Tag - My Travels

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Cambodia – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
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My Trip To Thailand

Cambodia – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I’ve been out in Cambodia briefly. A strange time to travel what with the global epidemic, but I needed a break from the relentless rain. As for the trip, it was good, bad and ugly. In hindsight I probably wouldn’t have chosen to spend much of my time in Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast. The city is in the process of being turned into a Chinese gambling destination. Or at least it was – the coronavirus has resulted in many would-be Chinese tourists staying at home. And due to an online casino gambling ban, the majority of the 100+ casinos are closed for now.

Unbeknown to me, the city had just been dug up in order to build new roads and water pipes, resulting in the place resembling a post-Apocalyptic nightmare. All western tourist amenities (bars etc.) have been bulldozered.

It is a dirty, dusty and unforgiving environment. No fun for the city’s residents, especially those with respiratory complaints. If and when the Chinese reappear in numbers, their navy and air force are expected to join them.

Factory-bound workers.

Fortunately, the resort I was staying at was on the edge of town. It was by and large fairly pleasant.

There are islands off Sihanoukville. I made a couple of day trips to one of them – Koh Rong Samloem. This idyllic paradise felt a world away from the urban nightmare.

I also spent a few day in the capital, Phnom Penh. My activities included a cruise on the Mekong. It wasn’t the most scenic of cruises.

The Royal Palace proved to be a more ascetically pleasing outing.

Pigeons beside the Mekong in downtown Phnom Penh.

Once you get away from the main thoroughfares, much of the city is a rubbish-strewn dump.

Octopus and a beer.

Tawdry, ill-advised advertising.

A delicious crab soup.

These oriental-style ribs were exceptionally good.

A ‘Boutique Hotel’ (see middle)

Phnom Penh’s Golden Temple.

I hope you enjoyed my whistle-stop tour of Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. See you next week.

My Trip To Thailand

I have decided to devote a couple more posts to my recent trip to Thailand. While this is not a travel blog, these posts are a welcome hiatus from my customary writing/book related theme.

The majestic structure above is the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya.

It has been hand-carved in its entirety out of wood. The ongoing project started 30 years ago. Perhaps the man below is an Atlas-esque figure, destined to bear this weight for eternity.

I arrived at the Sanctuary of Truth jetlagged, hungover and stressed, but left with a feeling of serenity. There is something tranquil and beautiful at the heart of Thai culture, which is far removed from the seething traffic, materialism and ageing, corpulent sex tourists bedecked in fluorescent palm tree emblazoned beach attire.

Pattaya’s Big Buddha.

The below presumably found enlightenment via Burger King.

Everyone is here in Pattaya to party. Age is no barrier.

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The Eiffel Tour at Pattaya’s Terminal 21 shopping centre.

A view of the sea from Koh Lan (Coral Island)

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