Podcasts about phnom penh cambodia

Join host Ben Plumley from Phnom Penh Cambodia, in conversation with Thomas Cai, a visionary Chinese-born entrepreneur and CEO of Open Source Technologies. Thomas, a pioneering figure in Asia's rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry, shares his journey from HIV advocacy to leading high-impact hepatitis public-private partnerships in Southeast Asia. He offers a critical analysis of the effectiveness of traditional providers of global aid including NGOs and the Global Fund, while also envisioning a self-reliant future led by local health authorities, businesses and communities, calling only on the expertise and funding from northern partners as needed. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:40 Meet Thomas Cai: A Visionary Leader 01:39 Thomas Cai's Journey and Achievements 03:33 Open Source Technologies: Mission and Focus 04:46 The Hepatitis Crisis in Southeast Asia 08:55 Challenges in Hepatitis Treatment 15:53 Critique of Global Health Funding Models 28:56 Thomas Cai's Background and Early Work 39:11 The Role of Buyers Clubs in the HIV Epidemic 40:45 Challenges with NGOs and Public Sector in Disease Treatment 43:02 The Risk of Monopolization in Healthcare 43:39 The Importance of Business in Disease Control 51:33 Disruption and Innovation in Healthcare 53:22 Personal Reflections and Influences 01:07:18 The Hepatitis Elimination Alliance in Cambodia 01:09:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections

I need more power!So currently listening to Phong Le's Strategy world presentation ,,, and his randomly talking about the Emirates food supplier, and how amazing it is that they like ship millions of meals across all these different airlines, so simultaneously, all around the planet at the same time.This is kind of an interesting desire for myself as well. For me to simultaneously be all around the planet, at the same time, 24 7 365 ## The markets?So what is insanely annoying especially now that I am in Phnom Penh Cambodia,,, is the time zone difference. I've been doing big transactions, trade and investments, and there is almost always some sort of arbitrary time zone lock, or, ability to execute orders when the market is closed. For example there's this one strange rule that if I suddenly have a huge chunk of cash, sitting in a traditional investing account, and let us say I want to buy MSTR STOCK, or MSTU,, or something else, I cannot execute it if it exceeds more than 25% of my account balance at once? Even more annoying, when the markets close. I'm kind of in a weird liminal in between time zone in which in some ways I'm living in the future ahead of time, and there are days that I am just waiting on the weekends, twiddling my thumbs for the market to open again on Monday. But for myself, because I'm in Asia, The markets don't open for me until I wake up, Tuesday morning? this then makes it very very annoying for me to have to do certain things like if I have a idea for a big trade or order… I have to be awake at some ungodly hour in Cambodia in order to executed. But after one or two nights of staying up super super late, in order to execute a certain order, and then, not being able to sleep for like two or three hours because there is so much adrenaline, it's not worth it.**Even $1 million, is not worth one night missed sleep**. So once again, a really really big problem: to solve this issue and problem that the markets are closed on the weekends,

Phnom Penh, Cambodia     I've been on a 90-day trip to every time zone around the globe. My mission is world peace through cultural exchange. I was sustainable when I could by using local transportation, buses, and trains. I was solo, carrying a small backpack, called a “personal item,” that fit under the seat in front of me on a plane.   In this episode, the FAQ is: Should I bring earplugs on my trip? . Today's Destination is Phnom Penh, Cambodia Today's Mistake- I left my phone at the bus office. Travel Advice: Keep a pen handy   FAQ: Should I bring earplugs on my trip?   Yes. You can first step away from the noise, turn the volume down, or try these tips to save your hearing. Noise-canceling headphones may be preferred, but you can use earplugs if traveling light. Do they work well? They are better than nothing. Here are three steps to using foam earplugs: Roll, pull, and hold. Roll them to fit your ear, pull back your ear, and then insert them until they fit comfortably. The show notes have tips to help you out.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM3R_1JceWo     Today's destination: Phnom Penh, Cambodia   …..before you go, read up on the region's history and try to understand the heartbreaking things that happened in this country. The country went through some tough years in the last century. They are a comparatively less developed country, but the people have hope for the future. Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, meets at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. Historically, it became a trading hub for the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. Listen to the Siem Reap podcast if you can later on.   I flew here from Ho Chi Minh City, but taking a bus and a lot cheaper would have been easy. Cambodia Angkor Airlines is reputed to have the best safety standards in the country, although I noticed that my plane was very seasoned. It was a much older model.   https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-guides/cambodia-travel-tips/phnom-penh/   US citizens need to apply for a Cambodia visa. Cambodia e-visa cost: The Total fee is USD 36, and the E-visa processing time takes 2 - 5 business days. I had to change the date of birth on my visa application, as it was incorrect, which was easy to accomplish. Between when I first submitted it and it printed out, the date got switched, so I fixed it ahead of time. Rice (bai) is the most essential food in the country, and more than 2,000 species once grew in Cambodia. There's hardly a dish that does not contain rice, including noodles made from rice, desserts, cakes, and alcoholic beverages, and no Khmer meal is complete without boiled rice.   Although Cambodia's official currency is the Riel, the US Dollar is used in most transactions, so I recommend taking some US Dollars in cash (with some small denomination notes).   The city's walkable riverfront is lined with parks, restaurants, and bars, including the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country. At the city's heart is the Art Deco Central Market. I did a lot of mid-day walking along the river at Sisowath Quay, the most popular downtown promenade. There were few people there mid-day. It is scenic; you can see boats on the Tonle Sap River and look across a beautiful vista. Walk here between the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom.   My hotel in Phnom Penh was across the street from the Independence Monument and near the Cambodia Friendship Monument. They called it the Monument District. At night, the locals, by the hundreds, walked in a counterclockwise direction around the park to get some fresh air and exercise. It was a social experience, too. Families and singles all gathered here. I was part of the walk since I had been too hot to walk much during the day's heat.   The Independence Monument in Phnom Penh was built in 1958 to memorialize Cambodia's independence from France in 1953. It stands on a roundabout at the intersection of Norodom Boulevard and Sihanouk Boulevard in the city's center.   https://www.planetware.com/cambodia/phnom-penh-cam-1-2.htm   In the Khmer Rouge's Security Prison S-21, it was here that some of the regime's worst torture atrocities were carried out. More than 17,000 people passed through these gates between 1975 and 1978, accused of betraying the revolution in some way. The Tuol Sleng Museum was where prisoners were housed, a former school. You can see photographs of what happened here. You can walk through the prison rooms, formerly classrooms. It's two stories, with offices and rooms with evidence of those killed. The detailed notes and photographs remain along with some of the remnants of furniture and statues of those who died. I took a tuk-tuk to visit this sad place at Street 113, Phnom Penh. I was unhappy but hopeful for a better future when I left here. Today's Mistake- I left my phone at the bus office.   While waiting for the bus, I entered the station and met the people working for the bus tour company. I had about an hour to wait, so I said hi and then sat down to relax from the sun. What I forgot at the desk was my phone. About ten minutes later, the driver arrived and said it was time to board the bus. In my rush, I left my phone on the desk. We started down the road, and then I remembered, so I told the tour guide I needed to get out. He said he would call and make sure they had it, and we would soon go back for it after we dropped someone at the hospital. I thought that was strange, but that's precisely what happened. That was my second time leaving my phone behind on this trip. I was learning a lesson again. Not to leave my phone anywhere. Don't be like me. I was lucky. You may not be so fortunate.   Today's Travel Advice-Keep a pen handy   In today's world of digital technology, one thing you will still need is a pen. There will be a time you need to write down something to remember. It could be a code, a phone number, or a key phrase. Keep something to write with nearby.     I want to bring meaning to your travels. Send a question or travel tip to info@drmarytravelbest.com. Sign up for the mailing list here. We can connect on my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Subscribe to YouTube, Twitter, or other social channels. Find the 5 Steps to Solo Travel series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect. Support this podcast with a review, please.   Connect with Dr. Travelbest Drmarytravelbest.com Dr. Mary Travelbest Twitter Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram email: info@drmarytravelbest.com Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest onYouTube

How We Worship: In Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Alfie Amayo originally wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but then he found his new calling at the still. In his hometown of London, he advised bars and pubs and eventually became the brand ambassador for 10 Degrees C. This eventually brought him to the City of London Distillery, where he worked as brand manager. The next adventure was supposed to be a little trip around the world, but ended at the first stop, Cambodia. There, he helped set up Seekers Independent Spirits - and a month's planned time turned into many years. He found his wife and a new home in the small Southeast Asian country and, as Head Distiller, is responsible for the company's innovative brandies and liqueurs. In the podcast, we talk about the beer market in Cambodia, Alfie's exciting career, and the many innovations he has introduced at and with Seekers.

