All posts filed under: Cambodia

Human Sardines in a Tin Can Van

Returning to the Cambodian mainland, we spent our final days in Sihanoukville with Steve and Angela before they jetted off to India. We decided to stay on Occidental Beach rather than Serendipity. Unbeknown to us at the time, is that they are the same beach

Playing Survivor on Koh Rong Island, Cambodia

GTO was championing Koh Rong as a travel destination and I also had it on good account from another friend who had recently been there. This is how we found ourselves on the small island off the coast of Cambodia. We didn’t have much background knowledge of the island except that it is often erroneously referred to as Monkey Island. This likely originates from Monkey Island, a bungalow beach resort which is only one of three accommodation options on Koh Rong.  We set out and were among a handful of other travellers headed to the island. Boats service Koh Rong twice daily. We reached the wharf and met our first Aboriginal Canadian traveller. She was from Nunavut and thus she was referred to as ‘North of 60’ for the remainder of our trip. She worked at Monkey Island and gave us a pretty good description of what to expect on the island, or rather, what not to expect. A forty of Jack Daniels was being passed about and midway to the island we inquired into what she had …

Playing in the Penh: I Think We Enjoyed Phnom Penh More Than Most People…

…there was a guy on the dance floor and his ‘signature’ move was screaming. Literally. He would (during a song) emit shrill screams. Well I always expected that Phnom Penh (PP) would be a memorable stop on this SEA circuit we have endeavored upon. I had done some homework by reading ahead. Namely, I read the sensational Off the Rails in Phnom Penh: A Story of Girls, Guns and Ganja. Things have certainly calmed down a bit since the author’s stint during the mid 1990s. And thank god for that because shot guns shells are bad for your health (and shit was about to get real at a Cambodian artillery range). Anyway, it was a good read and I’d certainly recommend it to anyone, travelers or sedentary folk alike. Additionally, any trip to PP or Cambodia for that matter requires some insight into its sad, sad past and the politics of civil war which I will not go into here. Between the apparent lawlessness and deeply tragic modern history, I had a very unclear set …

What the Battambang?! I am Not Feeling This…

Lonely Planet, you failed me. You sensationally hyped Battambang’s wealth of charming colonial French architecture, nearly antiquated bamboo train, and tragic Killing Cave. “It is the type of place where travelers lose themselves.” Oh B.S. I have a special place in my heart for France and charming French architecture, but don’t bet the bank on Battambang being the beacon of colonial architecture in Cambodia. Battambang is dusty, run down and lackluster. Shortly after the Central Market closes late at night, garbage – strewn into the street – attracts a healthy population of rats. For foodies, there is an absolute lack of quality establishments and we encountered strange adaptations of standard dishes (as in, strange bad). For social enthusiasts, a lack of life after 11:00 is wholly disheartening. Okay, but Battambang is the location of the nearly obsolete Norry. These bamboo trains travel slowly along rail road lines, disassembling when encountering train traffic. It is Old World travel and there seems to be a persistent rumor that they will soon be pulled from the lines permanently. …

We Visited Tonle Sap Fishing Village Near Siem Reap

Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. Its significant fluctuation in water levels yields a large flood plain and bountiful biosphere. Wikipedia also informs me that the lake is unique because the water flow changes directions twice annually. We decided to make a day trip to a fishing village on the lake’s edge. Residents live on the water because water levels rise more than 9 metres during the wet season! We hired a car and guide from a tour agency which deposited us at the wharf, twenty or so minutes from down town Siem Reap. The group of us boarded privately boarded a boat and headed down the canal to the floating village. Rain clouds threatened overhead but we were delighted when a smaller boat approached ours and child hopped on board. She promptly produced a cooler of local beer and made an easy sale. As quickly as she appeared she hopped back and disappeared into the boat traffic.  Our first stop was a restaurant-souvenir shop-ecological centre. Before we could step off …

Siem Reap: My Boutique Shopping & Dining Happy Place

Siem Reap is a dream. There’s a fantastic boutique culture where you’ll find trendy women’s fashion, hand fashioned silver jewelry, vintage clothing and crocodile accessories. Chic cafes vend macchiatos and witty postcards with bold type font that read: ‘Impossible. A word not known in Dubai.” Buy anything and everything under the sun at the Old Market. Tour its winding stalls, gawk at mystery meats, try to identify vegetables in the produce section and contemplate teas and spices to bring home. After the sun falls, head over to the Night Market and barter for silverware, sustainably made goods, name brand polo shirts and Kroma scarves. For an informative lesson on stone and wood carving, silk painting, lacquerware and other handicrafts head over to Artisans Angkor. This organization teaches disabled  persons the skills necessary to create the aforementioned, providing them with  a sustainable income. Not only are their goods sold for a good cause, they are top quality pieces. Flawed pieces are not sold but showcased, try to spot the defect. Artisans offers free guided tours of the workshops daily. It is mind …

Homage to Angkor Wat (PHOTOS)

After making empty promises to every tuk-tuk driver in Siem Reap we ended up renting an air conditioned minibus with a guide from a local travel agent. We had an entire day to pick and choose which temples we wanted to see in the complex. Group consensus determined that hiring a guide was worth every dollar. This is a new wonder of the world, people. Hire the damn guide and get something out of it.  Below is an album that encompasses Angkor Wat Temple, Bayon Temple (Smiling Face Temple) and Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider or Jungle Temple) Enjoy Angkor Wat in Photos Bayon Temple (Angkor Thom) in photos, Angkor Wat Ta Prohm Temple in Photos, Angkor Wat Have you been to Angkor Wat? Was it as magical to you, as it was to me? Let me know: comment below!  

Asia: What Is With All the Fish Spas? (Nasty!)

Feed the fish your dead skin? Why are we paying to feed your fish? I just can’t get on board with this but I respect that others can. Just don’t accost me (that’s looking at you Greg) to put my feet in these bacteria traps. That’s fish excrement where you’re soaking your festering, blister ridden foot in.