5 Things I love about Cambodia

After a rather depressing post about Cambodia, I’d like to point out the reasons why I love this country, and it’s more than just the 50 cent drafts.

1. Kampot: Kampot Kampot Kampot. I love this place. It restored my faith in Cambodians after Sihanoukville. Every child that approaches you just wants to practice English. They aren’t selling ANYTHING! Everyone is friendly, as I walk down the street people just wave and say hello. There are a lot of expats offering Western food which I was badly craving. Great cafes that support good causes where I can enjoy my days. From what I gathered, it won’t stay like this for long because of development plans in the works, but right now, Kampot is a calm, laid back, Cambodian slice of heaven.

2. Cambodians: My last post might have been a little harsh on the Cambodian people. Obviously, not everyone out there is greedy and trying to rip you off. There are tons of helpful Cambodians that don’t expect a dime from you. There are really nice moto and tuk tuk drivers. There are nice guesthouse owners and staff. There are friendly, innocent, and smart children. You can easily forget that when being hassled by tons of people, but there are a lot of really good people here.

3. Pajamas: A lot of Cambodian girls wear pajama sets out. This might stretch farther than Cambodia, but since I haven’t been anywhere else in Asia, I don’t know. This has sparked a lot of conversation amongst travelers. Any time of the day, you can see people in pajama sets, and I mean the really decorative kind. Do they know they are pajamas? Are they onto something that we in the West aren’t? It does seem pretty fantastic to just roll out of bed and already be stylishly dressed, and comfortable. Were they made in Asia and always intended to be day outfits, and it is us in the West that mistakenly labeled them as pajamas? There are no answers, but these pajama sets are awesome.

4. Affordability: Cambodia is dirt cheap. People tell you Thailand is cheap, and compared to Western Europe or say, Hawaii, it is. But Cambodia is actually cheap. A decent room (no A/C, just a fan) with a private bathroom costs $5. Throw in hot water? Maybe $6 to $8, and that will usually include a cable TV. Really want to spring for a nice room with A/C, hot water, and a TV that is nicely decorated? Try $15 to $20. Dinner rarely costs more than $5 including a drink or two. If you eat at the street stalls like Cambodians do, dinner will cost no more than $2. Souvenirs are cheap (I’m not going to say how cheap because some people may be getting them for Christmas!). The only thing that is not cheap is the departure tax when flying out of the country. Don’t forget that $25!

5. Scenery: Cambodia is a beautiful country, no question about it. The lush green lands, the forests, the beaches (that haven’t been completely built on top of), everything is picturesque. The houses built on stilts over the ponds and lakes are amazing, the remaining French Colonial architecture is enchanting, the temples dotting the country are stunning. It’s so different than anything back in the States, and so beautiful (just ignore the rubbish on the ground).

Cambodia makes me laugh, it makes me angry, it leaves me awestruck, it’s just an incredible place. People don’t give it much credit, they fly through Pnomh Penh to see the torture museum then rush up to Siem Reap to check out the temples, then are off to Laos, Thailand, or Vietnam. But Cambodia is worth checking out, and spending a little longer to really appreciate it.