DAY ONE.............29 JUNE.........DEPART PERTH @ 23:50
DAY TWO............30 JUNE.........ARRIVE PHNOM PENH VIA KUALA LUMPUR @ 10:20 DAY THREE...........1 JULY.........PHNOM PENH [JULIANA HOTEL] DAY FOUR............ 2 JULY.........PHNOM PENH [JULIANA HOTEL] DAY FIVE............. .3 JULY.........BUS TO SIEM REAP DAY SIX.................4 JULY.........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY SEVEN...........5 JULY.........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY EIGHT............6 JULY.........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY NINE...............7 JULY.........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY TEN................8 JULY.........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY ELEVEN.........9 JULY.........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY TWELVE.......10 JULY........SIEM REAP [SORIA MORIA HOTEL] DAY THIRTEEN....11 JULY.........DEPART SIEM REAP @ 14;15 |
Trip highlights:
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Sunday 29 June
The centre is open 24 hours, 7 days per week as a safe haven for children at risk of abuse to seek immediate support and referral to appropriate services (e.g. counselling, reintegration to their family, police and legal complaints, medical assistance, remedial education, vocational training etc).
In your journal record your thoughts and reflections on today’s experiences:
1. What new revelation did you experience today about Cambodia or the Khmer people?
2. What was something you learnt about yourself today?
3. What has today’s journey taught you to value or appreciate?
Friday 4 July
1. Comment on the significance of Angkor Wat to the people of Cambodia - now and throughout history.
Saturday 6 July
1. Recall a personal story that had an impact on you today.
2. Comment on the similarities and differences in the ways the Khmer people and Australians work with their environment
Monday 8 July – Thursday 10 July
- For some of us, today is a travel day as we journey from Carnarvon to Perth. Those travelers who are flying will depart Carnarvon at approximately 16:30 with a scheduled arrival time at the Skippers domestic terminal in Perth of 18:45. On arrival in Perth please transfer directly to the Perth International airport using the Skippers shuttle.
- All other travelers will need to be at the Perth International Airport no later than 22:00 (10:00pm).
- As soon as our party has gathered we will check in and proceed through customs to the departure lounge. Here there will be an opportunity to do some browsing or duty free shopping… but don’t get carried away, remember you have two weeks ahead of you!
- We board our flight [MH126] this morning at 0125. Our flight will take approximately 5 hours 40 minutes to reach Kuala Lumpur where we have a brief layover before continuing on our journey [MH754]. The final leg of our travels today is a short journey of 1 hour 50 minutes.
- On arrival at Phnom Penh International airport, at approximately 10:20, we need to clear customs and purchase our entry visas before being met by our guide.
- We check into our hotel early this afternoon with time to settle into our rooms and negotiate who gets the ‘best bed’. We will also have time for an exploration of the hotel to familiarize you with the location of the pool area, restaurant, everyone’s rooms etc...
- This evening we dine in the hotel restaurant.
- In your journal record your thoughts and reflections on today’s experiences:
- What was your favourite experience of travelling between Perth and Phnom Penh International Airports?
- What is your least favourite experience of travelling between Perth and Phnom Penh International Airports?
- What are your first impressions of Cambodia (Phnom Penh). Use descriptive language and each of your senses when describing your impressions.
- After breakfast our day begins with a morning tour of Tuol Sleng Prison (S-21) and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek [0830].
- Prior to 1975 Toul Sleng was a high school but under the Khmer Rouge it was used as a torture facility. The building now serves as a museum and a memorial. Photos of some of the victims as well as paintings by a survivor hang on the walls. The complex has been preserved as the KR left it.
- After lunch at ‘The Bird’s Nest Restaurant’ we will finish the day’s touring by spending the afternoon at Choeung Ek. During the Khmer Rouge regime Choeung Ek became one of the infamous killing fields. This particular killing field is the site of the brutal executions of more than 17,000 men, women and children, most of whom had first suffered through interrogation, torture and deprivation in the S-21 Prison. The Choeung Ek Memorial is now a group of mass graves, killing areas and a memorial stupa containing thousands of human skulls and long bones.
- These two sites are a sobering reminder of the evils of the Khmer Rouge regime. Although not a joyful tour, visiting these monuments unlocks keys to understanding Cambodia.
- Tonight we will be dining at 'Friends Restaurant' a training restaurant set up by ‘Friends International’ and part of the child safe network. . After dinner you will have an opportunity to support the work of this organisation with some shopping at ‘Friends ’n’ Stuff’ before returning to the hotel for a well earned rest.
The centre is open 24 hours, 7 days per week as a safe haven for children at risk of abuse to seek immediate support and referral to appropriate services (e.g. counselling, reintegration to their family, police and legal complaints, medical assistance, remedial education, vocational training etc).
In your journal record your thoughts and reflections on today’s experiences:
- Recall one personal story that was shared with you today.
- What have you learnt today about the long term impact of the ‘Killing Fields & the experiences under the Khmer Rouge’ on Cambodia - the people and their society?
- How do organisations like ‘Friends International’ & ‘Child Safe’ enable positive change?
