We raised over $1500 dollars at the Dengue Fever gig, they were an amazing band and really lovely. They were so pleased to be playing to support Epic. The organisation was a bit tricky as equipment is not easily accessible so there was a lot of begging, borrowing and some stealing involved but in the end we got a great night together and filled the centre with about 400 people. It was great profile for Epic and the band did a workshop for some of the kids in the day.
I went up to the Cardamom mountains over the last holiday period (they have about 35 public holidays per year). It is a truly incredible place. Apparently one of the most diverse and important eco sites in the world. The mountains take up 10% of Cambodia's total land mass and have a massive diversity of flora and fauna. We got a long-tail boat up into the forest for two hours through beautiful scenery before reaching Chi Phat where we were to stay for three nights. The village has a eco-tourism project run by the Wildlife Allience which sees the proceeds of homestays, guides etc ploughed back in making sure the mountains are safe from exploitation, poachers and tree felling.
We went on what turned out to be a relatively tough bike trail up into the mountains. It was amazing scenery and I was taken aback by how beautiful it was. Unfortunately coming down the mountain at speed my hand got caught in some bamboo and I was tanked off my bike by the razor sharp tendrils. There was so much blood pouring from my hand that I thought I had lost a finger. I wrapped what tissue I had around but blood kept flowing and our guide had FORGOTTEN THE FIRST AID KIT!!. Holding my hand up I preceded to march double time to an army anti-poacher outpost and had a little first aid done although I was still too scared to look at it. I then had to cycle off road for 15k with one hand to get back to the town and first aid. I was a bit shaken but managed to patch myself up and continue the trip. Phew! We did some walks to swim in a few beautiful waterfalls and saw many enchanting sites before heading back to Kampot on the back of motos going very fast through mud roads with no helmet on. If you ever come to Cambodia do not miss this place.
There are many projects on and this week I have been making a film for a crowdfunding project to help raise funds to bring the new commission to the UK. The StopGAP piece is coming on well and premieres in Phnom Penh on the 26th November, we are all going up for it and to celebrate my birthday going to Heart of Darkness, the Penh's seediest of clubs and the one which all volunteers from various programmes are strongly advised to avoid. We are hopefully also going to do Khmer karaoke and have a Khmer wedding photo done, I am the bride. So if I don't get a cap popped in my ass (or worse) I will see some of you soon!!
