Kampot

The beach party in Sihanoukville was fun but blighted by lots of rain. Much of everyone's time was spent in the sea where it was warmest. When night time fell and it was time to board the boat once more, a nearby lightning storm appeared to move ever close. The boat to the island had been a very crowded affair, and the idea of boarding such a crowded boat in a return journey storm slightly unnerved me. The tubby Cambodian boat captain who had entertained us a week earlier was struggling to get the boat started, however, and by the time the boat was up and running the storm had glided past. Despite the boat again breaking down in the middle of the sea, we finally arrived back at Sihanoukville. That evening I said goodbye to my friends and prepared for the following day's journey.

On Saturday morning I made the short trip to Kampot. Having just left a good group of friends, and still reeling from the loss (or thievery?) of my new camera, I was yearning for some good fortune. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. On arrival at my guesthouse I was informed that the main attraction of Kampot, the Bokor Mountain, was closed. A hotel was being built there and the roads were only open for construction vehicles. However, I was not able to move on to Vietnam until my visa entry date; Wednesday.

Soon enough, however, a new plan emerged. There were whispers of volunteering opportunities in aiding Cambodian English lessons, but there was no clear information about it. A man who worked at my guesthouse informed me that a woman who was staying there was already involved, but she had gone for a day trip to Phnom Penh. After a day strolling around Kampot, however, I was subsequently corrected; she wasn't due back until the following day.

By midday on Sunday, however, the woman still hadn't appeared. The man at the guesthouse suggested maybe she would be back the following day. I therefore enjoyed a boat trip down the river, and spent the evening watching a film. Without my new camera I am now forced to use my old camera with the smashed screen. It's usable but I cant see what I'm doing or change any configurations. Using it also unfortunately reminds me of all the old pictures I have lost! As much as I would like a decent camera again, I no longer feel it to be wise to spends lots of money on something so easily lost, stolen or damaged.

Eventually Monday came, but there was still no sign of the woman. I therefore decided to take matters into my own hands. After a sequence of leads I managed to meet an organiser of the foundation. However, I was only able to now guarantee them one day of my time, and this wasn't enough to be allowed into the English lessons. I was, however, able to come along to a learning centre the following afternoon, but learning English was only one of it's aims.

So finally, after days of achieving little, I spent three hours at a Cambodian learning centre. Very quickly my ability to play guitar was exploited. Upon discovering my skill, the organiser unleashed a guitar from the back room. Minutes later I found myself surrounded by at least thirty children. As the glittering eyes all beamed down on me, I had no option but to fulfil there wants and serenade them with traditional English songs - and by traditional English songs I mean Radiohead, Oasis and Arctic Monkeys! The applause after each tune was rewarding.

During the second half of my time at the centre I aided three Cambodians with their English skills, simply by asking and answering questions from an English textbook. My time at the centre was fun, but maybe didn't warrant three days of waiting. Having said that, the waiting occupied my time as I waited for my Vietnam visa to become active. Tomorrow, therefore, my next border will be crossed.