#TBT [ThrowBackThursday] week 50 of 2015. This week, something I remember from my visit to Cambodia, 1 of the 52 countries I visited prior to 2015.
Cambodia is a beautiful country in South East Asia. I have visited it once for 9 days in and around Siem Reap. As it comes to hotels I always opt to stay at nice luxury places which was not different in Siem Reap. My 8 nights I spend at the Park Hyatt which is just a block away from Pub Street in Siem Reap. A beautiful hotel, but when I left I did feel a bit guilty of staying there to be honest. Why? As extreme poverty is just around the corner!
CAMBODIA – A 9 day Siem Reap itinerary including Angkor Wat
Have you seen extreme poverty?
I hired a car with driver to drive me around town and to visit the temples and other places outside of Siem Reap. The first day he told me “look there pedofiles” and he pointed towards some field next to the road. I was like “w..t..f..” but he just meant to say “paddy fields” which kind of sounded the same. It was just a dried up field where they already harvested the rice. He then asked if I wanted to see the local garbage dump where people lived. I told him yes why not. Completely different as Garbage City in Cairo though. We arrived there and the first thing I saw was this little guy below.
I was free to walk around the belt and talk to the people living in extreme poverty at this garbage belt near Siem Reap. The same morning I just had a dip in the luxury pool at my hotel with a nice cocktail. A huge contrast with the people here who were searching the garbage since dawn. Words I do not have, a solution I also do not have, but I hope in due time nobody has to live like this anymore. I have only photos and memories left. Judge for yourself and do visit such a place as even photos do not tell the full story. Experience it, feel it and then you know the real world!
Curious what I did more in Cambodia? Read all my stories about Cambodia and make sure to check out my 9 day Siem Reap itinerary to learn all about Siem Reap’s attractions and its surroundings.
Stay tuned for more stories and subscribe to the newsletter or follow CTB on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram including Instagram stories; on all social media you can find CTB @christravelblog) to get updated information.
Did you visit Cambodia too or do you have questions? Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Love to hear from you!
