Cambodia is a country that is still recovering from the days (1975-79) of the Khmer Rouge, where upwards of 25 percent of the country was annihilated through the systematic takeover and systematic murder of its people by an internal faction. Nowadays, the State has much to offer the world, but a tyrannical dictator (Huen Sen), who was once a Commander in the Khmer Rouge, seized power in 1993, and through corruption, intimidation and murder, has set himself up as leader for life. Once that task was completed, he looted Cambodia of much of its wealth and resources, leaving the people all the more poorer. That being said the Country still has allot to give and there are reasons to visit, for now anyway.
The Good
Cambodia is flush with scenery, beaches, history and wonderful smiling people. The riding in Cambodia is straight and sometimes taxing, but the views to either side can be just gorgeous. The one thought that does pop into your mind is the scenery is similar to many of the Vietnam movies that are out there. Cambodia is of course home to Angkor Wat, a city of a thousand temples. The Country is also blessed with some beautiful white sand beaches and decent reefs for diving and snorkeling. The people are some of the nicest I have encountered, which is nothing less than astonishing after the hell they have been put through since the start of the Vietnam War. How nice are they, well if you leave a tip, they will chase you down the street to return your money, as tipping in not customary in Cambodia.
The Good
Cambodia is flush with scenery, beaches, history and wonderful smiling people. The riding in Cambodia is straight and sometimes taxing, but the views to either side can be just gorgeous. The one thought that does pop into your mind is the scenery is similar to many of the Vietnam movies that are out there. Cambodia is of course home to Angkor Wat, a city of a thousand temples. The Country is also blessed with some beautiful white sand beaches and decent reefs for diving and snorkeling. The people are some of the nicest I have encountered, which is nothing less than astonishing after the hell they have been put through since the start of the Vietnam War. How nice are they, well if you leave a tip, they will chase you down the street to return your money, as tipping in not customary in Cambodia.
The best part of Cambodia, from a motorcyclists perspective, is the bike is very easy to get into the Country, which is a challenge in this part of the world.. Through the Phsar Phrum Border Control there were no customs at all, just buy a visa, get your passport stamped, and drive in. Same goes for the Cham Yeam Border Control. DO NOT go through the Poi Pet Border Control, they will require a tourist licence that will take a week (and a round trip bus ride to Phnom Phen) to get, all while your bike is locked up in customs jail. And yes. it is very much stranded as Thailand will not allow you back in.
The Bad
The biggest bad on the list without a doubt is the infiltration of the Chinese. The Chinese have inked a deal with the Cambodian Government (i.e. Huen Sen) to lease 20 percent of the Cambodian coastline for the next 99 years. The Chinese are starting to build another "Macau" along the coast, although here it is named Sihanouk. They have "bought" the land through illegal (by any standard that is not Huen Sen's) land deals, brought in their own workers, and will not allow Cambodians into their buildings. Further, they have set up their own shopping markets, entertainment venues, and refuse to support the local Cambodian economy. The locals flat out hate the Chinese and they will let you know.
The Very Ugly
No easy way to say this, but the Country s run by a Dictator of Putin, Jinping or Jung Il levels. Huen Sen has these poor people in his corrupt and murderous grips for decades, and indicate that he is getting worse as his paranoia grows. His opponents are gunned down prior to elections (similar to Putin) and their families killed (practice common with the Khmer Rouge), he has closed down all press outlets that are not under control of his own party (like Cuba, Eritrea and China), and he is prepping his son to take control of the country upon his demise (North Korea), The government monitors social platforms for posts that are not complimentary to Huen Sen or the Government. Just recently, an 18 year old boy was sentenced to 18 months in jail for a single unflattering sentence posted on Facebook. Democracy is dead in this country. These people deserve so much more than what they are getting,
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| One of Thousands of Huen Sen's Propaganda Signs |
Leg Distance: 1,028 mi ( 1,658 km)
Total Distance Traveled by Motorcycle: 34,565 mi (55,750 km)
Countries/Territories Visited: USA, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Gibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Transnistria, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China (for 20 seconds), India, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia
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