Hello from Phi Phi!

We were here last night- Slinky!

I'm in one of the internet cafes here. I'm too full to be lying on the beach.

We almost didn't make it here yesterday, having realised on the bus to the airport that I had wrongly booked the flight on the 2nd of December, instead of the 29th. But we were lucky because the guy who attended to us was really helpful. My friend thinks it's because of the sob story I told him that helped us score tickets to Phi Phi. Anyway, we were so happy we did a little dance after that.

Phi Phi has gotten so much busier since I came here 2 years ago. Loh Dalum beach is dirtier because of all the beach discos that have mushroomed on this stretch. And it's sooo busy! I'm not sure if I like the crowd very much.

Don't know what I'll be doing today. The rest of my friends are scattered all over the island.

I think I'm going to the beach now.

Later!

Hello 2011!

Today is my last day of work for the year!

I'll be off to Phi Phi tomorrow for NYE! Can't wait to sink my feet in the sand, go for massages and stuff my face with nutella banana pancakes.

But first I need to go through a meeting at 10. Ugh.

Work mode is currently off. Holiday mode is ON!

Happy 2011! Hopefully this year would be one of the best years for everybody!

Merry Xmas!

It’s Xmas eve and I’m in the office! Who works on Xmas eve, anyways? We’re supposed to be merry making or hibernating in our caves and not come out till spring.

But the good thing is after many, many days of rain, the sun has finally decided to come out and make an appearance and guess who’s happy when the sun is out? ME!

Sunny day + Xmas mood = V. happy and hopeful bunny.

So here’s to hope and a v. merry Christmas!

And because I’m so happy, here’s an excerpt from the song “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid (My favourite Disney movie, fyi).

I don’t know when
I don’t know how
But I know
Something is starting
right now
Wait and you’ll see
Some day I’ll be
Part of your world

Merry Christmas people!

Etc

I'm too old for Ladies Night!!

I had dinner with friends from Siem Reap and by the time we finished dinner, it was 11. Then, we went to Changkat. One drink led to another and yet another plus I had an interesting conversation with someone.

So needless to say, I'm feeling sleepy. J'ai tres sommeil, you know.

Other than that, I feel fine.

I don't know what it is I rambling about.

Back at Work!

After 6 days of being away, I'm finally back at work!

And you know what, I'm actually quite pleased to be back. Despite all the fun we had in Siem Reap, it feels really, really good to be back home. I'm soo happy to be home avec ma famille et mes amis.

I even missed my annoying colleagues and the mad KL traffic.

I've missed them so much and all the comfort and familiarity of home but I must say I missed my bed the most. Nothing beats sleeping in your own bed.

I hope this buzz stays till my next trip in 3 weeks. This time, Phi Phi for NYE, baby!

C'est moi encore!

Hello! I'm back after 6 hours of being out. Went for a four hands massage at the usual massage place, Dr. Feet which is across from the Blue Pumpkin. Been going there everyday now. I even have a favourite masseuse, Sim. She has strong hands.

Four hands massage was awesome!! I reckon everybody should give it a go. Then, I did a bit of shopping, before having a huge khmer lunch at the Angkor Palm. For USD7.50, you get 7 tapas style khmer food with rice and dessert. Needless to say, I'm pretty stuffed now.

Later, I proceeded to have a couple of Angkor draft (USD0.50!) at the same mexican place we had lunch yesterday. Did a bit of reading before I decided it was waay too hot to think.

I was literally dripping with sweat which explains why I'm back here.

Will catch up with the rest in a bit after I've showered.

Bonjour encore de Siem Reap!

I'm now back at the Le Tigre de Papier. The room I got this time is waaay better. I was v. sad to leave the lahvely hotel with the lahvely pool.

Today is my final day here. Heaps to be done. First on the agenda, 4 hands massage! Then check out the market, followed by lunch.

Last night was fun! After hanging out at the pool, we went for a late dinner, followed by what else? The Angkor What?, of course. In our attempt to rock Siem Reap, the 6 of us wore colourful raybans into the pub and got absolutely crazy.

So here I am now, spending what's left of my day in Siem Reap. NF has gone back today and I haven't got a clue what the rest are up to. I'll catch up with them later once I've done everything I need to do.

