Only in Cambodia The Good and The Funny

Welcome to Journey4Us Daily Stories “Only in Cambodia”

Hello followers! For today, I will be giving you a list of the things I personally think are happening “Only in Cambodia ”. I will categorize it into two, the good and the funny ones. There is no doubt that many people around the world have been looking for new adventures or simply a new environment to live in. Or shall we say a place to settle down. Looking back right now, I question myself, “Why have I been here for more than a decade?”. Then I figured, maybe because of these things I am about to tell you.

Before we move on, I would like to refer you to my last year’s blog called “13 Reasons Why I love Cambodia”. You might want to read that because that’s where I have explained in detail the amazing things I and my family are enjoying while living here. For today’s daily story it is going to be a little entertaining and fun. Welcome to “Only in Cambodia, The Good and The Funny”.

Only in Cambodia- The Good Ones:

• Balloon Delivery-As a parent, I love preparing for my kids’ birthdays. How convenient is it to simply call a guy to make balloons for a birthday party? So I simply rang the guy, he arrived at our doorsteps after 10 minutes. I asked him to make 20 balloons, and I paid 5$. So amazing isn’t it? If you are a parent in Cambodia wanting to have these balloons for your child’s birthday or for any events, fill the form up and let me know if you need the balloon guy’s number.

• UNO and Chill– Yeah, we normally love doing extraordinary activities, so other than Netflix and Chill, we do UNO and Chill. Days before Covid19, we normally hop from one restaurant to another to play UNO. We stayed a maximum of 5 hours in a restaurant without getting bothered or worse asked to order more. I guess Cambodians’ hospitality is easily seen and felt there. After eating and playing from restaurants, we will move on to have some coffee or ice cream. Once we have ordered, we then again will stay for a couple of hours. We enjoy the cozy and comfortable sofas or lounge area while we play UNO.

UNO and Chill

• Becoming an ICON- Okay don’t get me wrong. It is never a dream of mine. However, I had this chance before to host some big events in Phnom Penh. Yeah, as you can see in these photos, these events are for children. I think I’m stuck with children and I’m loving it. About this one, Vattanac Bank, a prominent bank in Cambodia, asked me to host their shows before. I thought it would only be once, however they kept calling me for more services. In those events, I hosted some shows where I met some few famous Cambodian stars. This star they call Autumn Ellen. Yes she was charming and nice! It was a pleasant experience, and I felt I was an icon that time as it was televised. Facebook and Instagram live wasn’t still a thing at that time. I would say that I did enjoy what I did, and hey I received an excellent pay for doing what I love. Only in Cambodia. So if you are looking for someone to host your shows or events, “You can try me. I fit”. Use the form below and let me know.

• Mekong River Sunset and Cruise- There is no doubt too many expats in Cambodia have been enjoying the sunset cruise over the Mekong river. Renting a boat exclusively for yourself or for your own events is common here. Yes, you can do this in other countries but you will also be paying way too much. Renting a boat in Cambodia is very affordable. I cannot tell you exactly how much because this varies. However, expat like me who have been here this long are able to negotiate with boat owners effectively. I used to get a 15$-20$ per hour fee. Now I read from Phnom Penh Mamas Group, some people pay 40$- $50 per hour. It really depends on many factors. However I believe I can help you get a better deal with the same quality of boat services. So if one day you decide to rent a boat and enjoy the sunset cruise, let me know. I am certain I can help you. So again, Only in Cambodia. Where you can sail, enjoy the sunset and the Mekong river on your own personal cruise.
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• Free Stuff if You Ask- I am the kind of person who would test someone’s kindness by asking something. Normally, if I am at the market, I would ask for some free fruits or vegetables. If a seller will give me a smile she then gets a better tip or an extra pay from me. Cambodians are friendly, kind and honest. They can be your bestfriend. Just like Kanha, she is a good friend of mine and she normally sends some mangoes to me. She also supplies us with rice. If you need rice in Phnom Penh, you may contact her.

Now let’s go to the second part of today’s story, the fun side of Only in Cambodia.

I bet too many expats have too many things to say. I will only share my personal experiences although I can direct you to a group called Only on Cambodia after this blog if you want to see more of these.