Rosewood Phnom Penh Managing Director Daniel Simon has some fascinating insights about luxury hotels and restaurants in South East Asia. Located in Cambodia, he is at the forefront of some of the biggest and most significant changes to the luxury hotel business within Asia. Cambodia is a country with much promise and plenty of energy and ambition from its young population. Mr Simon is running one of the region's most extraordinary and luxurious hotels, Rosewood Phnom Penh, packed with award winning restaurants, a stunningly designed spa with high end treatments to match, and rooms and suites with every amenity a luxury traveller could dream of. Every floor has breathtaking views, and the service in every part of the hotel is first class. There is an art gallery, a patisserie, a massive wine cellar and interiors to keep a social media influencer entertained for hours. Here Mr Simon talks to Renae about the hotel, and the future of this relatively young Asian city. You can watch every episode with spectacular visuals from some of the world's best and most luxurious hotels over on Renae's YouTube channel, “Renae's World, Where to From Here”.

New Value? Something we all seem to be addicted to is the news. Let us remember that the word “news” stems from the word “new”. Proto indo European “newos”. Why new? Something I am addicted to and endlessly fascinated with is innovation. That is, creating new. New things, new innovations, new approaches, etc. I have this funny habit of scrolling through a random amount of websites on the near daily level, which includes the tesla.com website, apple.com website, the yeezysupply.com website, etc. 99% of the time I am disappointed, because frequently there is nothing new. With the exception of the easy supply.com website, where Kanye is always releasing a new sneaker. Even a critique with Kanye West and Yeezy; when the Yeezy sneakers first came out, they were insanely different and innovative. However it seems as of late, the new trend is simply releasing slightly different color ways, perhaps to appease the crowd. I think as a result, Yeezy has lost her dominance, eclipsed by the “Air Jordan” brand. For example, now if you visit the stockx.com website, you don't even see Yeezy as listed as one of the top brands. How to make new? Some practical thoughts include attempting and experimenting with new techniques and approaches. For example, something very innovative I think I have been doing is experimenting and innovating new ways of lifting weights at the gym. This includes a new philosophy technique and approach of increasing the weight, reducing the range of motion. Contrary to popular belief, I have still been making monster gains, both in terms of muscle, and overall vigor. For example my 6 plate rack pull. For example, there is this bias in weight lifting that in order to do a “proper“ deadlift, you must lift the weight directly off the floor. And for some reason, to lift the weight higher off the floor is seen as “cheating“, or “improper“. Also, form. A lot of unindependent thinkers think that they must do a deadlift with a “conventional“ form. Yet this is foolish, as doing a sumo stance increases your leverage, thus allowing you to lift more. On going to a different or new country One of my greatest gains of traveling to Phnom Penh Cambodia this summer was discovering the new trap bar and hex bar. Also, switching to lifting weights in kilograms, in which I am not intimidated by the numbers, as I have no concept of kilogram numbers. For example, in my mind I know that five plates at the gym, five of the 45 pound red plates, around 500 pounds is heavy. However, if somebody tells me something is 250 kg, I have no idea if that is heavy or not. Therefore, a huge pragmatic thought is that in order to innovate, or think new, or break out of traditional motive thinking, you must not live in your own country forever. You must travel, explore new places, and expose yourself to new thoughts. For example, I believe that a lot of the early ancient Greek thinkers actually traveled to India, where they learned pseudo-Buddhist forms of thinking, also, to Egypt

Hype it up! https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2022/11/04/the-art-of-hypelifting/ Let's get loud First of all, give yourself permission to get loud as fuck. For example, my ‘4 plate‘ squat in Phnom Penh Cambodia. 4 plates (each plate is 25 kilograms, which is 55 pounds each). Do the math, 100+100+20 (20kg for the bar), the total weight is 220kilograms, or 485 pounds: The fun thing then is not the weight itself, but the hype that gets you there. Hype squat heavy HYPE DEADLIFT 551 POUND DEADLIFT:

Since his retirement from The McKnight Foundation after 25 years, Neal Cuthbert has beenconsulting with various nonprofits and businesses and recently served as the Interim Co-Executive Director of the Cedar Cultural Center. During his last decade at McKnight Neal wasthe Vice-President of Program where all programs and program staff reported to him and heoversaw an annual grantmaking budget of $90+ million. While VP he helped create a workplace that received a national Great Place to Work awards, national recognition for a highly regarded approach to philanthropy, created McKnight's first approach to evaluation, and led the creation and oversaw the management of several of McKnight's funding intermediaries, including Youthprise, the Southeast Asia Development Program in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and the six rural Minnesota Initiative Foundations, among others.Prior to being VP, Neal was McKnight's Arts Program Director for 16 years. In addition toframing up McKnight's arts program, under his leadership the program received numerousawards and provided between $8-12 million annually to support arts organizations and artistsin Minnesota. In addition to making grants, he developed several reports including anexamination of arts development in the suburbs, two economic impact studies, the impact ofthe arts in rural communities, and the condition of individual artists. He also oversaw theexpansion of McKnight's artist fellowship programs, established the Distinguished Artist Award, and co-developed the artist website, mnartists.org. After the Dance Alliance closed he worked closely with members of the dance community to create two dance community convenings in order to assess community needs and bring people together. Prior to McKnight he was the director/publisher of the monthly art and culture journal, Artpaper, and a planner at the Metropolitan Council in the arts program and housing program where he authored several studies including a study of homelessness, an economic impact study of the arts, and an examination of arts audiences. Neal was born and raised in Detroit and in addition to hisconsulting work exhibits artwork and curates exhibitions and programs at Homewood Studios on the northside of Minneapolis, serving as its Permanent Guest Curator.

A CRITIQUE OF LIFE IN AMERICA AUDIO My personal critique of living and life in America: Too many distractions I feel like when it comes to life in America, 99.9% of the time we are thinking about buying a new car, getting that dream car, upgrading your car, upgrading your Apple devices, or iPhone, getting the new Tesla, or other random consumerist things.  Why is this? My theory is that consumerism, capitalism, marketing, and advertising is so advanced in America, and we have access to too many choices and options. For example, toothpaste. As a kid growing up, I just knew one. Now as adult, I'm learning about all these new strange hippie toothpastes, without fluoride, as fluoride is supposed to somehow control your brain or whatever. Having to decide what type of toothpaste to buy is another distraction in my life.  What do I desire? For myself, the thing I desire, the most, is philosophical introspection, focus on building my physical and muscular strength, my photography and art, writing, blogging and thinking. And also my health. The difficult thing is that in America, it is very difficult to be healthy. Why is this? There is no really good city which allows you to walk around a lot, and live without a car. Even San Francisco is not really that walkable. Even in New York City, you're stuck in the subway 90% of time. And no, I don't like Brooklyn. It is essentially a suburb, and you have to still take the subway to get into the city. My thought is either you live on the island or off. I don't like being stuck a car Europeans love to comment, and critique Americans for being so fat, lazy, and just driving their car everywhere. But have you ever tried to live in Orange County, Southern California, where there are literally no sidewalks?  My thought is this: if I had the option of having the worlds most expensive hyper sports car, the most exotic Lamborghini or McLaren, or a Tesla model S plaid, or having the freedom to just walk around everywhere, I would choose the latter. Why? Even if you're in a Rolls-Royce, Bentley or a Hyundai genesis, etc., you're just sitting on your butt all the time. No matter how comfortable the seat is or the car is, it is not good for your back or your health. Cars weaken you. And anything which weakens you is bad. How have I been able to be so much more powerful in Phnom Penh Cambodia? For me, the only real power is physiological power, physiological strength, and physiological well-being. For me power and strength is for the sake of lofty thoughts, thoughts, and a zest for a living, walking, playing with your kid, shooting photography and street photography, and attempting your one rep max in your deadlift and squat. For me, power is not money, power is not territory, power is not political, power is not economic, nor social. For me, pure power is freedom to do what you want, when you want, and how you want.  Think about your digestion A funny thing is that in traditional Korean, you don't ask people just “how are you“. You ask them how their digestion is. This might sound very strange to an American or westerner but Asians are all about digestion. In fact, health is to abstract of a notion. Digestion is concrete. in Asia and in the east, traditionally, digestion is health.  Something I've noticed is that whenever I eat something country to my digestion, whether pork, Indian food, dairy products, coconut products, etc., it negatively affects my sleep, and my mood and well-being for the next day. When I have poor digestion, and I don't sleep well, I feel a lot more weak

