IKEA SPONGY FURNITURE COMPANY

We flew from Hoi An (well, Danang) to Saigon on the 4th. Good old Pacific Air (or Specific Air, as we renamed it) was delayed again. I don't know why we thought it would be any different this time. The funny thing that we noticed about this airport (and I'm sure this is true of public places in general it was just illuminated here) is that in a nearly empty section of seats someone will sit directly next to you. For me and Jessica it was reminiscent of going to a movie in Florida where, in an empty cinema, a senior citizen will sit in the seat right next to you. First someone sat down next to Kip's mom when there were literally a hundred places she could have sat and not been near ANYONE.

Notice the seats all around this individual. Even right in front of her is a row of empty chairs...

Our two nights and one day in Saigon were functional. We booked bus tickets to Phnom Penh and spent the majority of the afternoon in Bobby Brewer's watching one terrible movie (Game Plan) and one exceptional one (Things We Lost in the Fire).

Bright and early we boarded the bus for the Mochbai/Bavet border crossing. Prepared for the worst we were nothing but pleased. It took all of half an hour. At no time did we even have to wait in the sun, which is unheard of. Also, Jessica received a lovely marriage proposal from the visa issuing agent.

In the morning we said our goodbyes to Kip and Rosemarie. They were on to the majesty of Angkor. We were heading south to the beaches of Sihanoukville. In the bus on the way here we passed the IKEA SPONGY FURNITURE COMPANY. And just the day before Jessica had assured Kip's Mum that there were no IKEAs in Cambodia.

Sihanoukville has really blossomed since I was here last. There are about five times the restaurant shacks lining the Ochheuteal beach and at night the sands shake with the beats of a hundred stereos. It is still a beautiful place and I'm finding it relaxing if not peaceful. Planning to be here for a few days more...