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The much anticipated Day 12 arrives... the last day... the finale to our

immersion trip in Cambodia! For some it is a relief to be going home to

family and friends, for others it is the long bath and sleep in ones bed

to look forward to. Despite the thought of home comforts, by now, everyone

is pondering their future and thinking about what more they can do to help

the Cambodian people. We have succeeded in bringing some support and joy

(and hopefully some English) to the lives of the children we have

encountered but have also discovered the need for ongoing support in

Cambodia, especially in the area of education.

Our final day began with a sleep-in and a chance to get packed up and move

luggage around. It certainly was amusing to see the bags filled to

capacity with all the goodies and gifts purchased at the markets.

We then visited the Floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake. The Tonle Sap

River is a combined freshwater lake and river system that drains into the

Mekong River at Phnom Penh. It changes direction twice a year. During the

wet season, the water backs up north into the Tonle Sap Lake forming the

largest freshwater lake in south-east Asia. It is home to a huge variety

of fish as well as to the Cambodian people who live in floating water

dwellings long the edges of the lake. We took a boat ride along part of

the Tonle Sap lake and observed the villagers going about their daily

chores. Some of the important 'floating' buildings we observed included a

school, catholic church, supermarkets, restaurants and houses. During the

boat ride, we were approached by children carrying live pythons in smaller

boats hoping to make a couple of dollars by allowing us to pose with a

python snake around our necks! Ms Fisher and Bridget took up the

opportunity to do this while others bolted to the back of the boat as far

away from the snake as possible! We also visited a crocodile farm on the

lake and were horrified as we saw another tourist buy a live fish dangling

on a stick only to taunt the crocodiles into fighting each other to get

the fish.

Following this, we then visited 'Artisans Angkor' (Siem Reap), a workshop

for training craftsmen in the art forms of sculpting, carving, silk making

and printing and painting. We were treated to a tour of the different

workrooms where we were amazed by the skill and craftsmanship that went

into the work. Some of us bought items at the store afterwards and admired

the silks, sculptures and paintings on display. The most inspiring thing

about 'Artisans Angkor' was the fact that they employed many young people

with disabilities to work there and provided training and work for them in

order to make them professionally qualified in their speciality fields!

Lunch was a tasty affair at the 'Blue Pumpkin' in Siem Reap where some

indulged in milkshakes while others kept room for the scrumptious

desserts! It was a final opportunity to talk and share stories over a meal

before our departure later in the afternoon.

A quick return to the guest house to shower and pick up bags before

departing for the airport. This was all well timed, for as we left, the

monsoon rains, thunder and lightning fell from the sky - the first real

storm we had seen in our twelve days!

Once checking in at the airport in Siem Reap, we had to say goodbye to

John McKeon, organiser and leader of our immersion trip. John had made our

trip a wonderful success and we cannot thank him enough for giving up his

time to take us to Cambodia and helping us become aware of the situation

and the needs of the people in Cambodia. We will not forget his terrible

'dad' jokes, his ability to keep us all on our toes, or his celebrity

status every time we walked out onto the streets... "Mr John, Mr John: you

need a tuk tuk?"

Our flights were smooth; first to Singapore and then onto Sydney. During

the three hour stopover in Singapore a few decided to have a shower and

were thrilled by the convenience of a nice shower with complimentary

waters and chocolates as well! We tried to get some sleep on the overnight

flight to Sydney and some slept better than others.

Both immigration and customs were quick and we were able to return ten

healthy and happy, but exhausted, girls to their parents!

We really had a wonderful experience in Cambodia. We all certainly have a

lot to think about; we have taken the first steps in becoming aware of the

problems and meeting the people. We now have much more to ponder as we

think about our own futures and what more we can do to help the Cambodian

people.

To all the people we encountered, their families and communities: our

prayers and thoughts will be with you always.

Until next time...

- Miss Lee