Well, we have finally arrived in Battambang. Trip wasn’t too bad.  Three motorbikes…Cam/me, mother/father, and sister.  Took around 90 minutes, although Cam says it is doable within 60 minutes.  However, we stopped twice along the way.  Road isn’t too bad, and fortunately it did not rain.  Battambang reminds me of this quaint, sleepy small town.  It makes me think about Mark Twain stories that describe life in sleepy river towns of the southern US.  Depending on which travel website or guidebook you read, some list Battambang as the second largest city in Cambodia while others list it as number three. No idea what the actual population is, but it does not have a big city vibe to it.  While I did not see an overwhelming number of tourists in the city of Siem Reap itself, the temples were definitely busy.  In Cam’s hometown, I was definitely the token foreigner.  Not a single other Caucasian within miles of the place.  Battambang does not seem to attract many foreigners, either.  We have seen a few, but not many.  Traffic for me was not a problem in Siem Reap, and doesn’t seem to be a concern here as well.  The biggest issue regarding traffic everywhere is there are simply too many vehicles and too little infrastructure.  I would hope some of the two lane roads and streets will be widened to allow for better flow, but that takes time and money.  I do enjoy the French colonial architecture, and there seems to be a very active art scene here with a  number of galleries and museums.  Have not done any of the touristy type things just yet.  Already discovered a great place for breakfast near the Airbnb that has these most delicious treats that look like donuts but are chewy similar to Japanese mochi and have a sticky coating covered in sesame seeds.  So yummy.  Also tried their version of a chive dumpling and something similar to an empanada that contains ground pork, chives, and jicama among other things.  Found a modern supermarket where I will probably do most of my grocery shopping.  Cam will probably prefer the local markets, but the western part of me likes the shiny and new appearance of the more modern supermarket.

Airbnb turned out to be exactly as described with the exception of the swimming pool.  The photos of the pool online make it look very large, when in reality it is more like a kiddie pool…just for wading and cooling off, but no laps or diving whatsoever.  It was nice to be able to sleep in an actual bed last night without mosquito netting with a working AC unit.  AC is only in the bedroom, but we have two fans in the living area to keep air circulating.  That must be a thing here in Cambodia.  Unlike Bangkok, where the entire unit has AC, it only seems to be available in the bedrooms in Cambodia.  Kitchen is small, but I have come to expect that of most Asian kitchens.  I was also able to take a nice, long hot shower instead of scooping water from water storage to get myself wet and rinse, as well as a standard toilet.  Funny thing about the toilet, though…the toilet is standard, but the toilet seat is from a different toilet that is more oval and elongated. lol.  Cam makes fun of me for wanting to take a hot shower but keeping the AC on all night long at full blast to stay cool.  I guess that is somewhat of a contradiction.  It was nice to finally be reunited with some of my belongings as well.  The larger bag had gone to Battambang when I first arrived…taken by a friend of Cam’s who drives a delivery truck.  I was not sure what condition it would be in, but it had been safely stored and everything in order just like when I first arrived at the airport.

OK, this has absolutely nothing to do with anything of importance, really, but can anyone explain to me why they would have a left turn arrow on a traffic signal at an intersection but yet when the arrow is green, the light is also green for the oncoming traffic from the opposite direction straight ahead?!?  I was so confused by this, but could not help but laugh out loud.  The green arrow to turn left should be the only working light at that moment and the only traffic moving, but that was so not the case.  I do realize that traffic signs and signals in general seem to be more for decoration than actual rules of the road…but that was just mind boggling to me.  Do they even require driving tests here?  Not sure what it takes to actually get a license.  Supposedly, according to all of the guidebooks and travel websites, foreigners are not permitted to drive in Cambodia.  I do not know if they have rental car agencies. Not something I pursued.  However, foreigners are able to rent a motorbike even though according to the government it is forbidden.  This was not so noticeable in Cam’s hometown, but in Battambang and also in Siem Reap there are many shops that have bike rentals.  Think once I am actually living here full time we will consider the possibility of purchasing a car.  As much of a daredevil I think he is on the motorbike when I am not there, Cam seems to be nervous and afraid of learning to drive a car.  I am sure this will pass once he gets behind the wheel. lol

Just now, jimmie50 said:

Well, we have finally arrived in Battambang.

It looks I missed you guys there by exactly a week.

I recommend visit to the Bat Cave at dusk and see spectacle of 3 zillion bat leaving it for the night feed in the field. I was told it takes about 1 hour to empty the cave.

On 10/17/2026 at 10:53 AM, a-447 said:

I agree completely.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

And also, who knows what that 'meat' is?

And why is my salad looking back at me?

I could never survive the way are doing at the moment. I'd have to bring all my own food, which would be considered very rude.

