Top 10 memories from my Cambodia trip

10. Random acts of kindness from strangers.

When you’re in a strange new place, it really warms your heart to be welcomed by a local, and we felt this in every leg of our trip, from meeting Mandy, an English-speaking tourguide, on the bus from the airport in Saigon, to sharing fish amok and beers with couchsurfer Ate Elma in Phnom Penh, and of course to the friendly local staff in our hotels in Siem Reap and Saigon.  Tourists are also given to smiling and greeting each other on the road, and being such a tourist destination, smiling was abundant in Cambodia–which I found reassuring and, in a way, a sincere pleasantry.

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9. Meeting Cambodians who are so gentle and smiley!

Truly, Cambodia deserves the title “the land of smiles” more than we do–people were just so so nice! Our tuktuk driver, Stal, was always a ray of sunshine with his giant smile, and he NEVER complained or hesitated to drive for us, even by way of a shrug or a change in the tone of his voice, during our five days with him. Our English-speaking tourguide, Sokha, was just as friendly and helpful, and it was clear that he loved his country and what he was doing for it in his work.  Win was a young boy of eleven years who we met in Preah Kahn, a big sprawling and explorable temple in Siem Reap.  He proudly told us that he spoke four languages–Khmer, English, French and Chinese–and showed us the way to a rare carving of the queen that lay hidden behind narrow and low doorways, always with the warning to “mind your head”. He was a sweetheart, and I felt bad I only had raspberry gum to give to him.  Lesson learned: Bring Pinoy goodies or trinkets to give away to people you meet on the road. Boy Bawang is a good example.

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8.  The multilingual culture.

As it faces global tourism head on, Cambodia has adapted to the different languages native to the major tourist groups, and has trained professional and multi-lingual local tourguides who ensure visitors do not leave the country without understanding something about its land and people.

7. Seeing that the Philippines is still in the tourism loop.

On the bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siagon, I chanced upon a tall guy with a backpack (yes he was cute!) that had a Philippine map embroidered on it. Of course I had to chat him up–turned out he’s a Swede who’s traveled to Boracay, Bohol and Banaue, yay!  Amidst all the tourism advances that Cambodia had over us, it was a welcome break to come across a tourist who had also paid the Philippines a visit (that he didn’t have much to say about it, I attribute to the language barrier).

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6.  Getting down from the Pre Rup temple after sunset

claud and I have a fear of heights.  And we rushed to the top of this tall temple, chasing after the passing sunset, without thinking of how we were going to go down.  It wouldn’t have been so hilarious (and embarrassing) if the Japanese tourists in front of us also took their time going down (note: they were old men with canes!).  About half an hour later we finally got to the ground, but not after many seriously concerned looks from other tourists! Lesson learned: when in doubt, sit and slide. When still in doubt, laugh and cry and be thankful for girlfriends who sit and slide with you.

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5. Having my first real Couchsurfing experience.

We met Ate Elma Pacido in Phnom Penh, and really, she was our angel.   We hopped hopped hopped from cafe, to restaurant, club, and flea market all in less than 14 hours!  She greeted our first night in Cambodia with the warmth of a friend, and has made me believe that the promise of couchsurfing is real and accessible.

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4. Those red suns!!!

Sunrise, sunset– doesn’t matter…the sun just blazes like a burning red dot in Cambodia, a perfect burning circle in the sky.  Our cameras didn’t do them justice, but think red sun in the Miss Saigon logo… fantastic!

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3.  The linga cult!

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t find this amazing—but wow, there were just so many lingas everywhere! What a culture this must’ve been, to have worshipped their gods and the phallus extensively, and to the point of carving out their main riverbed with 1,000 lingas in Kbal Spean!

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2. The Angkor grandeur.

Goes without saying, this UNESCO World Heritage site is worth the time and money spent in visiting and preserving it.

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1.  The tourism responsibility practiced by all.

Our tourguide Sokha kept stressing that Khmers put a high value on tourism responsibility, and it showed. From preserving their age-old temples to documenting and showcasing their recent painful history, Cambodians have really gotten their act together and opened their doors to the world– they have a story to tell, and they tell it well.