Megan Wilson

SIEM REAP: ANGKOR THOM

Angkor Thom:

PHNOM PENH to SIEM REAP

After a week in Phnom Penh we took a bus to Siem Reap to spend a week there, visiting the temples of Angkor. The trip there was five hours of Cambodian music videos and karaoke — fun!

PHNOM PENH: MEALS

Green Pepper restaurant — Khmer food is similar to Thai food, but less spicy — we were in heaven!

Spicy chocolate fondue at Chinese House

Watermelon and dragon fruit with spicy chocolate fondue

Fusion Cafe — we ordered a couple of dishes and the food just kept coming

PHNOM CHISO

We took a side trip to Phnom Chiso, a temple outside of Phnom Penh — really beautiful:

PHNOM PENH: PRIDE

Unfortunately my camera died after these 2 pics:

PHONOM PENH: ROYAL PALACE

The Royal Palace:

PHNOM PENH: S21 & KILLING FIELDS

It was surreal to visit S21 and the Killing Fields — as it is visiting any site of torture as a tourist — and one that’s a major source of income for the city now. We kept thinking of all the new market opportunities that will be emerging at some point … Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Ciudad Juarez … or maybe even the Global Atrocity Tour … all very strange to think about …

CAMBODIA: PHNOM PENH

Eliza and I arrived in Phnom Penh in mid-May and like Thailand, neither of us had ever been to Cambodia or knew that much about the country. Our knowledge was limited to: 1) the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge; 2) Cambodia too is one of the primary destinations for sexual exploitation and trafficking of women and children; and 3) Angkor Wat is one of the most magnificent sites in the world. Though we only spent two weeks in the country, it became clear that these images of Cambodia were in fact at the core of its identity. The energy in Phnom Penh was heavy and laden with apathy; billboards throughout the city warned of the penalties for abusing children and its greatest points of interest for tourism were S21 and The Killing Fields.

In addition to immersing ourselves in the history of the Khmer Rouge and the work of Somaly Mam, we also attended a Pride event, an art opening and performance at the Chinese House, and Eliza took a Khmer cooking class.

Streets of Phnom Penh:

KO SAMUI

We spent 5 days on the island of Ko Samui. It was nice to get some down time on the beach — swimming in the ocean, reading, and getting massages — heaven!

BANGKOK X-TRA

BANGKOK: TRAIN STATION

After our nine days in Bangkok we headed to Koh Sumui.

BANGKOK: VIEW FROM ROOFTOP AT NAVALAI RIVER RESORT

Views from the rooftop of our hotel:

BANGKOK: BOAT RIDE ON THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER

We spent an afternoon taking a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River.

ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK

Yes, this is THE One Night in Bangkok. Eliza lost some bet we had last spring, which neither of us can remember what it was now. Surprising only because the wager was that the loser would have to plan a night in Bangkok for the winner.

So this was my night in Bangkok:

My directives: 1) Dress nice; and 2) Bring your passport.

And this is where we arrived: the Bed Supperclub. I couldn’t have been more surprised or happier by the choice. As always, perfect planning by Ebx.

Exterior of pod

Exterior of pod

Interior

The guy at the table with the red checkered table cloth is part of the nightly performance

First course

Performance

Main course

Performance

Performance

Dessert

Dessert

BANGKOK WEDDING SHOPS

Just off Khao San Road there’s a street lined with wedding shop after wedding shop. Most had binders on stands in front with pictures of different varieties of “happy couples” in western and traditional Thai attire.