So Right it’s Koh Rong

A 5 hour bus ride from Phnom Penh lies Sihanoukville.  Hot on the backpacker trail, this place is a future Patong beach; its islands – one of which I stayed at – are a future Koh Samui and Phangnan. It was not as pretty as I expected, I didn’t even take a photo there.  The … Continue reading »

War

I’ve never known much about war.  I’ve learnt a lot about some of the wars in the world in the last 3 months.  The Vietnam War, the Cambodian Civil War, and the “Secret” War in Laos. I don’t understand it.  I don’t understand how people can be so murderous cold blooded killers.  How can one … Continue reading »

Cambodian Survivor Passes

Reblogged from KOOKYNIE COURIER: The story of Cambodia’s genocidal Khmer Rouge regime is conceivably the most shocking of the post-WWII era, given the scale of organised horror. Cruel zealots lead by Pol Pot attempted to re-model society. Phnom Penh residents were forced into the countryside to become labourers in a new communistic, agrarian revolution; educated … Continue reading »

Book Review: Vann Nath – A Cambodian Prison Portrait: One Year in the Khmer Rouge’s S21.

In memory of Vann Nath 1946-2011 http://vannnath.com/ (photo http://vannnath.com/bio/) A Cambodian Prison Portrait is a short, compelling book which is found in most second hand bookshops on the South East Asian backpacker trail. Vann recalls the day his family were taken from him, his arrest and his time spent in Tuol Sleng prison.  He was … Continue reading »

Southern Vietnam Part 3: Ho Chi Minh City

Part 3. HCMC Ho Chi Minh City was the next stop on our trip. We visited the Botanical Gardens and Zoo, War Remnants Museum, a water theme park, and Cu Chi Tunnels.  The Botanical Gardens and Zoo aren’t really worth the mention, except for the fact that the animals seem depressed and lonely.  I don’t … Continue reading »

Travel Lesson 7 – barefoot climbing

Never go barefoot when rock climbing. Rock climbing shoes exist for a reason.  That is to make sure you do not cut your precious feet on razor sharp rocks. I didn’t want to pay for the full day excursion of deep water soloing firstly because I wasn’t comfortable with my climbing ability (I had only … Continue reading »

Travel Lesson 6 – overnight cash withdrawals

Always carry valuables including cash on you during all overnight transport.  Even if you think it is safe in a hidden compartment in your combination locked back. From Krabi to Chiang Mai, 2 bus rides later: My bag still locked, my secret compartment still zipped up, my cash wallet lay inside, unzipped and coins scattered … Continue reading »

Travel Lesson 5 – Thailand’s fuel economy

Never buy gasoline from bottles on the side of the road, you may as well import crude oil from Iran for the same price. I’m going to make this one nice and short. When hiring a scooter in Thailand, never buy fuel off the people you are hiring it from, or the unregistered fuel stops … Continue reading »