Greetings from Cambodia! I’ve spent the last week split between two of my favorite cities in the world, Bangkok and Phnom Penh. My time in Bangkok was a bittersweet goodbye to Thailand that hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but was filled nonetheless with temples, markets, movies (I finally saw Gone Girl!) and some world class pool and bar hopping. I’ve since landed in Cambodia’s capital, where I’m catching up on work, spending time with an old friend, and soaking up all the crazy energy that makes me love this place so much.
And now I’m off to wrap my brain around the fact that next week I’ll be sending this dispatch from the within the beautiful borders of New York State! Till next time, here are the Photo of the Week candidates…
Photo A
Feeling on top of the world at the Muse Speakeasy Bar
Photo B
Watching the morning alms giving
Photo C
An unusual portrait at The Grand Palace
Photo D
Beautiful and bold in Bangkok
Photo E
A nineteen year old teacher in Cambodia
Which photo is your favorite?
Hope you have fun in Cambodia before you head back to the States! 🙂 My favorite picture is Photo B because the red flowers just look so lovely! It’s difficult to wrap my head around the fact that there are places in the world that are still warm right now, while it’s freezing in Europe! 😉
It is just as difficult for me to wrap my head around how COLD it’s going to be in New York when I get home… ahhhhhh!
The last one. Perfect subject, story and composition. Safe travels and enjoy your time home.
Thanks Jimmy. It was a really cool visit, can’t wait to write more.
I think I’m going to go with B this week…the colors of the flowers just match so perfectly with the monks’ robes! I’m so excited to hear that you love Phnom Penh so much. It’s one of my favorite cities ever. And it was the first city I ever visited in Southeast Asia that I felt I could live in. But I know a lot of people just don’t care for it. Anyway, while I’m sad to hear that you’re leaving Southeast Asia, I’m sure you’re very excited to be able to go back to the states for the holidays. I for one wish I had the opportunity to do that this year! Safe travels 🙂
Believe me, I am so incredibly grateful for that! Last year I was quite broken up at being away from my family. Looking forward to getting into the holiday spirit!
I love B! The colors are so vibrant. Bangkok is great and I would love to visit Phnom Penh as well – glad to hear you like it. Hope you have a safe trip back to New York! I’m pretty pumped about the holidays myself.
This is my third time here, and I just never stop loving Phnom Penh. It’s such an incredibly cool city!
A! I love rooftop bars & you managed to capture all the elements — bar, patron, staff & view — in low light, no less!
Thankfully there was a convenient ledge to act as my temporary tripod 🙂
A!!!! We spent an amazing week at The Muse Hotel last december and we loved it!
I’m so jealous! I am definitely returning there someday. It looks fantastic!
Alex, these are beautiful photos! A is my favorite. Mind sharing what settings you used?
No problem! I was on aperture 3.5, a .4 shutter speed and ISO 1600. I also balanced my camera on a ledge to act as a temporary tripod.
This is a tough choice Alex. In the end I am choosing D. The colours give off a ray of sunshine on this damp grey UK afternoon. Have a safe journey back to New York State.
Thank you Steve! I love the bold colors and graphic shapes of D, too.
I love the colors in B!
Thanks Kendra, me too!
I love B & D for the use of color, and E for the teacher’s beautiful smile 🙂 All great photos, Alex!
Thanks Jamie! I loved being behind the camera this week.
I love the colours of Photo B, but I have to go with Photo A! I love rooftop bars, and I seriously regret not visiting any while I was in Bangkok.
They are definitely the priciest places to get a drink in the city, but well worth stopping for a cocktail. I still haven’t been to Sky Bar, which is the most famous of them all. Someday!
Definitely photo B. The colours are so lovely!
Seem to be the reader favorite this week 🙂 Thanks for voting, Doris!
Love photo A – is that in Phnom Penh or Bangkok?
Bangkok! Sorry, I should have been clearer in my labeling. Only the last photo is from Cambodia.
Lovely photos this week, you’re giving me some serious itchy feet right now! I think I’d have to go with Photo B (although I also love E), the colors are the best!
Thanks for voting, Laura!
The speakeasy bar! Totes looks like someplace I’d like to chill with some hipster cocktail.
I’ve been hitting up some seriously hipster bars this Thailand trip. I’ll have plenty of recommendations coming up 🙂
Was almost B (love the pic), but can’t go past E for all it represents.
So important for the next generation of Cambodians! 🙂
Indeed, Chris. Looking forward to posting about that experience!
Photo A… you saw Gone Girl! So jealous… man I miss going to the movies. Still waiting to see if it comes to Goa, or will have to be naughty and download it.
One of the many reasons I love Bangkok… going to the movies! It’s actually a pretty cool cultural experience, as before the movie starts everyone stands and basically pledges allegiance to the King while the national anthem plays. It’s very unmistakably Thailand.
There’s just something about photo D. What a great shot! I also love how you paired the flowers up with other photos.
Thank you! The flower market is the perfect spot to get inspired in Bangkok.
Hi Alex,
First time to comment here. A & B for me :). Funny thing, I first came across your blog when I was preparing for my own Cambodia trip in September. Been hooked since then and am now in the process of pursuing my own travel dreams 🙂
Good for you, Janne, and good luck! Funny how everything comes full circle 🙂
Somehow these pictures gave me an instant lift from this utterly depressing day I was having. Cambodia it is, for my next.
XOXO,
Bhavya.
Not a bad choice! I think you’ll love it, Bhavya 🙂
Photo A, you know I’m a sucker for rooftop terraces!! Gone Girl was good, right?? I loved the book! Also, it’s cold here in the US… I’m in KY/OH and we got snow yesterday. In November. Then last night got down to 8F. So, bring some of the warm weather back, will ya? I’ve got friends in NY state and they said it thundersnowed last night… shivers…
I totally spread the gospel of Gone Girl around Koh Tao… I think I got six people to read it while I was there, ha! And oh my, I will try to bring that warm weather…
Christmas in NY sounds lovely and I’m sure it’ll be great spending it with your family. This week, my vote goes to photo A because of the caption!
🙂 I always feel that way in Bangkok!
I love C and E! I hope you have an amazing time at home for the holidays.
Thank you so much Erika. I am looking forward to time with family and friends.
I like travelling in Cambodia. Enjoy the tour to Thailand in a delightful and memorable way. I traveled to Thailand last year.
They are both lovely and have a little piece of my heart. Glad you enjoyed!
Having taught English before, I love picture E.
Hats off to you! A few hours in a classroom was enough for me 🙂
I like photo A because I love great views. Spent 4 nights in Bangkok and didn’t make it to a rooftop bar. WTF was I doing?? All photos are good!
Ha, well don’t be too hard on yourself… Bangkok has endless amounts to do, so I’m sure there was a lot to tempt you!
That Muse place looks like somewhere I’d very much like to go! *emoji with heart eyes*
Let’s stay there when we finally do a Thailand trip, someday!
Love Photo A!
Even though I’m no big city person the picture is stunning and it must have been a beautiful view from up there! 🙂
It was indeed! And it was a nice change after a few months on a tiny island!
Great photos! Thailand is by far one of my favorite countries. I’ve only been gone a few weeks and I already want to go back.
It usually takes me about… the length of the flight to start missing it again 🙁
Great photos! I hope to be getting to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos sometime soon!
That’s quite the trio, Kristin! You’ll have a great time 🙂 Enjoy!