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Not Luxe ☼ Travel
  • ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL
  • WHY “NOT LUXE”
  • Cambodia
  • Australia
  • Travel
  • Teaching ESL
  • Move Abroad
  • Travel Insurance
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Nick & Raychel

Nick & Raychel

    Visiting the Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Visit the Killing Fields: What to Expect

    by Nick & Raychel June 28, 2019

    Once you enter any touristic area of Phnom Penh, you will see signs plastered everywhere – “visit the Killing Fields!”, tuk tuk driver’s offering their best bargain for a Killing Fields/Tuol Sleng (Genocide Museum) combo, and other forms of loud advertisements. 

    We once had a friend visiting us in Cambodia who was somewhat bothered by the blasé (and sometimes even bright) attitude surrounding the ads for the excursion, criticizing that he felt as though he was being sold tickets to an event or festival. Though we can admit it’s easy to misread, the truth of the matter is that the Cambodian people have an inspiring and admirable outlook towards visiting the Killing Fields. The general consensus is that though the Khmer Rouge was undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking events in history, it is absolutely necessary for people to be aware and educated on the topic.

    We personally believe the rest of the world should take a page out of Cambodia’s book and understand the importance of educating the world on their history. We cannot sweep the tragic events under the rug, no matter how traumatizing. The saddest truth is: this is real – and though we cannot change the past, we can work towards a better future.

    Below you will find our tips for when you visit Killing Fields.

    If you are going to Cambodia, we really suggest that you don’t miss it.


    Book a tuk tuk driver the night before 

    Book a driver near your hostel/hotel and settle on the price the night before.  This way, you won’t need to haggle first thing in the morning. $15-$20 USD for a tuk tuk to take you there, wait, and take you back is more than enough. 

     


    Plan to visit early (before the sun)

     As we know, Cambodia gets hot. In dry season, it will be sweltering hot around 10am. In wet season, you’ll usually get a downpour around 11am or 12pm. That’s why, regardless of the season, we recommend that you get to the Killing Fields right when it opens – around 8am. 

    The entire experience is already heartbreaking and uncomfortable as it is – so the last thing you want is to also be fighting the intense sun beams and humidity as you walk through the fields.

    The majority of the tour is outside, so don’t plan for any A/C. Get there before the sun gets unbearable – and make sure to pack water.


    Dress appropriately 

    Just as you would at any other important site, we advise that you dress respectfully. In Cambodia, this means that means covering both your shoulders and knees.

    You will still be allowed entry regardless, but as a general rule, this is the simplest way to show respect.


    You don’t need to read up before you go 

    In fact, one survivor we spoke to advised against it. The audio tour is included in your admission price, and is filled with everything you need – including the history of the Khmer Rouge from start to finish, as well as poems, songs, and stories. 

    You will hear true, first hand experiences from the tragic time as the entire audio tour is created by survivors. It is very well done, and it is important to hear the stories from real people who actually experienced the events. 

    If you would like to read up on the Khmer Rouge before you visit the Killing Fields, be sure to read books written by survivors. 


    Make sure to eat breakfast 

    … and use the bathroom before you visit. The great thing about the audio tour is that you can go at your own pace. Personally, we spent a few hours there. We really wanted to take our time and pay our respects.

    Make sure you are fed and comfortable before the tour in the case that you are there for longer than expected.


    Be prepared for a heavy experience 

    Though this may seem obvious, many people we’ve spoken to will admit that they underestimated how heavy the tour is. If we have any advice, it is to leave your problems at the door, bring tissues and allow yourself to feel any sadness that comes over you.


    It’s OK to not do Tuol Sleng right afterwards

    If you decide you are up for it, then carry on. That said, if you decide you feel too sad, angry, or ill after the Killing Fields experience, you do not have to push yourself to go to the Genocide Museum immediately after.

    Many people that we’ve spoke to, in fact, have said they wish they didn’t do both in the same day.

    Trust your gut and only take on as much as you can at one time.


