7 Super Shots — From Cambodia!

HostelBookers has started a new meme in the travel blogging community — 7 Super Shots, encouraging people to share their favorite travel photos in seven categories.

I was nominated by my friend Michael of Go, See, Write and I decided to do the meme — with a twist:

Cambodia.

Cambodia affects me emotionally more than any other country in the world.  I love it so hard and yet when I’m there, I’m always on the verge of tears.  The people have been through an unimaginable (and relatively recent) hell underneath the Khmer Rouge, and all the “Protect Our Children” signs around the country remind you that child sex tourism remains a very big problem.

Despite this, the Cambodian people are so kind, welcoming, generous, and hospitable. The countryside is beautiful, even where it’s been scarred by war.  So I thought that I could easily choose photos in seven categories from the complicated country that is Cambodia.

Here goes:

A Photo That Takes My Breath Away

This sunset at Phnom Bakheng temple at Angkor Wat is one of the best that I’ve ever seen.  The temples of Angkor were amazing, but nothing compared to that sunset the first night.

A Photo That Makes Me Smile

When we went to the countryside outside Phnom Penh to celebrate the end of the harvest, Darren and Mr. Nap became best friends right away.  Mr. Nap kept saying, “Mr. Nap!  Cambodia!  Cheers!” and they would clink their glasses and have another drink.

A Photo That Makes Me Dream

A fabulous $3 barbecued barracuda dinner on Serendipity Beach in Sihanoukville, complete with 50 cent Anchor beers.  I love that beach life.

A Photo That Makes Me Think

I took this picture at Number Nine Guesthouse in Phnom Penh in December 2010.  Two months later, it was knocked down .  The entire lakefront area was once a backpacker enclave, filled with cheap guesthouses, cafes, and restaurants.  But that’s all over.  Phnom Penh is demolishing the neighborhood and so many people have lost their homes and livelihoods.

I think about my friends at Number Eleven Guesthouse, who so kindly invited us to their party in the countryside.  I hope they’re all right.

A Photo That Makes My Mouth Water

I still dream of this giant plate of fresh crab with Kampot pepper that I had in the crab-crazy town of Kep.  I tore into it like a wildwoman, and it remains my favorite culinary experience in Cambodia.  Even more than loc lac (and I was a loc lac addict!).

A Photo That Tells a Story

I can’t say anything about this photo and the little girls who wander the riverfront of Phnom Penh, because it makes me too upset.

A Photo That I Am Most Proud Of

This was also taken at that party celebrating the end of harvest in the countryside outside Phnom Penh.  I love this picture — it looks artsy (which wasn’t my intention) and I think it captures the atmosphere of the carnival well, especially with the two girls in front.

And now it’s time to tag others.  Well, so many of you have done this by now, I tag anyone who wants to participate.  Go ahead and say I nominated you!

Which photo is your favorite?