Sam & Trish Clarke (Photo courtesy Postle Photography)

Friday 4 May, 2012

Castaways Resort, Mission Beach

At the risk of sounding like a travel log, the day was perfect.  The turquoise waters of the Coral Sea gently lapped the white sands, the sun shone in a blue sky, palm trees whispered to a soft, warm breeze.   In this piece of paradise, Sam Clarke and Trish Gillbride became husband and wife.

Trish looked stunning as she and her three bridesmaids made their way along the path to where Sam and the groomsmen waited.  With hands joined, they exchanged vows surrounded by all that is good in life – family, friends and love.

It was a privilege to introduce Mr & Mrs Sam and Trish Clarke.  Much love goes with them for all the days of their life.

Castaways Resort, Mission Beach (Photo courtesy Postle Photography

Saturday 21 April, 2012

Tinaroo Lake, Yungaburra

What a beautiful day it was, filled with love and laughter, joy and happiness as Rohan Davis and Riina Huovinen took each other as husband and wife, life partner and best friend.  Arriving by boat, Riina was given away by her father, Jouni, who with his wife, Riitta-Liisa, travelled from Finland for this special occasion.  I was so ably assisted by Riina’s sister, Heidi, who translated parts of the ceremony into Finnish and Simon and Marko who did the readings.  Cindy and Corey did a great job as attendants as did Mitch with the music.

A beautiful couple with loving family and friends.  Every best wish to Mr & Mrs Rohan and Riina Davis.

Saturday 7 April, 2012

Mareeba

Walking on a bed of rose petals, Greg Myers escorted his daughter, Chantal, to her marriage to Mick Wild.  It was a relaxed atmoshphere on their Kay Street property with family and guests enjoying the best nature has to offer in a bush setting. The wedding party included their children, Brieanna and Kalen, and Chantal’s sister, Claire, as bridesmaid.

The sun shone as Mick and Chantal joined their lives together, pledging to have and to hold from this day forward.  It was indeed a pleasure to declare them to be husband and wife.  Every best wish to Mr & Mrs Mick and Chantal Wild and family.

Disappointingly, our travel schedule was pretty gruelling and time did not permit us to visit the bear sanctuary out of Phnom Penh.  Also, we were unable to visit any orphanages as the children are not ‘on show’ to the public, as it should be.  There were, however, many other highlights.

Dyka, Cambodia Guide

Hong Kong was wet and cold so views from the top of Victoria Peak were minimal.  Even the Peak Tram was out of action. Not to be outdone, we took a bus climbing 373 metres above the city.  Weather was too miserable to even get out to see the ‘Symphony of Lights’ on every night at 8.00pm. The show combines interactive lights of 44 key buildings on both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.  Repulse Bay was a beach playground for the wealthy, somewhere to seriously consider if you wish to stay out of the city and you have deep pockets.  With only three days here, it was full on shopping time.  For brides, there are whole streets comprised of just wedding gowns – confusing taste of Heaven! Passed a hotel where I saw this purple car all done up.  The concierge gave permission for a photograph and explained this is a popular choice for a wedding car.  The back seat for two is decorated in silver cloth.  Limited time at Stanley Market but thought of all the markets yet to come.

On to Bangkok where the heat and the smells of Asia hit us. March to June is less wet but is the hottest time in terms of temperature.  A good time they say to avoid the crowds but it was still busy. Just an overnight stay but managed to find a hair salon and a lovely little spot for dinner.  A recurrent theme of this holiday was Beauty Salons – I found so many and freely pampered myself with facials, massages, hair do’s, manicures, pedicures, body scrubs – and I loved every minute.  Engaged a tuk tuk driver who took us on a private tour.  Only a short stay but filled with activity.

Started our Cambodian adventure (or Khmer as it is known by the locals) the next day with a 9 hour drive to Siem Reap.  Fortunately, this was on a private air-conditioned bus.  Back at our guest house after dinner, I joined in a birthday party for a one year old.  We did a lot of dancing and the ladies were trying to show me how to manoeuvre my hands elegantly without feeling like I was double jointed.  Cambodia has two seasons – the wet and the dry.  We had the dry with daily temperatures in the high 30’s, early 40’s. There are over 250 temple ruins in the Siem Reap area with many of the most significant within the Angkor Archaeological Park just north of the city.  Some are must sees including Bayon, Angkor Thom and of course the incredible Angkor Wat.  Watch out for the monkeys.  They tend to be a little friendly. You could happily spend a lot of time here but it was time for dinner in Pub Street and a performance by local dancers.  Okay, so they can bend their bodies better than me – a mere thing of a lifetime of practise. 

