Cambodia Adventure

Thoughts on Group Leader

They don't come any better - knowledge, responsibility and professionalism.

Most Inspirational Moment

I would have to say that the most inspiring thing about this trip was “Bun” a truly amazing young man.

Thoughts on Group Leader

“Bun” was caring,funny,enthusiastic,helpful,knowledgable,friendly and very passionate about his wonderful country... He is a credit to Exodus

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go and immerse yourself in this wonderful country, yes it’s poor but the people are delightful and the countryside is stunning.... This trip gives you a snippet of so many different parts of Cambodia. We could easily have spent a week in every town.

Most Inspirational Moment

Inspirational is a difficult word to asses for this trip, so let me try some others for you: Horrifying - the sheer inhumanity of what went on in the torture prison and the killing field (I just had to go and find a quiet corner with my own thoughts - our tour leader, Bun, whose parents had been Khmer Rouge child soldiers, came to my rescue as he was the only person to know so intimately what went on here; Humbling - meeting two survivors of the torture camp (I was left dumbstruck); Magnificent - seeing over a million bats suddenly start to stream out of their roost cave and head out to eat enough paddy field pest to save 20,000 tonnes of rice per year (nature at its most beautiful, so shortly after the horrors above); Majestic - the whole temple complex of the Angkor area (some are beautifully carved, some are vast, others are simply serene in their simplicity and tranquility, Ta Prohm not being among the tranquil ones since the Tomb Raider film. Crazy - the traffic in every town and city but this was contrasted by the ability of everyone to get through crowded junctions with in calm chaos. Walking out into the road, in the assured belief that you would not get run over, is a habit that one will have to rapidly get out of back in the UK! Tranquility - so many places were blissfully quiet, even at the fabulous hotel near Sihanoukville, where one had just gone through a vast building site, was so gloriously located on the beach near a fabulous choice of bars and restaurants. This was the first trip over the New Year when I have been able to get to sleep early due to the quiet in our Siem Reap hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bun was a star so let me tell you why: he always gave us fabulously accurate and informative briefings about the following day (when we needed to be anywhere; what we would be doing; what we should be wearing; what we should bring with us) as well as updates throughout the day; he was always able to find suitable restaurants for group dinners and coped well with the assorted dietary requirements of some guests. Finding a restaurant for 17 people at short notice is very difficult in any location at any time of year, let alone over the New Year period. Some evenings, when no group dinner was needed, we would find him joining us for dinner and fabulous conversations always resulted; his charm was endless, even when some guests were less than polite or helpful; we always knew where he was as we could always hear his delightful giggle; when one of the guests developed medical complications from sand fly bites, he was fabulous about ensuring that she got the appropriate medical treatment in the right facility and kept the rest of us informed of her progress; when another was taken ill during a bus trip, he dealt with it so discretely that most people had no idea that there had been any problem; his knowledge of his country is amazing; with his parents having been child-soldiers for the Khmer Rouge we knew that he had a very close connection with that dark phase of his country's recent history - he was amazingly frank about some aspects of his parents' lives and of his own extraordinary upbringing; he is a great testament as to what someone can achieve in their own life through sheer determination and hard work, making us feel very humble at having had the privilege of meeting him (woe betide any snivelling brat who whinges about not having the latest gadget, just because they "want" it!) with my husband having broken five vertebrae and twice having had his pelvis crushed, he is a self-confessed "princess and the pea" when it comes to bed mattresses. Bun phoned ahead to ensure that our last hotel had extra facilities in the room when we arrived, helping to ensure some 3 good nights' sleep.

Advice for Potential Travellers

GO

Suggestions

The mix of locations and experiences gave us such a broad insight into this amazing country within a really short period. Thank you for creating such a fabulous itinerary (we had looked at many but yours came out as the best and, despite a false start, we are pleased that we came with you. The mix-up over our premium economy seats for the return flight was resolved before we left, thank you. As soon as we got on the plane, there was someone in one of our seats and then another person came along claiming that he had just been moved, from economy, into the other seat. That gave us a bit of a surprise but we rapidly clarified to the staff and passengers that we were in our correctly allocated seats and that the first of other two passengers had simply decided to choose his own seat and that the other had been misinformed. It all ended smoothly and we appreciated the window seats so that we could keep an eye out for the aurora borealis. The aurora did not appear but that is the nature of the phenomenon.

Most Inspirational Moment

Angkor Wat, the silk farm , the beach at Naia hotel

Thoughts on Group Leader

A truly excellent guide

Most Inspirational Moment

Probably the People, their welcome, the warmth & hospitality. You can only admire the way they have come through the last couple of generations. Cambodia is a young, vibrant country which seems to be a good place to be right now

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sokkim was an inspiration in himself. I don't think I have ever met someone quite like him. He couldn't have done more for the group as far as organisation went. He was always on hand with a resolution when anyone had an issue, and was always mindful of what was happening within the group, and our surroundings. Great sense of humour, vast knowledge of all the itinerary items and extremely good with his fellow Cambodians. He had time for everyone, and would put himself out for anyone. Fantastic recommendations for evening meals Couldn't have asked for a better leader ! :-)

Advice for Potential Travellers

In 38C and 90% Humidity - Drink, drink, drink and drink some more, whatever it is ! Make sure you have a water bottle, hat, sunglasses and plenty of lightweight clothes. Don't worry about bringing too much, as the local laundries are great. The food is great, so don't hold back ! The default currency is US Dollars, but don't worry too much, as all the ATM's in the big cities have Dollars in them. Don't both with the Foreign Correspondents Club, as Ibiza is right next door. You can't hear yourself think !

