• Naomi Müller
  • Naomi Müller

Cambodia 2024

A 25-day adventure by Naomi Read more
  • Trip start
    November 15, 2024
  • Day 1 arrival in Seam Reap

    Nov 16–19, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Arrived in Cambodia and as predicted my luggage did not made it on time in Singapore.
    Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow or so.
    Two days ago was new year in Cambodia and they still have a lot of events going on.
    In Siem Reap you’ll find a night market always every day. Food, cloth and small items.
    Instead eating in a restaurant I’ll recommend to go to the reaver and eat only one of the booths on the sidewalk.
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  • Temple Trip

    November 17, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    First official day in Cambodia and I already had a trip to the temple.
    Decided to take the small route and the one day ticket (40€). My guid Chonn picked me up at 4:30 so we could get to the temple as early as possible for the sunrise (ankor wat).I was a bit unlucky cause the weather decided to me cloudy but still got some nice pictures.
    Side note, the temples are crowded, really crowded. I did not stayed too long at the first one so I was able to be alone at the second temple „Bayon “.
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  • Temple trip part 2

    November 17, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    After Bayo temple I went to get some food and to the next ones. One of them which is really famous for it’s upcoming in Tomb Rider.
    I spent around 5 hours walking around the Tempels and that was the small route.
    Would I say you need to buy the 3 day ticket and visit all temple which are in this area? Personally no, but I was fine with the ones I visited and had no interest in seeing more.
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  • Street Food Tour

    November 17, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    What would be traveling if you haven’t tried the local food. The best way to do so is a street food tour.
    I booked my via „getyourguid“ with ASEAN. You can also booked over their website.
    www.aseanangkorguide.com
    The Tour startet at 6pm end finishes by 10 pm.

    We were a group of 3 tourist and Hong.
    Amazing people, super nice and everyone was open to try everything.

    We had following foods to try.
    1. Mikola with papaya pickle & Banh Hoy with source
    2. Lot Cha and Chive cake with source
    3. Num Banh Chok Somlork Khmer
    Recommend all, they were super tasty and the cocktails at the end also worth trying.
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  • Floating Village Kompong Khleang

    November 18, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today was a not walking day. We got picked up from our hostel at 10 am and had a 60min drive to the start point for the floating village.
    Siem Reap actually has a view but I decided to go with this one cause the money for the boat trip goes into the village and not in someone else’s pocket. Besides that this was not packed with other tourists.
    We paid 20$ per person but also has the boat for ourselves, which was really nice. It is shocking to see how people live. It is a really „poor“ live. No computers, no own rooms, no easy access to food. They have a school and their own temple, Kids go to school via boat.
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  • Siem Reap to Battambang

    November 19, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    On Monday I checked the options for the transport form Siem Reap to Battambang.
    There were 3.
    1. take the boat: 6 hours and 45$
    2. take the bus: 4-6 hours 17-25$
    3. shared taxi: 3 hours 15$

    Decided on the taxi and hoped it was not a fail.
    At 9:30 I got picked up via tuk tuk which drove to an travel agency where I had to wait.
    While waiting 1 other guy got dropped off and a car with 6 seats arrived. It looked like a normal car so we were a bit concerned of all 7 people plus luggage would fit. It fit and then we were on the road. In Cambodia the driving is well how to put it. Totally different than in Germany. They drive fast and always overtake other and it doesn’t matter if a other car is coming straight at you. Well we survived and checked in.
    My hotel is really low maintenance but still better than an view I had in Thailand.
    After check in I just walked around and hat Chinese dumpling soup in a local place. Best food ever. 10/10
    Going early to bed cause tomorrow will be a long day.
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  • Battambang day trip part 1

    November 20, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    First full day in Battambang and I booked a full day trip. We saw a lot so I have to write a view parts.

    Since we were only 2 people the tour was via Tuk Tuk. First stop was at a small stall on the side of the streets. Sweet Rice snack which was made in a bamboo stick and some red beans. Loved it, definitely should try it when traveling in Cambodia.
    Next stop was a temple and rice wine factory where we tried some handmade wine at 11:30am. 40 percent, no fun really it tasted like cleaner. But we needed it for the next stop. The killing fields. 50 years ago the Khmer rough killed everyone with knowledge and who was from a different culture. Men, woman and children. It’s just horrible and the worst part, it was just 50 years ago.
    After that we went back to town to get some lunch.
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  • Battambang day trip part 2