Buses to everywhere including a public bus until we return to Phnom Penh past Tonle Sap Lake and via Kampong Cham. Glossing over the many many hours on the road with stops for drinks and squat toilets.

It was now we were confronted by the atrocities committed by the Pol Pot regime in S-21, a former school which became a centre for detention, interrogation, and torture.  Once confessions were received and documented, detainees were then taken to the killing fields at Choeung Ek where they were blindfolded, tied and hit over the back of the neck or head until death or falling into a mass grave.  The music was turned up so others couldn’t hear what was happening.  Choeung Ek is only one of over 300 killing fields throughout Cambodia, a haunting reminder of a time of horror and terror of the reign of the Khmer Rouge.

It was a sombre group that met for dinner that night before catching another bus to Cham Bok for our homestay with a local family.  This was the traditional mat on the floor, mosquito nets and stifling heat.  No shower, one light in the room, squat toilet, communal water vat. The Ladies Community supplied us with food and the local children performed dances.  Their mastery of the art at such a young age demonstrates the long hours of practise. 

Tired, as sleep was impossible, we finally arrived in Sihanoukville, a seaside resort.  Oh, to swim in the South China Sea and just sit on the beach – heaven.  Anything you could want is available on the beach – massage, manicure, pedicure, leg shaving with cotton thread, fruit, food, drinks, shopping – the list goes on.  We relished this time and it was hard for us to leave for Ho Chi Minh City.

Another seven hour bus trip sees us in Saigon as the locals refer to Ho Chi Minh City.  It is greener and cleaner than Cambodia but still as hot. Our guide says South Vietnam has two seasons – hot and hotter. We have now upgraded to our own private car and guide and upmarket accommodation. From Saigon to Can Tho (via the incredible Vinh Trang pagoda in My Tho) to the only luxury hotel in the middle of the Mekong Delta.

Our boat up the Mekong

We board a Bassac and cruise the Mekong experiencing a sampan boat, local food, floating markets, rice fields and much more before our return to Cai Be and Saigon where we leave this world and return to our own.

My experiences:  Pampering oneself is great and helps the local economy; tuk tuks should be in Australia; that foot massages, comfortable chairs and drinks should be offered on our sidewalks; that we are so very lucky to live a free, stable country with clean water; that underneath we are all the same.

Sincere thanks to guides, Dyka, in Cambodia, and Lucky (Ros Jeat) who walked us through S-21 and the killing fields,  and Quon in Vietnam and to all the drivers who kept us safe in a maze of traffic.

Quon, Vietnam Guide

The last photo is a quirky favourite of mine – it is a hospital in Saigon with a helipad hanging off the edge high up.

One of the highlights (and not included in the tour but I am making it a priority) is the bear sanctuary just out of Phnom Penh at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre.  Cambodia is home to the endangered species of Asiatic black bear and the Malaysian sun bear.  Even though some are in protected areas, illegal logging, wildlife poaching and land encroachment threatens their future. Twenty years ago Australian Mary Hutton witnessed the despicable treatment of these animals and devoted her life to their rescue and rehabilitation.  The enclosures have pools, hammock, climbing frames, vegetation and toys to keep the bears healthy and happy.  There are many projects happening that you may contribute to.  You can also ‘adopt’ a bear.  As the saying goes, a little money goes a long way.  Also, 100% of your donation goes directly to ‘Free the Bears’ Fund.

These bears are used for inhumane reasons including:

Entertainment of tourists – ie the dancing bear (mind you the claws have been pulled out and a painful ring placed in the nose)

Food – they are butchered and served as bear paw soup

Medicine – their gallbladders and other parts are used for traditional medicines

Status symbol – poachers sell orphaned cubs

Plain cruelty – they are used in bear bile farms

Poaching bears is illegal in Cambodia but the killing of sun bear and Asiatic black bear continues.  Once you look into their big trusting eyes, you won’t be able to say no.  Check out their website www.freethebears.org

I will not be back until Easter (weddings to do) so until then, stay well, stay safe and may your Hot Cross Buns be fat free, sugar free, gluten free, carbo free – really, what’s the point?!  Happy Easter.