Cambodiaaaa.
An 8 hr bus ride from Thailand to Cambodia- this was actually an excellent way to travel. Comfy seats, plenty of room, and AC.
We arrived in Siem Reap around 4 pm- upon approaching the border you can already see that it is a whole different world than Thailand.
The country border is protected by these huge ancient walls made of stone, and you know... We're not in kansas anymore.
Cambodia feels older, like it's a good decade or more behind Thailand- which for me was thrilling.
Things you need to know before going into Cambodia
You will have to pay for a cambodian visa. There is no need in exhanging money for the currency of Cambodia (riel) They accept and prefer american dollars) More people readily speak english.
We unloaded and immediately grabbed a tuk-tuk to our hotel.
(We unknowingly would later befriend this very nice human named Tou.)
The tuk-tuks in Cambodia differ from those we had seen in Bangkok in the fact that instead of being built-in these were literally just a little trailer attached to the back of a motorcycle; but still just as fun.
After 8 hrs of traveling through Asian countryside, arriving at our resort seemed much like arriving at an oasis after traveling through the desert.
Greeted by a huge smile, whose name we later found out to be Bunthat, and icy drinks. Ginger tea of some sort (it was delicious)
This, I thought, is heaven and I never want to leave.
Seriously tho, this place... A small villa-like resort decorated in true Asian style in the center of Siem Reap. Open corridoor, beautiful pool, and an outside patioed reading nook with shelves of books. It was perfect.
I live here now.
Night Markets and Mango
We checked in, then a day of $5 massages and exploring the night markets ensued. I have had the best mango I've ever had here. You must try it. Be careful of the jewelry corners here in Cambodia- especially the ones trying to sell gold or gemstones. Most of these are fake goods. They are very good fakes tho, so if you can talk them down to 30 bucks or so for something go ahead! But DO NOT get taken for hundreds of dollars for some gold piece- it's most likely brass (even the ones that have "certificates") Be careful.
Getting henna on my hand from a girl at a clothing booth was probably my favorite part of the night market- beautiully done. I'm actually thinking about getting it tattoed on.
Mosquitoes
We got back to the hotel and layed for a while by the pool, dim-lit with lights. The weather is perfect, and I believe I could sleep out here if mosquitos wouldn't carry me away...
***Which reminds me- Thailand and Cambodia are 2 completely different countries even tho they are only 6 hours away!! Malaria is far worse of a risk in Cambodia, so if you choose not to get the Malaria pills as we did- then YOU MUST KEEP ON INSECT REPELLANT. *End sermon.
Staying Tip and Cashew Milk
I loved staying right in town in Siem Reap- It's one of my biggest tips- Stay in walking distance to the happenings. This was one of the few places we stayed that we could walk right into town. It made everything so much easier. We had plenty of shopping and restaurants around us. Coffee shops etc. If you find yourself in Siem Reap tho I recommend finding somewhere that has Cashew Milk Smoothies. Ohhh my gashhhh. The best thing ever, and I only found this option in Cambodia. (cashews grow locally here) It is a must.
**Angkor Thom was a huge part of Cambodia for us but that will be in a separate post- so skipping ahead...*
Check out the views of one of my favorite places on Earth- Siem Reap, Also I got the most beautiful portraits of the people here.:
Going Against the Rules
Usually you shouldn't let your tuk-tuk driver just take you anywhere. They will get kick-backs from certain tourist attractions or clothing shops. So per rule it is better to have a specific place in mind and not be swayed by your taxi or tuk-tuk drivers. However, over a few days of using Tou, we got to know him. He was just doing his job and providing for his family. He commutes more than an hour every day to get to his tuk-tuk rental hub to rent a bike and trailer to use for the day. (We found out that this is actually a short commute here some people travel all the way from Thailand to work in Cambodia due to the money value difference)
Anyways we came to trust Tou and one day we just told him- "Take us where ever you think we should go"
Phnom Pehn
This was the best decision ever. It was another evolution day for me as a human. He took us to Phnom Pehn.
This is something I wasn't ready to see. I didn't understand at first. When he said the name of it, we were like sure! We were not familiar with the name of the site. Upon arrival it just looked like another temple.. until we got closer.
Phnom Pehn is a memorial site for the genocide of Cambodia. A temple is in the center, housing stacks and stacks of human skulls and bones. At least 12,000 people were tortured and killed at the site when it was a Khmer Rouge prison.
Sites just like this one are all over Cambodia. Wats all over, housing human remains as a reminder.
They identified 19,403 mass burial pits and 189 prisons that operated during the Democratic Kampucheathey. They located throughout 170 Cambodian districts and almost all of Cambodia's provinces. This memorial is in honor of the approximate 1.7 million victims of the Khmer Rouge period. We all know of events such as the holocaust, but we as americans overlook many other countries genocides. What's crazy is that this wasn't that long ago. Only in the 70's, and this country is still recovering.
The weight of the air here is heavy, and overwhelming.
Life-changing.
In the back of the grounds was a camp where Monks live. Their trademark orange robes hung from clothing lines drying, and a campfire burned out. Young monks probably no older than 8 run around, you can see their wild minds and active youth tugging them from the path. It is a beautiful thing.
This place was a beautiful place.
I will ever be grateful to Tou. For taking us somewhere not that we wanted to go, but that we NEEDED to go.
Old Market of Siem Reap
After Phnom Pehn Tou lightened the mood, he took us to a few other temples- and then took us to the Old Market along the Siem Reap river. The town’s oldest Khmer market. This was one of my favorite markets we visited while traveling. Tons of stalls, and restaurants.
Here we got smoothies and coconuts, and also had our dead skin eaten off by fish! (ew I know) It was a very wierd experience. Another traveler sitting next to us got a kick out of our reaction.
He was from China and spoke very good english- he asked if it was our first time, and he said he gets it done often!
After a while it wasn't so bad- just don't look down. haha
We did get taken advantage of once while we were here. A woman with a baby was begging- we started walking away (There are a lot of beggers and you aren't supposed to engage) But then she said she didn't want money she needed milk for her baby- showing us her empty bottle. If you turn away from that, there is something wrong with you. So I got her to show us where to buy some- it was a pharmacy. So we bought her $10 milk formula and went on our way... about an hour later we saw the same lady doing the same scam to other people. She actually asked us again!! Cleve was upset, but I just decided you know what- Her karma is hers and mine is mine. So just word to the wise- watch for scams.
One of my favorite things about Cambodia was the art/artists. We would see painters painting amazing masterpieces in their open huts or barns driving down the road. So unassuming. These paintings were for sale at every market. Hundreds of beautiful paintings not even stretched on canvas. The talent here is incredible, snd not given enough recognition.
Video of Siem Reap adventures below:
Cambodia is such a beautiful beautiful country... I'm so glad I went here- and I know it won't be the last time.
More to come on Cambodia.. up next blog...
xoxo- Vox