If memory serves me right, at some point we even went up the stage to dance, that's why Steve was left holding the camera. A crazy, fun end to my birthday celebration.

It made me think though (despite the haze of alcohol) that as much as it's a trip being here, I'd like to be somewhere else when my next birthday rolls around.

After some food, red wine, free champagne (thanks Tom!), a round of flaming B52 shots and vodka tonics, we found ourselves at The Heart of Darkness---on a monday! The Heart, as it is popularly known, used to be THE place to go if you were an expat or traveller curious about the local khmer club/bar nightscene...say 5 years ago? It's all gone downhill from there after the Khmers go around shooting each other on the dance floor, the working girls come out in full force on the weekends and the music is deathly hip hop.

So why were we there? Proof that alcohol impares judgement! There's really nowhere to go when it's late and you want to dance. Pontoon usually fits the bill but they're closed mondays. Plus we were all there for a laugh...and more pictures!

Another dinner shot. No dinner yet, and no alcohol either.

16 Oct 2006. Ah, another year, another birthday in the Penh. Here's my birthday dinner at Metro Cafe. Our office Design Group did all their business cards, menu design as well as their print ads. Nationality count: Me, Michelle, Maan-Filipinas, 3. Steve G- American, 1. His lovely date (sorry I forgot her name!) - Khmer, 1. Steve, LIz-Aussies, 2. If Matt were around (he flew to Laos for work that afternoon, waah!) then Oz could've tied with us. But no! So Pinoys win, yay!

Last morning walk around town. We came upon this brightly coloured house with contrasting blue doors and a yellow bike.

Not me---the falls, but if you thought so, thanks :) Cool, refreshing sprays of water hit you as you make your way up to the falls. We had a dip in one of the pools, such a strong current!

Here we are waiting for the rest of the people to come back from the upper cave. It's past 1pm, we're tired and sweaty. All we want to do is go back and get some lunch and a glass of Beer Laos! But first a photo op. It's not everyday that you sit by the Mekong with the one you love, though hungry and sweaty :)

Again, such devotion!

All the statues of Buddah were placed in this cave and locals used to make a pilgrimage to visit the caves. Imagine going on a boat ride and inside a cave all just to pray? That's devotion. It's not so anymore. Mostly tourists go there now.