Angkor Wat is the impetus for nearly every visit to Cambodia, but stray a bit off the track and you will find the rest of the country equally mesmerizing. When entering by train, traveling by boat, and hitchhiking in anything that moves, we saw so much more to love. The country is rough around the edges to be certain, but the warmth and resilience of the people make it a place like no other. You know you’re in Cambodia when…
– Bicycles are one size fits all.
– Your GPS might say something like “Turn left, then head straight underneath the 1000 year-old temple.”
– If you have a few bottles of Coke, a shoe rack, old Absolut bottles filled with petrol, and some cigarettes…well…you’ve got yourself a gas station.
– Hiking out of bounds is seriously at your own risk.
– If you aren’t careful, you will be sold a Khmer scarf, a sleeve of Angkor Wat postcards, and marble Buddha before you even know what hit you.
– There are so many temples you make pharmacies out of the leftovers.
– Tree hugging takes on a whole new meaning.
– Your school bus is a motorcycle and the bus driver operates it in his flip-flops.
– A $1 foot massage comes with a complimentary back and shoulder massage.
– Depending on your mood, you can order your “Egg Children” deep-fried or simple boiled.
– Nothing goes to waste, including the left over cement bags which are turned into fashion accessories.
– Women wear patterned pajamas at all times of day, anywhere in town, and for all types of activities.
– Boat captains are looking younger and younger these days!
Have you ever been to Cambodia, did any of these bring you back or make you chuckle? Post your comments below!
I love this format as you know. The girls wearing pajamas at all times… really cool. $1 foot massage ++ , geez, that is awesome. did you partake? The “gas station” just reminds me that local economies at any level are driven by those who see opportunity and not dead ends. Thanks for the write-up and pictures, truly a place that would never have crossed my “doorstep” had you not gone there and posted this. Looking forward to the next ” you know you’re in …”
“Deep fried egg children” Price “1 slug”…I don’t know where to start with that one. Also, hipsters would be obsessed with those cement bag purses!
Good catch on the 1 slug! I was so busy being disturbed by the egg children that I didn’t even notice that! Anne bought one of the those cement bag purses, they are awesome!
Yeah, I could see those bags going over real well in Silverlake
Can’t wait guys!
What a great list!! Some of them made me smile, especially the ‘gas station’ one. I agree with the children being persistent with trying to sell you things!!
Gas stations are actually like that through most of southeast Asia but that one was too good not to call out! So glad you enjoyed our “You Know We’re In” list!
Fun post! Cambodia is certainly an interesting country… I wonder what egg children taste like?
so do we, never tried them….we were too weirded out by the furry feathers sticking out from the egg shell (at least we think those were egg children)….icckkkk @cam_wears:disqus
Hilarious! My fave is the black-market gas…so true. So true!
lol, it’s everywhere right @corinnevail:disqus, and i love how he added in some snacks and cigs 🙂 oh asia!
I love Angkor very much
Hi Mike and Anne,
We loved Cambodia! Thanks for taking us down memory lane…..I remember walking in front of that tree by Tomb Raider temple, I believe….amazing. LOL on the pajamas too….anywhere, anytime, we saw them….during our 2 month stay there.
Thanks!
We’re in Siem Reap right now and have been in Cambodia for 3 weeks, so definitely made me smile. What is up with the pajamas?? 🙂
that’s awesome you are there now, love it! Re: pajamas, i say do as the locals do and wear your pjs all day tomorrow! Sweet dreams!
Can’t wait to be here in a few months!
oh very cool Brad ….did you end up going? are you there right now?
Loved it, the familiar sights definitely made me laugh. Don’t forget “who needs a minivan when you can fit a family of four on one scooter”. Thanks for that.
we still talk about 4 or 5 people on one scooter anytime our friends tell us they need a bigger car when they get one kid….hahaahaha
Awww this made me laugh and miss Cambodia! I especially remember who weird the make shift gas stations and the pyjamas were at first. The funny thing is that after a while these things become normal. I loved Cambodia so much!
Loved the “don’t wander off the main trail” we saw the results of landmines everywhere we visited in Cambodia. I’d return there in a heartbeat. Really enjoyed all your highlights too funny and just right on target.
My wife and I were in Cambodia for 2 weeks: Phnom Phen, Battambang and Siem Reap. What a beautiful country and people. It was part of our 14 month trip around the world and we had a fantastic time!!
saw you recently on the tv , on your site for a quick look , been on here for hours , amazing , good luck for all your future adventures , Lancashire England .