In March of 2008, I took a 3 country trip through Asia (see my past posts “Portraits of Cambodian People”, “Vietnam Modes of Transportation”, and “Taiwan – Portrait of a Nation”, and “Kaohsiung, Taiwan 2008″).

I recently had some time to look back on photos from that trip and there’s tons of images I want to get out there that didn’t make the first pass. It’s funny how sometimes your best work doesn’t come out until long after the experience, when you have the benefit of hindsight. This post gives a small glimpse of what I saw in Cambodia during my 5 day stay.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

One of the temples of Angkor Wat – This reminds me of Machu Pichu for some reason

Tourists climb to the top of Bakheng Hill Temple to watch the sunset

Cambodian stone relief

A long tunnel at Angkor Wat

Cambodian Guard Monkey

Cambodian Propaganda – We No Longer Need Weapons

A Cambodian fruit stand at night – selling Longans, mangos, bananas, dragonfruit, etc.

Cambodian Street Vendor

The view from Bakheng Hill Temple close to sunset

Ravana Shaking Mt. Kailasa carving in Banteay Srei

Faces of Kings in Cambodia

Angkor Wat Ruins

Photos Copyright Peter Tsai Photography 2008 – Austin, Texas.

I got to go to Cambodia in March 2008 with my parents. We didn’t stay long but it was a pretty awesome experience.

We stayed in Siem Reap near the Angkor Wat temples for the most part so I guess we didn’t get a great picture of Cambodia, but what we did see was pretty eye opening. The people there definitely don’t have much – it’s a much more simple place and it feels like a different time.

My dad said Cambodia now is a lot like Taiwan when he was growing up – very rural, not a lot of money and life is pretty hard. Still, there’s an energy about the people that was fascinating to capture and it was interesting to see how people can persevere in any circumstances (and Cambodia has been through some terrible times in recent history) and even be happy in spite of a lack of wealth or material things.

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Motorcycle for Four

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Floating Market Banana Vendor

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Family Outing by Boat

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Cambodian Mother and Child

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Child Boat Hand

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Young Boat Pilots

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Playful Boy at Angkor Wat

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Wat Street Vendor 1

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Wat Street Vendor  2

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Angkor Wat Street Vendor 3 (Candy Girl)

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Boy with Knife