When I moved to Southeast Asia in the summer of 2014, I was completely unprepared. I literally only had three weeks’ notice before I moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, and I basically did the world’s worst packing job. Like a lot of newbie expats who are moving to Southeast Asia I (mistakenly) assumed that household goods, clothes, body products,…
Not only did I spent six months living in Phnom Penh in 2015, but I’ve visted the city a handful of times since then (most recently in December 2019). Suffice it to say, I’ve done a lot of eating there. There are many reasons I love Phnom Penh, but one great thing about it is…
After moving abroad I started compiling monthly roundup posts about life as an expat in Southeast Asia and all the nitty gritty that goes on behind the scenes here at Travel Lush. Head here to read Month 10, Month 11 & Month 12. Here’s what I got up to in August… Moving to Cambodia Duh, clearly moving…
I’ve now been living in Cambodia for about three weeks. And I still don’t think the fact that I’ve moved on from Jakarta and am now living in Phnom Penh has actually hit me. It’s exciting. But it’s also daunting. It’s familiar. But it’s also totally different… Being in Phnom Penh has been kind of…
I’m officially living in Phnom Penh! Can you believe it? Because I can’t. After roughly 24 hours in transit – from the US to Asia – I finally touched down in Phnom Penh early last week. During the past couple weeks I’ve basically fought a losing battle against jet lag, moved into my apartment, gone on…
There are many things that keep luring me back to Southeast Asia. The food, the temples and the culture all play significant roles but, for me, the beaches are a huge part of the draw. It’s true that Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s best beaches (and best islands!). But contrary to what…
There is just something about Phnom Penh that I can’t get enough of. When I first traveled to Cambodia eight long years ago, I fell for its capital city hard and fast. I don’t know if it was its picturesque location on the banks of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers or the orange-robed monks that…
Like most backpackers I’m always a bit concerned about visiting islands because I always seem to spend way more money than usual when I’m on them. Let’s face it, things are just more expensive on islands. Personally, I wasn’t sure what to expect price-wise when I visited Koh Rong in January. I’d heard that the accommodation is of…
I have to admit that I was skeptical about visiting Koh Rong. I had heard rave reviews about the tropical Cambodian isle, which is rumored to be home to some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia. But I’ve learned not to get overly excited about what other people say because, in my experience, it will…
As far as I know Phnom Penh isn’t widely regarded as a foodie’s paradise. And since it had been eight long years since my last trip to Cambodia, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the city’s food scene. Because I’m a vegetarian I was slightly nervous that Phnom Penh wouldn’t have much to offer…