Cambodia

Cambodia

Cambodia feels like a country of contrasts, from majestic ancient temples to the primitive beach huts that make the basics feel like more than enough, to the cites and villages, haunted by the Khmer Rouge genocide that killed half of the country in the 1970s. As an American, I think everyone kind of dreams of Hawaii, but if you love nature, Cambodia offers so much more, for so much less money. Cambodia is an exciting place to visit, you have the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, riverside city Phnom Penh, and the paradise beaches of Koh Rong, what else could you need?

KOH RONG

Koh Rong feels a bit like a tropical paradise island where the essentials are all you really need, and all it really has too. The water and electricity frequently don't work, but it doesn't matter when you can swim in the bathtub ocean water. Days slipped by in turquoise waters and slow sunsets, the kind that make you forget everything but the sound of the sea. This island paradise is a surreal experience after learning about the bloody history of the country. It feels so peaceful, but the bombshells still wash up on the beach to this day.

PHNOM PENH

From there, I traveled south to Phnom Penh, a city alive with motion and memory. Tuk-tuks weave through colonial boulevards, street vendors call out over sizzling woks, and the Mekong glimmers in the afternoon light. Yet amid the bustle, the country’s recent past lingers, the haunting stillness of prisons and the Killing Fields reminding visitors of the Khmer Rouge’s shadow. What moved me most was not the sorrow, but the resilience, the grace of a people who have rebuilt with strength and quiet optimism.

SIEM REAP

My journey began in Siem Reap, where the mist lifted over Angkor Wat at dawn, which was actually a disappointment, after seeing the photos. The main structure was under construction and tourists were everywhere. My photos at dawn were the reality side of Instagram. I took a tuk tuk there by myself later that day and had the opposite experience, it was just me and a few other people looking at the temples, seemingly untouched by time. Most of the photos in this blog are from those few hours. Walking among those weathered stones, I felt the weight of a violent history mixing with the kind locals today, in the beauty of a place where time seems to stand still.