You are not wrong...I remember a time, 30 years ago when I visited a country where food practices scared me so much I survived on Rice Krispies and cup noodles (prepared on my room) for 2 weeks! I would dream about a cheese burger most nights (I am not even that fond of cheese burgers!!) 😆

On 9/29/2026 at 2:40 AM, a-447 said:

It's the same in Japan.

And there's a going rate for the amount of money in the wedding envelope, depending on your 'status'.

The money is used not only to help pay for the very expensive wedding, but the happy couple also have to provide a gift for each attendee. The value of the gift depends on the amount the guest put in the envelope. Normally, little if any of the wedding money remains.

There are also 2 gift giving seasons - oseibo in winter and ochugen in summer. Both coincide with the winter and summer bonus paid to all workers. The amount paid depends on how well the business has done. Strangely, politicians give themselves huge bonuses! Some of this money is turn used to buy gifts.

The gift giving seasons are to thank those who have helped you in some way. Doctors and teachers do very well! Department stores set aside huge areas filled with gifts of differing value, from alcohol, laundry detergent, household appliances and Rolex watches and other designer goods. Store vouchers are also popular. People receive gifts, but also hand them out, often using the vouchers they've just received.

These customs means money keeps circulating in the society.

I'm not all that familiar with Cambodian culture, but I have a feeling there are probably other celebrations during the year which require a donation.

Daily?

Today was all about taking care of business.  I opened a bank account at ACLEDA.  I chose this bank because this is the bank that Cam uses.  Cam is also on my account.  I have a similar arrangement in Denver where my sister and youngest nephew are both on my accounts there.  Just on the outside chance that something were to happen to me and I became incapacitated, I want someone to be able to access the account and handle matters if it becomes necessary.  I will be able to move money from my US bank account to the Cambodian bank account as needed, but that can only be done through the US account…not in reverse…so Cam does not have access to those accounts.  I anticipated that question would be coming from forum members.  lol.  The bank account was relatively easy to set up using my passport, the ER visa, and the current Airbnb address.  I was able to show an online receipt through the Airbnb website that satisfied the residency requirement as far as the bank was concerned.  You can actually open the account with $0 money, but I chose to deposit $50 USD.

Went to Metfone, again chosen because Cam and his family all use this company, as it was time to re-up the next month on my cell/data plan.  Inquired about an annual plan, but nothing like that is offered.  Everything is month to month.  However, since I have the ER visa, my rate was a little bit less, and the months I am out of the country I only need to pay $1 monthly to keep the account active.  This can be done with a transfer via my phone from the ACLEDA bank account directly to Metfone.  Quick and easy.

Checked out two different hospitals in Battambang…Handa Medical Center and Sovann Polyclinic.  Both are accustomed to dealing with international patients and have English speaking staff available.  Both are private, though, as the public institutions are not recommended by expats living there.  Handa and Sovann will do for routine visits and to get my prescriptions.  Emergencies in a pinch.  Anything other than that will require a trip to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, or Bangkok.  I already knew that.  Both facilities are decent and similar to what I experienced in Bangkok.  Checked with the pharmacy at both places, giving them a list of my medications and the dosage for each one.  Both places were very nice and took time to check the list carefully.  It seems all of my current medications will be available here with the exception of one heart medication and my inhaler for asthma.  They have a different but comparable inhaler…but no alternative for the one heart medication.  I will need to discuss the medications with my doctor back in Denver to see what else we might be able to use instead of the one not available at all.  Overall, though, it was a very positive experience and I don’t think my medications will be too much of an issue.  Once I return, I will need to decide on which medical center I prefer and make an appointment to be seen by one of the doctors who will write the prescriptions.

Planning to meet with a real estate agent next week to look at some possible apartments.  AC is definitely at the top of my list, followed by washer.  Swimming pool would be nice, but not a requirement.  Secured parking for the motorbike is at the top of Cam’s list.  Not sure why…is theft an issue here?  Would be nice to have an actual stove top in the kitchen instead of a single hot plate, but that is not a deal breaker.  I can always buy a second hot plate if necessary.  Not sure how well equipped the kitchen will be until we actually start visiting potential places. 

In the meantime, having a family dinner tonight at the aunt and uncle’s house.  They are not as warm and fuzzy towards me as Cam’s immediate family.  Cannot pinpoint any one thing…just my overall vibe.  Welcoming the stranger to their home…okay…but definitely get a feeling of disapproval regarding me and Cam.  I had seen photos of them before from when their daughter got married recently.  They also looked very stiff and conservative in their photos.  Don’t think they will be folks that we spend a lot of time with, even though they are in Battambang. His cousin’s are okay, though…around the same age as Cam and his youngest sister…25-35 range.

4 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

and my inhaler for asthma. 

Depending on what exactly you use these quite often get dispensed without a prescription in normal Thai pharmacies so you can easily stock up if you travel there occasionally.