hello again

Okay technically I am not crossing into Cambodia over the Cambodia-Thailand border (pictured above) this time (that was hugely exciting crossing by foot, let me tell you), but the point being, I'm headed into Cambodia again for a short family holiday over Chinese New Year. A MUCH-needed escape from disgusting things, like work. Can't wait to leave! Let tomorrow come soon enough!

My trip back in 2003 was great. Cambodia was already fairly open to tourism by then, especially Siem Reap, where the famed (and utterly deserving of their fame) Angkor temples are. But it was still sleepy enough when I was there (no nightlife whatsoever!), and I was a bit sad to hear from a fellow traveller I met while in Vietnam recently that Siem Reap has been "fucked up by tourism", with prostitution and the like.

The sex trade is a huge problem in Cambodia (and in many parts of South East Asia) and it depresses me deeply whenever I hear of it. As a tourist, it's hard for me not to feel that it's somehow vaguely my fault for bringing commercialism (and all its negative trappings) into places I visit. I wished people were more responsible when they travel.

In any case, I support all causes that help to stem the illegal sex trade in my part of the world, and any action within my power to take. How's that for a (Chinese) New Year's Resolution?