Return to Siem Reap

The streets were spotless. Spotless! All the way from the airport. It is not what I expected on my return to Siem Reap. It’s like the city had been transformed. No rubbish littered the side of the road. The rubbish bins weren’t overflowing. The streets looked swept. Everything looked tidy. And not just on the main road — it was the same all through town.Even the usual pungent odours that affront the senses were missing. Turns out it could have something to do with the king’s recent visit. But I’m hoping the practice continues. It gives a new perspective. It looks more inviting, more prosperous even.


What else struck me on my return to Siem Reap, is just how quiet town is. It’s dead. Much quieter than the same time last year, which was quieter than the year before. The restaurants around Pub Street are quiet, the streets seem nearly empty. The bustle and frenzy of the town is missing. Not many tourists at the moment and everyone is feeling it.
I know we left Siem Reap in April — but here I am back again. Alone. The Joker will be joining me soon I hope. We thought we might be back so our farewell was not a huge fanfare. But it seems like a lifetime ago. The last few months have been such a whirlwind and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. But we’re getting back on track.
For the minute I’m looking for a place to live. I am once again staying at Two Dragons. I really love this place, the staff and the street. It’s a little bit like coming home. The people here are like friends and family. It feels warm, safe and secure. The lovely Dara and Lin were excited to see me. The tuk tuk drivers all greeted me warmly and our former landlord and his family were happy to see me. It might not sound like a big deal, but when you’re in a foreign country and a different culture, it’s really lovely knowing you have people around you. People who care, people who will look out for you and people who are just genuinely happy to see you. It’s important to have a home away from home.
The plan is to be here for another year. There’s plenty to keep us busy. It’s going to be another very full year and I hope we can keep you all up to date with our goings on.
We’ve been a bit slack the last few months. The posts here have been a bit thin. But I’ve got a heap of things to talk about and a few of the Joker’s musings are waiting to post. Stay tuned for the next stage of our adventure. The ups and the downs, the challenges and achievements.
Over the next few weeks you can expect some updates from England, Australia and Cambodia, just to mix it up and keep you up-to-date with what we’ve been doing. And I’m hoping to write a few things tailored to children, so let us know if you would find this interesting.