Reason for Travel

     In December 1997 we traveled to Cambodia to adopt Peter who was almost a year old.  The country was still in a state of civil war, there was virtually no tourist industry and the people were still recovering from the Vietnam War and horrific genocide of the 1970's and 80's.  Yet, all the people we met were so kind and welcoming and every where went they called Peter "Lucky Boy".  In 1997, our visit there was stressful and brief but we always promised ourselves to return to Cambodia someday.

      Now, 14 years later, we are all here for the holidays to explore Peter's birth country.  This is a trip of a life time for our family as we have come full circle from a young couple anxious to meet their first child to a family excited to revisit where it all began.  On Christmas day, we will wake early to tour the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.  We will visit many historical and cultural sites as well as spend a day in an orphanage where we will help out in an English speaking class. While at the orphanage we will meet the 14 year old boy who my parents sponsor to attend the English speaking school.   Finally, for our last few days we will relax on the beaches in the coastal town of Sihanoukville. Coincidentally,  we will arrive in Sihanoukville on Dec 29, which is the anniversary of the day we met Peter at his orphanage there.

Written by,

Colleen