- Today your challenge is to navigate the city of Phnom Penh as you and your family take on ‘The Amazing Race—Phnom Penh’. The aim of today is to solve the normal challenges faced by a tourist visiting a new city: where to visit, what places will help them understand the history and culture of the country, purchasing souvenirs, sending messages home with a postcard, recharging with an inexpensive meal, being an ethical tourist... You will be required to research and plan your day as well as collect evidence of your adventures along the way. Like any other tourist you have limited budget!
- We will share our day’s adventures, successes and challenges when we meet at the end of the day!
- Breakfast 8:00-9:00am
- Briefing 9:30-10:00am
- Group planning 10:00-10:30am
- Race start 10:30am – Juliana hotel
- Race conclusion 5:00pm – “restaurant, Sisowath Quay
- Sisowath Quay 5:00-6:00pm
- Return to hotel: 6:00pm
- Room Service Dinner
- Room curfew: 8:30pm
- Lights out: 9:00pm
- Recall a funny story from today’s adventures.
- Recall a challenging experience from today.
- Recall a success story from today’s adventure
- This morning we say farewell to Phnom Penh, as we head north towards a new destination, Siem Reap. This journey will take approximately 6 hours by bus, so be prepared to sit back and enjoy taking in the sights: the country-side and the people. No complaints or you might end up travelling like the locals!
- En route we will stop to visit the Skuon Market. This is your chance to be daring and try a favourite Cambodian snack, a bag of ch’ngain (tasty spiders—Tarantulas to be precise)!
- This afternoon we check in to our new home The Soria Moria Hotel, Siem Reap. After our hotel orientation there will be some leisure time before our evening meal.
1. What new revelation did you experience today about Cambodia or the Khmer people?
2. What was something you learnt about yourself today?
3. What has today’s journey taught you to value or appreciate?
Friday 4 July
- After breakfast we start our tour of some of the most spectacular temples of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. This complex is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. We will enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.
- From here, we will continue to Bayon Temple situated in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.
- Next is Ta Prohm, unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
- Finally, the magnificent Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is depicted on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. For those with stamina to survive a full day touring we will watch as the sun sets upon this magnificent monument to the ancient kingdom.
1. Comment on the significance of Angkor Wat to the people of Cambodia - now and throughout history.
Saturday 6 July
- Today begins with ‘Free Choice’ you will be able to choose from a number of different ways to spend your morning.
- After a relaxing morning we will head out to the Landmine Museum. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is today working as a de-miner. The museum also serves as a rescue center for landmine amputee children who Aki Ra brought off Phnom Penh’s streets or from impoverished rural communities.
- This evening we will join with locals and expats to celebrate Mass (in English) at St John’s Church, Siem Reap.
- Today, we will gain insight into the art of Khmer cuisine with a hands-on cooking course. We begin with a guided tour through a local food market where your chef will explain the Cambodian fruits, vegetables and spices. Be amazed at the vast array of colors, smells, and tastes for sale- from the ubiquitous, smelly fish sauce to the sweet, fragrant mangoes. With the guidance of our chef, we will observe and then practice Khmer cuisine techniques creating our own dishes for lunch!
- This afternoon we embark on an interesting boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake , where we will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonlé Sap is South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season; it swells to about four times its size during the wet season. Board a local boat and visit Kampong Kleang, a village where we will see houses on stilts that are submerged when Tonlé Sap lake extends. On the way, we will pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water
1. Recall a personal story that had an impact on you today.
2. Comment on the similarities and differences in the ways the Khmer people and Australians work with their environment
Monday 8 July – Thursday 10 July
- This week our 'family groups' will head their separate ways as we begin our service work...digging wells...helping at the orphanage...helping out at the English language school for children.
- This week each family will travel into the countryside of Siem Reap province where they will be responsible for sinking two wells (either Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday). On the days families are not out in the rural districts building wells, they will spend their time in town. Service work in the town will involve spending the mornings (9:00-11:00am) at House of Joy Orphanage helping the Sisters of Charity with infants and toddlers. The afternoons (2:30-5:00pm) will take us back to school when we visit Smiling Hearts (SHAC) to offer our help in the classrooms. After an afternoon in one of Aly’s classrooms you will never complain about your teachers again, these children work really hard, even the Kindy kids learn to read and write (in English and Khmer)!
- Other special events this week include our:
- Farewell Dinner (Wednesday evening)
- Night Market shopping challenge (Thursday evening)
- Free choice morning (Thursday or Friday morning depending on your family)
- Today is a sad day for us as we pack and prepare to say goodbye to the country that has been our home for the past two weeks. For the … family there is one more session at House of Joy; ...family have the morning at leisure.
- We will be collected at midday in time to check in for our flight to Kuala Lumpur. Again we have a short layover before we transfer to the final leg of our journey to Perth. We touchdown just after midnight and have our last challenge of negotiating our way through customs.
- For those who are remaining in Perth with family we say goodbye to you once we have cleared customs. All travelers who are flying back to Carnarvon this morning will have a little extra time at the Perth International airport/Domestic airport. After breakfast everyone will transfer to the Skippers terminal in time to check in for your return flight to Carnarvon.