Like many great journeys, the 2016 Connect With Cambodia trip began with that all important first step. For much of the team, this meant slogging it from around Australia to chilly old Melbourne where we assembled at the Ciloms Hotel. Following warm introductions for the newbies and a hearty buffet dinner, much of the night was spent reorganising luggage to maximise our supplies whilst waiting for a delayed flight from Tassie carrying our last team member.




Our efficient run to and through the airport the next morning was halted by what was sure to be the first of many unexpected obstacles. Technical difficulties with our plane to Vietnam left us grounded on the tarmac for over an hour whilst the engineers laboured with duct tape and shoe glue to get the left wing back in order. Finally, we were up in the air and on our way and for the next 8 hours enjoyed all the luxuries economy class had to offer.




A smooth touch down into Hoh Chi Minh City to transfer onto the connecting flight saw us chatting to a delightful fellow Australian, a teacher and seasoned veteran of the region. However, the connecting flight itself saw us inside what is quite possibly the most ‘well-used’ aircraft still able to sustain flight. A rocking chair that shouldn’t have been and the pilot strolling mid-flight through the peeling cabin with a low ceiling perfect for claiming scalps, all added a degree of excitement to the brief trip. Once we had cleared the ever so vigorous border control and collected our bags, Sokhan our van man collected us from the airport and drove us through the bustling streets of Phnom Penh to the OV hotel; our home away from home for the next 10 days. Bags were quickly deposited into rooms as the team focussed on the more important task of acquiring dinner. Luckily, the restaurant a short walk down the road from the hotel was still open for business and the friendly staff even remembered some of the team from previous trips. They were quick to make us comfy and soon the table was filled with an assortment of delicious foods and cold drinks. We ate until bellies were full or faces thoroughly melted from the chilies hiding in the soup before heading back to the rooms for a much needed sleep.

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