Before I came to Cambodia, I read countless blogs from other travelers to learn as much as I could about the country, what to pack, and how to do things once I arrived. The same things seemed to come up every time: save as much money as possible before coming, haggle on prices, pack light; I … Continue reading Five “Weird” Things I do in Cambodia
Tag: southeast asia travel advice
Cafés Where I Like to Hide from the Sun
With complicated homesick emotions, a lack of duties from the NGO, and rising temperatures, I spend most of my days hanging out in cafes in Phnom Penh. While the city boasts many cute and interesting looking spots, many that I have tried and failed to convince myself to pop into, I tend to return to the same few over and over again. I am a creature of habit and tend to be indecisive. As such, I have limited myself to only a few options for where to spend my afternoon hours. Time and time again, I ride my bike through the sweltering heat and arrive sweaty and red faced to my favorite locations, desperate for a cool beverage and a sweet treat. Since these places have brought me so much joy during my time in Cambodia, and especially in the last month, I thought I would share them with you.
The Elephant in the Room
My heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. I could feel my palms growing cold with sweat, and my feet suddenly refused to move and remained anchored to the jungle floor. A wave of shock and disbelief washed over me, and I tried desperately to grasp hold of some remnant of … Continue reading The Elephant in the Room
Cambodia Weekly Rewind 4
How quickly time flies! I can hardly believe that four weeks, one whole month, have past since I first stepped foot in the Kingdom of Wonder. When I first arrived, I wanted to run home unapologetically. Now, the idea of leaving in five months seems nearly impossible. After being in Cambodia for one month, I … Continue reading Cambodia Weekly Rewind 4
Temple Hopping in Siem Reap
If I did not see anything else in Cambodia, one thing I knew I needed to check off my list was Angkor Wat and visiting the other temples of Siem Reap. As I mentioned in my previous weekly rewind, this past weekend I went on a temple hopping adventure. I explored not only the world’s … Continue reading Temple Hopping in Siem Reap
Cambodia Weekly Rewind 3
Another week, another blog post. I can hardly believe that I have been in the Kingdom of Wonder for three weeks now. Considering how rocky this adventure began, I am proud, in a slightly arrogant way, of my transformed perspective. Not only do I now have the emotional strength to handle Phnom Penh's bustling lifestyle, but I am also starting … Continue reading Cambodia Weekly Rewind 3
Chased by a Monkey at Wat Phnom
Last week after attempting to visit the Royal Palace in the afternoon only to discover it was closed for lunch, my fellow volunteer friend Laura and I decided to seize the day and see some of the other sites in Phnom Penh. We went on a three hour trek around the city taking in the various … Continue reading Chased by a Monkey at Wat Phnom
Cambodia Weekly Rewind 2
With another week of my Cambodian adventure complete, I can report that I am beginning to feel more comfortable and confident in my adoptive home. While my first week in Cambodia was a self proclaimed emotional roller coaster, the second week proved to be a little more stable. There were still surprises, break downs, and … Continue reading Cambodia Weekly Rewind 2
Stalking Monks at the Royal Palace
In the months before I left for Phnom Penh, I eagerly read other travel blogs to learn what sites I should see while there. While I had plans to explore all of Cambodia, from the temples of Siem Reap to the Elephant Conservation project in Mondulkiri. I wanted to ensure that I saw everything that … Continue reading Stalking Monks at the Royal Palace
Shots, Shots, Shots
Unfortunately this post is not about my adventures with alcoholic beverages. If that is what you were hoping for, take a peak at my post about when I went to a Ceilidh in Bathgate or when my friend Katie and I got drunk on a Boat in Estonia. No, this post is about all the … Continue reading Shots, Shots, Shots
The Traveling Smith 