FROM NV TO PP

The last day in North Vancouver included shrub trimming (you can take the girl out of her garden but you can't take the garden out of the girl), walking around famous city sights, and marveling at a sunset after a mixed day of rain/fog/cloud/clear. Then a 13-hour EVA Airlines flight, all in darkness, across the International Date Line to Taipei. Excellent service but the usual dry air that puckered any exposed skin. Taiwan is the land of the Asian phenomenon "Hello Kitty", a beloved cartoon figure that shows up on aircraft, waiting rooms, and thousands of other places.

Then a 3-hour layover, then a 3-hour EVA hop to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Absolutely exhilarating to be back among the human chaos of tuk-tuks, old motorbikes, and an ancient culture but new country (#88!) for me. Arrived in the dusty heat by 1pm at the Royal Guest House, a name not expected to be taken literally! Memories of Vietnam --- a clean room with hot water, wifi and fan in colonial-era 4-storey walk-up buildings crammed like tired soldiers holding each other upright. (Can you find Pat waving?) $15 a night. Three busy blocks from the iconic river and temples. A big WOW for sure.

This is being written at 2 in the morning, wide-awake from jet lag or jet jump?!? (It's Monday here, Sunday back home.)We'll be on the street in a couple of hours, wondering what delights await at dawn in this mythical Khmer kingdom.