Last day at Anjali

We were all very sad on Friday as it was our last day at Anjali. We have had a great 5 weeks at the school and I think we learned as much as the kids we were teaching. We have made some good friends and we are sure we will keep in touch with some of the teachers we have got to know.

Last day

Art class

There was another volunteer leaving so we shouted all the kids ice cream for lunch and then in the afternoon they did a special assembly for us to say thank you for coming to teach at Anjali House. It was great to see the kids all lined up and they were very excited to be giving us certificates to say thanks, and yes, Clarissa cried.

Thanks Rich and yes for those that know me well I am a bit of a softy. It has been an amazing 5 weeks thou, experiencing all that we have it feels more like a lifetime. When the children came up to cuddle and say goodbye that was it for me. Jasmin has made a great friend, Sovann and feels sad to leave as well. They are having the day together tomorrow.

Sovann and Jas

Our last day at Anjali was a lot of fun full of games and I painted the kids faces with Jas and Sovann. The kids loved it and it was a great way to end our time with them.

Jas & Sovann painting faces

The end result

Face painting

Mum is still here and we have loved having her here, showing her the sites and Anjali. We have drunk most nights, nice dinners out, pool time, morning walks, lots of laughs, temple time (although over them now, especially the kids), massages and Rich and I even went out for a "boogie" at the Angkor What? Bar with some other volunteers and teachers. Thanks Dad for sharing Mum with us.

Riding in the country side

Last Saturday night some of the Anjali students from the adult house and teachers put on a play. A volunteer from Canada, Puja, had been working with them for 8 weeks and had done an amazing job. The play was in English (big challenge for all involved) and was a love story. It was held in a butterfly garden restaurant, students and volunteers invited. Puja had fun-raised money for props etc and a rap party for all involved in the play. It was a great night and nice to see the kids happily enjoying a night out.

We also visited one the young adult house where some of the older kids leave. We went and checked the house out and to visit Ruon.

Ruon's house

Ruon, Ben, Rich & Clarissa

Today we had a big day trip (in a car!) to a very sacred place about 2 hours away. Phom Kulen is where the 500-year long 'Age Of Angkor' began. It was a huge mountain surrounded by jungle and with a big Buddaha built on top. A lot of locals there, monks praying and a very interesting place to experience. After our offerings and prayer we went on to a beautiful waterfall to swim under. It comes from a very small natural spring, like magic, and flows down to become a huge waterfall. It was great fun to swim, feel the waterfalls power and energy. Great day!

Nanny & Jas with the Buddha on the rock at the top of the hill

The Buddha on the top of the hill

Nanny with us at Phom Kulen

With cigarette in hand he asked for a dollar for some cough medicine - met him on our way down the mountain. I loved his hair.

Hard to believe this is where the waterfall starts

The waterfall

Ben and Rich enjoying the waterfall

Nanny,  Clarissa, Ben & Jas

We will enjoy the next few days with Mum in Siem Reap until she goes home and we move into the next phase of our time here, travelling! We are looking forward to heading south to the Islands and coast of Cambodia, beach time! Then we move across the border and into Vietnam and will need to prepare ourselves for the change of pace there, I am very nervous about crossing the road in Ho Chi Min.

TWO DAYS LATER

Mum has just left and it was sad to say goodbye. We had a great time with Mum here and was nice to be able to share some travelling time with her. We leave tonight at 8.00pm on the night bus and are looking forward to relaxing on the islands tomorrow and have booked a beachside bungalow at Monkey Island... can't wait.

Pineapple girl - we have eaten lots of them so far

Mixed emotions about leaving, having to pack all our things and are now leaving our comfort zone to be on the road for the next 7 weeks or so. Will be exciting and challenging at the same time but will be a good experience for us all.