A Christmas Tree

We set up the house with some Christmas cheer this past weekend. Clancy has now seen the setting of his Christmas tree in his fourth country (Vanuatu, Indonesia, Australia and Cambodia).

ISPP International Day

Clancy’s school had its International Day with all the different nationalities present at the school joining in a parade followed by stalls of activities, food and entertainment for the kids. The Australian contingent dressed in the Australian beach theme and provided handball games for the kids.

Kratie

I had the oppotunity to visit Kratie (pron. Krachey) on the banks of the Mekong River a couple of weeks ago with a friend, Julian. It is an old french provincial town which had been locked away from much of the world, with the river being its only link until ten years ago.

Royal Palace

This afternoon, after School, Clancy and I went to the Royal Palace for a look. It’s right there in the center of town and we have said for three months that we have to go and have a look. It was beautiful. We will go again and take more time to go through all the exhibits, that time Clancy will guide Anny around to all the things he saw on this first visit.

Halloween

Every year for the past decade, an American couple arrange about 30 houses in the area they live in to open thier doors and offer trick and treat for halloween. At 4.30 every one arrives at their house in tuk tuks, collects a map and then drive around tricking and treating for a couple of hours. There were about 40 tuk tuks this year. A lot of fun and great effort by those involved, with some families making elaborate Halloween scenes in their yards.

Water Festival

The annual three-day Water Festival competes with the Khmer New Year for being the most important holiday for Cambodians. The boat races on the Tonle Sap and the carnival atmosphere ashore attract millions of people from all over the country. In Khmer the annual Water Festival is called Bonn Om Toeuk. The Water and Moon Festival ushers in the fishing season. It also marks the reversal of the current in Tonle Sap river. Boat races as well as fireworks displays are held at the river.

More than 400 boats, propelled by precision-trained oarsmen, take part in the annual boat race, the highlight of the Water Festival or Bonn Om Touk.

We elected to stay away from the crowds through the day, but made plans to go in on the last evening to see the fire works and experience some of the festival. After three beautiful days, the skies opened up to the biggest rains we had seen in months and all we got were photos of us in our new raincoats bought for $1 each. We didn’t get out of the Tuk Tuk and ended up back home. Next year!

Phnom Penh Amusement

There is a little amusement park along the river front that would not pass a single safety inspection back home. Side show alley was great with 12 dart throwing stalls where if you pop the balloons you get plastic kitchen ware. We need this at the Royal Adelaide Show, who needs soft fluffy toys.

Clancy School Photo

Clancy’s first big school class photo. PYR1 Mr Pete's Class, Miss Alice - Teachers Assistant

ISPP Fun Rally

Clancy’s School held a fund raiser rally where you had to drive around town and answer 47 questions. About 300 participated, with many, us included, taking Tuk Tuks. It was a lot of fun. A bought a couple of bags of balloons and was blowing them up along the way for the kids in the rally and the kids on the street. I gave out a lot to many of the kids begging around the streets and about a dozen to some of the kids begging at the National Museum. In a classic Cambodia story, I found out later they then tried to sell them to other participants of the fun rally who were coming up behind us. Never miss an opportunity. Sophie who also goes to Clancy's school joined us for the day. We lived next to her family at Colonial Mansion when we first arrived and remain friends.

Our lovely Samoa

I will forever remember her as one of the kindest and warmest people I have ever met, along with her husband teaming up to be the most caring people I have known in my time of travelling the globe. Tui Annandale, wife of Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale, was buried yesterday after she perished in the Samoa Tsunami. Joe and Tui have done so much for their beloved Samoan people and it is hard to fathom that such tragedy could strike such wonderful people, both their family and so many others. It breaks my heart that such tragedy has touched thier lives. Our prayers and hearts go our to Joe, Sose and family. To all our Samoan friends, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time. So many people will have lost family, and friends they have made in this beautiful part of the world. Are hearts go out to all of you. These photo's show the devastation during and after the tsunami.