To be really honest, I found the fun side of Only in Cambodia annoying before. Before, I normally caught myself getting pissed about these things. However, along the way I learnt how to embrace all these situations and finding beauty around me. I felt I became mature about how to react to certain situations. As I have written before in my blog “accepting things the way they are” or “realizing that there are things that are out of our control” can give us peace and harmony. Chick that blog out if you wish. Okay let’s hop on.

Only in Cambodia- The Fun Ones

• Eating whole pineapples on a stick– Okay! No need to say more. I started eating pineapples on a stick during my 7th year in Cambodia. At the beginning I just couldn’t understand why it had to be like that. I’m a bit clumsy and I felt I could poke my mouth or my eye with the stick, if I had a bite of that pineapple. Well, now it’s a different story. Im a pro on eating pineapples on a stick. I even enjoy this whole pineapple on my way home right after my marketing moments. It’s just fun! Do you have this style of eating pineapples in your country? I am super intrigued. Please let me know in the comment box.

• The TuKTuk Moving House Style- I have been here for fourteen years. You can imagine how many times I have moved from one house to another. Before these house moving companies evolved here, people in Cambodia would use tuktuk as the means to move from one place to another. All kinds of furniture are being fit into tuktuk, mostly uncovered. Nobody gives much attention to it. Unless you are an aristocratic member of the community here ofcourse. I am talking about expats like me. Expats who normally are teachers and are having families. Here are some photos of the moving house I have experienced here. I do find it funny and humorous. You know, don’t forget the element of fun in everything.

• Mis-spelt words are normal- Okay, do not get wrong. We all make mistakes on our spellings. What makes it fun to encounter misspelled words here in Cambodia is that they are not corrected. I mean, we expats here live by it. I am not bothered by these anymore. I can only smile if I see one and embrace the society I am in. I believe those mis spelt words are unintentional.  I read this article about how to country is facing this, maybe you would love to read it too.  I’d rather be in place where spellings are wrong yet people are welcoming.  You think?

• Cambodia Water and Beer-  Yes! People here enjoy living in Cambodia and drinking Cambodia once in a while.  With so many other brands, I would also normally pick these.  I can be patriotic and supportive by purchasing Cambodia brands.  Not only that I love Cambodia, I love it when it’s cold too. 

Cambodia Water–

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• Monkeys as house guests- Yes this is my final and the funniest situation by far.  As I’ve blogged before, we keep our rooftop door open for fresh air.  Can you imagine a monkey getting in your place to grab some bananas from your kitchen?  That happened in our house last year.  The kids were home alone and they were in the living room.  We were both at work and I received an sms saying that “mom there’s a creature in the house and we don’t know what it is’’.  At work, I got a panic attack and informed my love.  He volunteered to go home first as he was closer.  When he arrived home, he saw the kids locked themselves in the living room and he traced the path of some bananas on our floor.  That path led to the rooftop.  He didn’t see the monkey but he found one banana left next to the branch of the giant tree.  Then we figured that a monkey visited us.  Before this day, I already saw that monkey one morning at our kitchen door.  I told the three of them but since I didn’t have a photo they found it not easy to believe.  Even me I asked myself, was it really real or I was only half awake.  Well after this banana arrest, we have confirmed that it was a monkey.  After like almost a year this monkey visited us again.  This video was captured yesterday.  Luckily we kept our bedroom’s door open and saw how the monkey was trying to get inside our bathroom for some water maybe.  Chris immediately shoo him away nicely and eventually left peacefully.  The rest of this situation was my recovery stage.  I am still in shock and somehow responding in wonderment about this clever creature. 

Monkey in the house Phnom Penh Cambodia

Let us know if you have downloaded this video by filling this form up.  

You then will have an entry to our Anniversary Give Away Promotion!

I stumbled upon this article yesterday saying “where to see monkeys in Cambodia”. I guess they haven’t lived in the house I’m in right now.

If only I could write everything in one blog.  There are too many good things here in Cambodia that people need to discover.  In general living and settling in Cambodia is easy for people who can embrace how unique this country is.  If any of you wants to know more about :

• getting jobs in Cambodia
• finding places to stay in Cambodia
• settling down in Cambodia
• reliable groups in Cambodia
• all about Cambodia

fill this form up and let me know how I may assist you.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my daily story, Only in Cambodia.  I hope I have given you fun and useful information about expat life in Cambodia.  This is Teriz once again inviting you to come and join us and be a part of our healthy community.  Let’s collaborate.