October 10, Day 1, Flying to Cambodia

As always, these service trips start with long plane flights.  Our 747 left SFO at 1:30AM; the beginning of a 14 hour non-stop flight. Two meals, three movies and 5 hours of sleep later, we land in Hong Kong.  I am writing this blog as we fly from Hong Kong to Phnom Penh; just a two hour flight!  So, from the time we left home until we arrive at our destination – 23 hours.  Typical.

Gloria and I are arriving on Saturday, the other team members will be arriving tomorrow.  The local pastor will meet us at the airport and escort us to the hotel for the day. 

A flurry of activity prior to our departure.  As you may know, Indonesia has been hit by two typhoons (hurricanes to us) an earthquake and tsunami in the last 3 weeks.  The country is reeling.  After we finish our work in Cambodia, another group was formed by Dr. Victor Koh to go to the island of Penang to help with the relief efforts.

An interesting note on paperwork:  The perceived H1N1 flu threat is huge in Asia.  I think they are still reacting to the Bird Flu outbreak they had several years ago.  Much of our time on this two hour flight is spent filling out paperwork.  Required:  VISA Application Form, Arrival Card, Departure Card, Custom and Excise Form, and a Health Declaration Form.  Indeed, many people in the airports and on the planes are wearing surgical masks!