2022 , we saw small numbers of foreign visitors , including families , enjoying Cambodia over the Easter break . However , there was also a notable absence of tour buses at major sites like Angkor Wat , due to travel restrictions of Asian nationals by their home countries . This means these sites are uncrowded — like it was years ago .
It ’ s essential to bring a letter of insurance , as you will be asked for it . In some cases , you need the letter even for transiting countries such as Thailand . Make sure your letter includes the names of all individuals and the dates of coverage for the entire trip . Otherwise , you will be asked to buy more insurance on the spot . Ensure that all your vaccinations are up to date and malaria prophylactics taken depending on your destinations . The low cost of living and travelling in Cambodia makes it an ideal spot to linger and become immersed in the country ’ s culture .
As retired teachers , our skills are in high demand helping with local English classes . The first time we visited Cambodia with our children , we had two volunteer teaching opportunities . The first was in Siem Reap with a local charity associated with a Buddhist monastery . The second was in the southern town of Kampot . We worked alongside Cambodian teachers , giving students access to native English speakers to practise their skills as we modelled different teaching styles and strategies
for the teachers . The three weeks we spent teaching evening English classes were a highlight of our trip , making personal connections and deepening our travel experience .
There are a great number of volunteer opportunities , but they do require some legwork before arrival to confirm . We avoided volunteer groups that require the volunteer to pay to volunteer — known as voluntourism . Most respectable volunteer opportunities will ask you for at least one to two weeks of your time and for you to pay your own living expenses . On our recent visit to Cambodia , we enjoyed reconnecting with people we had met on earlier visits , rediscovering its magnificent sights , and trying new experiences such as helium ballooning and cycling at Angkor Wat .
Cambodia is one of the first southeast Asian countries to open up after the pandemic , with the balance close behind . Several regional airlines are reintroducing flights between major cities in Southeast Asia , making it easy and inexpensive to add countries to an extended itinerary .
We hope that as the pandemic recedes , travellers will take advantage of the ease of travel to Cambodia to enjoy the country — and perhaps stay a while — without the throngs of travellers that will eventually return .
Calgarian David Dziadyk is a retired teacher and ARTA member ; his wife Laverne Bissky runs a non-governmental organization ( NGO ) in Southeast Asia .
Sunset at Kampot
news & views WINTER 2022 | 41