How to Maximize Your Impact and Reach on the Planet Something which has been very interesting, currently living here in Phnom Penh Cambodia, at this point, it seems that Cambodia is just a new colony of mainland China. For example, if you look into the Belt and Road Initiative, something I witnessed very interesting was a map of it, and Vietnam, Cambodia, Southeast Asia in general, we're all painted in red. My point of thought that is that all of these countries which are bordering China, have essentially become assimilated into China. Therefore my basic idea is this: Can people in mainland China access your photography, website, and stuff via their Internet? Or via baidu.com (their local Google)? how open source is the future I believe the reason why open source is the key to maximize your impact and influence in the world is this: Stuff is open source, it is more likely accessible by anyone on the planet. And something else I've realized is this: maximizing your impact, notoriety, fame, and influence is more important than money or any other metric of success. “Baidu yourself” And one of my life goals was to become number one on Google for “Eric Kim”. Now that I have achieved that life goal, a simple thought: If you search your first and last name on baidu.com, will you show up? Think globally Something I really like about the new iOS beta is one of the default wallpapers is a GPS coordination of planet earth. It is a nice visual, as it has us to think bigger, more globally, at the earth scale, rather than our myopic and shortsighted view of our own locale. For example, I like the Socrates quote — when somebody asked him where he was from, he said “I am a citizen of the world“. I believe this is an attitude we should all adopt. Why are people so racist towards mainland Chinese? Why is everyone so fearful of mainland China, and why do so many people disdain Chinese tourists? Several thoughts: First of all, mainland Chinese tourists often do not act with “proper“ notions of Western modernity. For example, yell yell, speak loudly in public, spit in public, etc. They order and boss people around like they are their slaves or servants. This is very anti-western notions of what is considered “proper“, if you think about the UK British notions of Victorian properness. Second, honestly, I think a lot of people hate mainland Chinese because they are so rich. For example, when I was in Hong Kong, it seems that everyone is low-key jealous of the mainland Chinese tourists, because they are so rich, and can just buy out the Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or Hermès store by themselves. Third, it seems that all nations, in order to thrive, need some sort of enemy. For example, if you observe the goldeneye movies, or even modern day American politics, there is always a foreign enemy. Whether it be the communist, the Russians, the Chinese, etc. Funny enough though, now that a lot of mainland Chinese people prefer to watch American cinema, anti-Chinese sentiment is being toned down. For example, when I watched the pacific rim two movie, which was funded by a Chinese company, the western guys and the Chinese guys all worked together to fight off the aliens. I think this is a good thing. Censorship, whether

The Philosophy of Traveling Why travel? Towards what ends? Why I'm happier when I'm traveling or on the road For me, I prefer to travel and be on the road. Why? The irony — Things are LESS certain and normal. For me, this awakens my inner-genius. I innovate and do things new. For example, wanting to workout. I found a local gym here in Phnom Penh and the entry was only $3USD for a day pass! And, the weights were not like back home — it required me to jump quicker than I usually do. For example, instead of increments of 25-pounds and 45-pounds, I just went straight up plate by plate (20kg plates). This is the road for me to (finally) deadlift my dream — 5 plates! Once again, if I were back home, my technique is limited via the same old way I typically do things. Traveling, being on the road, or being abroad (foreign, non-home) gives you the opportunity (through necessity) to innovate. America is boring Something else I learned: Life in America is boring. Life abroad in places like Asia are far more fascinating, dynamic, and fun! For example in America, you're essentially trapped in a car all day, or stuck in suburban archipelagos. Even SF or NYC — you're stuck in the subway, an Uber, etc. Asia, like being here in Phnom Penh — so much more fun and dynamic! The people are more open, friendly, curious and engaging. Americans tend too shy, or often stand-offish. If I had the option, I'd prefer to live long-term in Phnom Penh Cambodia over anywhere in the states. What do you want from life? For me, my personal interest: To live a maximally fun, dynamic, and interesting life. Also to maximize my ability for turbo thoughts. Being abroad allows me to do this. For example, being able to firsthandedly witness the Chinese influence here is very interesting from a global capitalism perspective. And it isn't scary — my thoughts: Globalism isn't going to be about war, it will just be all about wealth-accumulation and capital-accumulation of all rich oligarchs and individuals. No way I could have had this thought if I were back stateside. And another thing: You must witness it first handedly. Even the closest thing I can personally do to share my experiences is a GoPro ultra wide lens, but to witness it first hand — your mind will be blown. Mine was. Phnom Penh Travel vlogs — never boring. Expanding your mind Close minded vs open minded. Which do you prefer? I prefer being open minded. Why be open minded? You make your mind more powerful. To close your mind actually limits you in a bad way. Assuming we want to become wiser, more intelligent, and more powerful, opening your mind is the way. By traveling and experiencing new places can only open your mind. Digital nomad? It seems the new millennial thing is the whole “digital nomad” thing. But after COVID, this dream has died down a bit. However, for me, the ideal I have is having the ability to live freely. To not be restricted. Not bei

Life update from Phnom Penh >>

How to Move the World with Photography For myself, I personally desire to use photography as a form of leverage to change and move the world. Naive is good The world-weary say-- To attempt to change the world and move the world is vain. I say -- Even if your photos can change the heart or soul of 1 other human being on planet earth, it is all worth it. Lever it. As I said prior in my 'photography leverage' post, I believe that your #1 strength (photography) can indeed change and shift the world. Why? Photos are a universal language. It don't matter if you speak Korean, Khmer, Vietnamese, Spanish, English, etc -- everyone can look at a photo and understand it. Even Seneca looks at books of photos with kids and can imitate and mimic the expressions of the kids in the photos. Why photography? Still in today's hyper-modern world, I don't know if people truly understand the power of photography. Consider photography -- the uber-immediate visual impact you get from photos. Also, imputing your soul into your photos. Whenever anyone looks at a photo by you, they can see you. Pix or it didn't happen Also with photography, it is a form of proof. Shooting photos or videos (videos are just moving photos), you have better 'proof' of your existence, what you do, etc. Perhaps everyone should strive to become an 'influencer' My funny heuristic: If someone calls themselves an 'influencer', they are not influential. But what does it mean to be 'influential'? I think a more interesting idea: Influential means things that flows out of you (flex). Thus as a photographer, if images flow out of you, you are an 'influential' photographer. Once again, our rule: If we publish one photo, or one thing, which even has a .00001% chance of influencing another human being on planet earth (out of 7+ billion), it is worth it. What drives me? What drives me and what drives you? For me, I believe it is a hunger for adventure. Even photography is just a shortcut for adventure. Currently here in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and I love it! It is like a low-key Hanoi-- with lots of 'up and coming' developments, and the economy is on the up and up. To be able to witness these things firsthand, make photos is one of the greatest joys of existence. I am glad I was born As much as we may sometimes bemoan existence and the scars of our past, I believe -- I am (very) glad I was born. Why? The joy of existence is being able to explore the world, have kids, make art, and also having the ability to impact and influence the lives of others. For example the power of a blog, or an email newsletter. Being able to reach thousands of folks from all around the globe. I have started to realize more and more, the best way to maximize your reach as a photographer isn't through social media, or even YouTube -- it is through your own blog, your own podcast, your own email newsletter. The trifecta. You are the full-stack human Something else I believe in: Don't just pigeon-hole yourself into photography-- share it all.

