when you first saw cambodia

what was your reaction when you first visited cambodia? (this is for those who’ve been to cambodia for the first time in their lives…)

my first sight of cambodia was from the bird’s eyeview. i said to myself there are a lot of undeveloped land–there aren’t that many houses i had expected but a lot of untouched natural land. when i finally landed, my reaction was different–the scenary was beautiful. The architecture had character and a royal feel.

[Message last modified 09-15-2003 02:33pm by ambientronica]

My first reaction upon entering the border at Poipet from Thailand was how crazy/kind of chaotic it was on this side of the border as compared to Thailand. It sparked my desire for adventure, and I never felt like I was really in control of anything that was happening (which was fine with me). Cambodia is a beautiful country with a rich culture. Recent history and poverty have held it back from the developing world…but it is still a wonderful place to be. The people and culture were so inviting to me, a non-khmer, and I loved every minute of my trip there. I’m going back in Feb/Mar of next year and that trip is going to be “UNFORGETTABLE”.

1998–first time back and the sight of Cambodia broke my heart. the pain was laced with a mixture of excitement, nervousness and aching/longing and love, a sense of coming home, of belonging and of being a total stranger.

I left Cambodia realizing that Cambodia may be my birth place but home was California.

[Message last modified 09-16-2003 10:20am by malaika]

It look Komsot! I could feel the cambodian charm though!! I love Cambodia!!

I remember like yesterday..I was looking down from the airplane..The land was so dry..All this emotion can not describe it..Just plain sad inside..I was in tear the 1st time I visited..Love the country, land, and everything else.

Wonderful feeling when everyone speaks the same language as me! Don’t have to order food by number! Wish it won’t be too far from the US hehehe!

I was at the airport then I walk outside the everyone crowded around me. I gave 1 dollar to a kid that was a big mistake then like 50 more people came and started begging for money.

[i]Originally posted by KhmerCasanova[/i]
I was at the airport then I walk outside the everyone crowded around me. I gave 1 dollar to a kid that was a big mistake then like 50 more people came and started begging for money.

You mean…there are beggers in the Airport? This is new to me, I’ve never seen something like that at Pochentong.

Everytime during landing at Pochentong International Airport…I felt extremely happy and somehow always find myself singing this song “Sronoss dei khnmer dei sre chamcar” by lok Keo Sarath.

Oh I just type fast not at the airport when I left the airport my bad

I was in Cambodia 2 years ago for the firs time…i wasnt prepared at all because the only reason why i went was because my grandma was very sick and ive never met her before..so my parents thought it’ll be a good idea to all go and visit her. So before we knew it bout 2 weeks later…i was boarding the plan and on my way to Cambodia!
The view of cambodia was magnificent from the plane!! I can’t describe it…I just felt so excited when i saw the rice fields..the palm trees…and the lakes…i went during the monsoon time…and at that time, there were floods happening…but the views looked great!!! I suddenly felt so excited and not to mention kinda nervous..because i just didnt know what to expect the minute i walk out of the plane. But I had the best time of my life there in Cambodia..especially in Battambang…i just can’t wait to go back!! The rice paddy’s were rite across from my grandad’s house..so every nite it would pour down with rain…and we’ll all go across to the rice paddys to catch crabs…it was really fun!! I felt so emotional as i was leaving to go back to Australia…Cambodia is definitely my home!! I just felt so right being there….

hehe.. I never saw beggars at the airport either. Im glad there are people who love Cambodia.

[i]Originally posted by KhmerCasanova[/i]
I was at the airport then I walk outside the everyone crowded around me. I gave 1 dollar to a kid that was a big mistake then like 50 more people came and started begging for money.

they changed it fairly recently. my first time back in 1998, there were beggars, taxi drivers trying to vie for business, people pushing and pulling you in different directions, kids sticking their newspaper in my face almost poking my eyes out. my second time back in 2000, there were none. heard there were a new laws that forbid loitering.

I visited Cambodia last winter. When we were flying over Cambodia, the one word that came to mind was Beautiful.

I was in love with Cambodia the first time I went there and still is. I was going to kiss the ground, but I think someone may have taken a poo poo on it!:)

sad to say i’ve never been to cambodia. im hoping to go before christmas and stay till the end of january, just to get my mind of skool and work for a while. i saw pictures of my moms trip from angkorwat and other places which was beutiful. mom dad and my youger brothers been back now its my turn.

Sad and depressing.

I came in from Thailand at the Poipet border crossing. My first impression was the thought that this place is a shit-hole!

The rest of Cambodia was wonderful – although the poverty is very confronting.

My first reaction was heart pounding of excitement. The place I was longing to return after 20 years. My heart keep pounding until the plane landed.