Return to Ratanakiri

On seeing Becky off at the airport we hoped on an old aeroflot plane to Ratanakiri in the Northeast again (we were there last June for Catherine's birthday and a holiday).

Our mission to Ratanakiri this time was to spend timne with the young homeschooling families there; to enjoy being with other english speaking Mums, Dads and children. We have found it hard in Battambang where we have only really got to know one filippino family. Ratanakiri has three or four families living there at any one time what with home leave and other coming and goings etc.,

We also took Torika, our home-help, with us as a treat and working holiday, as a way to say thank you for all her hard work and patience.

We all really enjoyed alternating between: hanging out with the other families (playing and sharing our experiences); getting into nature (forest walks, swimming at the lake or waterfalls); visiting friends in Tampuen villages (one of the local tribes); and staying with Tim's hero Gordon (Eden has become a devotee too!).

Ratanakiri is a possible place to live and homeschool and work in the future, yet, we focused on enjoying each day just for itself, and, boy, was it enjoyable and well needed. We are all both refreshed and tired out by all the socialising and natural beauty.

Now we have a few days in Phnom Penh bfore heading back to Battambang to pack and say our goodbyes. We will store our belongings and furniture there pending a decision about what we are going to do next but we feel it is unlikely that we will return to live in Battamabang. Where ever we go next we need a few more english speaking homeschooling families around, that much is clear.