#backpacking

In Spean Kaek Village, nestled beside the outter Angkor temples lives a lovely school, Samart School.

Samart School, Siem Reap, Cambodia In Spean Kaek Village, nestled beside the outter Angkor temples lives a lovely school, Samart School.

The Tonlé sap is a lake and river system of major importance to Cambodia and is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.  This ecological hot spot has been designated a UNESCO biosphere, and serves as the lifeblood of Cambodia.

Our journey commenced at the crack of dawn. Fishermen and their families were laying out their lines. I bet the sight of ten Westerners, plopped like bumps on a log, upon the deck of a half-submerged submarine-like boat was equally amusing. We were greeted by friendly waves as we passed the humble communities.

The Tonle Sap, Camobdia The Tonlé sap is a lake and river system of major importance to Cambodia and is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.  

The sights and sounds of Cambodia’s bustling capital, Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia The sights and sounds of Cambodia’s bustling capital, Phnom Penh.

The Killing Fields are a number of sites in Cambodia where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime (1975 to 1979.)

Analysis of 20,000 mass grave sites by the DC-Cam Mapping Program and Yale University indicate at least 1,386,734 victims of execution. Estimates of the total number of deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including disease and starvation, range from 1.7 to 2.5 million out of a 1975 population of roughly 8 million.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center, Phnom Penh Cambodia The Killing Fields are a number of sites in Cambodia where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime (1975 to 1979.)

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge. From 1975 to 1979, an estimated 17,000 – 20,000 people were imprisoned at Tuol Sleng.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is a museum in Phnom Penh. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge.

Exploring the dark Khemer history of Bokor Mountain. Sights include: the Bokor Hill Station and the church which both lie abandoned and laden with bullet holes, an old temple and an unfortunately renovated casino.

Bokor Mountain, Kampot, Cambodia Exploring the dark Khemer history of Bokor Mountain. Sights include: the Bokor Hill Station and the church which both lie abandoned and laden with bullet holes, an old temple and an unfortunately renovated casino.

Kampot days are spent floating riverside and scooting through the hills. Arcadia is a haven tucked away upstream. Being in Kampot is like listening to this song.

Kampot, Cambodia Kampot days are spent floating riverside and scooting through the hills. Arcadia is a haven tucked away upstream.

Down a long dusty road; you’ll find the seaside town of Kep.
The aroma of salty ocean mist, Kampot pepper, and BBQ shellfish mingle.

Kep, Cambodia Down a long dusty road; you’ll find the seaside town of Kep. The aroma of salty ocean mist, Kampot pepper, and BBQ shellfish mingle.

The real kind of paradise.

Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia The real kind of paradise.

The pleasant side of Serendipity Beach at sunset.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia The pleasant side of Serendipity Beach at sunset.

The colourful and welcoming sands of Koh Rong!

Koh Rong, Cambodia The colourful and welcoming sands of Koh Rong!

The robust air, rich in history, spilled out of the lichen laden stone cracks.
Wandering with a sense of calmness.
Truly a majestic place!

Exploring the Angkor Wat Complex The robust air, rich in history, spilled out of the lichen laden stone cracks. Wandering with a sense of calmness.

Miss Alaysia and I spent a total of ten weeks in and out of Siem Reap. Our weekly visits always included Little Italy pizza and the infamous Pub Street!

Dinner and Dancing, Siem Reap, Cambodia Miss Alaysia and I spent a total of ten weeks in and out of Siem Reap. Our weekly visits always included Little Italy pizza and the infamous Pub Street!

Joy, playfulness, and getting in touch with our inner child with simplicity.

Playing marbles in Siem Reap, Cambodia. See all at Joy, playfulness, and getting in touch with our inner child with simplicity.

Women busy working at the ‘old market’ in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Women working at the meat market. Siem Reap, Cambodia. Women busy working at the ‘old market’ in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Women working and shopping at the ‘old market’ accompanied by their little ones… Truly the backbone of Cambodia.

South East Asia Globe, 2013 ‘Cambodia: Women in Business‘
“…it is estimated that of the 1.67 million workers included in the 2011 economic census, more than one million are females.” 

Women working at the Market. Siem Reap, Cambodia Women working and shopping at the ‘old market’ accompanied by their little ones… Truly the backbone of Cambodia.