Phnom Penh

With only myself and the boys for the first three days, I had googled things to do with children in Phnom Penh, which included a western style shopping mall which had toy and DVD shops and a 4D ride, so after a quick market visit for me to do some much needed retail therapy, off we went. The boys loved the 4D ride so that was added to the list of things to redo when Aaron arrived.   Also amazingly enough for a third world country they had recently opened a Kidz City, which included laser tag, rock climbing, adventure playground and an ice skating rink (far more than Brunei offers).  The rock climbing was almost identical to clip and climb in Chch, great for the boys as they haven't done any since we left, it also had a Gloria Jeans coffee shop so a good morning was had by all of us!!  The next day we headed back there again and this time played laser tag (which I lost) and then the boys had a great time on the adventure playground.  The days were easily filled in before Aarons arrival, however we were all looking forward to it.   Once again we decided to celebrate Aarons birthday early (as he is busy studying still so no time in Brunei to do it).  Our challenge to the boys was to try something new in every new country we visit, last time in Cambodia Liam tried frog, this time in the markets he ventured even further and tried beetle, followed by Tarantula!!  Which he ate two of, much to the disbelief of other on looking tourists.  I tried one leg, Jordan wouldn't have a bar of it , Aaron helped Liam out on his first one,then Liam ate the whole second one himself.  Then  Liam shopping enthusiastically for a present for Aaron,  Jordan was happy with what I chose for him. Aaron had been going on about an iphone5 so a plastic replica was purchased for him.  We all played laser tag, then the boys went rock climbing again, followed by lunch at another of our favourite restaurants called the Laughing Fatman (which the boys thought was appropriate for Dad) they have great pizza and cold beer. Then back to Hotel 9 where the boys painted their hands on the wall, the money for this goes towards helping save children in Cambodia from exploitation.  That night we took Ly Ly (our favourite Cambodian person) out for dinner with us to Aarons favourite restaurant on the riverside. Once again they were serving 1.5 litre glass jugs of beer 2 for $3 US during happy hour.  The food is among the best we have eaten in Cambodia.

Arriving back in Phnom Penh

With the boys being on holiday for 6 weeks, we decided that we should go to Cambodia before Aaron and he would join us later.  However we didn't realise when booking that the so called Government elections where to be held the prior week.  This made for a rather eventful and interesting entry for us into Cambodia. Below is a copy of the first email I sent to Aaron when the boys and I finally reached our hotel.

Hi

Well yes a rather eventful start to our Cambodian trip.  Sat on KL runway for 40 minutes in the heat with no explanation from Air Asia (go figure) so boys over it before we even left.  Visa very easy on arrival infact customs guys filled in forms for me for the boys and I only did mine.  Funny boys was $10 for both and mine $25, but still cheaper than I was expecting so all good.  Very quick process through in no time - Brunei could learn a thing or two from that.

Taxi man outside with name on sign all good, start driving asks me if first visit so explain been before so started talking, told me all about riots and vote fixing, then explained we couldn't go the way we should as too dangerous and roads blocked off, was constantly on his walkytalky (oh my English) thing to his mates.  Stuck in traffic like never before, kids begging knocking on the car windows, boys a bit frightened by it all, went through some smoke from burning tyres etc.  After over 1 hours travel strangely I know where we were, all streets blocked off by police and army, no noise I think to prevent them around palace etc, taxi stops over a block away from the hotel, promptly puts my suitcase over the barricades which the boys and I then have to climb through, we then walk down the street watched (laughed at) by over 300 police/military personnel, lucky I know my way around.  Felt Ok but not keen to venture out on my own with the boys.

Arrive waiting in reception, Jordy looks at bar and says his girlfriend is here.  Unsure if he is teasing me we go down to restaurant, she couldn't stop smiling and hugging Jordy and Liam.  She remembers kissing him good night last year and every thing.  Franco is back in Aussie and they are not impressed with new Khmer manager.  Had pizza for dinner - surprise surprise, and asked about riots and all good so will be alright when you are here to go out, I was just unsure on my own and just arriving.  Right boys chilling in room, think I might have another beer.  Off to markets in morning.

Cheers

Us

Later that night I met some expat locals (in the bar) who assured me it was perfectly safe to be out and about, infact one had even driven up the blocked off street watched by the police and allowed through as he was white. Sometimes its great having blonde haired children who are very white.  My only regret was I didn't stop to take any photos, probably as it was dusk and I just wanted to get to the hotel.

Jordans Graduation and End of Academic Year

We arrived back in Brunei in time for Jordys Year 6 Graduation ceremony.  This was a rather big deal for the children and it is at times like this I am pleased I have boys.  Jordy was happy with his new Bangkok shirt and a quick purchase of some long black pants and he was good to go.  The morning of the graduation his teacher told me I was welcome to come back and help him get ready or do his hair, no need for either.

Jordy walked up the aisle to Star Wars music with his allocated partner, then proudly took his place on stage.  After a few speeches and songs it was certificate time.  Jordy smiling all over his face, received his certificate with pride and is now ready for the new challenge of year 7.

The following Friday was the end of the academic school year assembly.  Both Aaron and I were able to attend (as my school finished the day before).  Liam did extremely well collecting team points (given out for various achievements) throughout the year and along with only 10 other Primary School children was awarded a movie ticket including a popcorn and drink.  He was thrilled with this as were we.  Jordy had spent the year being Yellow team captan so was presented with a certificate for this and then the overall team of the year was awarded.  This went to Jordys Yellow team due to his surpberb guidance throughout the year.  It was with great excitment he received the overall winning team cup.  A good day for both the Taylor boys.  Now so the six week holiday to begin.

Bangkok and Jomieten Beach

After being back in Brunei for a whole four days, it was time for all of us to go back to Thailand. For the boys and myself this was to be our third visit in as many months.  It was government school holidays and Aaron had completed a very long school term and study term so was really looking forward to the break.   The boys and I were still very exhausted from Phuket, but this was always going to be a very different holiday.  It was the first time we had flown Royal Brunei Airlines the national carrier of Brunei and it would be fair to say we were unimpressed with it.  First stop to our hotel, first impressions were not that great but as the days wore on, the location was great and the people we met in the hotel were very interesting.  It is great to be able to sit around a bar and hear other peoples travel stories.   We found a local night market, which sold every kind of food, clothes had live music and several bars, what more could one want.  Whilst having dinner, I purchased Jordys graduation shirt and a nice dress for myself,  who said women couldn't multi task!!!

We spent a few days shopping as had electronics to sort, and a long list of things we were hoping to purchase.  We then decided it was time for a beach break for a couple of nights so headed to Jomieten Beach near Pattaya as heard it was less touristy.  However it was also full of Russians (same as Phuket) and very windy whilst we were there so no beach time was had, but a very relaxing time spent around the swimming pool and lots of lovely food and drink was consumed.

Back to Bangkok and a different hotel in a more central location. Off to Madam Tussauds wax museum.  Both Aaron and myself have been to other ones in the world and it is fair to say this was no where as good, but the boys enjoyed it.  The next day took the boys ice skating.  Aaron insisted on watching the bags so he couldn't ice skate.  I used some muscles that had not been used in years, but had a very enjoyable time.  It was 25degrees in the ice skating rink so we were just in shorts and t-shirts still.  Overall it was a very different holiday but still enjoyable.  Back to Brunei for the boys and I to complete our last two weeks of the international school year, before a 6week holiday.  Life over here is very tough at times.