Overview
Queer Travels: The Cambodian Diaries isn't your 'run of the mill' travel guide. By weaving together her hilarious personal encounters with Cambodia's rich history, Kate Mottola brings you a different perspective on adventures throughout this beautifully complex Southeast Asian country. From the ruins of Angkor Wat, to the beaches of Sihanoukville, to the markets at Phnom Penh, this short guide offers an on-the-ground experience of what it's like to explore Cambodia with a backpack, an open mind, and a bargain budget.
Don't miss out on this informative and wildly entertaining read!
Excerpt
"After spending a night in Siem Reap, a few seasoned travelers told me about a common trek made by tourists to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. I couldn't pass up such a promising opportunity and planned my departure for the following morning.
My day began at 5am. I hired a tuk-tuk driver to take me to Angkor Wat and half panicked when he arrived late. Stifling my anxiety, we reached the temple’s vast grounds with ten minutes to sunup.Though it was 5:30 in the morning, the temple grounds were packed with people and sunrise was spectacular. I laughed at myself for assuming it would be relatively bare, as if only a handful of tourists and I knew of such a secret treasure. Moments of awareness like these tend to be a common occurrence; they’re like tiny gems handed to us by traveling incarnate. They offer stark reality checks in an effortless manner; a soft little slap in the face reminding us to get over ourselves.
When I reached the window I wasn’t too surprised, at first, to learn that entry fees into the various temples cost $20 for a one day pass and $40 for a two or three day pass. After moving about Southeast Asian countries for several weeks, $20 seems like a lot of money - when you can buy dinner for one or two dollars and a decent room for under ten. Of course, back in the US it cost almost $20 for two double-tall soy lattes..."
