Michael's Life in Cambodia

Michael Reporting

There are things I like about Cambodia, things I don’t like about Cambodia, and things I miss in the U.S. This story explains it all.

I like the beach but I have to many mosquito bites to go, so we haven’t gone yet. I like our VIP tuk-tuk which is driven by our Uncle Kosal. He takes us anywhere we want to go so we can save more money. I also like the TV here because it has Cartoon Network and new shows.

The think I mostly hate about Cambodia is we don’t have any internet in our house. We have to go to internet cafés, but we can only go like once or twice a week. I don’t like the home school very often because my mom and dad push me to do my work. Mostly I hate the bugs. We have a lot of cockroaches and mosquitos and ants in our house in Cambodia.

I really miss the air conditioning in my house in the U.S. I also miss the food in the U.S. like pizza, macaroni, chicken, and curros. I also miss the weather, because in Cambodia it is sweltering hot. But sometimes we get rain in the night in Cambodia. I miss the fast internet, my friends, and downtown San Antonio like the Riverwalk, the Alamo, the museum, and the restaurants.

I like Cambodia, but I just want to go home. 

The Worst Trip to the Beach Ever! (Catherine)

Catherine reporting

It was a cold morning at Toul Tompong. There was a heavy rainstorm last night. After our Uncle Kosal took us to the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), they packed us into a super cold bus, which probably gave me a cold. First, they took us to a school. A not so interesting school that is. After that, they took us to Sihanoukville (Kompong Som), or the beach. Once we got there, we got off at the Seaside Hotel.  We got some lunch across the street. Then we went SWIMMING!! We went for a few hours then we went back to the hotel to clean and rest. Then we went back to the beach for dinner at the restaurant there. It was getting dark, which meant fireworks! Then, I started to complain that my ear hurt, so we went back to the hotel. I still don’t feel so good! Whenever I don’t feel so good, I cry. Once time I cried and mom did not understand why I was crying! So, it was raining that night too.

Not the best trip to the beach.

In the morning, we got some breakfast but unfortunately it was raining so that canceled our boat ride to an island. Once we got onto the freezing cold bus, we wanted to go to a waterfall but the road was blocked. L

Not the best trip to the beach.

Then we made a stop for lunch. And there was a playground there too. It was still raining so we had to stay longer. L When we got back to RUPP, it was raining. But I was happy to be home. Except I did get a cold! I was sick for 3 days.

Not the best trip to the beach!

The End

Our Vacation to Siem Reap (Michael)

Michael Reporting

On Sunday we left on a six hour bus from Phnom Penh. But after 2 hours the a/c broke down so they left the door open until we got to the next station so we can change busses. When we got to the station in Siem Reap we checked in at the Ancient Angkor Guest House near the Old Market. And they had a pool so we bought swim suits at the Old Market. When we were done shopping we went to the Blue Pumpkin. We went to our friend’s house, Phal Tann.

On Monday, Mom went to the market to look around. Then we went to KFC to eat brunch. When Dad was away we went swimming and the pool water was salty. Then we went to the floating village of Chong Kneas. It’s impossible to get there by car so we got there by boat. When we were 3 miles to the village, we were boarded by a girl that sells sodas. Then they had a zoo in the middle of the lake. They had fish, piranhas, and crocodiles. Then I saw a 4 year older with a snake and it was alive. And someone was rowing a big pot to their friend’s house. After the village, we ate at the Khmer Family Restaurant.

In the morning we went to the old ruins. We saw the Temple of the Holy Cow (Preah Ko). Then our friend showed us the blueprints to the old temples. Then we went to Bakong, a tall temple that was so tall that you can see all of Siem Reap. But I stayed on the ground talking to a class of poor school kids. After that we went to Lucky Burger. I had pizza, Jeffrey had chicken, and Catherine had crispy sticks. Then we went to a high tech museum. It had TVs, prophesies, and statues. One of the gods names is Vishnu. He has 8 arms! Then we had dinner at the Old Market, but there were ants in the rice!

In the morning there was a car waiting for us and it was our friend’s car and they took us to Angkor Wat (a famous king’s house), Bayon, a temple that collapsed, and the Eastern Gate used for getting into the old city (our friend fixed it). Then we ate at the Western Baray. Then we up in a balloon. Then for our braveness we went for ice cream.

In the morning we went to the Blue Pumpkin. Then we visited a school for poor kids. Then we had lunch at the Pizza Company. Then we went home.

It was a cool vacation! My favorite part was the balloon ride. I learned about the prophesies. Everyone should go to Siem Reap before they die!

Our Vacation to Siem Reap

Catherine Reporting

            On Sunday, we rode a bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. But our a/c broke down so we switched busses. We stayed in the Ancient Angkor Guest House near the Old Market. Then, we walked over to the Old Market to buy some swimsuits for Michael and Jeffrey. We had dinner at the Blue Pumpkin. I got to sit in the comfy chair, and I mean comfy! The, we went to a friend’s house, and his name is Phal Tann.

