~ Ansel Adams
For us, real travel is the exploration of new experiences! Of course, there is a certain envy of a Guided River Cruise, or being pampered on a guided safari in the wilds of Africa or other remote places ~ but in truth we enjoy the challenge and even the hardships of independent travel.
This being said - things have gotten much easier with modern technology - being able to book rooms on the fly, to Skype with Stuart and Sara as they continue on their own exploration, and even to document our travel with this very blog, yet not knowing what is around the next corner, or connecting with local peoples and other travelers, or changing destinations on a good tip is really what makes it exciting and rewarding for us.
After just 10 days in Cambodia - Carol and I have become very enamored with the country. The people, the history, and the beauty of the countryside make Cambodia a place we feel strongly drawn to. The people are very friendly and sweet natured. Our encounters with tuk-tuk drivers, hotel and restaurant employees, street hawkers, and even Cambodians who are fellow travelers have been really rewarding ~ people in general are amazing to each other - there is no explaining the complexity of traffic in Phnom Penh, yet is like harmonious chaos - there are no traffic laws. None. and yet there is no angry honking or road rage ~ just hundreds of thousands of motor bikes, scooters, cars, wagons, rickshaws, minivans, buses and pedestrians weaving in a harmonious symphony of traffic. We have never seen anything like it!
Along with all the beauty and wonder that one experiences with overseas travel, there is often a glimpse at some of the horror and sadness that is sometimes across the tracks or on the outskirts of a city or in some areas almost omnipresent.
There are three "negative" things you come across in Cambodia. Their recent history under Pol Pot, widespread poverty, and sanitation/environmentalism.
In this respect the worst of the three is the history of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot.
You have to talk yourself into going to the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields on the edge of Phnom Penh. It is one of the darkest spots in human history and yet in our western mindset it has little relevance compared to the horrors of WWII or current atrocities by ISIS. In any case we came, we saw, we wept. It is a heart wrenching thing to see and learn about - but.... that is all part of the human experience and it is important to realize how depraved that have to much power and might can be and how much evil they can unleash on the most powerless.
for those interested:
http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/pol-pot.htm
OK ~ you still with me? I won't go on but there will be some pics that try to capture some of that part of our experience in Phnom Penh.
So the Good Experiences?? Phnom Penh has many beautiful temples and the Royal Palace is awe inspiring! We actually loved the traffic chaos/symphony, we hired the same tuk-tuk driver "Kim" for 3 days & a had a ball with him. The Russian Market.
We had some very good meals including Luk Lak, Cambodian Soup, Amok, and Grilled Seafood ~ to name a few. Nothing says "refreshing" like a cold Angkor Beer in the 90 degree heat of the city, and the boulevard along the river is great in the evening.
We even did a sunset cruise on the Mekong our last night there.
Well here come a bunch of photos if you have made it this far. Right now we are in Kep, Cambodia (more on that next time), and will be going to Vietnam in a few days.
Cheers! Don and Carol
Our dinner at Domrei Kitchen near the Royal Palace with our dear friend Cecelia
The Russian Market in South Phnom Penh:
Legumes
Sunset Boat Cruise on the Mekong and Fishing Village
Across the River from Phnom Penh is a permanent Fishing Village
Contrast in Economy
