First exciting destination - Cambodia!
In and around Cambodia
So I did EVENTUALLY leave the restful Thai islands - not that you'd know it from my blog - very behind - but Cambodia has been too amazing to waste time sitting in an internet cafe! Too much to see and do, taste and learn!
Cambodia has been just incredible. The people here are so friendly and kind and welcoming. And given the horrific recent experience of the Khmer Rouge its very humbling. In fact its been terrifying to think that everything that has happened here has happened in my lifetime - exactly - the KR marched into Phnom Penh on the 17th April 1975, two days before I was born.
The country is not very developed, with a mainly rural and tourism economy. Which makes for a very exciting place to visit. Ive been so lucky that Ive not really come across that many other tourists -either Ive been off the beaten track (but not off the paths for fear of landmines - delightful souvenirs of the civil war here that were being laid up to about 10 or so years ago I think.) or because maybe its early in the season - either way - its a great time to come and feel like you are not on a tourist merry-go-round. Either way, it makes my heart melt when beautiful smiley kids come running up to say hello - i wish people got such a good welcome back home. And because its after the rains, everything is so lush and green -its beautiful. November is definitely a great month to be here! It was also great because i got to share it with friends, Charlie and then Al.
Having said Cambodia is not very developed, the mobile coverage would make any londoner jealous - everyone has mobiles here because there are no real fixed lines to speak of - and mobiles make so much sense in countries with patchy transport networks (the train has been discontinued, only the major towns are linked by roads with tarmac!)
Anyway - an incredible country to start my travels proper - I love it! Gorgeous people, Beautiful scenery, great food - need I say more?
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Jo Pyres
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1
Whirlwind Angkor tour with Charlie G
So Charlie Griffiths and Ben Hawkins came down to Koh Phang gnan for a weekend of island frolicking and then Charlie and I headed to Cambodia... Continue reading »
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2
Tonle Sap - Biggest Lake in Asia
So maybe hitting the cocktail list with an early start wasnt the wisest - but it didnt hinder our enthusiasm - we were ready and waiting for our 05... Continue reading »
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3
Learning about the Khmer Rouge...
Arriving in Phnom Penh, I was struck by what an amazing city it is. The traffic flows like a viscous liquid. No rules really - Everybody goes where... Continue reading »
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4
Ambling about in the woods looking for waterfalls!
After much thumbing of the lonely planet, plans were afoot. We decided to hire motorbikes, head to Kirirom National park and do some horseriding. A... Continue reading »
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5
Off Road Up North - Koh Ker
Lonely Planet says that the journey to the remote but amazing clifftop temple of Prasat Preah Vihear is difficult, the roads are bad, its out of th... Continue reading »
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6
Journey to the top of Cambodia
So the day started at 05.30 - we would stop for breakfast later...(ahem?!). This journey was breathtaking. The combination of dawn light and... Continue reading »
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7
Eastwards to Elephants
The next day Al and I embarked on separate adventures with a provisional rendez-vous for a week’s time - And I was headed to the wild east in searc... Continue reading »
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8
Stuck in the Mud!
Was due to take the bus back to Phnom Penh, but the bus couldn’t leave the next day…because it never arrived the night before – it got stuck somewhere... Continue reading » -
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Biking along the South Coast
So I’ve never driven a motorbike before. I got on one when I was 14 and when I revved it for the first time, I overdid it and the entire thing reared... Continue reading » -
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Me v the Mountain
So after a dawn bob in sea followed by some lazy hammock reading time, it was back to Kep to pick up the motos and then onto Bokor National park a... Continue reading »
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11
Recovering on the beach
The next day, we hit the road for Sinoukville - me slightly sore! A lovely ride with relatively good roads for Cambodia. The next 3 days would be s... Continue reading »
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12
Khmer Kooking
Next stop was Battambang to learn how to cook Khmer food… Now those of you who know me well are probably a little concerned that food has featured... Continue reading »
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13
Floating villages
After a frustrating morning in Phhom Penh trying to do this damn blog, I head to Pursat for an overnight and again I was the only non Khmer person I s... Continue reading » -
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The temples of Angkor at my leisure
So on the road again or should I say river - a beautiful 7 hour boat ride to come full circle and arrive back in Siem Reap. Given that I'd initially g... Continue reading » -
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There's more to Siem Reap than temples
So Siem Reap has mainly sprung up due to the temples but there’s other fun to be had too… So a brief update on what else Ive been up to whilst in S... Continue reading »
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