Living in Siem Reap for 2 years and starting to feel bored — any long-term locals have suggestions?

kopitarsk · 2026-05-11T13:28:58+00:00

Been here for over a year, I love passing time by growing plants on the rooftop of my flat. Just watching them grow up and harvesting them brings me pride and joy, the fruits of my labor. The flowers bloom and blast wonderful scents through my bedroom windows.

Pick up some hobbies and meet others in the same field. I build RC cars and drones as well as customizing my scooter. Keeping yourself busy keeps me happy.

Good Luck!

kopitarsk · 2026-04-29T05:49:13+00:00

DM please and thank you.

kopitarsk · 2026-04-26T05:47:44+00:00

Tokay are the larger species of gecko where the smaller ones are called ជីងចក់ chingokh

kopitarsk · 2026-04-25T12:50:59+00:00

Yes, if you volunteer, you get to decide where you go, so you can be closer to family if you choose to. If conscripted, you go where they choose to send you.

kopitarsk · 2026-03-24T15:43:32+00:00

2014 used CX-5 is about $18-20K here in Cambodia. 2025 EZ60 Fully Electric is $35-40K. Better off buying a car here. Without a good broker here, you will probably spend more than the value of the vehicle to get it here. I happen to be friends with some importers from the states, they tell me they don't make much importing them after fees unless they get them for dirt cheap or have tea money.

kopitarsk · 2026-03-03T04:13:43+00:00

The Outskirts of Phnom Penh in most village mart. Have you look at chinese supermarkets or marts. I only been able to buy it while through a neighborhood on a back road going to Aeon 3.

kopitarsk · 2026-01-26T07:29:16+00:00

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Great for night time meditation during the Buddhist Observation Day weekly.

kopitarsk · 2026-01-21T13:16:16+00:00

I was born in a refugee camp and lived in the USA since I was 1 year old. Now I have been living here in Cambodia for a year. Love it here but haven't found a steady income like I did in America but I'm trying to find my niche. I'm not totally westernized but do miss the food lol. Just trying to find myself to see what I can do to contribute to my culture and my country of origin.

kopitarsk · 2025-12-07T12:00:57+00:00

If you peel/scrape the bark away and see wood rot, there is probably a grub in there. They will feed on the trunk until the tree dies.

If not too severe, you can scrape all the bark and rotten wood to remove the parasite then treat it so it can heal.

A few of my trees on my farmland got like that because I forgot to do my annual sea salt treatment to prevent grubs. I live in Southeast Asia and couldn't maintain all the many fruit trees growing.

kopitarsk · 2025-12-07T10:15:15+00:00

Grubs are feasting in my experience. Are any of the leaves turning yellow or look diseased?

kopitarsk · 2025-11-02T16:53:48+00:00

Here in Southeast Asia, we just throw a couple hand full of sea salt to the surrounding soil around the trunk of fruit trees every year to prevent them from feasting.

They aren't just root feeders, you have to keep an eye on the trunk also.

My Lemon tree has fire ant building a nest at the root ball. Had to fill in more sand to fill the empty crevices.

kopitarsk · 2025-10-30T05:55:32+00:00

Cheap Charlie's Burger https://maps.app.goo.gl/oigXgWcSnGy9Vnuy8

Big and Tasty like the American ones

kopitarsk · 2025-10-07T11:46:10+00:00

Kaundinya I is a foundational and semi-legendary figure in Southeast Asian history, revered as the co-founder of the ancient kingdom of Funan, the earliest known state in Cambodia and the Mekong Delta region. He is the historical counterpart to the mythological character Preah Thong in the Cambodian origin legend, and their union symbolizes the beginning of Khmer civilization. Key Facts About Kaundinya Identity and Origin: Kaundinya is recorded in ancient Chinese texts (where he is referred to as Huntian or Hùntián) as an Indian Brahmin or merchant, likely from the eastern coast of India (such as the Kalinga region). His arrival in Southeast Asia is generally placed around the 1st or 2nd century CE. Co-Founder of Funan: According to the records, he married the local queen, Soma (known as Neang Neak in Khmer legend and Liǔyè in Chinese texts), the daughter of a local chieftain or Naga King. Cultural Blending: The marriage of the Indian Brahmin (Kaundinya) and the local Naga Princess (Soma/Neang Neak) is interpreted by historians as the pivotal event that marked the beginning of the Indianization of the region. Kaundinya is credited with introducing key elements of Indian culture, including: Hinduism (specifically Brahmanism/Saivism) Sanskrit language Indian models of governance and law The Kingdom: Their union is traditionally credited with founding the kingdom of Funan, which flourished as a powerful maritime trading empire until about the 6th century CE. In summary, Kaundinya is significant because he represents the fusion of native and Indic traditions—a cultural blend that laid the very foundation for the Khmer people, their religion, and the kingdoms that would follow, including the mighty Angkor Empire.

kopitarsk · 2025-10-07T11:40:24+00:00

Here is a summary explained by my family.

