Where we're going

I wanted to get a post like this out a little sooner but I can't believe how busy I've been this past week between working and running errands for last minute supplies. I spent several hours a few nights ago packing items to go into a checked bag and moving things around between that and my carry on while getting on and off the scale with each bag to see where they were. Asiana Airlines allows us to have 1 carry on with a maximum weight of 22 pounds a piece. I'm bringing on a selection of camera gear which adds up quickly and is the majority of my carry on weight. 

See! It's not that much.

For those who would rather sit through a middle school style geography report instead of Googling it, Cambodia is located in the Southeastern Asia between Vietnam and Thailand with Laos at part of its northern border. The capitol, Phnom Penh, is only 11.5 degrees north of the equator so it's going to be pretty warm while we're there. Luckily the rainy season is over so we shouldn't have to worry about flooded rivers and washed out streets. 

Currently there is some political unrest with protests going on in the capitol I've received notifications from the State Department to be on guard for demonstrations, though they've been largely peaceful so far, and if I notice a crowd beginning to develop to vacate the area. Supposedly there will be a period without protests while we're there and even if there are issues we won't be out and about much. We only have time for light sight-seeing in Phnom Penh as we need to gather water and other supplies for while we're in the Kratie region and begin counting out pills into packets that can be dispensed to individual patients. 

The route we'll be moving along is highlighted on the map above. We arrive in Phnom Penh at about 11:30pm Friday night meaning it will be early Saturday morning before we get bags, clear customs, and arrive at our hotel. Monday, January 6 we head out to our first clinic in Snuol and that evening arrive in Kratie which will be our base of operations for clinics in the Kratie region. 

We will be holding clinics in this region from January 7 to 17 almost every day, taking Sunday the 12th off. This definitely isn't going to be an easy going vacation. The 17th we take an 11 hour bus ride to Siem Reap where the temples are, Angkor Wat being one of the most famous. 

Angkor Wat viewed from the lotus pools

Two other temples I'm looking forward to seeing are Ta Prohm and Srah Srang. Ta Prohm has been enveloped by the jungle and is where the opening scene for the first Tomb Raider movie was filmed. Srah Srang has a large pool which is supposed to be amazing for sunrise. We will be here one morning for the relative calm while the majority of tourists take in sunrise at Angkor Wat.

I'll do my best to update this blog while on the road, though I intend to be present in the moment rather than trying to keep information current. 

Until the next time!