Day 172 - I'm home!

Back with the siblings, once again. But I will return - a bit like 007. I like that.

Day 172 - 12th December

07:30am. I've landed back at Heathrow Terminal Four. The flight was pretty easy for 14 hours, just sitting, watching films and eating food. Vietnam airlines is pretty impressive, one I'd highly recommended.

The tube ride was an hour into central London. I was eyeballed half the way by grumpy travellers who stared at me, wondering why I had two huge bags with me.

The temperature was six degrees, a far cry from the average thirty I've been used to travelling around Asia. I'll need to get used to that. It may take a while.

Once I arrived at Victoria, I had a spot of breakfast and waited for my train to roll in. I was buzzing to see my family again. Five months and three weeks is a long time to be away. I was looking forward to seeing my niece at her christening on Sunday. Christmas was going to be a great occasion.

The second train journey of the day was just a routine one hour trip, one I'd done many times before when going to London. And before I knew it, I was home again. In Maidstone and heading across town towards my home.

And the reaction on my return was priceless. Everyone played the part and made me see how great it was to see them all again. The video below is my documentation of said reactions. Enjoy!

Day 169 - That wasn't in the script!

Absolutely unforgettable

Day 169 - 09th December

After a shower, I thought I'd get to work and do a few hour on my sitcom before heading out for the day.

Ha!

That went out the window when I looked down and realised it was 3pm! I'd started at 9am.

I worked for a further three hours and was only up to episode five of six. There's always more to be done, that's why I love it. I did get to speak to my sister for a bit again before heading out to Chinatown for a cheap dinner.

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel by night.

Afterward, I looked at the time. It was eight thirty. I had two choices - go back to work and ignore Singapore or go see the city by night. You'll be pleased to read I set off for Marina Bay Sands Hotel and purchased a ticket for the Sky Walk Observation Deck.

I felt OK going up but when I stepped out, I realised my mistake. It had parts that had small panes of glass that came up to my waist but then just cables that went across to stop you falling out and more glass, higher up. I almost dropped my phone when I pressed it, into what I thought was glass, and my hand went straight through. Why, oh why?

I had to brace myself again the back wall but once I took a few minutes and composed myself, I suddenly saw why. The views were just - well, just look at the pictures. I'll be back to writing later on...

Amazing huh? Yeah, I know. Beauty in it's entirety.

No explanation required.

Crazy trees.

After coming back down, I headed to the surrounding parks and walks along the waterfront. What a way to spend the evening, just wandering in and out of nooks and crannies. Every turn produced something new, whether it be a winter fair, tree sculptures, stadiums, skyscrapers or just the harbour. I'm so glad I took the walk.

Awesome shot, if I do say so.

Stop it! Just stop it.

As I rounded the front of the Marina Bay, I walked along the decking and just stood in awe of the Singapore City skyline. What a magnificent view it was. I even came up with a new book idea so what a bonus!

I spent so much time wandering, it was near 1am when I got back to my hostel.

Another fantastic day in this incredible place.

Day 62 - Globalteer introductions and finding my feet

The crazy streets of Siem Reap, but a city I already appreciate.

Day 62 - 24th August

A little paradise in the suburbs.

That pool is one of my new best friends.

This is the sort of place Jordy would have booked us into. Happy days.

Pancakes were the breakfast choice of the day and then I had to head to Globalteer for my placement. The Tuk Tuk took me to BouvSavy guesthouse, a cracking little place in the north of the city, around six kilometres from Angkor Wat. This place has a pool, great staff, big private rooms and is really close to the Globalteer office.

Dave, the guesthouse assistant, checked me in. A friendly chap who told me not to get too comfortable as I'd be moving into a better room the next day. I like this place already.

At 2pm, I met another Dan who is working at the trailblazers project, creating and inputting water filters. He was on summer break from his chemical engineering degree at university and saw this as an opportunity to get some experience (or so his parents told him).

Just after two, our volunteer coordinator, Rebecca came to meet us and we begun our orientation at the office. There was so much to take in: the rules of working with children, the itinerary for each week, the ways to engage with children, ways not to favour an individual child, how to encourage, how to help them progress, showing them how to respect each other and so on. I felt a little out of my depth, worrying about how I could approach this. I'm no teacher, I'm a clown!

I was introduced to Charlie, the Sports Manager and Vith, the Khmer (Cambodia Language) teacher. Both were great guys and provided me with more information. Vith, an early twenties guy, said he'd be teaching me Khmer in the weeks I was volunteering. An exciting prospect.

Rebecca took us out and around Siem Reap to give us a feeling of our new home - mine for the next 9 weeks. The local parts of the city are fantastic with great restaurants and amenities. I was already looking forward to discovering the place.

Globalteer rented me a bike to get around and then I was told I'd start tomorrow.

I met Sèbastien for dinner and he told me all about his time at Angkor Wat. His pictures were amazing and I couldn't wait to get there myself. Maybe the weekend would present an opportunity.

I can Thali-ly contain myself. Taxi for Dan?

We visited Dashkin's, notoriously known as the best Indian in Siem Reap. I was glad to have tried a meat Thali there. It was exquisite. As per usual, I dropped the curry in my lap - it must be the etiquette and pressure of eating in a restaurant that makes me turn into a loof and drop at least a fork or spoonful in my lap.

I showed Sèbastien my new home and gave him back his suit. We had a bittersweet farewell and thanked each other (like bros) for so many laughs and great times. I'm going to miss him!

I went to bed, excited to start my placement. What a life I have right now! I know - lucky bastard right?