Backpack weighing down on my tiny frame, an extra shoulder bag, and my camera slung across. 4am and i was off to Singapore Changi airport to catch the 6.45am flight out to Phnom Penh. Waiting in queue to check-in, groups of friends and couples are chatting amongst themselves, and it saddens me a bit that i was going to be traveling all by my lonesome.

Good morning Cambodia! I negotiate through rowdy con job tuk tuk drivers and make my way to the bus station. There's no airport in Sihanoukville, so a jerky noisy bus through Cambodia's 3rd world roads is my best option. Their roads and busses are so terrible i bounced, vibrated and cussed throughout the 6 hour journey. It didn't help that the Cambodian guy that i sat beside kept brushing up against me. But hell, there was no other seat on the bus. Pitstops were great though, i'd run out with my camera into the villages along the way, and i was all smiles again. Save for the fact that i had to pee in a hole beside chickens.

I reach Sihanoukville, the outskirts of Cambodia. The bus now leaves me at the hands of the tuk tuk drivers again. My driver takes me to some weird place where there are no roads and stops his tuk tuk to speak to me. "I take you to see my friend, i take you later to Sakal bungalows" Now i'm worried as f*ck, so as he kept insisting, i kept playing the bimbo card of not understanding a word and repeatedly pointing on the map.

After 12 hours of travel, I finally get to where my photographer is, and seeing Ben's face is such a huge relief.

- to be continued -

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Cambodian kids are such an inspiration.
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A monk stands around the villages all day and every day with a metal bowl asking for donations.
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a little girl clings on to her dad as he whizzes in and out of traffic.
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Cambodians hang out their clothes to dry on barb wire. They do not have money to pay for garbage removal, so they pile up their backyards with litter.
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a little girl works at a pushcart with her mother.
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There is still happiness amidst poverty.
 


Comments

04/01/2011 04:30

I'm a self-professed avid traveler, but never once have I contemplated back-packing alone in a 3rd world country. Kudos to you!

When I first visited your site, when there were only pictures you took as a photographer, I thought to myself, "Wow, her photography skills are as good, if not better than her talent as a model..."

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04/01/2011 11:03

Hey Zhi Yan ;)

hahahha yea, i needed to get out of my comfort zone to find inspiration. Thanks! Do you do photography too?

Guess i love it both behind the camera and in front, it's just a wonderful thing to be a part of creating good photos :)

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04/01/2011 21:27

It's because of your passion, that's why you're able to create amazing photos, regardless of being in front or behind the camera =]

Hmm, I first got to know about you when you added me on Modelmayhem some time back. I'm an amateur photographer at best and I do mostly landscapes.

For me, there are 2 other interests that ranks above photography, 1. Cars, 2. Traveling =P

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04/02/2011 01:03

Hey Zhi Yan ;)

And i hope my passion continues to fuel me :)

good luck in your photography, and i look forward to seeing more of your landscape/car/travel shots!

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Luki Tamaela
04/09/2011 13:56

it's a great human interest .... you have the feel to expose ur interest in photography....

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04/11/2011 17:03

Hey Luki ;)

Yes, it's rare that i take a photo, but when i do, a lot of emotions go into it :)

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Wai Yi
04/12/2011 09:49

i think you're awesome schmawsome ad I love you and your work to bits! Safe travels and come home to us in one piece!

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04/20/2011 01:33

hahhahahah i love you more!! Xxx :D

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