Cambodia, other than Siem Reap and PP
Apr 20th, 2005, 08:45 PM
#21
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I hadn't expected this to bounce back up again! A pleasant surprise when I was checking the boards. A thanks to all for the additional thoughts.
jules, you're hitting on what it is for me too, but saying it better. Probably easier to explain having been before. It's not an attraction so much as it's a feeling that this has been the single most significant event in the lives of the country I say I want to visit, and we don't want to *just* swing through to check out the big-ticket attractions and be on our way again. I guess we were just thinking "what if we spent a few days in a place where they're not quite as used to Western visitors." Maybe in the end we'd have wished we stayed in SR, but we don't know that at this point. I guess you just don't know until you try it for yourself.
laurieco, yes I've done the same thing. I have a list of places that are lifetime "musts" and Angkor is way up on it, along with the Pyramids. I too have been in anticipation for a long time so it's good to know that you weren't disappointed after all that. As to the other points, yes, I have read State's take on it and I do see why caution would be well advised. But as you say, there are more sources and since only one of this could is American anyway, I of course, must also see what Australia's team says on the subject (he he). Anyway, I try to weigh all that with the true reality, and that is, how many hapless westerners such as myself have managed to do things to get themselves into serious harms way there in Cambodia vs the same typical number who stayed home during that time, but drove, jogged, cooked at home, etc. So far, the numbers aren't alarming so that's a good thing.
And I do look forward to Bangkok very much. I'm not a big planner - I can't recall ever knowing where we'd eat before we left for the trip, but I do keep some lists so we know what's available. Lots of research left to do! We did the same thing on the Romania trip - had a list of maybes - and then rented a car in Budapest, crossed the border and drove for weeks around Transylvania dodging horsecarts and chickens with no reservations, no set plans. So, generally speaking, we're pretty flexible.
hobbes, that's almost the exact original plans. I think (never know until it gets close for sure though) that we'll probably save Laos for the next trip. I suspect there's more of Laos we'd like to see too! I understand the far north there is interesting and have heard good things about the south Mekong island area. Champasak I think that area is? Haven't read as much on Laos as you can probably tell! LP is definitely on that lifelist.
Thanks again one and all.
Apr 21st, 2005, 02:59 AM
#23
Clifton, I've been to Egypt twice and while the pyramids are wonderful, for me, Angkor was far superior. In Egypt, I liked the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens more than the Pyramids. Nefertari's tomb is quite fantastic and worth the high price tag to get in. But this is an Asia forum...