Ron chats to Sophoan, a rugby referee from Cambodia. She is a passionate sports woman and rugby fan who has stepped up to her role as one of the only female referees in her country. After watching men playing rugby, she wondered how she could get involved. So she starting off playing touch rugby, and then was invited to be a referee. Sophoan gives us further insight to her culture, one which makes it difficult for women to participate in sport, including non-contact sports. Sophoan is proud to be a referee supporting coaches working with the Cambodian Rugby Federation in partnership with ChildFund Rugby, the charity that Ron and Adam are supporting on their journey. You can make a donation to their impactful work here: https://www.racetorugbyworldcup.com/

Chris Mastaglio is the ChildFund Sport for Development Director and has worked to bring together sports and social impact through ChildFund Rugby. Ron and Adam were able to catch up with him in Phnom Penh where he shares a bit about his rugby story and how his team has partnered to use sport to deliver a positive social impact. He chats about how ChildFund Rugby works and what the next few years ahead look like. Chris has been involved with rugby for a long time, having played for many years previously, and sees the opportunities sport can offer to positively impact children. Adam and Ron are cycling to raise funds for ChildFund Rugby, which makes this a very special episode for them! Follow this link to donate to ChildFund: https://www.racetorugbyworldcup.com/

Ron & Adam come to us from the French Embassy in Cambodia where they were offered a place to stay for 2 nights. They fill us in on their last 20 days from mid-Vietnam up into Phnom Penh. As usual, they have met incredible people but on top of that, they have had the privilege of joining cycle groups and playing more rugby with the coaches & players from ChildFund. Donate to ChildFund through our website: https://www.racetorugbyworldcup.com/

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

In this latest episode I look back to a visit to Phnom Penh in 2019 with a morning walk through the markets and streets near the Riverside neighborhood tourist/backpacker area. This district of Phnom Penh is recommended for first time visits to the city. It's one of the most convenient spots for restaurants, sites, and of course near the boardwalk along the Tonle Sap River. If you're not interested in seeing the darker side of this area stay away from the streets where the beer parlors are located if that's not your thing. I like walking through the Kandal Market and some of the streets in the area that feature lots of local sellers of street food, fruit, and other items. Just be careful around here with your personal items as this is a hunting ground for pickpockets and bag snatchers. Get out to some of the restaurants away from this area too so your dining experience isn't entirely sitting in a room full of foreigners listening to 70's classic rock.Also in this episode more news on the pandemic in Vietnam and Cambodia. Thanks again for your support!Write A Review:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943?itsct=podcast_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1Pledge your support on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsDonations:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile

Up until earlier this year Cambodia had a very good handle on controlling the pandemic but a series of outbreaks that originated from nightclubs and casinos changed the situation beginning in February. In this episode an update on the pandemic, future tourism in Cambodia. I will also revisit the iconic Central Market of the capital. This is a must see especially if it's your first time. Admire the architecture, it's bustling neighborhood. There is an abundance of local street food and Cambodian dishes inside and some opportunites for deals on designer clothes. I also discuss options for neighborhoods or places to stay besides the famous "Riverside" area located on the Tonle Sap River. Thanks again for your support!Write a Review for The Far East Travels Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943?itsct=podcast_box_link&itscg=30200&ls=1Support the Podcast:Montly pledges:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsDonations:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/my/profile

Hoonie LIm, Nature Lover, Green Influencer, Real Estate Specialist, Dreamer talks about Women in Business and Sunflower Village Cambodia. www.linkedIn.com/in/hoonie-lim

Peap Tarr has called Cambodia home for the last 10 years. Based out of Phnom Penh, Peap and his wife Lisa Mam helped kick start the Cambodian street art scene, and over the years the pair have grown their portfolios hugely. 

Peap Tarr has called Cambodia home for the last 10 years. Based out of Phnom Penh, Peap and his wife Lisa Mam helped kick start the Cambodian street art scene, and over the years the pair have grown their portfolios hugely. 

Chance discusses the brothels in Phnom Penh and what he experienced during his trip in Cambodia. Support this podcast

In this video I visit a China Fake Paris style development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Koh Pich, or Diamond Island is a huge residential/commercial development located in an area of Phnom Penh that used to be a swamp until 2000 on the Mekong and Bassac Rivers. Elysee is the Paris inspired development that is similar in style to the fake Paris cities of China like Tianducheng, a suburb of Shanghai with it's own fake Eiffel Tower.Interestingly enough it appears that Elysee is being marketed to foreign, particularly Chinese investors, who can afford to fork over between $800,000 to over $1.1 million USD for the units that are available. The setting is nice enough but it still doesn't appear to be complete let alone occupied 4 years after ground breaking began. The new high rise buildings in the same area seem to fit in more with the modernization of Southeast Asia then the bizarre out of place Elysee. Elite Town another "old world" development doesn't seem like it fits in any better. Hopefully these won't be future "ghost cities" or towns. The setting itself is quite attractive with a lovely boardwalk along the Bassac and special events and celebrations have been held here in the past like the Water Festival.

Sharing an experience walking through the commercial center of Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the massive Orussey Market. As I shared this broadcast with my live Twitter/Periscope followers I field some random questions about Cambodia and travel in Southeast Asia. I try to visit and share as much as these experiences as I can in order to inspire travel off or out of the tourist zones. You'll just get a much more authentic local experience and no doubt walk away with treasured memories of engaging in light-hearted chats with locals. Many Khmer come from the outer provinces to the Orussey Market to stock up on supplies for their shops or restaurants. The parking lot is full of vans, trucks, and tuk-tuks, completely stacked with goods. It's a wonder they can even move with the amount of products stuffed or stacked inside and on top of the vehicles. For the person wanting to gain some more insight into the culture and everyday life of Cambodia this is an easy way to do so. Thanks so much for listening!Help support the podcast by becoming a Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

In this episode I want to cover off some suggestions and tips for traveling, especially for extended periods of time with some self-catering tips. I prefer to self-cater my breakfasts if I'm not staying in a hotel or guesthouse that offers breakfast. It's the one meal where i can feel like I'm at home or in my own place. It's also a time-saver for me. I'm eating out two meals a day so having one in my room gives me time to catch up on the news or events across Asia, as well as some online work. If I'm in a place where I particularly enjoy the local style breakfasts like the wonderful noodles or laksa noodles of Malaysia/Borneo, roti canai in any restoran in Kuala Lumpur, or India where I can have veg. curry with puri bread then I'll go out for breakfast more often. It also saves alot of money if you prefer a Western style breakfast like bread with jam, peanut butter, or cereals. Also in this episode I cover off general shopping tips for bargain clothes. Thanks so much for listening! Support the podcast by becoming a patron:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

I had a few suggestions or warnings on a couple of my latest Phnom Penh YouTube videos to share or mention some of the scams that continue to go on here in the capital. The one I was intrigued by the most is the blackjack scam, as it's a fair bit more complex than your average tourist scam as there are several players involved. I also go over some of the more familiar scams to listeners and travelers like the infamous "I need milk, not money for my baby" scam. Fake monks, fake police, they are all here and apparently still making a living in Cambodia. Support the podcast by becoming a patron:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the Far East Travels Podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

The supply far outweighs the demand for tuk-tuks in Phnom Penh and probably in Siem Reap, Cambodia as well. How do you manage the situation? It can be overwhelming to be asked several times an hour if you need a tuk-tuk. Along with motorbike taxis trolling next to you on the streets if you're not walking in the opposite direction of traffic. In this episode I go into the reasons why there are so many and some tips on how to deal with the constant tuk-tuk question. This is especially helpful if you enjoy walking, and Phnom Penh despite many uncontrolled intersections can be quite an interesting place to walk. In the episode I mentioned Khmer New Year and the Water Festival as the same thing and they are not. I called it the water festival because new year whether it's in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, or Mynamar involves throwing water at each other as a blessing and good luck for the New Year. The Water Festival is a different celebration. So for tuk-tuk rates here are a few examples. are a few examples of current rates as well for negotiating purposes.Tuk Tuk Rates from Riverside(remorques or Khmer Tuk Tuks will be on the higher side of these fares:$1.00-$1.50 for a short ride -Aeon Mall (Chamkarmorn) 2km$1.40-$1.60 Vietnam Embassy 4km$1.60-$2.00 Russian Market$4.00-$4.50 Airport(app price average for autorickshaw)$15.00 Return trip(Riverside) Killing Fields(10km each way)Thanks so much for listening. i wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2020!Support the Far East Travels Podcast by becoming a patron! Visit my Patreon page for exclusive content and private podcast episode offers:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels

