Hello readers,
A lot to update you on. So after a weeks training in the beginners class I was quickly moved up to the intermediate class. There are a lot of good fighters here, some of whom have professional fights back home in the UK. I decided yoga was a bit too spiritual for my liking so started doing the morning body fit sessions instead. This was run by a lady called ‘Ocean Bloom’ who is a celebrity fitness instructor back in the US. Body fit is a punishing workout which includes sessions such as running up buddha mountain, running with tyres tied around the waist, walking up a whole flight of stairs backwards on all fours (as if we were a spider), beach training and lots of circuit training.
I also started doing one on one private sessions with the trainers here. The trainers have a vast amount of experience and certainly know what they are talking about. For example one of the trainers fought Manny Pacquiao (currently rated pound for pound best boxer in the world) back in the day. Another trainer has fought just over 200 fights winning 175 of them and has a world champion belt aswell as 2 belts in the highly regarded Lumpinee Stadium. I have certainly benefited from the private sessions with a noticeable improvement in form and technique.
After 30 days in Thailand my visa came to an end and it was time for me to leave the country. I decided to fly to Cambodia and spend a week travelling. I headed for the capital of Phnom Penh checking into my hotel (88 The Backpacker) late in the evening. I was expecting to unpack my bags and get an early night when 3 French people checked into the dorm at 12.30am. A few drinks later and I can say that was the most random night out I’ve ever had. My new French friends spoke fluent English which made me feel guilty that I am unable to fluently speak another language. Although I think my phrases of ‘Je m’appelle Andy’ and ‘Je voudrais un Heinneken’ would be enough to get by in France.
I spent 4 days in Phnom Penh visiting S21 and the killing fields. S21 is the prison site where thousands of Cambodians were tortured under the Khmer Rogue regime during the 1970’s before being sent to the killing fields. It is estimated that a quarter of the Cambodian population was wiped out during this time. I found it an interesting few days to understand the history of Cambodia and the struggles the country has been through.
After Phnom Penh I travelled by bus down to Siem Reap. I was hoping to sleep for most of the 7 hour bus journey but the bus driver was adamant on beeping his horn every 30 seconds. I checked into the Siem Reap Hostel where I stayed for four nights. The hostel was situated in a perfect location and I made some amazing friends during my stay here. My French friends from Phnom Penh also joined me down in Siem Reap for a few nights out. Whilst in Siem Reap I visited the temples of Angkor Wat which are truly phenomenal and made for some fantastic photos. I also visited an orphanage site located in one of the poorest slums in Cambodia, where I soon became a climbing frame for 50 enthusiastic kids.
After Cambodia I decided to go back to Thailand to surprise my friends and get back into training for a couple of weeks. I took the bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok (approx 9 hours) and then flew down to Phuket. Training was tough to get back into having spent a few too many nights drinking in Cambodia. My two weeks back at the training camp went incredibly quickly. Unfortunately, I came down with a stomach bug in my second week back which put me out of action for a few days. I was only granted a 15 day visa when coming back across into Thailand by bus so once again it was time for me to leave my friends behind.
Next up is the beautiful country of Laos. At the time of writing I am currently on the sleeper train heading from Bangkok to Vientianne (capital of Laos). I am looking to spend a week here before moving onto Vietnam.
Will keep you posted.
Andy