7 September 2007 – Day 18: Kota Kinabalu to Phnom Penh

Up very early to check out of the 'Nibalu' hotel as the neon sign proudly calls our hotel, and get to the airport for our 9:45 flight. Have loads of time before flight, then have a 20 minute delay on the plane trying to identify some missing passengers. Arrive at Kuala Lumpur at 12:30 or so, get some lunch at The Coffee Bean (salad and pasta) and check in for the next flight to Phnom Penh. Plane delayed by 40 minutes (plenty of info this time), which means we have an hour waiting like a coiled spring, loitering at the front of the queue ready to ensure we're at the front for express boarding. Eventually our flight is called and we manage to head up the queue, although as the doors are opened a group of indistinguishable older women are given priority, we soon manage to overtake them on the way to the plane, despite being called back to relinquish water in back pack (water purchased post security???).

We get our usual seats at the front and settle in for the journey. Get some Mr Potatoes (a cheap imitation of Pringles - which prove to be poor) and a drink - we're not allowed to consume anything on board we have previously purchased. Get to PP and through immigration very quickly, meet our driver sent by The Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) and take a 25 minute drive to FCC.

Although this is the capital city, the state of the roads etc remind us of some of the poorer areas of Peru (this is one of the 20 poorest countries in the world). Room is beautiful, lovely wooden floor, a balcony and great bathroom - the flloorspace of the room is the same size as Luise's flat. Chill out and cool down before heading up one floor to the restaurant/bar which is buzzing with expats/foreigners. Have a delicius Kari Banlei (a cambodian red vegetable curry - which appeared to be yellow to Ieuan's eyes) and fajitas after a delicious tomato and basil soup starter. Watched the many geckos running up and down the walls trying to find their own tea, while enjoying a nice bottle of rose wine. Finished our drinks in the bar before heading to bed, we had arranged with the driver who brought us from the airport to pick us up at 10am for a trip to the Killing Fields and museum for US$20.