I hope you are enjoying the holiday with family and friends and wish you a very healthy, joyful, and prosperous 2020. This past Christmas week has felt quite uneventful and from an outsider, one of the least interested places in the whole Christmas celebration. Now that could be just that I'm used to more of a Christmas presence in East Asia and Southeast Asia because of the much more developed retail industry. The modern shopping mall is still relatively new to Phnom Penh along with a population base that can or wants to spend extra money on another holiday that really has no significance to local culture. When you factor in minimum wage is expected to be bumped up to $190USD/month in 2020 and the average yearly household income at approximately $1400USD. I did spot some young children dressed in Santa type suits running around the riverside boardwalk on Christmas Day, something of a tradition in Vietnam as well. I think if you're burned out on the Christmas season Phnom Penh might be the answer for your next winter getaway. Support the podcast by becoming a patron:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels

For a while now I have been posting some pictures of a new accommodation I am staying at on Social Media with the caption "My home for x nights".  As I am a nomad for a while now, this is usually pretty accurate. Those places are my home for a short period of time. This is a new segment for my podcast where I describe my new home to you every time I change locations. This time I am presenting Nagaworld in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Get in touch: - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/niceandsunny - Instagram: @niceandsunny - Twitter: @niceandsunny - Facebook: NICE & SUNNY - Email: contact@niceandsunny.com - Web: www.niceandsunny.com

Phnom Penh, Cambodia-5 Things You Should Know Before You Visit I truly hope you find these videos informative and helpful, especially if it's your first time to Cambodia. It had been 4 years since my last visit and it doesn't appear to have changed much as far as the bag snatching goes. I was warned several times as I was walking around filming to be careful of my stuff. If this video helps one person avoid the loss of their personal items I will feel  this one together was well worth it! Everything else in the video is pretty straightforward. I really enjoy interacting with the Khmer, there are so easy going, warm, and friendly. The culture is one of the richest most interesting in the region and I will definitely be sharing more of it along with other helpful videos on Kampot, Siem Reap and other destinations within the country in the future. The stories of people posing in bathing suits and naked at cultural sites and temples like Angkor are quite disturbing to me. I really don't care if people want to pose naked or almost naked at their hotel swimming pool but to do this in places of worship and that are extremely sacred to the local people is completely selfish and insensitive to the culture. I hope those that visit make an extra effort to follow some of the local customs and show respect to Khmers, above all be gracious and humble. They really do appreciate the effort! Thanks again for watching! FYI-The tshirt meaning in the thumbnail is a Khmer saying. "When you are angry you lose everything"! Couldn't agree more!!!

I'm sharing some more of my experiences and cost comparisons between Phnom Penh and Saigon. I was asked recently while I was in PP whether it was cheaper than Saigon. The Phnom Penh cost of living is overall 15-18% higher than Saigon. Very reflective in the cost of meals and transportation. You'll notice it almost immediately. Interesting in that Saigon by far exceeds Phnom Penh as a cosmopolitan city but overall is less costly. As I mentioned in the episode I will probably be spending a few months living and exploring Cambodia starting next month. Thanks so much for listening. I want to thank Sheila Osman and Yi Jing Zhou for inviting me to be a guest on The Podcast Show Asia. Here is my interview with Shida:https://soundcloud.com/thepodcastshowasia/john-saboe-far-east-travelpodcast-the-podcast-showGet exclusive access to private podcasts for $5/month-Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover Far East Travels Podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943

At one time Cambodia was one of the easiest countries in Southeast Asia to obtain a long term visa. Just a matter of applying for an "Ordinary" visa when you arrived and renewing it to a business visa before the 30 days was up and you would have a multiple entry visa good for one year. Things are more complicated now with extensions for people working in Cambodia, retiring, or other categories. Of course you can still renew your tourist visa for 30 days but if you want to stay longer you'll have to exit the country and then return. I suppose with a huge amount of foreign investment and a population that's eager for good jobs the government is tightening up the rules to help favor locals looking for jobs. But I believe it's still possible for foreigners with experience to find work in Cambodia. I would recommend Phnom Penh for either a long term stay of employment or retirement. There are a few things they will have to do to adjust the infrastructure to meet the needs of all of the new development. Even with all of the new construction and traffic issues Phnom Penh still feels like one of the more laid back capitals of Southeast Asia. Thanks for listening! If you have any questions about the podcast or myself please send me an email to john@fareasttravels.com.Help suppor the podcast by becoming a patron! Check out my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsHelp others discover the podcast by writing a review in the iTunes Store:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/far-east-travels-podcast/id1079513943For more on Cambodian visas:https://www.movetocambodia.com/planning-your-move-to-cambodia/cambodia-visas/#types

As I settled in after arriving in Phnom Penh after my last visit 4 years ago and felt a comforting sense, a wonderful gift of experiencing so many different cities in and cultures in Asia and recognizing the subtleties of each place. I actually have been trying to arrange a return visit in the last 2-3 years to Phnom Penh but the stars never seemed to line up so perhaps my appreciation for Cambodia and the Khmer culture has only grown since my last visit. It's certainly different in that there is much more residential and retail development and a bigger global presence in for years. The massive investment from China is seen everywhere. As I said in the episode there still is a somewhat peaceful feeling along some of the streets near riverside, something that has long vanished from Ho Chi Minh City. But perhaps that will change here too with more foreign investment. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast! The Far East Travels Podcast is brought to you by sacredtrekking.com. Book your trek to the Himalaya for the fall now! Visit sacredtrekking.com to find out more.Help support the podcast by becoming a patron! Patrons get access to exclusive content including private podcasts at certain levels. Visit my Patreon page to find out more:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravelsWould love to get your feedback on the podcast! Do you have any suggestions for future episodes? Send me your feedback, ideas, and thoughts to john@fareasttravels.com

Phnom Penh is changing rapidly with modern development and investment taking over some neighborhoods. In this podcast I wanted to share briefly the Russian Market or Toul Tom Poung area as many visiting foreigners may find it interesting. Although the neighborhood is becoming gentrified there are still lots of signs of traditional Khmer culture and you must go say hi to Mr. Bounnerath at his Best Coffee in Phnom Penh coffee shop inside the Russian Market. Trendy bars, restaurants, the"hipster" area will probably give you a sense of comfort with lots of expats that live in the area hanging out at the local establishments. Who knows, maybe it will inspire you to pack up and move to Phnom Penh. I also forgot to mention that you must visit the National Museum Of Cambodia when during your stay in the capital. This is where they keep alot of artifacts that were found in the Angkor Wat Temples and the buildings themselves are beautiful. As I mentioned in the podcast it's really easy to walk away from Cambodia with a heavy heart after visiting the Khmer Rouge sites of genocide. They are everywhere throughout the country. It's, I believe everyone's duty when visiting Phnom Penh to seeToul Sleng and Choeung Ek, (the "Killing Fields") and pay respect to the people that were murdered during the darkest period of Cambodia. But there are many places to see that can make you appreciate the beauty of the people and Khmer culture. I think you can walk away with a sense that although there are still plenty of memories of the darkest days of Cambodia there is a new revival in development and traditional culture that will leave you a sense of hope for the country.Help Others Discover The Podcast! Write A Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/john-saboes-far-east-travels/id1079513943?mt=2Support the podcast, become a patron:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels

By David Oppetit - 2018 The different sequences were recorded in and around Phnom Penh (Cambodia) during the "presidential" election period; Day & night. From June 2017 to Jully 2018. The result is a particular dynamic, a certain sleepiness in places, a crowd, sirens, helicopters in others. We have here a certain documentary part: last demonstration of the opposition party before is total prohibition and the putting in prison of its leaders, until the counting of the ballot papers. These documents represent for me an important aspect of the evolution and the recent political organization of this country. This election, in the end, was widely and internationally criticized. The resulting editing is sometimes dry, while breaking. The erent dogs are all around. Sirens, dogs, walkie talkies, television are just as many sound objects that allow me to enter a more musical aspect of the composition. No revolution or "Cambodian spring" this time. As a drowsiness and as a kind of incomprehention, a chain of events and rooting that nothing seems to shake.

