Can I touch your beard?

So we have officially left Cambodia… But there are some key life moments that I’d like to share.

Look closely, and you’ll see my name on a sheet of paper. Some people strive for their name in lights. Not I. So happy right now!

Also making me happy is this:

The greatest machine known to man. The sugarcane juicer! This machine, with it’s ship’s-wheel-design, is magnificent. With one turn, the magic starts. Run the husks through, with a sliver of green orange, and voila! Sugarcane juice. So good, want more, always.

In the search for more sugar cane (and sun glasses since I lost mine), we went to Rabbit Island.. There we did a bunch of stuff, but 3 key moments popped for me..

1) Best food in Cambodia is on this tiny island

2) Cambodians can’t grow facial hair, there were 4 “very friendly” locals who were amazed with my beard, so much so that they asked to touch it. That’s right, I’m now beard-famous in Cambodia. Also, they wanted to know Miranda’s age, presumably to gauge her trade value. That’s where #3 comes in…

3) Perhaps to lower her trade value, perhaps, just to get out of the sun (we’ll never know), but this happened – yes, those are my (very) dirty shorts!

You’re welcome.

Upon our safe return, I was finally able to define Cambodian driving…

1) If you can fit, go to there. 

2) If you can’t, honk until you can. See rule 1.

Exhibit A: Driving with your hands at 9 and horn. So much for napping on our 3 hour drive!

Exhibit B: Crazy close driving to everything around you. 

Yes that’s a photo bomb from a kid on a bike, he was so close we could have slapped that grin off his face!

The last key life moment I’ll share with you today is about beer. If it’s hot enough, practically any beer will do. Luckily it never gets that hot in Canada, so don’t expect me to suddenly drink Moosehead.. But here I can’t seem to get enough Leo, Angkor or whatever other cheap lager is available. Kill me now.

That being said, when craft beer is available, I’ll gladly drink it! This is the only craft brewery in Cambodia and it’s in a 5 star hotel!

I look forward for a time when something like this exists in Canada. 

Somewhat related, beer is still the center of the universe, even if that’s not so in Cambodia.

Oh Cambodia, in some ways you are so advanced, and in some ways you are so behind. 

You will be missed.