We will then all leave together on about the 28th. Phew....it's gunna be one hell of a ride!