Falling in love with Cambodia

The moment we touched down in Cambodia I had a great feeling about the country. We'd been travelling for over twelve hours and were incredibly tired but one look at the tuk tuks waiting for us at arrivals was enough to cheer us both up. Our driver told us the journey to our hostel would cost seven dollars so we assumed it was just around the corner but forty minutes later we were still darting around the roads of Phnom Penh. We couldn't believe how cheap it was! 

Even more surprising though, was the fact we made it there at all. The roads in Cambodia are the epitome of chaos! Streams of traffic weave their way in and out of one another wherever they spot a gap whether that be on the wrong side of the road or even the pavement - anything goes! I can't help but wonder what they're taught in driving lessons; stop, start and hope for the best? It really is every tuk tuk, moped, car or lorry for himself.

Despite the near-crushed-to-death experiences at every crossroads we enjoyed the journey to our hostel. Riding by tuk tuk is the best way to see the city and to take it all in. Cambodia is the first country we've been to that feels as though it's not been built around tourism and it's refreshing to see how the people here really live, without even a hint of westernisation. 

As Cambodia isn't a holiday destination, there are very few tourists around. You may assume that this makes us stand out more but in fact we've found the opposite. Because tourism has had so little impact here, the locals don't associate us with making money and so we're left to slot into the hustle and bustle of the city largely unnoticed (blonde hair and all!) 

The majority of people are very poor (the average wage for a Cambodian is just two dollars a day!) but everyone we've met has been so kind and generous. We're carrying more around on our backs than they'll possibly ever own in a lifetime and yet they're not out to get you at all. They seem to be very happy and even happier to help wherever they can.

The icing on the cake for Cambodia is the food which again, is so, so cheap! You can either spend two dollars on a decent meal or pay fifty cents more and eat like a king. Regardless of whether you're at an up-market restaurant or on the floor of a street market, there's always a fantastic range of cuisines and it's all beautifully presented. I could stay here for a month and still not have tried everything I want to. 

We've so far only visited the capital, Phnom Penh, but we've been told that the rest of the country is equally as wonderful (although very different in parts.) We really can't wait to see more!