- Some restaurants and hotels charge for every cup of coffee at breakfast. One cup only allowed but since the additional cup is usually not more than 50 cents, not too bad. Just a surprise.

- Definitely use mosquito repellent (“mossies” according to our U.K. and Aussie friends) during early morning and early evening.

- Drink bottled water only.

- You can choke to death from all the dirt and dust riding in the open tuk-tuks. That doesn’t even take into account the pollution. Motorcycles cutting in and out of traffic, automobiles, trucks without emission controls. We’re all sneezing and coughing. And my hair looks like a big, brown Brillo pad.

typical street scene in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Keep lots of $1 bills handy for tuk-tuks and buying from kids throughout Cambodia.

always selling…outside buses, on the streets, everywhere in Cambodia 

- Prepare for lots of walking around the ruins. It’s one step up…one step down…one step up…several steps down, etc.

- Even though Cambodia is known for its seafood, I’d be very careful. Don’t know about refrigeration standards and who knows how long the fish and/or shellfish sat in the heat and sun before the restaurant started cooking them.

fish sitting in the hot sun, Cambodia
- Wear trainers or running shoes around Angkor temples because they’ll give better footing on the narrow steps, over rocks and through sand.

- Hotels can’t get much cheaper. There were even Phnom Penh hotels costing $25 a night for two people.

- The Rial is their currency used only in the country. Otherwise, American Dollars.

- Please be aware of the unfortunate sex trade in little girls and boys along with men and women (Usually street children or sold by poor families.) Cambodia is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children who are also used for forced labor. Women and children are usually trafficked to Thailand and Malaysia, men primarily to Thailand. The Cambodian Government has established hot lines for anyone to call and report if they see tourists or locals trying to trade in sex. At least they are trying to do something about this terrible practice.

child used for example purpose only in Cambodia
- Childbirth. Country people usually have five children, homebirthed. City folk have two and go to hospitals.

friendly Cambodian children
- A brief description of the pork and beef in Cambodia. “Chewy” is the kindest word. And the chicken! Well, these “free range” chickens have run across the road to the other side a few too many times and eaten more than their fair share of gravel. Vegetarianism is the way to go here.

I think these were ducks for sale in Cambodia 

piglets almost too cute to eat in Cambodia
- There is very little actual begging. The kids and vendors may drive you crazy trying to sell something, but at least they’re not begging. Tourism has made a positive impact on their income. Everyone in the group bought like champs. It was hard not to when it only cost $1 for a T-shirt, little hand-made ornaments – 5 for $1, blouses – $3. Lots and lots of things to buy, big selections and something for everyone.

- “Ah Koon” is thank you in Cambodian.

- The best job in Cambodia? Anything in Engineering, a doctor or consultant.

- Cambodia is planning to produce oil in 2010 and is drilling right now.

An enjoyable trip throughout Cambodia was over. We learned a lot and had some wonderful interaction with the Cambodians. However, the two of us still think that Phnom Penh and Siem Riep are the only two “must” destinations within Cambodia. Every place else has far to go. And now it’s time to leave you with a few images of Cambodia. Remember the search for a studio that did Apsara photos? Here they are, the final results. (There’s nothing like make-up applied lavishly to take away the years… Forget the mantra “use sparingly” and pile it on.) Just think, for $18, you also can be immortalized as an Apsara or Khmer Princess.

Apsara Sheila in Cambodia 

Princess Sheila in Cambodia