Wednesday 24th November 2004
I had one too many large bottles of Singha last night. I feel a bit hung-over and the budget is dented more than necessary too. Still I am having an adventure, so it doesn't seem all that bad. The last minibus to Pha Khad is at noon and I'm a little short of time, so rather than rush I have decided to stay in Chantaburi for today and leave early tomorrow morning.
I walked around town the other side of the bridge and found a very quiet littl
e area with a handful of Catholic Churches. There is a small, but established catholic community here, which originated in 1705 with the influx of Catholics from Vietnam. Took some photos and went back to the guesthouse to try and book somewhere for Christmas and New Year. The idea was to go to Ko Phi Phi for Christmas with my friend as we know another friend who will be there with a group of people. Looks like that will be a nice way to spend Christmas. Well I spent an hour and a half on the internet with a dial-up connection trying to find some accommodation, but everywhere on Phi Phi is either fully booked or far too much money for my budget. Looks like Phi Phi is out for Christmas, so time to get some lunch.
Lunch was really nice. Sitting by the river in the River Guesthouse restaurant eating a delicious, spicy Thai mixed vegetable salad, which also contained tuna, prawns and cashew nuts for 40 baht! Did some more reading of my Lonely Planet Cambodia guide. I have had my head in this book enough now that I pretty much know about everything that it is 
possible to see in Cambodia, so I have a list of places I want to get to and things I want to see in the three weeks I have there before returning to Bangkok to meet my friend. I stayed in the shade until 5pm and went to my room for a couple of hours sleep. Woke up and went into the town about 7.30pm and found a night market full of beautiful people and a vibrant atmosphere. Everyone here seems idyllically happy. Not sure how I feel. A little empty, not sad just a void, which is slightly uncomfortable. A sense of some reality kicking in somewhere. Dinner was nice. I opted for the easy option by eating at the guesthouse again, but the food is so nice and the staff there are really lovely. I had steamed rice with stir-fried pork in garlic and pepper with the obligatory beer of course! I am now contemplating ordering some noodles.