    November 20, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    After lunch (which was again at the Chinese dumpling restaurant :)) we went to see how rice paper was made and to a local fisch market. But at that time of the day they were cleaning the river. So straight to the bamboo train. Yes bamboo train. It’s basically just a bamboo wagon on railways, moved with a small motor. Was fun and interesting to see how in the early days they transported via rail. Down side when the big train was approaching you had to be quick and move everything from the rails.Read more

  • Battambang day trip final part

    November 20, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After all this sightseeing with historical background and local insight José and I were on the way to the killing cave and bat cave with bat sighting. First we had to “hike” 40 min up a mountain. Well normally we would call it a hill and not really hard to walk but with this heat and high humidity we were sweating as hell. After arriving at the top we looked around the temple and the caves. At 5 pm we decided to walk back down so we can still get a spot for the bats sighting.
    It was nice but mhm not so exciting as I would have thought. But a “nice to have seen” kinda thing. For dinner after I met up with Zina from France and Jytte from Germany.
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  • Battambang coffee and food day

    November 21, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Cause we’ve seen all important sightseeing’s we just decided to walk around and have some food tour.
    First we went to the local market and had some breakfast. The owner was really happy to have some tourists eating at her place. Not many do so cause it is right beside the meat area and yeah not everyone can eat in peace while meat is getting butchered behind them. The food was delicious and cheap.
    After we decided to go to an art space Café where you walked around and have a look at pictures made from 3 local artist. On the top of the building was a cute cafe, we stayed quite long and chat. While walking around town we spontaneously thought about the art school/human circus. This school was created by a French woman to help children cope about the awful past. Also this was to help families with no money to give the kids some education.
    It’s a non profit organization. If you stay I’m Battambang I really recommend to go and support this school.
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  • Battambang to Kampot

    November 22, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Now I had to get from Battambang to Kampot which should have been an easy trip cause of taking the sleeping bus and arrive after around 7 hours.
    Well this did not happened.
    I the hostel I checked with them if I have to watch my position on google so that I know when to get off. They said no problem the driver will tell you. Who would have thought he did not told me to get off in Phnom Penh.
    But first, the sleeper bus is not the same as in Vietnam so you have to charge the sleeping bus with a stranger. Second they don’t turn the light on when they stop, which would have been helpful to know when there were stops to get off. After missing my stop to change busses I suddenly got told to get off and go on the motorcycle which already had my backpack in the front. Great so now I was on a motorcycle with 2 backpacks and a non English speaking driver with no plan what is going on. After around 30 min we stop somewhere in nowhere and a guy told me we’ll not rally told me but showed with hands that I had to get off and get in the car which was waiting on the side. Ok I’ll do that and off we go via car with only locals in it and a road which was not really a road. The drive was insane. Sand storm so not much to see and the road was just a gravel road but the driver did not care. He was speeding and overtaking all the time. After 3 hours i finally arrived in Kampot and so happy that after 12 hours on the go I was in the hostel.
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  • Kampot day trip

    November 23, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    I booked a full day trip in Kampot.
    We went to salt fields but you were not able to see much. The salt season is in the dry season and we are in the early dry season so they only prepare the fields with sand until it is not raining any more and the salt can be harvested. Kep the grab market was our next destination on the coast.
    Local fisch and seafood market where you can eat and buy all kind of seafood.
    After we went to a beach and stayed for around 30 min. I feel like the main attraction on this tour was the pepper farm, we had 2 french guides which did not work full time on this farm they were on their work and travel trip trough Asia. And the farm owner is giving the opportunity to learn some about pepper and a stay as well food for them, as a return they do the tours in English and French.
    We tried fresh pepper and on the end of the tour the dried one to taste the difference between the kampot pepper, green, white, red. Of course a temple can not been missed. Was a small one and not sure if it really belonged to the tour but whatever was nice to see.
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  • Kampot Bokor Nationalpark

    November 24, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    After a night out with the others from the group. Kimi a French girl and I decided to grab a taxi to the Nationalpark. If you think this is a walking Nationalpark I have to disappoint you it’s not. And I feel like not even worthy to see. Just old buildings falling apart and new Buildings getting build.Read more