Suggestions

Enjoy before mass tourism really gets there ! Outside of Siem Reap, you'll be in the real Cambodia, so soak it and it's people up. You'll love it :-)

Most Inspirational Moment

Already detailed above

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational moments were two trip not part of the itinerary but suggested by the tour leader. The first was an early visit to the fish market, 3 of us went and we were the only non-locals to be seen. Cambodian life was happening around us, we were right in the heart of the morning work. The local people just carried on their business as if we were not present. Second was a trip to the Rolous Temples on the last day. Far less people and visiting these temples just consolidated and rounded off the whole visit to Cambodia

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader - Bun - was 100% dedicated to making sure we all enjoyed and experienced Cambodia. Bun was ever attentive, adapted to requests, was constantly checking everything was just right. He loved his country and his knowledge was endless. But more, he brought his personal experience to the trip in a really positive way for us to understand life in Cambodia now and in the recent past. To top it all he had a really loveable sense of humour and engaged everyone

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not expect the normal adventure holiday, yes there are good hotels and sights but there is also the emotional side of the recent past history which was compelling even though sad to hear. This trip is about a country coming to terms with its past and in early stages of becoming whole again.

Suggestions

I would suggest that Exodus re-look at the amount of travel involved to Koh Kong as the full day coach travel too and a full day travel back did not justify the little there is to see and do at Koh Kong. I also think Exodus need to re-look at some of the stops e.g. silver shop - as here they are selling, by weight, what is said to be silver but is, in fact, silver plate and sold in the local markets of Siem Reap at much reduced prices. Its not made by the local craft people.

Most Inspirational Moment

A visit to the genocide museum showing the shocking brutality of the Khmer rouge regime became the highlight when we met one of the survivors of the prison and spent time talking to him. Un extremely humbling experience that will always be one of the highlights of all my travels where life takes me. The temples of Angkor did not disappoint and the cycling trip around them is a great way to get away from the crowds for a while. Getting up for sunrise is a must to see Angkor watt at it'so best and to get in before it gets too crowded. If you get chance to have an extra day in spam reap it is very easy to hire a tuc tuc to take you back to any temples you want to spend more time at or get to some.of the smaller and quieter templesthat are more atmospheric due to the lack of crowds and the unspoilt nature of these less frequented temples.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great knowledgeable leader who managed to some how always meet the variety of needs of our group. Always had a smile on his face and dealt with problems (illness, lost luggage, lost group members) without any fuss and bother. Willing to share his and his families experiences of the recent genocide in his country. Always new where to find great food and drink.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Stay an extra day in Siam Reap at the end and get a tuc tuc for your own personal trip around the temples. Take part in the bike rides despite the heat, it's a great way to get out into the countryside and meet the locals and at Angkor a great way to get away from the crowds.

Suggestions

Cambodia is much poor than its neighbours but the people are friendlier and give tourists a warm welcome. The hotels, facilities and transport are basic but provide all the essentials. Get to Cambodia before it becomes a mecca for tourists.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the day cycling round the vilages to see rice paper being made, bamboo tubes being filled with sticky rice, tropical fruits being sliced and dried in the sun, fish being processed (very smelly but interesting). All the local people worked long days for little money, but were very smiley and welcoming. At one stop we had a lovely snack of tropical fruit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was excellent, and able to give us plenty of information. He took care of us very well. We had a few 'incidents' such as a flat tyre and one member of the party being unwell, but he coped very efficiently with everything. He guided us to good restaurants and was always on the watch, making sure we were all there and happy. His own family had been badly affected by the civil war, so he was able to talk knowledgeably about Cambodian history - particularly when we visited the 'Killing Fields' and a Khmer Rouge prison. His English was fluent, though he had quite an accent. However, this was no problem as we all quickly tuned into it. Like so many Cambodians he was small, smiley and unflappable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the advice you are given to guard your belongings carefully. For example, wear a money belt or use a concealed pocket. Wear bags across your shoulder and hold them. (We had a couple of 'incidents'). We were not too plagued by mosquitoes, but I would advise using DEET whenever outside. Carry some toilet paper to use in the squat toilets. These are usually clean enough and often have running water, but often lack paper.

Suggestions

I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday and the variety of experiences we had. As I've mentioned, I loved the first cycling day, but the second one was round the lesser temples and we were cycling on busy roads with vans, motorbikes and tuk-tuks everywhere. I found it scary and fumey. I did have the option to ride in the bus, so I'm not complaining, but I wonder if Exodus should re-think this day. THANK YOU EXODUS FOR A GREAT HOLIDAY IN LOVELY SUNSHINE - We came home to snow!

Most Inspirational Moment

Perhaps it was the resilience of the Cambodian people after such a traumatic recent history - a lesson to us all.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chana was excellent , not just because of her command of the English language, but also because of her general enthusiasm, her sense of humour and her knowledge of her country's culture and history. She organised everything to perfection - nothing was too much trouble for her.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some distressing moments at the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.

Suggestions

Cambodia deserves a helping hand from tourism so I would encourage folk to go there!