On a red-eye flight I arrived back in Japan yesterday. Cambodia was truly an amazing place and lived up to what others have told me. I went to the temple sites around Siem Ream, the capital of Phnom Penh, the towns/cities on the southern coast of Kep, Kampot, and Sihanoukville, and crossed into Vietnam to Saigon. A few highlights include:

The People Seriously, I think maybe in the 17 or so countries I have been to only Nepal even comes close to the Khmer people’s kindness, relaxation, and friendliness. Moto drivers often say nothing, just raise a hand, to offer their services. Its really amazing when you consider the terrible genocide that took place in the 70′s there.

The Cost I have seen Cambodia show up on a couple of lists as a hot destination for 2008 and its true. The dollar is still very strong there and is in fact the most favored currency to pay in. Hotels cost upwards of $3 and some places offered free basic accommodation in the country’s beach Mecca of Sihanoukville. Meals can be had for upwards of $1. The Angkor temples do cost $20/day, $40/3 day, and $60/week but it is money well spent (though its too bad most of it disappears into the black hole of government).

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, & Ta Prohm Among the massive sites that are generally all refereed to as Angkor Wat, a multitude of temples reside representing different times and styles. I saw sunrise on Christmas Day at the world’s largest religious structure, Angkor Wat; starred back at the amazing stone heads of Angkor Thom, often called Bayon; and marveled at nature run wild at Ta Prohm, my favorite site.

The Killing Fields and S21 Highlight in the sense of noteworthy and eye-opening, the terrible reminders of Pol Pot’s genocide campaign are very sobering. S21 is the school-come-prison where 17,000 people were held, tortured, and killed. The Killing Fields are a collection of mass graves where around 2 million people were slaughtered and buried shallowly. The Khmer Rouge took extensive documentation of their crimes which can be seen on display.

New Years at Sihanoukville Hundreds of people lining the beach all shooting Roman Candle fireworks in the air. Not too many big ones but they definitely made up for it in numbers. Cheap drinks, warm sea, and good times.

Lots of Boats I took boats from Siem Reap (SR) to Phnom Penh (PP) and them from PP to the Vietnam border. Riding on top gets you soaked. One of those things that is better to look back on than actually do it, though sitting inside is pleasant.

We met up in Dalat, stranded at the same hotel. We explored Dalat and Nha Trang with a great group of people. Sadly, I was on a bit of a time schedule and had to book it to Halong Bay (which was stunning) but I wish I had more time with Team Trang. See if you can spot my cameo in his vid. Also be sure to check out my Vietnam Pics if you haven’t yet!

During my two-week solo backpack through Vietnam, one of the more interesting sights were the Cu Chi tunnels north of Saigon. The area was a “springboard for attacking Saigon” during the Vietnam War (which is called the American War in Vietnam).

The tour started with a classic propaganda movie, describing the Vietnamese fighting like “crazy devils” against the “American bastards.” I wish I had a copy.

Anti-American fighters would live, eat, and fight in these very small and cramped tunnels. Fighters would pop up from nowhere, cap a few shoots off, and disappear underground. Crafty. You could actually enter the tunnels for some distance, which I understand have been enlarged to accommodate Western body sizes.

At the end of the tour a shooting range awaited. Choose a gun, buy some bullets (a hefty $1.20 per bullet, 5 bullet minimum), and go to town. Prizes were awarded to exceptional shots. 5/5 on the target got you a “#1 American Killer” patch.

I figure I had to try since it might be my only chance to shoot an AK-47 (unless I move to Oakland, CA). Check my Vietnam set for more pics.

[note: video will be added soon!]