Cambodia

Phnom Penh, unusually quiet but expected during this time. Locals travel home to visit family during the new year holiday leaving the city almost like a ghost town.

Anticipation

​Just like the first couple of times, I didn't know what to expect. Cambodia's ever changing landscape is full of surprises.

For my third trip, I travel with my wife Pa, her sister Pep, her boyfriend Sam, Thao, Savong, and Matt, who's never been to Cambodia before. We shared the same excitement and overwhelming feeling of anticipation. Returning to a place our parents called home, a country we're not accustomed to but consider our home, at least for me anyway. 

​The flight on Asiana Airlines from Sea-Tac airport to Phnom Penh was about 18 hours. Ten hours to Incheon, Korea with an hour and a half lay-over plus another five hours to Phnom Penh. It was LOOOONG. 

I planned to write some deep meaningful, soul searching bullshit but the photos of the country and its beautiful people says it much better than I can. 

Note: It was about 97 F with 100% humidity everyday we were there. You know its hot when the locals says its HOT! 

Pro-Life-Tip: Visit around November to February for a cooler experience. 

Pops

It has been about 12 years since my wedding was when we last saw each other and I'm excited to see him. Once we deplane, there he is waiting ready to receive us. I don't know what the standard process of getting through customs, but we always must walk through without any issues, no questions asked. I remember the last time I went in 2006 I left the airport through the back door. How? I do not have the answer.

Pops and I at the airport. I'm wearing a VIP ID that allows me to go back in forth between customs without being checked.

Tea House, Asian Urban Hotel

"Inspired by Asia love for tea, Tea House is one of Phnom Penh most imaginative hotels. It combines classic and modern urban design with a cool Asian twist. A truly tranquil respite from the busy streets of Cambodia capital city".

I copied that from their website because its true! Highly recommend to stay there. 

Wat Phnom, New Year Celebration

Although most of the city's population is gone, there's still a party for those who stays in Phnom Penh. Wat Phnom was live!

Block Party

My pops greeted us with a Karaoke and BBQ party outside of his house with his neighbors, it was such a good time. I didn't want it to end because I've never hung out with my pops in that setting before. 

Pub Street, Siem Reap

After spending a couple of days in Phnom Penh, we make our way to Siem Reap to visit the mighty Angkor Wat. The car ride was faster than before (I was there in 2006) since the roads are paved, but it was still about a five-hour drive instead of the eight or nine hours. 

We stayed at Advaya Residence, in my opinion, the best hotel experience during the trip. The rooms were pleasant, the staff attentive, and the food was terrific. 

After we settled, we decided to go out to check the famous Pub Street in Siem Reap. Pub Street is where it's at for the nightlife experience Siem Riep, its an all-out party with bars, clubs, and restaurants that stay open until 4 am. 

Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm (Khmer: ប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម, pronunciation: prasat taprohm) is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called Rajavihara (in Khmer: រាជវិហារ). Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII[1]:125[2]:388 as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the junglesurroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors. UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992. Today, it is one of the most visited complexes in Cambodia’s Angkor region. The conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm is a partnership project of the Archaeological Survey of India and the APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap).

Angkor Wat

The sunrise at Angkor Wat is breath taking.  As beautiful as it is, the real beauty is the locals, tour guides, and those who work everyday to welcome tourists like us. 

Phnom Kulen National Park - Waterfall 

Phnom Kulen National Park is a national park located in the Phnom Kulen mountain massif in Siem Reap Province. It was established in 1993 and has two main waterfalls. 

I fell in the water with my camera - surprisingly it still kind of works!

S21 Tuol Sleng Museum

Kep

Kep is a sleepy coastal town known for its seafood and tropical islands. Once was Cambodia's most prestigious beach town, it was a thriving resort town for the French and Cambodian elite until the early 1970s. 

It is still beautiful as ever. 

Preah Monivong Bokor National Park

Preah Monivong Bokor National Park is located in southern Cambodia's Kampot Province and established in 1993. Phnom Bokor (Bokor Mountain) is a vast terrain of many attractions. On top of the mountain sits a huge statue, some ruins, and a casino. There's also a plant that is shaped like a penis. 

Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island) , Kep Province

 An island about 25 minutes from Kep, Rabbit Island has to be one of the most relaxing experiences I've ever had. If my life was a Corona "Find Your Beach" commercial, this was it.  There are families who live on the island that provides visitors with karaoke, food, and bungalows to hang out in. Life is simple.