HERE'S TO YOU!

Now that they're home, it's time for a poem:

We’re at day number 10 of month number two,

and it’s hard to believe our visit is through;

With all said and done, it’s been a great time,

so how ‘bout a reflection in the form of a rhyme:

You toyed with ideas, Should we go? Should we not?
Looking back now, was it all that you thought?

In Hanoi it was rainy—ah, what a drag!
Good thing you purchased those snazzy new bags;

But here in Phnom Penh you were greeted with heat,
And two happy faces who were eager to greet.

First stop Goldiana, adorned with Buddhas and pigs,
Then off to “Toule Sleng” for some fruit in our digs;

The mangos were fresh and the pineapple sweet,
But how ‘bout those tarantulas—now those were a treat!

The very next day, we tukked out to Bek Chan—
our home away from home; why we came to this land.

We saw puppies and palm trees, and one flying fish,
and also got to teach the kids some English.

It was great you got to see it, at least get a taste;
we love those kids; Rescue’s a great place!

The next two days we stayed in the city—not too far from here;
visited Toule Sleng, the Boddhi Tree, and tried Angkor Beer.

We went to Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the city,
with elephants and monkeys, that place sure was busy!

The markets were packed, but also were good,
from silk scarves, to mufflers and chopsticks of wood.

There were pigs’ feet, DVDs and places for meals,

all this could be yours for a few thousand riels.

The place sure was dizzying; almost made your eyes hurt
...kind of like Dad’s new colourful shirt!

Next stop Royal Palace, where the shirt blended in,
with the Bougainvillea bushes in the gardens within.

By day number five, we wanted to see more,
so we hopped on a bus headed to north to Angkor.

Angkor Village Resort, now there's a great place!
A welcomed oasis from the temples' rat race.

We got up at dawn to see Angkor Wat,
and stumbled in the dark to get to our spot

with a coffee and chair, we watched sun rise,

but unfortunately for us there were clouds in the skies.

Next stop Angkor Thom, the site of Tomb Raider,
“Hey, sir, buy t-shirt!” No thanks, maybe later.

Then off to Ta Proehm where temples and trees mix,
I’m sure we won’t forget it, we have a million good pics!

...and also, can’t forget Art...yeah...



But the temples themselves just weren’t quite enough,
we wanted some more of this cultural stuff.

So we watched the dancers, with fingers bent back;
The music was something, I want the soundtrack.

The very next day we boarded a boat,
All four of us wond'ring, ‘Will this thing stay afloat?’

We saw floating villages and basketball cages,
And watched school kids of all different ages.

A pen full of crocs, the kid with the snake,
and the tuk-tuk ride there, was all we could take,

So back to the pool, our favourite place to be—
along with the Red Piano, like Angelino Jolie.

Our time in Siem Reap left us wanting some more,
But that didn't last long, the beach was in store!

We spent 24 hours in Sihanoukville,
Where the swim-up bar was a great place to chill.

Ate a steamboat for supper with some chilled French white wine,
Amidst the birds and the waves and the geckos we dined.

After a day on the ocean and its perfect white sand,
All we could think of was "Isn't life grand?"




But now you’ve gone home; you’re somewhere in the air,
probably wondering, ‘were we really just there?’

Although those 12 days somehow flew by,
We’ll still think of you when we say “Soksabay!”

Your vocab may fade, as might those shots,
But our time here together will always stay in our thoughts.

Thanks for coming to see our small world in this corner,
and for living three weeks as a touring foreigner.

So today as you eat granola or use the laundry machines,
Know how much your visit with us means.

I'm sure we’ll be together in the spring,
and we look forward to the good times that’ll bring.

Until then, Jum-Riep-Lea, farewell, adios,
And so ends the saga of this long-winded toast.

Congrats, Mom and Dad...you did it!



WE LOVE YOU!!! xoxo