That's all from me for now!

Post Race - Que la bordel commence!

What a race it was!! It was AMAZING! Definitely do this again next year. Quite pleased with my time as well - 2.17.58. Haven't got my chip time yet.

The combination of good weather, running pass the ruins, the smiling, happy kids lining the streets with their hands out to tap your hand and good happy music that was playing on my iPod made me soo, sooo happy. I think I experienced profound happiness while running just now. I can't even begin to describe it here.

Oli did well too, 1.46.

A swim, massage, a couple of beers, a huge mexican meal and nap later, here I am. I feel great!

Next on the agenda is a pool party with Oli and his friends over at their hotel. We're planning to rock Siem Reap tonight now that the race is over.

Race Day

It's 5am. I'll be running in 1.5hrs. You must be wondering why I'm up so early. The alarm clock went off. I was running late. Scrambled out of bed, texted and called NF several times (he's supposed to pick me up, you see). Literally ran out to the lobby, except for a security guard, there was absolutely no tuk tuks, no motor bikes, nada.

Panic button went off. 20 mins to the race with no mode of transportation! Panic, panic, panic. Called my driver. He said he could only be there in 10 mins. Gaaah! I cannot NOT go, right?

Amidst all the chaos, I realised I was on Malaysian time which is an hour ahead. Teehee. A bit embarassed now. Had to call driver to cancel ride and sent another text to NF.

With all the excitement that's just happened, how can I possibly go back to sleep, right?

So Here I Am Again

I've checked into the hotel that Frenchie has booked. We're staying at Bundwin Boutique Hotel. Although it's far from everywhere else, I really don't mind because I think I need to get away from the madness of the town centre. And plus, the room is lahvely!!

So here I am writing this from my lahvely room, which faces the lahvely pool. There's a huge tub at the side of this room. Trust Frenchie to book a place like this. Kinda reminds me of his apartment in BKK.

Yesterday, after spending a whole afternoon of indecisiveness, New Friend and I went on a quad bike (I failed my test, btw. The instructor thought I was a hazard on the road and we almost fell into the river). We were taken into the country side to look at the sunset at a paddyfield.

Along the way, many local children waved at us. It's amazing how happy they are despite not having much. The sunset was tres excellent! The sky was clear and the sun was a huge orange orb. I've never seen it soo perfectly round before.

Later, New Friend and I met up at Angkor What? again for dinner and drinks. This time, we were joined by a couple from Toronto whom we met earlier. Turned out the guy went to the same college as New Friend.

Oli and gang joined us later. I think I had a bit too much jager bombs yesterday and am feeling kinda rough now.

So, I'll be taking it easy today which means no more drinks until after the race.

The Eve of the Race

Runners from all over the world have descended in Siem Reap. Everywhere you go, people are talking about tomorrow's race and how everybody wants to get smashed right after. The thought of running through the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat is v. exciting. Can't wait!

I'll be checking out from Le Tigre de Papier to check in to a new hotel that Frenchie has booked, and will check in here again on Monday. It's v. complicated. I still don't know if Frenchie is coming, though.

I finally met up with Oli and his party for dinner at Viroth's, this fancy Cambodian restaurant on Wat Bo Street. Turns out that one of Oli's friends is a friend of a friend of a friend of New Friend. Un petit monde, hein?

Gotta run. Nit the driver is waiting for me outside.

Bonjour de Siem Riep!

Salut a tous!

I'm writing this from Le Tigre de Papier, where I'm currently staying in Siem Riep. I'm here for my 21K at the Angkor Wat on Sunday.

I flew in this morning and will be here for 5 (!) nights. Since I was here last year, I won't be doing the temple thing at all. I'm thinking of going to the Phnom Koulen Falls tomorrow. Frenchie will be arriving this Saturday, if he get his bus ticket sorted out.

Haven't done much at all today apart from eating 3(!) ice creams from the Blue Pumpkin and polishing a plate of fried rice. Oh, and a foot and body massage. C'est tres, tres bon!

Oli and his friends have been missing since this morning at the airport but I met someone who's also doing his 21K this Sunday and we've been hanging out. So, thank heavens for that because I can't imagine travelling solo again in Siem Riep.

C'est tout from moi today.