Diary | Going home to Phnom Penh

As you may know from my absence on here and my influx of instagram posts, I have been in Cambodia for the past 3 weeks! It had been a blast but I'm happy to be back in New Zealand.

This post is just to recap my trip, focusing on my time in the city Phnom Penh through photos. I'm planning on writing two more posts specifically for the tour and beach getaway I went on. I may post a holiday haul as well. Stay tune for those!

We left a day before Christmas and our first order of business was our pit stop in Singapore. We arrived at an awkward time for shopping so we decided to crash at Crowne Plaza hotel instead. 

We ended up getting a suite because they were heavily booked and none of the basic rooms were available.

Though I don't personally celebrate Christmas (except for using it as an excuse to exchange gifts with loved ones), I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Christmas trees every where I went.

 Me looking grumpy because we had to get up at 4am and leave at 5am to catch our flight.

It was at 7am. That's how over prepared my mother is.

Snacking our way through the airport.

Picked up some VS sprays at Changi Airport.

Once we arrived at the Phnom Penh Villa we began to unpack and treasure the comfort of a real life bed. Airplanes are neck murderers.

Here's us playing solitaire because we had no wifi. The whole trip we never had comfortable wifi. We always had to lug our devices down to the 2nd floor (we're on the 9th floor) to steal my aunt's wifi in her office. We had an elevator and all but it's just a hassle. That's why I have been m.i.a on facebook and blogspot. Luckily I had 3G so I was very much alive on instagram.

I didn't manage to documents all my outfits but where are some spread out in this post.

Top/Cotton On, Pants/Cotton On, Shoes/Country Road

Top/Glassons

For simlar items: Overlay skirt/Pointed toe sandals

This was the outfit I wore to a wedding of a friend of my mum's.

 I went on a 6 days tours and when I got back I was reunited with my cousin Lisa!

 Here's us spending NYE together after a big family bqq. Seriously, it was huge. Why do I even have so many cousins?

Now the next big event was my cousin Irrene's wedding! I met her fiance once in New Zealand already and he got my seal of approval, so I was really excited for them. He didn't take long to win over Lisa either because he made a pun.

This was the morning wedding outfits we wore. I can't list where the clothes are from because I bought them here in Cambodia and if you've been to Cambodia, you know there are many stores without names and they all look the same. You just walk into a market or mall and go through endless amount of stalls picking out what you like.

For similar items: Off the shoulder top/Floral skirt

We had a break after lunch for the couple to take wedding shots and for the guest to rejuvenate.

Here's what I wore for the night time.

Shoes/Novo

For similar items: Crochet off the shoulder top/Crochet win pencil skirt

 Took this photo because I was suppose to be packing but I didn't want too.

We went to the zoo on the day Lisa left for Australia.

 I heard the monkeys here are fierce so I gave this guy his banana from a safe distant.

 Big big booty, what you got a big booty.

 Look at this surprised guy.

 So you gon give me nuts or?

 Nuts, I want the nuts.

 Sun bears.

 A very calm monkey. She/he had very soft furr and would let you stroke them.

 Tiger!

 All I was initially excited to see was the elephants!

 My wish was granted.

Have you read real stories about elephants? They're so smart and gentle creatures! I just hope these ones are treated kindly because we all know the stories about how South East Asia treat these tourist attractions. These ones didn't do any tricks or paint pictures, so I don't think they are abused to perform, which is good. Elephants are great, even if all they do is show me their butts (see above).

I got my new glasses!

Shoes/Converse

Similar items here: Top/Pants

Similar items: Striped blouse/Loose trousers (this one is more accurate but it's grey)

I don't know when I'll get to go back again but I hope it's soon. This time round I've learnt to be grateful I come from a large family who are, at times nosy, but are always welcoming, loving and caring. The amount of times I had been fed over there was a health hazard to be honest. Aunts and uncles I haven't seen in years still go out of their way to make my stay comfortable and enjoyable. I've only had to use tuk tuk (motor bike taxi) for shopping trips, other than that an aunt or uncle always drove us around. Because most of my mum's side where in one country, they took advantage and held many parties. My cousins are always helping me or buying me things. You know how many red pockets I received? Four. Yeah four fat pockets for eating their food and wasting their time.

Thank you Cambodia for the wonderful holiday. Until next time old friend.