Recorded by David Oppetit in Phnom Penh Cambodia on July 29, 2018 during the counting of ballot papers in the public square. The word that comes up most often in the recording is the "number 20" corresponding to the number of the CPP on the list, finally left elected more than 80% of the votes. General elections 2018 (Khmer: ការបោះឆ្នោតជ្រើសតាំងតំណាងរាស្ត្រ នីតិកាលទី៦ ឆ្នាំ២០១៨) were held in Cambodia on Sunday, 29 July 2018 to elect members of the sixth National Assembly. Polling precincts opened at 7:00 a.m. and closed at 3:00 p.m. The number of registered voters has decreased for the first time since 1993 and was down 13.39% from the previous general election. Voter turnout was 83.02%. It was a landslide victory for the ruling Cambodian People's Party, who won all 125 seats in the National Assembly. The legitimacy of the 2018 election has been called into question by various commentators and media outlets. There were a record number of invalid ballots, accounting for 8.6% of the total votes cast, more than any votes received by a political party barring the CPP. Various international governments including Australia, Canada, the European Union, and the United States dismissed the election results, and threatened to impose sanctions on Hun Sen's government. China, the Philippines, Laos and Thailand were among the countries to congratulate the CPP on their victory. (Wiki) Photo: / Mak Remissa / EPA /MaxPPP

boxing, tomb raider, pyongyang. 

An estimated 1 million tons of textile waste is dumped into landfills around the world each year. Wasted materials from large brand factories, end of season stock purging, and consumer-discarded clothing are just some of the factors that contribute to this enormous mass of textile waste that occurs each year. Even as an art school student studying textiles and fiber arts at Baltimore’s Maryland Institute College of Art, Rachel Faller knew she would not find her career path in the mass consumptive fashion industry. Instead she founded KeoK’jay, which later became Tonle’, a company based in Phnom Penh Cambodia, which she now oversees as creative director. Faller took the volunteerism and travel experiences of her youth, and the insights gained from research conducted under a Fulbright Grant, and created a fair trade zero-waste fashion label. The company relies on two strategies for zero-waste fashion: creative pattern making that uses 100% of a given material, and producing garments from remnant materials. In addition, Tonle’ provides employment for members of a marginalized Cambodian populace, primarily female. Listen to her thoughts on volunteer tourism, responsible fashion with global reach, and the course of her less-traveled road.

Timothy Chhim, a Napoleon Hill Certified Instructor interview Manika Tuy, Siem Pich and Sophea Sorn about Cambodia Science of Success program at the International Education Intsitute, Phnom Penh Cambodia. The interview is in Khmer (Cambodian.)

Phnom Penh has been the capital of Cambodia since French colonization. It is the country’s largest city with a population of over 2 million. It’s the center of commerce, the arts, cultural heritage and diplomacy. Once called “the pearl of Asia” it was one of the most beautiful French built cities in Southeast Asia. It’s riverside stretches along the Mekong River converging with the Tonle Sap. Phnom Penh has had several terms throughout the centuries as the capital of Cambodia.  Depending on which king was in power the center of control shifted to various cities but became the permanent capital under King Norodom l’s reign from 1866, where the royal palace was built and is still located today. The monarchy operates in the same manner as the United Kingdom,  in Cambodia a king that reigns but does not rule. The current King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni reportedly spends most of his time living in France.During the Vietnam war Cambodia was used as a base by the North Vietnamese and Vietcong. As a result many refugees fled from Vietnam swelling the population of Phnom Penh to somewhere between 2 and 3 million by 1975. When the Khmer Rouge gained control of the country in 1975 and began their genocide of the population they forcibly evacuated the city with only officials of the party and army remaining. When the Vietnamese drove the Khmer Rouge out of Phnom Penh and power in 1979 people slowly returned to the city. Riverside is a wonderful place to visit in the mornings when the streets are busy but the crowds are absent from the boardwalk. In the evening a stroll here before sunset is great way to segue the night into a happy hour visit to a bar overlooking the Mekong like the famous Foreign Correspondent’s Club. Excerpts from Tears And Joy-"Pearl Of Asia"-Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Real talk from the streets of Cambodia, Felecia Cruz is On Location with Sasha, a Serbian ex-pat living in Phnom Penh. Two wanderers converse on the street about life, service and the pursuit of happiness. Check it out it's real. More info: www.fightingforfutures.org www.pushermania.com www.newfamellc.com www.amackdavis.com www.feleciacruz.com Pushermania Podcast Network 2015

Traveled through Kratie, Sihanoukville, Otres Beach, Koh Rong Sanloem, Battambang, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh

Landi Jac joins the Rock Your Life Radio team in 2015 and brings a diverse expertise in talent management to the interview team. In this episode Landi shares what is cool for the new year, what are the trends in business and around the world and who she will be interviewing in the coming months. Interviewed by Mike Handcock next to the Tonle sap river in Phnom Penh Cambodia, Landi brings an exciting new feminine and young vibe to Rock Your Life Radio. She is tech savvy, spiritual, a deep thinker and extremely funny as well. You will enjoy his and upcoming episodes with Landi Jac. Meet Landi on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/landijac www.thehrgirl.net    

