Malena loves candy. And travel. And both together. And thus, this site was born.
by 
I’m starting this entry off a little different than most. I don’t have time here in Malaysia to write about every one of my amazing Cambodian experiences. Instead, you can comment on which one you’d be most interested in reading about, and I’ll do my best to fill in the details soon! So read on, and pick your favorites…
I spent a full month criss-crossing Cambodia, mountain-biking into untouched jungle (mmm, leeches), eating at faded colonial seaside resorts (mmm, crab with Kampot ppper), and exploring overgrown, hidden Angkor temples. I travelled on highways and ox-cart trails and rice paddies, by bamboo train and supply boat. I saw the high school where thousands of Cambodians were tortured and executed by the Khmer Rouge, I climbed the glorious temples of Angkor Wat, I picked my way gingerly through minefields, and I floated through an industrious fishing village made entirely of boats, right down to the church. I was welcomed into the house of a local family in the poorest region of the country, where I slept on a bamboo mat and my visit was celebrated with a meal of rice and chicken parts, and by a family of American missionaries, where I ate peanut butter pancakes and chocolate no-bake cookies. A bride dressed in beautiful, traditional clothes welcomed me to her wedding celebration and a man with no legs fixed a puncture on my bicycle. Cambodia was a contrast in experiences, with each day an adventure.
(The candy, however, was nothing to write home about.)
***
A tiny sampling of photos (sorry about the formatting!)
Mountain Biking Guide
Kampot Market
Crab Curry with Kampot Pepper
Guide Operating Vietnamese Gun Phnom Sampeau
Cambodian Rice Paddy
Legless Man Fixing My Bike
Rural Cambodian Life - Preah Vihear Family I Stayed With
Angkor Wat and Me!
Traditional Khmer Wedding Party
Bamboo Train
Tuol Sleng - Genocide Victims
Rice Paddies near Kampot
posting from United StatesJuly 2nd, 2009 6:31 am
Your photos of Angkor Wat are as awesome as your shots of Tuol Sleng are disturbing. I’d love to hear more about both. It appears that you were well cared for by the Cambodian people, but I bet those no-bake cookies were a real treat! Be safe, and try to stay away from the minefields.
posting from United StatesJuly 2nd, 2009 7:42 am
Malena, Your photos are spectacular. When you were packing, you sure did well on your camera choice, plus of course your own great photo skills. I’ll just wait for your stories from Cambodia when you have a chance to catch up someday. I still think your story and pictures are worth publishing in a valuable amazing book. I can’t believe a travel magazine hasn’t gotten a hold of your story. Your adventure is one I’ve never heard of someone taking. I found out about you when I read that you won the Big Trip contest from Hostelling International. I’ve been following your trip from Day One, greatly enjoying every blog entry, and have been really amazed at your adventures while I sit here at my work desk. You are really a great adventurer, and I wish you all the best. Stay safe, and continue having fun! Your fan, Jeanne in Michigan.
posting from United StatesJuly 2nd, 2009 10:48 am
Malena,
Can’t wait to see and hear more!!! I have a friend who teaches travel and tourism with me who thinks you should be writting for “Back Roads” or some commercial enterprise about your adventures!
See you in August!
posting from United StatesJuly 2nd, 2009 4:09 pm
These and the other pictures you posted really manage to convey a lot. The traditional Khymer wedding party makes me wonder though - Did they do the Chicken Dance?
posting from United StatesJuly 6th, 2009 8:29 am
Such great pictures as usual!
posting from Canada posting from United StatesJuly 15th, 2009 9:45 am
I’d love to hear about them all, but if I had to choose only two stories I would say your stay with a local family and your encounter with a Cambodian bride. 
Completely unrelated - I just posted a story on Hedgehogs called Planting the Seeds for Travel. In it we’re asking folks for suggestions for our upcoming trip to India. I know India wasn’t one of your more favorite places you’ve seen, but I’d love to hear any advice you have to share!
posting from Lithuania
July 2nd, 2009 5:49 am
Ho my, so cool!
I am curious about the wedding and how you “gingerly” go through mine fields. But everything you have done is unbelievable awesome.