Holiday in Cambodia - plus Myanmar for a wedding.
Dec 13th, 2015, 05:22 AM
#121
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Great report! Thanks for sharing!
How often I too have wondered to myself if these super persistent vendors and hustlers don't realize that they are just driving potential customers away. If they weren't hassling me, I might just slow down and take the time to think about buying something. As it is, my first objective is escape, and they will never sell me anything.
How often I too have wondered to myself if these super persistent vendors and hustlers don't realize that they are just driving potential customers away. If they weren't hassling me, I might just slow down and take the time to think about buying something. As it is, my first objective is escape, and they will never sell me anything.
Dec 13th, 2015, 06:13 PM
#124
Thanks for the great report!
I wonder how they would "max your space" for a solo traveler....
I'm with you and julies, persistent sales folk turn me right off. Not that I am very likely to buy anything these days in any case, but if left to myself I just might fall in love with something. Something small and light, anyway.
I wonder how they would "max your space" for a solo traveler....
I'm with you and julies, persistent sales folk turn me right off. Not that I am very likely to buy anything these days in any case, but if left to myself I just might fall in love with something. Something small and light, anyway.
Dec 13th, 2015, 08:09 PM
#125
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Thanks for your thanks, ha ha.
julies, I don't think we're going to change the mindset of market vendors any time soon. The fair trade shops were far less aggressive, the increased cost was offset by that benefit, for me anyway.
thursdaysd, you'd have to double max I guess. Fares start at about $140, with say $70 to double max, it's cheap for a seven hour flight I reckon.
Some things I gleaned from conversations with locals and a few random thoughts.
We've developed a love for SE Asia over the years, it's relatively close to Australia and there's great diversity among countries. The sites (and sights), the energy (or lack thereof, as required) the food, the markets (with smells), but mostly the people, are among the things that keep drawing us back.
Aah, Cambodia, it's a country with a fairly recent and shocking past which makes it's people seem so resilient. There's a groundswell of young adults who now have information available via the Internet, and a willingness to seek change. The ruling Cambodian People's Party, incumbent since 1979, holds only a slight majority in parliament these days... The issue of wealth disparity is a big one to address, but there's a lot of hope for a better future.
There's a large visible proportion of people with disabilities, due to land mines and perhaps agent orange. More than I've seen in any other SE Asian country. There is no state support, but there are organisations aiming to improve their lives through training in skills that can earn a wage.
Here's a few:
www.friends-international.org
www.watthanartisans.org
www.artisandesigners.org
www.yodicraft.com
We got talking to a guy (maybe mid fifties) at the Foreign Correspondents Club, who had been in a motorbike accident near the Laos border. Not his fault, a scooter pulled out from a side street without looking (as they do), but he paid for the repairs to the bike he hit, plus treatment for a small child. He thought that was fair, and said the police and rescue services were friendly and helpful.
He was operated on at Phnom Penh General Hospital for a badly broken arm, steel plates etc. Said the care and technology were first class, brand new MRI, and a surgeon with 45 years of experience and ongoing training in America. His bill was USD $21,000, all covered by insurance. Don't forget your insurance, and if you plan to ride motorbikes, make sure you have that listed.
Did you know if you hit a cow on the road, you become the new owner ? You are liable to pay the previous owner the cost for said beast - drivers are very careful around cattle.
We started several interesting conversations with solo travellers. If you travel as a couple, please try this. I know it was so welcomed by me when solo last year, and we had quite a few eager participants.
With only a few minor hiccups, this was a great trip.
I've learnt "planning travel" via Fodors, so thank you.
julies, I don't think we're going to change the mindset of market vendors any time soon. The fair trade shops were far less aggressive, the increased cost was offset by that benefit, for me anyway.
thursdaysd, you'd have to double max I guess. Fares start at about $140, with say $70 to double max, it's cheap for a seven hour flight I reckon.
Some things I gleaned from conversations with locals and a few random thoughts.
We've developed a love for SE Asia over the years, it's relatively close to Australia and there's great diversity among countries. The sites (and sights), the energy (or lack thereof, as required) the food, the markets (with smells), but mostly the people, are among the things that keep drawing us back.
Aah, Cambodia, it's a country with a fairly recent and shocking past which makes it's people seem so resilient. There's a groundswell of young adults who now have information available via the Internet, and a willingness to seek change. The ruling Cambodian People's Party, incumbent since 1979, holds only a slight majority in parliament these days... The issue of wealth disparity is a big one to address, but there's a lot of hope for a better future.
There's a large visible proportion of people with disabilities, due to land mines and perhaps agent orange. More than I've seen in any other SE Asian country. There is no state support, but there are organisations aiming to improve their lives through training in skills that can earn a wage.
Here's a few:
www.friends-international.org
www.watthanartisans.org
www.artisandesigners.org
www.yodicraft.com
We got talking to a guy (maybe mid fifties) at the Foreign Correspondents Club, who had been in a motorbike accident near the Laos border. Not his fault, a scooter pulled out from a side street without looking (as they do), but he paid for the repairs to the bike he hit, plus treatment for a small child. He thought that was fair, and said the police and rescue services were friendly and helpful.
He was operated on at Phnom Penh General Hospital for a badly broken arm, steel plates etc. Said the care and technology were first class, brand new MRI, and a surgeon with 45 years of experience and ongoing training in America. His bill was USD $21,000, all covered by insurance. Don't forget your insurance, and if you plan to ride motorbikes, make sure you have that listed.
Did you know if you hit a cow on the road, you become the new owner ? You are liable to pay the previous owner the cost for said beast - drivers are very careful around cattle.
We started several interesting conversations with solo travellers. If you travel as a couple, please try this. I know it was so welcomed by me when solo last year, and we had quite a few eager participants.
With only a few minor hiccups, this was a great trip.
I've learnt "planning travel" via Fodors, so thank you.
Dec 13th, 2015, 10:15 PM
#126
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Thank you, sartoric, for taking us along on your adventure. Cambodia has been on our 'must return to' list, and this makes me want to go back sooner than later. We'll be sure to include the architectural tour and Cambodian Volcano, while avoiding Mr. Driver and the Hotel H. Also must figure out a way to be invited to a wedding in Myanmar!
Dec 30th, 2019, 10:00 PM
#127
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What an absolutely wonderful report, sartoric -- thank you so much! I managed to take copious notes on details that I'm sure I'll find helpful, despite shaking from laughter at some of your stories. 
Jan 1st, 2020, 05:41 PM
#128
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kja, thanks for reminding me of this trip.
As a footnote, I shared on FB some of the wedding day pics which came up in my memories in November. Got a message from the bride - they divorced last year !
As a footnote, I shared on FB some of the wedding day pics which came up in my memories in November. Got a message from the bride - they divorced last year !
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