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Published: January 24th 2009
30 November - 28 December
Cambodia was an amazing but difficult country to visit - great poverty amid a booming tourism industry; learning of the horrors inflicted on the people under the Khmer Rouge regime (the cause of 2-3 million deaths, 20%!o(MISSING)f the population, between 1975-79); the present government and police's widespread corruption, landmine casualties. So many people and children begging for a dollar - but there is incredible beauty too, and the resilient and friendly people made our visit unforgettable.
We visited Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, Kempot, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong.
Highlights • Phnom Penh - a riverside city with lovely restaurants and buildings. Charming children selling you books you didn't really need.
• The majestic temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Tom, Bayan, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei and Beng Mealea, Kbal Spean near Siem Reap.
• Boat trip along the Tonle Sap Lake, from Siem Reap to Battambang. The scenery, water villages and waving children.
• Riding the bamboo train (also known as Norrie) in Pursat - rushing past stunned villagers, breaking down, crashing into another train, riding back in the pitch black. It’s illegal but so much fun.
• Chilling out in
Fish Amok in Phnom Penh
Steve's mom's lovely meal at Friends Restaurant.Kampot, a tiny riverside town.
• High speed internet right on the beach in Sihanoukville: our office for a few days.
• Scuba diving off the islands near Sihanoukville (Koh Rong).
• Rock jumping, swimming and climbing to Koh Por waterfall near Kroh Koh Kong.
Lowlights • The Cambodian government, still scamming their own people; forced land removals and lots of bribery going on.
• Parents sending their kids selling to tourists rather than to school.
• Dodgy, drunk expats.
• Biting sand fleas of Koh Kong Island, itchy for a week!
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