The Khmer Rouge--still! Saul's sad story is so familiar. I have a Cambodian colleague whose father was a professor and killed. She was about four, and her mother took her and her siblings on that same harrowing route through the jungle to a refugee camp where they lived for several years. It's so amazing that she, like Saul and other Cambodians who have been through so much are so kind and forgiving. The village family stay and snorkeling day sound divine.
Corruption and plutocracy rule or Bamboo is amazing So many faces to Cambodia. You have some great stories to tell. I'm always puzzled by people who book a trip and are not aware of what they will be getting. A couple of your travel mates are crazy...but then you know that. Glad your rumbling was short lived. That is always most terrible while traveling. Saul sounds like a wonderful man and guide. I'm thrilled you gave him a birthday party. It must be horrible for him each time he goes to the Killing Fields. It was a somber location that we could not get out of our minds for weeks.
Bangkok I'm glad you made it to Thailand. Mixed feelings are understandable...in so many countries. They have a multitude of personalities within. When you go back please add Kanchanaburi to your list (on the River Kwai). Full of history and we took a great cooking class while there.
My favourite SE Asian country :) When I read your first paragraph, I started getting worried because it IS exactly all of those things...then I read your next line and sighed with relief! You must be taller than me (which isn't hard) as I can duck under the umbrellas but Andrew gets poked in the head and face by them. Glad you enjoyed it. April is hot but it's also mango season :)
Thailand is now my favourite too! Oh and I ate enough mangos! They were amazing. I'm used to Mexican mangos and the ones in Thailand are wayyyyyy more delicious.
Something for everyone! Glad to see you were able to experience the beauty in that many-sided city. Love the golden Buddhas and flower-decked boats. And clearly one of those times when it's best not to follow the locals regarding food; great there are eateries catering to our delicate palates. Contrary to what Anna said, I find it hard to believe a Westerner couldn't take a tourist tat Buddha out of the country! Now, one of the golden Buddhas.....
You can charm a snake blindfolded You are generally very lucky with the groups of people you have been paired with on your adventures. You would not have hand picked most of these people but you are a trooper and will not let their poor attitudes rub off on you. Glad you kept everyone hydrated. Glad you enjoyed Angkor. Always love, love, love your story telling.
Angkor - will go back there one day I went to Cambodia many years ago. I liked it and I'd like to go back and see it all again. But I am also afraid that I might not like it now. I am afraid that it might have changed a lot and not necessarily for the better. Well, I am happy that you went there and got to see it. It is a fantastic place. /Ake
Ps It is a damned pity that REM has quit playing together. I liked them and saw at least three concerts wit them./A
Oh yes I think you would be disappointed Ake. It is a circus there. I only wish I'd seen some places earlier in my life before tourism ruined them. Still worth it though. So spectacular!
What a trooper! Massive crowds, scorching heat, fried insects and the tour group from hell--yikes! I don't have the stamina for any of those, much less all of them at once! Thank goodness it was balanced by the beauty of Angkor Wat, the gentle, smiling locals, and the fun celebrations. I hope you get a better group for the next leg of your journey!
That's me, the super trooper. I love all the experiences, good and evil, when travelling. I think its what makes it so worth it. Cambodia was incredible. Thanks for reading!
Really quite amused with the hag and the terrorist. Love this entry. Coming back to Cambodia this August, and your blog really got me so excited to see this magical place again.
One can smile Fabulous blog of the Foibles of Group Travel, Andrea. Your group reminded me of 3 dogs I saw in Siem Reap tugging at a rag and getting nowhere while the dedicated went about their business of having a good time. Gotta say we travel to have a good time and those with agendas we prefer to leave behind. Wow did you pack a lot of highlights in your days...and nights. The hottest day of the year...kinda appropriate don't you think?
thanks Cindy! It was a much needed break from my crazy ass job. I sometimes think I'm not going to make it but then I have little gem moments like this keep me going. Glad it resonated with you!
That Song... I think after seeing the rains down in Africa, its hard not to smile and think of Toto's song every time it rains. Love your big animal stuff ;)
Keep hanging out with Aussies too!
Couldn't get the song out of my mind When driving around the Serengeti, that song was all I could hear! The Aussies would burst out singing it once and while too. That and "the lion sleeps tonight". And the "circle of life." Pretty fun.
This Canadian girl's passion for travel comes from my adventurous parents. My brother and I spent most of our youth traveling all over North America in the family’s camper van, airplane, and boat - going as far west as the Hawaiian islands, as far north as Tuktoyaktuk, and as far south as Mexico doing lots of adventurous stuff...canoeing, surfing, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, exploring, jellyfish poking...it was the best childhood ever!
That same adventurous spirit fueled my travel passion for over 30 years. I’ve been all over the shop. Now that I'm newly retired, I split my lif... full info
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Tara Cloud
The Khmer Rouge--still!
Saul's sad story is so familiar. I have a Cambodian colleague whose father was a professor and killed. She was about four, and her mother took her and her siblings on that same harrowing route through the jungle to a refugee camp where they lived for several years. It's so amazing that she, like Saul and other Cambodians who have been through so much are so kind and forgiving. The village family stay and snorkeling day sound divine.