Yet again, it has been a while since we have posted a blog, a podcast or any photos, and for good reason. We’ve left Cambodia and have been “occupying” ourselves in Vietnam, but more about that later.To listen to the podcast click here!Feb 26thUnfortunately, the appeal of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, was purely due to the remnants of the Khmer Rouge regime and the reminder of Cambodian genocide a minute forty years before. The emotion of this day definitely outweighs any other on our trip thus far. The anxiety we both felt as we walked towards the Tuol Sleng Genocide museum, which in the height of Khmer Rouge reign was known as Security prison 21 (S-21), was extremely burdening to say the least. S-21, was originally Tuol Svay Prey high school, a fact that is still more then evident at the museum. As we apprehensively visited each room of the three story buildings of the four that formed the complex, we caught glimpses of the horrific brutalities that occurred in each, contributing to a systematic regime of torture, interrogation and inhumane slaughter. The S-21 staff were meticulous with the information collected on each prisoner, this fact will haunt us both as we passed the photos of scared and confused men, women and children whom had succumbed to the mindless hate of their own people. After leaving S-21 in shock as we contemplated what man was truly capable, we still had one destination, the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. After much deliberation on whether we could emotionally handle another gruesome reminder of Khmer Rouge reign, we decided we should see this iconic resting place of nearly 17,000 innocent Cambodians.As horrible as the Killing Fields really were, it was presently very tactfully and was a place of memory and tribute to the potential three million people killed during the three year and eight month Khmer Rouge reign. We were guided around the site by an audiotape stopping at gravesites, which had been adorned with mourners’ wristbands. The voice of the man that guided us on this journey will be a hard one to forget as was his wise words about genocide having occurred before and, hauntingly, the inevitability of it happening again in the future unknown, a chilling thought after witnessing the travesties that are so deeply engrained into the culture of each and every Cambodian. We then had a very solemn tuk tuk ride back to our hotel, lost in reflection trying to digest the emotional day piece by piece.Feb 27th Deciding to stay an extra day in Phnom Penh, determined to finish our time in Cambodia on a high, we decided to walk to Psar Tuol Tom Pong or the “Russian Market” to conduct a bit of retail therapy and acquire me some new thongs as their predecessors were held together by a can ring pull found on the bridge at Angkor Wat. This proved to be quite an enjoyable endeavor as we left with items we had no intention of buying prior to our Russian Market experience. We had a nice dinner where Casey ambitiously ordered frog from the menu, which was actually quite nice, and prepared to leave Cambodia the next day. Our time in Cambodia has been a life experience that will never be forgotten by either of us, yet we were ready to leave and progress into the next leg of our trip, Vietnam.Feb 28th We boarded the bus in Phnom Penh, said our goodbyes to Cambodia, and excitedly watched the evolution of the bus’ external surroundings as we crossed from Cambodia into Vietnam, where our visa had been valid from the previous day. I must note, that whilst on the bus, the choco pie incident was rectified by the parties involved. Intending to stay just under a month in Vietnam before we moved on, we were ecstatic to be starting what appeared in our minds to be a new adventure within itself. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, shocked by the lack of tuk tuks and decided to walk to our hotel positioned in the tourist district. Vietnam is a communist country, the first I believe I have ventured into, my expectations were pleasantly surpassed as we were had entered an obviously prosperous country with a strong history and culture. Our one issue lay with the lack of Facebook access, which, unbeknown to us, was restricted in Vietnam. After quickly rectifying this issue, finding a relatively easy solution, we were able to calmly plan our next step. We enjoyed dinner and inspected the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City, finding the shear number of near-to-empty bars full of Vietnamese women quite peculiar… Mar 1stSorry about the earlier ambiguity about our activities in Vietnam, however to reduce the worry and stress of our family and friends we refrained from earlier sharing the details of our adventure South of Ho Chi Minh City. This is primarily due to the fact that we hired a motorbike each and ventured onto the perilous roads that form Vietnam’s traffic system. We decided to venture south of Ho Chi Minh City to My Thó, a city on the Mekong. Our tenacious initiation to the roads of Ho Chi Minh City were both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. As we got use to riding on the right-hand side of the road and the laws of the Vietnamese roads (a reconstruction is listed below) our confidence began to skyrocket as we both had to reign in the adrenaline junky within. As we arrived in My Thó, we ran into difficulty, as each hotel wanted two passports, yet Casey’s passport was being held as collateral for the motorbikes. After painstakingly finding an Internet café and printing of a copy of Casey’s passport, we were able to find a hotel that would house us for the night. We were also desperate to find accommodation due to our stupidity of wearing singlets and short shorts, we were inevitably burnt on our faces, arms, shoulders, thighs, hands, ears and feet. We enjoyed a cold shower and a nap before feeling like we had to explore the town. It was that night that we determined that it’s not a Vietnamese dish unless it has three types of meat in it, as we enjoyed an omelet/pancake hybrid with chicken, prawns and pork.Mar 2ndFrom My Thó we ventured about 110km south to Can Thó, which the Lonely Planet labels “the epicentre of the Mekong Delta”. Other then the persistence of locals trying to secure our business on “boat trips” the following day, Can Thó didn’t seem to be as vibrant as we hoped and it was definitely a short lived stay. The multitude of tourists here was also another reason that we disliked this town. We enjoyed some of the local Vietnamese beer, Saigon Green, the VB of Vietnam, and called it a night planning to travel to a city on the east coast of Vietnam the following day, hoping we could visit a beach.Mar 3rdThe town that was in proximity to the beach was Bạc Liêu. Now, this town was more like what we had in mind when we wanted a town that was untouched by tourists. We stayed at a establishment that on one side was a hotel and on the other was a karaoke bar “Karaoke 168”. We utilised the Lonely Planet to determine the Vietnamese word for hotel and found this relatively new business in an area that seemed to be densely populated by other karaoke businesses. We walked to a local karaoke bar, after a misunderstanding with the karaoke staff in our hotel thinking we wanted to “order” two girls to sing karaoke with us, and watched people sing memorised songs. Interestingly, everyone stopped to look at us and found our attempts to thank them in Vietnamese an opportunity to playfully mock us. It was obvious that they didn’t have much experience with tourists, especially western tourists. We continued to walk around the town, intrigued by the number of lights that draped the city. We came across a number of men that were sitting in front of a convenience store drinking beers and ushered us over to them. We then enjoyed a very animated conversation with these very generous and friendly people that offered us food and drinks, whilst taking photos of us with each member of the group. It was great to be included and really did feel like we were at the heart of Vietnam and were fortunate enough to have enjoyed this opportunity with some very gracious people. We decided we liked Bạc Liêu and decided to stay an extra night affording ourselves the opportunity to go to the beach the following day and try to recover from our reoccuring sunburn. Mar 4thEnthused by the opportunity to visit the beach, we rose and headed in the direction of the beach. We were sorely disappointed. What we had imagined to be a pristine, untouched beach, turned out to be a polluted wasteland that was used as a fishing port. We returned to our hotel feeling very disillusioned and after a visit to a “Mart” that sold clothes and had a supermarket upstairs, we retreated to the hotel with a box of choco pies in hand. We then enjoyed a day of recuperation and dinner in a night market, where, like most establishments, people argued over who would have the difficulty of serving people that couldn’t speak Vietnamese. This marked the point where we decided we would start making our way back to Ho Chi Minh City.Mar 5th – A month downDetermined to travel to a town on the other side of Vietnam, Rạch Giá, without retracing any of our previous steps we travelled south. We travelled down some of the quaintest roads that were barely big enough for a single vehicle, this didn’t stop trucks from playing Tetris with our lives! They were truly beautiful riverside roads though, that deserve mention. We continued on until we reached the town that we knew would lead us north to Rạch Giá. Due to a lack of signage, or highly ambiguous signage, we had no real idea if we were going in the correct direction. Poorly calmed by the insistence of locals that we were in fact heading to Rạch Giá, we continued onwards. That said, we were very confused when we arrived at a point that required we board a ferry. Having no idea where the ferry was heading and seeing no mention of Rạch Giá, we adventurously decided to board. We competed to get to the ticket booth to buy our ferry pass and then waited in a caged section that was used to limit the number of motorbikes on each ferry. We were released from the cage and progressed onto a ferry to the delight of the other ferry passengers, whom found it very interesting to see Westerners using this mode of transport. After getting off the ferry we continued onwards until we finally saw a sign indicating a town that we knew was right next to Rạch Giá. We continued on and by some miracle, we stumbled into our desired town. We shook hands and marveled at our day’s accomplishment.Not only was this a pretty interesting day worthy of report, but this day also marked our first month milestone. We enjoyed a beer to celebrate the day and to celebrate the month. With some reflection, it is amazing how much we have seen and experienced in such a small space of time. It makes me wonder about what is install for the Earthbound Astronauts in the coming months… However, I digress.Mar 6thWe continued on our pilgrimage back to Ho Chi Minh City, and intended to stay in the town we stayed in on the first night, My Thó. This day was inevitably one of the largest riding days we had, at roughly 240km, which on Vietnamese roads can take a while. We were traveling as planned and hadn’t run into any directional issues as of yet. We’d been riding for a while, and we were both starting to feel it and were ready to call it a day, yet we hadn’t seen any signs for My Thó for some time. We progressed towards signs indicating towards Ho Chi Minh City, knowing that My Thó was just outside the city. Casey, spotting a “sign” suggested we turn right. We continued down a small road that eventually lead to another ferry. Casey then confessed that the sign was an “unofficial sign”. We backtrack to a hotel on the road right next to the main highway. We neglected the plan to make it to My Thó, willingly as we had already visited the town, and call it a night. Yet, not before enjoying chicken with soup containing chunks of liver.Mar 7thFinally the day had come when we got to return to Ho Chi Minh City and return the motorbikes. We had an amazing time with them, yet our bodies were starting to feel the strain of travelling every day. The roads were extremely busy today, it was mayhem! After a few near misses we were definitely ready to get back and return the bikes from whence they came. Casey was spotted by a policeman travelling in the heavy vehicles lane, and ushered to the side of the road. He was asked for his motorbike papers and license, which of course, he could not procure. The officer then told us that he would have to take the bike, which we could collect and pay a fine. He then went on to say that we could also pay the fine now and drive away. It seemed very much like a bribe, which was definitely confirmed when he offered Casey “50% off”. We paid him one million dong ($50), but gained an experience, our first bribe! We continued into the city, where the Laws of Vietnamese roads (Constructed in a list below) truly came into play. Our experience driving in the city can really be summed up by one statement “these people have no desire to live!”.We said goodbye to the motorbikes, celebrating that they didn’t claim our lives and reacquainted ourselves with a bakery that had been at the pinnacle of Vietnamese bakeries so far. And that brings us to know. Our bodies are incredibly sore and are in need of numerous days of recovery, but we have gained an amazing experience that money truly can’t pay for. Unless you’re Casey in the heavy vehicle lane...LAWS OF A VIETNAMESE ROAD*1. Small gives way to big (Most of the time)2. If you want to do something illegal, beep. The more you beep the higher the illegality of your actions eg. Going in the opposite direction to traffic requires constant horn work.3. Stay to the right, unless of course, you don’t want to!4. Wear a helmet, anything on your head will do…5. You need to surpass the speed limit if you want to survive.*Note: Any of these rules are subject to change without notice and may indeed be false.The Vietnamese roads are not for the faint-hearted or those that value their lives.Next we are going north.Keep posted.

