Monday, May 01, 2006
After having spent just over 30 hours in Cambodia, I still do not have anything negative to say about the country. The people are dirt poor, but still they are constantly smiling and being polite. In addition, the food is excellent, and we have not had any upset stomachs so far (though we are staying clear of ice cream and salads).
However, the wealth gap is enormous. Outside the five star hotel we are staying in Siem Riap, there are children and adults sleeping on the street. There are numerous beggars with all kinds of different malformations, and these obviously overwhelm the relatively rich Western tourists visiting the area.
After arriving yesterday afternoon, we hurried off to Angkor Wat to view a splendid sunset. What surprised me when I started reading about the area was that there is not just one temple, but instead numerous temples and other buildings spread out over an enormous area. However, visiting the different sites is easy, and a driver with an air-conditioned car can be hired for $25 a day. Hiring a tuk-tuk is obviously much cheaper, though I have not checked the price. Since the standard of living is quite low, we tip everyone quite liberally, but still prices are very low if you take care to eat outside the five stars hotels.
Our driver has told us a few interesting things, first of all that a license is not required to drive a motor bike in Cambodia. We often see three people riding on one motor bike (sometimes four if you include babies), and of course no one is wearing helmets. An interesting concept if you ask me.
It was 37 degrees Celsius when we arrived yesterday afternoon around 3 PM, and it is even warmer at noon when it gets unbearably hot. For that reason, most tourists take a break from around 11 AM until around 2 or 3 PM. I would almost prefer the cold in Norway to the incredible heat here in Cambodia, but I guess Japan provides a good compromise with relatively tolerable weather throughout the year.
I guess I have not managed to insult anyone in this column, and I am sorry if anyone is disappointed. Usually I get tired of the countries that I visit after a few days, thus you will soon find out what I dislike about Cambodia. The problem is that I have yet to find out myself.
However, the wealth gap is enormous. Outside the five star hotel we are staying in Siem Riap, there are children and adults sleeping on the street. There are numerous beggars with all kinds of different malformations, and these obviously overwhelm the relatively rich Western tourists visiting the area.
After arriving yesterday afternoon, we hurried off to Angkor Wat to view a splendid sunset. What surprised me when I started reading about the area was that there is not just one temple, but instead numerous temples and other buildings spread out over an enormous area. However, visiting the different sites is easy, and a driver with an air-conditioned car can be hired for $25 a day. Hiring a tuk-tuk is obviously much cheaper, though I have not checked the price. Since the standard of living is quite low, we tip everyone quite liberally, but still prices are very low if you take care to eat outside the five stars hotels.
Our driver has told us a few interesting things, first of all that a license is not required to drive a motor bike in Cambodia. We often see three people riding on one motor bike (sometimes four if you include babies), and of course no one is wearing helmets. An interesting concept if you ask me.
It was 37 degrees Celsius when we arrived yesterday afternoon around 3 PM, and it is even warmer at noon when it gets unbearably hot. For that reason, most tourists take a break from around 11 AM until around 2 or 3 PM. I would almost prefer the cold in Norway to the incredible heat here in Cambodia, but I guess Japan provides a good compromise with relatively tolerable weather throughout the year.
I guess I have not managed to insult anyone in this column, and I am sorry if anyone is disappointed. Usually I get tired of the countries that I visit after a few days, thus you will soon find out what I dislike about Cambodia. The problem is that I have yet to find out myself.
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