Full Circle

So, we are back in Thailand once more as we rapidly approach the end of our epic 4 country mystery tour of South East Asia. We have survived the land crossing from Poipet in Cambodia to Aranyaprathet in Thailand and with only the short hop down to Bangkok to sort out, we are definitely on our route home and thinking about bad weather and returning to work. God, that's depressing. It's been an absolute blast these last two weeks. The group has worked so well, we have packed in so much. I think that everyone has had an amazing experience and there is much talk of doing it all again sometime in the not-too-distant future. 

So, would I want to organise a similar trip again ? Hell yes ! There has been a lot of research, planning and organising. But that is what I love doing. I'm wasted in my current job. I should be dragging groups of backpacking softies across the globe. Seeking out mid range hotels, exciting experiences and amazing locations wherever I can find them. 

Already the cogs are turning and ideas for the next Windy Goes Global are forming. Asia has been fantastic. Hot, cheap, fascinating and easy to travel around. But, there are so many other places I'd love to visit myself and to take a group to. Africa, South America, Caribbean or Australasia. Who knows ? 

Anyway, our last day in Cambodia. Minibus booked for 1pm gave some of us an opportunity to slope off and do a cookery course. John, Ralph and Holly joined me at Temple in Pub Street as we learned how to cook Khmer style food. 

Is it me or does Ralph look particularly French today ? 

Khmer food is similar to Thai but 'simpler'  . Smells great too. Within an hour we had produced some mango salad and spring rolls. Hot work this cookery, so when they offered us a soft drink we chose beer. 

Next up was Khmer curry with chicken and various vegetables cut with a wobbly bladed knife to produce interestingly shaped chunks. It was a bit warm. We had another beer. 

Finally we produced a banana and sago pudding (Ralph went for the pumpkin and sago option) and toasted our success with an ice cold beer. I'm surprised chefs get any work done with the amount they must have to drink. At 30p a pint though it would have been sacrilege not to. 

Back at the hotel, Lucas had been given the options of crocodile farm or crazy golf. "Mum, you can see crocodiles any time" he informed his mother. Yes Lucas, Weymouth is infested with them. Like vermin they are. 

So, with a heavy heart the 13 of us boarded our 12 seater air con minibus and headed for the border a few hours drive away. The air con didn't work as Jo was slumped against the control panel and my bottom was numb from sitting on the wheel arch. 

Jo and I travelled this route (in reverse) about 12 years ago in a shared taxi. It's improved a fair bit since then. The road is now tarmacced instead of hard baked mud and potholes and the little locals cafe right on the Cambodian border where Jo ate her rotten fish soup and got ill looked like it had gone a bit upmarket. Wonder if they have a fridge yet....

Despite Eileen's concerns, the border crossing was relatively smooth. Well as smooth as can be expected with 13 pedestrians, all with heavy baggage, vendors, beggars, unruly traffic and 30+ degrees heat. We made it, only losing Ralph who had rushed off to buy yet more football shirts. 

We were all in the pool at the Indochina Hotel within half an hour with a cold beer. Back in Singha country, yay ! 

It's a funny town Aranyaprathet. It's the end of the railway line and a major border crossing point for travellers going to and from Cambodia but it does appear that most just pass straight through. Not many signs in English and a lack of top end restaurants. Not a problem, we found a local restaurant. 

Our bill for the thirteen of us, including several rounds of drinks, came to about £40. We left a tip of about £10 and still knew we had had very good value. 

Back at the hotel we were alarmed to hear some shrieking coming from Holly and Marks room. Loud enough for Elena to come out of her room in a towel and join us. Mark had had an accident. A most regrettable accident. Luckily he wasn't injured. It wasn't that kind of accident.... He found an urgent need to launder his smalls in the bathroom sink, but perhaps he should have waited for his wife to finish brushing her teeth first.

 As I lie here in bed writing this, the train to Bangkok that perhaps we should have been on has just rattled out of Aranyaprathet station. We are banking on finding some sort of minibus type transport later from somewhere near by. I'm sure we shall work something out. It gives us a few more hours by the pool, it gives Marks pants a few more hours to dry and Holly some time to get over the trauma.