            On Monday, we went to the market. For breakfast, we went to KFC. Then we cam back to the hotel and went swimming. Then, Dad came home from this Pepy School so we can go out to the Floating Village of Chong Kneas. Of course we went on a boat! When we were sailing, a girl boarded our boat selling sodas, so we brought some. Then we got on a big boat with a den of crocodiles! There was a kid with a snake, but I was scared. Then we went back to land and ate at the Khmer Family Restaurant.

On Tuesday, we saw the ancient temple ruins. First, we saw Preah Ko (Holy Cow). Our friend Phal Tann is restoring it. He let Dad make stucco! Next, we went to Bakong. Its an ancient temple with lots of stairs. Last time, in 2005, I didn’t get to the top but this time I did! Last but not least, Beng Melea! I was left for Indiana Jones to find! We had lots of Fun!

On Wednesday, our friend Phal Tann and his family took us to Angkor Wat, Bayon, the the Eastern Gate that he restored, and for lunch we went to the Western Baray. It had hammocks. And after lunch we went to a big man-made lake, it was like a beach! Then, we went on a balloon se we can Angkor Wat from a bird’s eye view! Then we went to the mall for some ice cream! I always get chocolate mint! YUMMY YUMMY, IN MY TUMMY!

On Thursday, we had breakfast at the Blue Pumpkin. The, we visited the Jay Pritzker Academy. It’s a school for poor rural children. We visited every grade. For lunch, we went to the Pizza Company. After lunch, we came to Phnom Penh. What a trip!

I thought the ancient ruins were pretty cool. My favorite activity was when we went to Beng Melea. Siem Reap is very important to Cambodia. I might want to come here again one day. 

All about our trip to Siem Reap (Jeffrey)

Jeffrey Reporting

Chapter 1: The Hotel

We went to Siem Reap by bus. It was boring. When we arrived to Siem Reap, we have to take a Tuk Tuk to one of dad's friend's house. I was wondering where the 2nd floor is. We were about to stay here, but we decided to stay at a guest house called Ancient Angkor. It has a swimming pool and internet. However, the swimming pool is very salty, and the internet is slow. Our hotel room has cable TV, 2 bedrooms, and a hot shower.

Chapter 2: The Restaurants

We went to the Blue Pumpkin, KFC, Lucky Burger, the Khmer Family Restaurant, The Pizza Company, and etc. At the Blue Pumpkin, they have an ice cream shop, Wi-fi, a lounge, a bakery, and a restaurant. Their logo is the (Ba) sign.  What's really bad about this place is the R-word!

Chapter 3: Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is one of the 8 wonders of the world. We went there on Wednesday. It is known as the largest religious structure. Inside this wonder, there are stories that are beliefs to people who practice Hinduism, one of the religions. The stories are written in picture form, so that everyone can understand. At the top were towers, but they were closed for renovations. In order to complete your trip to Cambodia, you must go to Angkor Wat. Seriously.

 

Chapter 4: The Angkor National Museum

Going to the Angkor National Museum is required for a trip to Cambodia. It will take you to a journey to the past of Cambodia. You will look at ancient stuff from Ancient Angkor & Bayon. For example: The gallery of 1000 Buddhas. At one part is the Angkor National Museum Mall. It's a small mall.  It's a place to relax after you viewed the Angkor National Museum.

 

Chapter 5: The JPA

JPA stands for Jay Pritzker Academy. This is a brand new school for Khmer Kids. In the JPA, 2 languages are taught. Khmer and English. They bring foreign teachers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The cafeteria is outdoors. So far, they only teach Kinder, 2nd, 4th, 6th, & 8th. The library isn't complete, and basicly, the school is 3/4 complete! Kim, my dad's friend, and also my friend, is the principal of the school.

 Chapter 6: The Floating Village

The Floating Village reminds me of Pacifilog town in the Hoenn Reigon. It was on the Tonle Sap lake! The Floating Village is a town where people live on floating houses and catch fish for food.  Everything was floating. The homes, the schools, the churches, the shops, the gym, even the cell phone tower! Their transportation is a small boat. To visit this place, we have to take a large boat that can go fast! When we came back, we got a plate that had ourselves! I felt surprised! However, we said no.

 

Chapter 7: Beng Melea and others

Beng Melea is the place where you get to experience your inner Indiana Jones. The structure looks abandoned. Lichens and Mosses are growing on the old stones. In this temple, you can experience dark places. Also, the landmines are cleared! Yay! Preah Ko, or Holy Cow, is the place where the temple towers looked unsymmetrical. The temples are about to fall apart, so some people try to fix it. A group of people are making Stucco. Stucco is made up of crushed up bricks, sand, white-sticky sap, and palm sugar. with ants in it! LOL! After we went to Angkor Wat, we rode a balloon! There was a cable attached to it so that the balloon won't fly away. When we had gone up, we saw a good angle of Angkor Wat. I dared myself not to look down. When we got down, we felt proud of ourselves for surviving the balloon ride.

 

Conclusion

I would say...  you must go to the Ancient Ruins before you die! You must visit the Angkor National Museum before you die, because this is my favorite part about the trip! You will learn a lot, like the ancient stuff the ancient ruins have in store for you! For Example: The ancient stories. However, twice to Siem Reap isn't enough for me!