A 10 hour bus journey from Siem Reap and we reached our next country - Thailand!  Bangkok was our first stop and staying on Kao San Road, we were right in the thick of the action.  Shopping, eating, sightseeing and shows galore!

We then moved onto a more slower paced Kanchanaburi and hired mopeds and bicycles to explore the beautiful countryside as well as the main pull for this area - the Bridge over the River Kwai and the war cemeteries.  The evening was spent celebrating Chris' 21st birthday with beers and a 'truck quiz'.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!  

 our home for a couple of nights in Kanchanaburi

 Bridge over the River Kwai

Then onto Koh Samui for 5 nights on the beach.  Sun, sand, shopping, relaxation, eating some of the most amazing Thai food (with Tom Yam/Tom Kar being firm favourites!) and yet more drag shows.  A real time to chillout and enjoy.  Whilst Koh Samui was enough for most, others opted to day trip or to stay on other islands with Vicky completing her free diving course on Koh Tao the premier dive spot of this amazing area.

 Cheong Mon, our local beach

 Nangyuan Island, off Koh Tao

Moving south we took the sleeper train from the mainland and headed into Malaysia for a quick nights stop in Penang to break the journey up before heading on our way to the modern metropolis of Kuala Lumpar and a final farewell to Chris who left the group to head to New Zealand to see family. We've enjoyed your company Chris - you will most definitely be missed!

 Petronas Towers, KL

Melaka was our next stop for a couple of days before hitting Singapore in time for the F1 weekend! 

F1 girlies!! Janet, Laura, Steph, Beks

Indonesia beckons, so until the next time .....

From the chaotic roads of HCMC to a much more chilled Phnom Penh. 

We all visited the Killing Fields and were moved by the informative and eloquent audio guide and a trip to the S21 prison museum where 14,000 people were incarcerated and only 7 survived was shocking and  sobering reminder of what human beings are capable of doing to one another.  

Memorial at the Killing Fields

S21 Prison Museum, Phnom Penh

For all the sadness that has taken place in very recent history, Cambodia is a wonderful and laid back country with lovely people and definitely a ‘must see place’ in South East Asia.  Phonm Penh offers real diversity with plenty to do and see including boat trips on the river and the beautiful Palace.

Palace, Phnom Penh

We then headed off to Siem Reap the home of Angkor Wat and around another 1000 temples spread over a huge site. We opted for a 5am departure to capture the sunrise (which sadly didn’t happen!) and to beat the heat of the day – a shrewd move! 

Angkor Wat

After a full day of temples and ruins it was time to get glad rags on and head into town for we had yet another 2 birthdays to celebrate!!  

We all had a wonderful time in Cambodia and many will undoubtedly visit again at some point in the future, but for now we head onto Thailand and the craziness that Bangkok has to offer. So until the next time …..