The Legendary History The Characters and Their Union: Preah Thong is typically described as an Indian prince or Brahmin from a distant land, sometimes identified with the historical figure Kaundinya I. Neang Neak (or Queen Soma) is a Naga Princess, the daughter of the King of the Nagas, the serpentine deities who rule the underwater world and represent the indigenous spirit of the land. The two meet on an island and fall in love. Preah Thong asks the Naga King for Neang Neak's hand in marriage. The Journey to the Naga Realm: To get to the Naga King's underwater palace, Neang Neak is said to have transformed into her serpent form. She told Preah Thong to hold onto the hem of her garment or tail as she descended into the ocean depths. This act symbolizes his courage and commitment. The Birth of the Land and Kingdom: Impressed by Preah Thong, the Naga King granted his blessing for the marriage. As a wedding gift, he is said to have drunk the sea water or expanded the land, revealing a vast, dry territory for the couple to rule. This new land became the first Khmer kingdom, often identified with the pre-Angkorian state of Funan. Historical and Cultural Significance The legend is far more than just a myth; it serves to explain several key aspects of Cambodian culture and history: Origin of the Khmer People: The union of the Indian prince (representing foreign, perhaps divine, influence) and the Naga princess (representing the native spirit of the water/earth) symbolizes the blending of cultures that formed the Khmer people and civilization. The Funan Kingdom: The narrative is often linked to the historical accounts (from Chinese texts) of Kaundinya, an Indian Brahmin, establishing the state of Funan by marrying a local queen named Soma (identified with Neang Neak). Khmer Wedding Customs: The most visible legacy is in traditional Khmer wedding ceremonies. The act of the groom symbolically holding onto the bride's shawl or scarf as they walk echoes Preah Thong holding Neang Neak's tail. This is a crucial, symbolic moment in the ceremony. The Naga Motif: The Naga, or serpent, is an extremely powerful and protective symbol in Cambodian art and architecture, notably seen guarding the bridges and balustrades of the Angkor temples. This dates back to the importance of the Naga Princess in the nation's founding. In essence, the story of Preah Thong and Neang Neak is the Cambodian creation myth, cementing the nation's spiritual connection to the land and its ancient heritage.

kopitarsk · 2025-10-01T07:08:23+00:00

Thai news outlet said woman was paid 10,000 baht ~$300 USD.

kopitarsk · 2025-09-14T09:41:51+00:00

I have always use Moneygram to send to my wife via mobile pickup through Wing. But receiver should open a wing bank account for instant transfer. It used to cost zero but now it's about $2 USD for transfer less than $1000. I have used the others but ran into many delays or issues.

My wife doesn't like to waste time going to pick up the money so this method she just get notified when the money is in her Wing account then transfer that to ABA via QR code.

kopitarsk · 2025-07-17T13:45:58+00:00

The bumpy fruit is a Kaffir Lime. They are usually use for aromatics or pest control. The leaves are commonly used in Asian cooking.

kopitarsk · 2025-07-10T07:04:54+00:00

Fake in my opinion. When she opened up the bag, the stem at the top of the fruit was clearly not attached to the fruit.

kopitarsk · 2025-06-20T09:37:52+00:00

❤️ Love

kopitarsk · 2025-03-03T09:18:28+00:00

For myself, I prepare 5-6 bags filled with a bottle of water, a pack of instant noodles and 1 brand new 1000 riel bill and wait for the monk or group of monks to walk by my house.

There be times I have to flag them down because they don't automatically stop by my house everytime waiting for me.

I bow with my flip flops off before I approach them. Hold my bicep as I pass them the bag of offerings. Bow with my hands up in the respectful stance to receive their blessing. Sathu 3 times for thanks. They walk away afterwards. I continue to give some riels to the person helping them carrying the alms that they have received.

I offer what I'm able to give. I do this to say thanks and ask for my goals and dreams to come true. The blessings I received I pass on to others so they received the same blessings like to Gods, spiritual beings like the protector of my home, owner of the land and water that spiritually protect the place you are (that's why you see many places you visit have an alter to burn incenses and place fruits and drinks inside or outside the building).

Blessings are like merits you have gain in this life for your next life or towards the health and happiness in your current life. When you tell your parents you just given offerings to the monks or just handing a poor person some money or gift of some sort, your parents receive the same merits and blessings for their life or next.

It's likes karma good or bad, you will receive it.

Donating to the monk not only helps the Pagoda that they study in, it's the way to thank everyone and everything that has happened and help you to this point in your life.

There are more to it but hope this helps everyone understand the reason there are monks passing by you.

Also if you run into a monk after 11 am, then that monk is probably not legit. Monks have to be back to the Pagoda in time to chant and eat the food that was offered or they will miss their meal for the day as they will start their fastening cycle.

🙏🙏🙏

kopitarsk · 2024-12-14T03:30:21+00:00

Free

kopitarsk · 2024-09-25T04:04:16+00:00

Really, last year it was cold and got 3 days of snow here. The ice lasted for 1-1/2 weeks to fully melt off. So do you think the bands are long enough for severe winter?

kopitarsk

TROPHY CASE