Postcards from Cambodia

When a glass of beer costs just US$1, it is criminal not to drink lots and lots of it. So it seemed we turned criminals for those few nights that we were in Cambodia, where cheap beer and liquor is available at just about every place that sells it.

But we must be forgiven. It wasn't in our plans to get ourselves drunk. We drank at different pubs, the purpose being more to chill than to get inebriated. After a tiring day walking the grounds of ancient ruins, enjoying some cold beer at a bar is quite a heavenly, pleasant experience.



Mention Cambodia, and it comes to mind...

Third-World? Angkor Wat? Unsafe?

Well, these seem to be most commonly associated with the country that is as famous for its breathtakingly beautiful temples as it is for the infamous Pol Pot regime.

'Welcome back to civilisation,' my colleague beamed an earnest smile as she greeted me when I was back in office.

Unlike its neighbour Thailand whose capital Bangkok has almost become a second Johore Bahru to many Singaporeans, Cambodia is relatively less popular as a holiday destination. Certainly it's not even on the travel radar for many a female Singaporean. (Another colleague, a lady, wants to visit Angkor Wat but could find no female company.)

It's not surprising, given that Cambodia seems to have emerged from the shadows of its recent history much later than other Southeast Asian states. The image of a third-world nation suffering poverty and severe underdevelopment seems to have stuck, not helped by the fact that little else is known about it. Moreover, here is one country visited by Singaporean students who go over to engage in community projects, thereby further reinforcing its status as a backward, impoverished place.

But today, while it may not be as prosperous as other Southeast Asian nations, it is neither war-torn nor sinisterly dangerous.


And Angkor Wat - reason that has charmed and continues to attract most, if not all, of Cambodia's tourists. Not many people, I suspect, know that Angkor Wat is but one of the many temples of Angkor, the capital of the ancient Khmer empire. It does not encapsulate all the temples, nor is it all there is to Cambodia, even though visually (especially from a panoramic view) and architectually it is majestic, speaks of unbelieveable human achievement and has therefore somewhat become synonymous with Cambodia. In fact, as we discovered for ourselves, Angkor Wat may not be the favourite and most memorable temple after one visits the rest.

So, what is Cambodia like?

I find it hard put to give a singular impression about Cambodia when asked to describe it. There's Siem Reap, gateway to mesmerising angkor ruins, and then there's Phnom Penh, its political, economic and business center. The two places and its peoples give my very different vibes. And for that I can't quite describe my impressions of Cambodia in one broad sweep.

There's so much that I want to write about - anecdotes, people we met, places visited - but I don't have the luxury of leisurely time. It's past midnight now and I can only find time now to finally post something, if only because for tonight I happen to still find myself with some semblance of mental strength. And memories fade faster than one realises, that's my fear.

For now, I would have to do with just pictures. There are far too many pictures taken, and I am not even bothering to upload them onto online photo albums. More to come, hopefully.

Oh, by the way, many have said it, but I will still say it: Cambodian kids are beautiful. Is it a wonder why Angelina Jolie adopted one? ;)