cambodia musing

this photo was taken from a place called FCC(Foreign Correspondent Club) and this place feels like a safe haven for tourist in phnom penh. outside, every step you take you are bugged by tuktuk drivers, weed sellers, beggars and all other kinds of evil. haha. this place is good for havng a meal or an ice cold beer, look out to the river and the chaos below and at the same time admire the Singapore flag which flies high right in front of us.

angkor wat

angkor wat, one of the wonders of the world. a truly beautiful magnificent place that is strangely alluring. running around the place makes you feel like you are on an adventure, exploring the remnants of a civilization that started in the early 12 century. i've no idea how much longer this place will be around for but i'm glad i basked in its ruined splendor at least once.

only in cambodia

 

outside a club

blue lime cambodia

when we first got off the tuktuk, it was in a dodgy dark alley and we were thinking "no way our hotel is here, doesn't look like it at all!" but then you open the sliding door and u walk in and you realised this place is a hidden sanctuary. u feel so relaxed here and chilling by the pool side drinking a tad too many beers at night feels good. breakfast the morning after is also very calming. beautiful surroundings and with cambodian music playing nearby from the temple, freshly squeezed passion fruit juice, even plain bread with pineapple jam taste divine. 

the tuktuk way

apparently in cambodia, it is not possible for them to have taxis because the chances of the taxi drivers being held at gun point for cash is too high. so tuktuk it is, a first for me and it's quite fun!

on the road

on the road for a total of 24 hours, 4 six hours bus trips crossing 3 cities and 2 countries, we had a lot of time on the bus to sleep or look out of the window and ponder. cambodia and vietnam are beautiful beautiful countries. traveling through the countryside however makes you sad seeing rampant poverty. i imagined what it will be like to be in their shoes, to be born in their country. even the cows everywhere were so skinny, so so skinny. i've never seen cows that skinny in my life and i actually asked what animal is that. everyone in singapore is so so lucky and we worry about the most stupid things.