We are officially templed-out after exploring the temples of Angkor Wat and Vietnam is lingering in our sights.To listen to the podcast click HERE!15th, 16th& 17th FebWe apologise for the time between posts, but it is purely due to the few days after our last post not warranting any real report. Unfortunately, we had our first run in with suspected food poisoning. We were too fearful to leave the room in Siem Reap and were living off a bare trickle of food, including tiny croissants, cheese biscuits and wagon wheel like biscuits called “choco pies”. This resulted in the Choco pie incident of 2013…… Even so, we were still in pretty high spirits and did enjoy the time relaxing (if you can call it that) even though the guilt of being so close yet so far to the temples was occasionally evident. In a way, we were lucky that we were both impeded by this illness at the same time. Sharing such a small room with a bathroom that seemed to amplify everything, has definitely cemented our friendship pretty solidly, unlike our bowel movements. Needing a reason to test our health, we felt it was necessary to visit “Pub Street” for a few drinks.18th FebAfter feeling up to the challenge, Casey decided to ride west of Siem Reap to visit some small temples that are older then the temples at Angkor, yet due to their size, don’t receive the same level of relevance of the larger, newer temples. Unfortunately for Casey, the tickets to the temples were not sold in this general direction, so the ride towards the temples was partially in vain even though he did get to enjoy an introduction to the Cambodian countryside. I, however, still not feeling up to the task of endeavouring too far from the safety of the room/bathroom, stayed behind. 19th FebWe both seemed to have recovered and decided to venture out towards the north-eastern temples, and following the suggestions of the Lonely Planet guide, would see the older, smaller temples first and leave the awe inspiring Angkor temples for the final day. After jumping on bikes and enthusiastically stopping off at every temple around the circuit and enjoying the individuality of each, the temples slowly started to morph into one, signaling an end to the day. After agreeing to meet a friend that we had made in Battambang on “Pub Street” that night, we again ventured out in to Siem Reap for a well-deserved Angkor beer.20th FebThe day had finally arrived! We were going to visit the Lonely Planet acclaimed eight wonder of the world! Angkor Wat definitely deserved this title. The sheer size of the moat that surrounded the temple of Angkor Wat was mesmerizing, as was the land bridge that was in place allowing tourists to cross the threshold. Obviously weathered through age, it was incredible to think about what these temples had been through on both a cultural and political level, and you couldn’t help wondering what the marvelous structures would say about the folly of man. Unfortunately, restorations were occurring at the entrance to Angkor Wat, which played a very spoiling role in the majority of the photos that were taken. However, we continued to traverse the highly preserved temples admiring the intricacies of even the smallest detail. We, unknowingly, had worn singlets and shorts that did not cover our shoulders or knees. This almost obvious point now, was the reason we were not allowed into the main temple. This prompted us to leave Angkor Wat at this point vowing that we would return to complete this pilgrimage we had charged upon ourselves. With a slight loss of spirit we continued onto the Bayon temple complex, which was a wonder in it’s own right. After watching sunset from this temple, we rode our bikes back to our hotel past the monkey-laden grounds and ruins that speckled the heavy foliage along our route. Looking forward to a dish I had seen in a menu the night before, a Khmer curry, Casey and I decided to spend a little more on dinner ($3.50 each) and try this dish that proved to be the most enjoyable we’d had in Cambodia thus far. Finding out that the bus to Kampong Cham City (Our next destination, designated the “Gateway to the North” by Lonely Planet) left at 7.15am the next morning, we decided to spend an additional night (taking us to the morning of the 22nd) so we could go back to Angkor Wat at sunrise and finish what we’d started.21st FebAfter hearing Casey’s alarm go off at both 5am and 5.30am and observing Casey consider getting up both times and then returning to the fetal position, I was provoked to wake him up knowing I wouldn’t hear the end of his disappointment if we had missed his big opportunity for a photo shoot. We again hired bikes and raced to Angkor Wat, where we both got briefly separated as I took a slightly different turn, however, we both got there and got to enjoy a rather overcast sunrise. Of course we now had our shoulders and knees covered, determined to enter the temple that we had been denied entry the day before. The temple didn’t open until 7.40am so we decided to source ourselves some breakfast. Seeing a man selling bread, we decided to buy two incredibly fresh bread rolls and two coconut buns. Not such an interesting fact, but the comments we got from two locals must have been one of the highlights of our trip thus far. The first man said, “Hello sir, you want water, another bread?” (It was yet to occur to us that this man did not sell bread) and then a woman that shouted, “Hello Mr big bread!” before entering into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. This made our day and definitely gave us something to raise our spirits even though we were both exhausted from the early wake up. We finally had an opportunity to see the temple, which definitely reinforced the beauty of this almost mythical site. One thing had crossed my mind over the last few days was where was the tree that Angelina Jolie was in front of in Tomb Raider. Unbeknown to us both, we had missed one temple! Ta Prohm was the temple that we had been imagining this whole time, a temple that had almost been lost in forest. This temple was beautiful and it was obvious why it was so iconic. Obviously this fact was known by about half of the tourist in Siem Reap, who were there in droves. Otherwise this place was truly magical, it was incredible to see the roots of trees intertwined with the temple structure, which had been so physically altered that each seemed symbiotic of the other. Feeling like we had finally seen every temple in the Siem Reap area, we called it a day and triumphantly returned to the hotel where we recuperated from our early morning and prepared for the journey we would undertake the following day. It would be sad to leave the hotel we had grown so accustom to, yet it was time to leave the room that hadn’t been cleaned since our arrival and was harbouring our filth. We’d also left a lasting impression with the hotel staff……22nd FebAgain, sleeping past the alarm, we were late to leave our hotel and reached the bus with a comment from the bus driver saying, “Come on, the party’s over!” Feeling a little guilty, we said our goodbyes to Siem Reap and prepared for our arrival in Kampong Cham City. After about a 7 hour journey we arrived in a town that was our first destination by the Mekong. It was completely empty and without much attraction, which was reflected by the single paragraph dedicated to the town in the Lonely Planet. We decided to go north the next day, which we were told left at noon.23rd FebWaking up leisurely at 9.30am and leaving the hotel room at 10.20am, we decided to go and book our bus trip and then have a quiet breakfast before we boarded the bus for 8 hours. When we arrived at the bus company we were quite shocked to realize that the bus arrived at 10.30, which was, at the time, two minutes away. Running back to the hotel, paying and then running fully loaded with our packs and other items, which we lacked time to pack, we arrived at the bus stop and waited for a bus that was luckily 10 minutes late. The bus was very nice, enjoying the Cambodian countryside as we headed northeast to Ban Lung. Exiting the bus at a very bizarre bus stop a few kilometres from town, we, with some friends we had made, continued to walk down the main street until we eventually approached the centre where we found accommodation in a nice guesthouse.24th FebFinding out there really wasn’t much to do in Ban Lung either, except to see a large volcanic crater lake called Boeng Yeak Laom. We set out to this lake with the two friends we had made the night before by foot (it was about 6km). It felt quite rewarding when we reached the lake and were able to enter the beautifully clean and refreshing water whilst marveling at the incredible formation of this crater. Casey decided to run back to the hotel from the lake as I returned with our evidently unfit friends, who really struggled with the elevated slopes returning us to the main road that returned us to town. We then organised a 6am bus to Phnom Penh, which is going to be our final destination of Cambodia before we progress into Vietnam. 25th FebThe bus to Phnom Penh must have been the most enduring so far. Not only was the bus not properly air-conditioned, but we both felt that they were employing some form of torture in the form of a Cambodian comical singing duo or Cambodian soap operas that involve someone either getting run over every few minutes or love triangles. We have, however, arrived in Phnom Penh in high spirits. It is completely different to any other Cambodian town we have visited and definitely has a high degree of western influence. We were elated to know that the room we booked actually included an air conditioner, a luxury usually declined due to the high price mark up of the room. And that brings us up to now. We officially feel we have seen enough temples to do us for a while and we are ready to leave Cambodia and experience a slightly different country. In saying that, we still have found the Cambodian people incredibly friendly and have definitely enjoyed our time here. We will spend the next day exploring Phnom Penh and seeing what it has to offer in contrast with the other Cambodian towns.We’ll be in touch soon. Our love goes out to our family and friends, please let us know how new jobs and moves are going via Facebook, you’re all never far from our thoughts.Keep posted.

Cheap things to do while you travel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia including Royal Palace, FCC club, Phnom Wat and cultural documentaries. For more, visit http://indietravelpodcast.com/asia/cambodia/

Live mix from 'The Lounge' in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.. Shouts to DJ Illest and Steve see you guys back there soon!