  • Off to the island koh Rong Sanloem

    November 25, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    On my way to an island everyone talked about, we’ll see how I feel about it. We took the bus from Kampot to Sihanoukville which took around 3 hours and you have to pay 15$ for the transport and 15$ for the ferry with return. But this is as always the tourist price, local pay half the price less. At this point I’m actually pissed cause all they really care is getting your money. Anyways the bus was packed and one had to sit in the middle of the van.
    We arrived at the ticket shop to exchange the recipe to real tickets and of course so that they can sell you tickets for when you come back to the mainland.
    Finally all arrived at the pier but we did not got any information where to go or when the ferry leaves, keep in mind that at this pier are more ferry’s and company’s. After waiting around 30 min a ferry / boat arrived and we got told to get in. Just like that “ move, go to boat” our backs got thrown on without any care. Lucky I did not had any valuable things in my.
    The boat took around 30 min, it was a quite see so an easy drive. We arrived and the. Got taken to smaller boats to get us to the hotels. At this point all I saw were just hotels along the beach and dirt. On the beach and in the water. After checking in and taking a shower I took a small walk around the place and met some new people. Ben from the UK recommended a good BBQ spot so we went there for some food. Had to be back at 9pm for the fire show and what a surprise, I meet a friend from people I’ve went on a tour with there. She is working at the hostel I stayed at. Moved to Cambodia to her boyfriend 2 month ago.
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  • Koh Rong Sanloem

    November 26, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Next day I woke up at 7:00 am and just took a small walk around and booked my ferry for the next day and cancelled my hotel.
    After a chat with my dad where we decided what the best idea would be for me. Going to Vietnam or staying in Cambodia we decided I should stay in Cambodia and just change location. Maybe try to relax a view days and maybe do nothing.

    I’ve met up with two French girls for breakfast and then decided to go to the other side of the island. Which was a good plan but not in flip flops and in the middle of the day. Did it anyways. The first beach was a wrong calculation and we had to cancel the idea cause just with what we had on and no map walking through a jungle. Nope not the best idea. So the next nearest beach was Lazy Beach. It’s nice and no garbage at all. We stayed till sunset and then went on the night walk back. Luckily I had my torch with me.
    It was really amazing day but I also got some sunburn.
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  • Stopover in Shianoukville

    Nov 27–28, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Before I can go to the next island which I hope is for my preference better I had to take a stopover in Shianoukville. The pick up for Koh Ta Kiev is only possible once a day at 12:00 and I was not able to make it. I also needed to get to a different pier this time. My taxi for that was a half tractor.

    The ferry from Koh Rong Sanloem at 6:30 am was not possible cause of the weather so I had to change a view things. No problem, just booked one night and tomorrow I’ll leave to the island. Because of the weather the boat trip was a bit unpleasant for some people. So many got seasick and it was just a big puke party 😂 since I was doing really good not seasickness, I had to help the staff to give bags out and tell people to look outside to the horizon.

    Today I’ll just update my journey get some food and water for the days and yeah that’s it.
    I’ll not have internet connection for the next 4 days, some detox from media and phone.
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  • Overnight in shianoukville

    November 28, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    For just one night I decided to stay in a simple hostel near the coast. The staff was from the Uk a single dad with a 3 year old boy.
    I loved the hostel, so nice people and just simple minded.

    The next day a took a grab car to the meeting point at ream beach to get the boat to the island. At the meeting point I met Zina again the French woman who traveled Laos before coming to Cambodia.

    Finally on the way to the island with almost no internet connection and no party. Just an island and the nature.
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  • Koh Ta Kiev

    Nov 28–Dec 2, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Now time for the island life.
    Living minimalistic and enjoying the time abroad from the technology and stress.

    Taking a hike and a boat trip around the island.
    Sleeping, swimming and just not doing anything.Read more

  • Sihanoukville

    Dec 2–4, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    After the Island back to the city life.
    I stayed 2 nights in sihanoukville. That’s actually enough. Big dirty city, nothing to see.

  • Phnom Penh

    Dec 4–8, 2024 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Last stop Phnom Penh, main city from Cambodia.
    Big city with a lot of history.
    I’ve spend my days here just walking around, food tour as well a guided walking tour. Visiting a cat cafe.

  • Departure day. Back to Germany

    December 8, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Last day and my flight was at night so what should I do? Well nothing better than get to some doctor and as what to do agains being sick. Description was coining. Ok let’s do that. Went to some Chinese/cambodian place where they offered this. I have to say it looks worse than it is but it did hurt a bit. My body reacted to the treatment quite fast. After finishing the session I went to eat and in the restaurant my body just shut down. I started sweating, seeing black, ringing in my ears and then I was gone. Maybe a minute or so. Got back to my senses and felt not bad. So it kinda worked XDRead more

    Trip end
    December 9, 2024