Rather than write a summary of sentimental drivel, below is a list of the top 10 Cambodian memories from our time as "barangs in the 'bode".
Above: the journey of barangs in the 'bode.
10 Memories
1. "No Tiger". The funniest joke of a very strange day, when our driver, Poly, indicated (to our relief) that the jungle surrounding Pol Pot's house did not contain big cats.
2. "Fish can walk". Another three-syllabled sentence that yielded laughs galore. This time we were at the mangroves and our guide was commentating the movements of a salamander. Who said vocabulary was important?
3. "No landmine". Less than 30 seconds after being told that there were no landmines in the vicinity of Koh Ker, we spotted the skull and crossbones sign indicating a minefield. In case we'd forgotten, this was Cambodia. The well-worn path had never looked so good.
4. Cambodian karaoke videos. Much to my dismay, almost every bus journey had a Cambodian popsong soundtrack. However, the joke was on me, and I eventually succumbed. I am now the proud owner of a catchy Cambodian pop album. Don't laugh.
5. Crab at Kep. Out off the sea and into my belly within 15 minutes. Enough said.
6. The language. Sok sabai? Sai Sabok. Spoonerisms, wordplay, tongue-twisters and more - the Khmer language is good fun to speak and the Khmers have a great deal of fun manipulating it for pleasure.
7. Transport. Tuk tuks, buses, taxis, motodops, bicycles, boats, rafts, and even good old-fashioned walking. Getting around the bodge has certainly been interesting and varied.
8. Nothing is Ordinary. This is the slogan I suggested when the Ministry of Tourism opened a competition to coin the slogan for a forthcoming advertising campaign. Predictably, the winning entry was boring and will attract nobody to Cambodia (Kingdom of Wonder). That does not change that fact that nothing is ordinary in Cambodia. It has been an assault on the senses, and it has been extraordinary.
9. People of Cambodia. The people and their humour will be what I miss most.
10. Hun Sen. A man who provided the material for so many of my conversations in Cambodia. Goodbye to Hun Sen and the members of the Cambodian People's Party!
Above: Goodbye to a man who has inspired so much in Cambodia.
Above: the journey of barangs in the 'bode.10 Memories
1. "No Tiger". The funniest joke of a very strange day, when our driver, Poly, indicated (to our relief) that the jungle surrounding Pol Pot's house did not contain big cats.
2. "Fish can walk". Another three-syllabled sentence that yielded laughs galore. This time we were at the mangroves and our guide was commentating the movements of a salamander. Who said vocabulary was important?
3. "No landmine". Less than 30 seconds after being told that there were no landmines in the vicinity of Koh Ker, we spotted the skull and crossbones sign indicating a minefield. In case we'd forgotten, this was Cambodia. The well-worn path had never looked so good.
4. Cambodian karaoke videos. Much to my dismay, almost every bus journey had a Cambodian popsong soundtrack. However, the joke was on me, and I eventually succumbed. I am now the proud owner of a catchy Cambodian pop album. Don't laugh.
5. Crab at Kep. Out off the sea and into my belly within 15 minutes. Enough said.
6. The language. Sok sabai? Sai Sabok. Spoonerisms, wordplay, tongue-twisters and more - the Khmer language is good fun to speak and the Khmers have a great deal of fun manipulating it for pleasure.
7. Transport. Tuk tuks, buses, taxis, motodops, bicycles, boats, rafts, and even good old-fashioned walking. Getting around the bodge has certainly been interesting and varied.
8. Nothing is Ordinary. This is the slogan I suggested when the Ministry of Tourism opened a competition to coin the slogan for a forthcoming advertising campaign. Predictably, the winning entry was boring and will attract nobody to Cambodia (Kingdom of Wonder). That does not change that fact that nothing is ordinary in Cambodia. It has been an assault on the senses, and it has been extraordinary.
9. People of Cambodia. The people and their humour will be what I miss most.
10. Hun Sen. A man who provided the material for so many of my conversations in Cambodia. Goodbye to Hun Sen and the members of the Cambodian People's Party!
Above: Goodbye to a man who has inspired so much in Cambodia. 
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