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We rented a motorbike for a day on Phu Quoc and braved the dusty unpaved roads up the NW coast. Came across the delightful unspoilt village of Cua Can and enjoyed a coffee while watching village life amble by. But what is paradise for tourists today was once hell on earth for tens of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries, who were imprisoned here first by French colonial forces and later by the US-led southern Vietnamese puppet regime. Didn't see much evidence ourselves of this on Phu Quoc but discovered all the grizzly details later when we visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

Labels: Asia, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

You can't beat watching the sun go down over Mango Bay while enjoying an ice cold Mango Daiquiri.

Labels: Asia, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

We passed through Kampot and Kep on the way from Phnom Penh to Vietnam. These coastal towns were used by the French colonialists for their seaside villas and thrived up until the 60s when the French left and the properties were abandoned and further damaged by the Khmer Rouge in the late 70s. Kampot was a major pepper growing region and is attempting to restore is reputation for this crop. We brought back some of their spicy/fruity pepper and it's now harvested from our freezer.

Labels: Cambodia

Labels: Asia, Cambodia, Phnom Penh

The history of Buddhism in Cambodia spans nearly two thousand years, across a number of successive kingdoms and empires. Today Buddhism is struggling to re-establish itself after it was nearly wiped out during the Khmer-Rouge era. The lack of Buddhist scholars and leaders and the continuing political instability makes its re-establishment difficult. Here are some images of Buddhism in Phnom Penh today plus a Banyan tree flower under which Buddha sat after enlightenment for seven days absorbed in his new realisation.

Labels: Asia, Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Temple

I thoroughly enjoy the colour, energy and massive variety of Asian markets. The choice in the fruit and vegetables arena is huge and everything looks very fresh and is generally local. Hygiene and animal welfare can be pretty abysmal in the meat, fish and chicken departments however!

Labels: Asis, Cambodia, Phnom Penh

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh has been occupied by the Kings of Cambodia from it's construction in 1866 until present times ... with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. I travelled their by Cyclo, a very relaxing experience compared to a Cyclo ride in Saigon, Vietnam. Cambodia is so much poorer than the rest of SE Asia with nowhere near as much disposable income per capita. The 'Civil War' was a major, major set back for all.

Labels: Asia, Cambodia, Phnom Penh