Seoul was our first stop in Asia, and it was nice to be surprised by cultural customs again. When traveling, we often find that the fun stuff isn’t necessarily what’s high on the guide books’ lists. So, here’s what we personally enjoyed most in Seoul, in no particular order: B’s List The free Korean culture show/sword demonstration…
Cambodians raise their children in a way that Westerners might call ‘European,’ but I think it’s a parenting style all their own. It’s based on shared responsibility and high expectations. Hilary Clinton may have famously written that, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ but Cambodians actually act that way. Anyone and everyone is liable…
And by buddy system, I mean extortion, bribery, and preferential treatment. This is a common way of doing things in Cambodia – though this is also the case in many other countries. (Russians even have a specific word for getting something by knowing someone: по блату. Google Translate translates it as ‘to pull,’ and Wikipedia under-estimates it…
Cambodian cuisine revolves heavily around rice, as in multiple countries in this part of the world. Someone explained to us that the rice is considered the ‘main,’ and then small quantities of vegetables and meats in sauces are added, just to help you eat the rice. Rice noodles are also quite prevalent. Lok lak (pictured):…
We managed to spend a month in Kampot! We really enjoyed this small Cambodian town, though it had little to do with the below activities and more to do with the relaxing atmosphere, delicious food, nice people, and overall vibe. That said, here are some things you can do in this town: Sunset firefly cruise: There’s…
I have not been taking many photos of the town we’re in because I’m seeing it from the seat of a bicycle or a moped, and I’m just not that coordinated. In the absence of eloquent images, here are some less-than-eloquent words. The town of Kampot has been described as sleepy, quiet, and relaxed. Those…
We were in Kep just for the day. We found the entire town to be pretty abandoned, except at the Beach area. Statues (Dolphins, Shiva, Vishnu, Crab, White Horse, White Lady): This town has more statues at roundabouts than any other we’ve been to. It’s actually a weird mix: the White Lady is wearing too…
A few of you were horrified by the state of sanitation in Cambodia. Though I’m too habituated to share your disgust, I can see how it might put you off the country. But you’d be missing some good things, like how Cambodians help each other. I have no idea what kind of taxes they have,…
The going rate for a one-hour massage in Cambodia is $5. Compared to Europe and North America’s $60-$120 averages, this seems amazing. And it is – to a point. What you can expect for your fiver: A masseuse with no certification and varying levels of training in massage, pressure points, etc. A massage table, usually…
The Idea I do a lot of trip planning, so I don’t remember what I looked up in late December to get to this blog post, about a yoga and meditation retreat. Reading about it, I thought the place sounded unusual: I found the authors’ recollections amusing and the whole idea hokey – so I mentioned it to B, hoping for…