Hello,
I have dipped my toe in over here a couple of times, but our big move is now only 7 weeks away, so I want to come and say hi to you all.
We are moving to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Me, DH, DS (16) and DD4 (14). So far we have a house sorted for renting for the first 6 months. DCs have places secured in an international school and we are all getting incredibly excited.
Any advice will be gratefully received.
You all seem so worldly wise and confident over here, you scare me a bit so please take pity on me, for any dumb questions that I might come out with. 
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Introducing myself to everyone over here. [grin]
11 replies
PositiveAttitude · 29/05/2012 19:44
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Francagoestohollywood ·
29/05/2012 19:55
Oh hello,
I have zero experience of living in Cambodia , but I wish you a smooth move and a good time in your new country.
It must be so exciting!
PositiveAttitude ·
29/05/2012 20:17
Oh, thank you very much, Franca. The furthest I have been in my 45 years of life is Tangier and the longest I have been away for is a week! 
I most definitely NOT well travelled.
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Francagoestohollywood ·
29/05/2012 20:27
Oh well, The most "overseas" I have lived, is actually the Uk , I am Italian.
It takes time to adjust to a new place, I have to be honest. But wow, I hope for you it will feel like big adventure!
I hope that people who live in that part of the world see this post and can advise, so bumping this for you.
RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief ·
30/05/2012 08:02
Hi there- Not really in your neck of the woods (HK) but a bit closer. Hope the move goes well. My advice would be to (try to) go with the flow, and be realistic that there will be set backs and frustrations which are minor when you look back, but overwhelming at the time
Dh once came back from work when we'd been in the ME about 3 wks to find me crying on the kitchen floor as I could not get anyone to fix the dishwasher- LL told me to call developer. Developer said was out of warranty and not their problem,. Independent dude wouldnt fix it as it was integral and required breaking tiles to get it out- told me to call developer. Eventually I just broke the tiles myself so dude would fix it
Anyway, hope your dishwasher works- just thought I'd share that story with you so when you are "lost in translation" you know that many others have trodden the path and got to the end
If you need a break from PP, there is a great little hotel in Kep called bang knai Chat- fantastic chili crab and amazing massages. Go there for the weekend to recharge
PositiveAttitude ·
30/05/2012 19:38
Thank you for the replies.
RMPMBMT - Thanks for the tips! Oh dear about dishwasher saga. Might not have that problem as I don't think we will have one, 
but I know what you mean! I will look up the hotel for when I need a break. 
SC - you know me and my stomach too well.
Today I have been sent a timetable for the first few weeks. A lady has been asked to show us around. It looks quite good, not too much in one go, days split up between days of rest and family relaxation and a few trips out to local places such as local markets, museums etc.
Yes, I will smile nicely at all the mums at the school and maybe someone will take pity on me! 
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PositiveAttitude ·
01/06/2012 07:32
Thank you for replying. Everyone I have spoken to who has been to that area has said how lovely it is and how much they loved it there.
I have every intention of enjoying it and making the most of our time - 2 years initially, but an option to stay if we want to (and can afford to) after that. Yes a massive life change, but life would be boring if it all was the same wouldn't it?? We never seem to do anything by halves here!
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