    Don’t plan anything else for the rest of your day

    We would not suggest signing up for a beer pong tournament on the same day. Think about how exhausted you may feel afterwards and plan for that.

    What we did? Stayed close to friends and spent the rest of the day relaxing at the pool. We wouldn’t have had it any other way.

    —

    Making a trip to Phnom Penh? Read: 15 things to do in the capital city

    Looking to get some shopping in? Find our guide to the MARKETS in Phnom Penh

     

    OR if you prefer to watch (not read), find our Youtube Channel above.

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  • Skating Bokor Mountain, Kampot | Longboarding in Cambodia

    by Nick & Raychel June 22, 2019

    Skater’s Corner: Longboarding in Cambodia

  • 13 Things To Do In Kampot & Kep That You Can’t Miss

    by Nick & Raychel May 22, 2019

    ​Ahhh, Kampot. Our favourite place in all of Cambodia, and at that, one of our favourite places in the entire world. Kampot is a sleepy riverside town just a couple of hours…

  • Nightlife in Phnom Penh?! The Best 9 Places to Party

    by Nick & Raychel May 6, 2019

    Being the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh has a lot to offer. The best part about it? The Phnom Penh nightlife is relatively underrated. PP is constantly developing, which means great new bars and events popping up in different areas of the city. In this article, we share our favourite places to go out in the city.

  • 15 Things To Do in Phnom Penh: A Visitor’s Guide

    by Nick & Raychel March 29, 2019

    Wondering what to do in Phnom Penh? We’ve been lucky to call this place home, and we believe it is WAY more than a layover city. Want to know why? Here’s our list of activities that will get your heart pumping for PP.

  • Markets to Visit in Phnom Penh: A Guide

    by Nick & Raychel March 19, 2019

    Our guide to the popular (and unpopular) markets in Phnom Penh.

  • How to Move to Cambodia & Teach English

    by Nick & Raychel March 18, 2019

    Moving to Cambodia to teach English? Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know: from TEFLs, to locations, to cash, to contracts, to lesson plans, all in a step-by-step format to make your life easier.

  • 8 Tips You Need to Read BEFORE Moving to Phnom Penh

    by Nick & Raychel March 18, 2019

    Cambodia in retrospect: what we wish we had done differently.

  • The VEGETARIAN Guide to Cambodia

    by Nick & Raychel March 15, 2019

    How vegetarian-friendly is Cambodia? As a (mostly) vegetarian couple living in Phnom Penh, this is a question we get all the time. Today, we are happy to come to you with the good news: yes, it is possible to be vegetarian or vegan in Cambodia. If you’re anything like us, you will be pleasantly surprised by how accessible and delicious vegetarian food is throughout the city and country as a whole.

  • 8 Things to Know Before MOVING to Cambodia

    by Nick & Raychel March 10, 2019

    Flights? Real estate? Jobs? Transport? Friends? Here’s our quick guide that will make your move to Cambodia a lot easier.

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Nick & Raychel
Nick & Raychel

In 2018, we sold everything we owned and moved to Cambodia to teach English.

Let’s make this clear: this journey didn’t start with money. This journey started with a desire to see the world and to do something different for a change.

We’re not going to fool you with photos of floating breakfasts and private jets. We know what it’s like to be on a budget. Although we like to take pretty pictures, we aren’t going to wake up at an ungodly hour to give you unachievable travel jealousy. We aren’t going to censor ourselves or lie to you.

What we are going to do is stay in cheap hostels, find ways to make money, give the advice that we would want to hear, and share our experiences with you honestly.

Are you in?

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GUIDE TO MARKETS | PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (2018)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8v49HKtlIk

IS CAMBODIA SAFE? LIVING IN PHNOM PENH

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ABOUT NICK & RAYCHEL

About Us Hi! We’re Nick & Raychel, the Canadian travel couple behind the brand ‘Not Luxe’. Far before we were married (and on a mission to see the world), we were working…

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  • Every choice comes with sacrifice. We chose to use our money that we work for to travel, and we continue to make that choice every day.

But making that choice means we haven’t been able to do other things that another 30 year old couple would maybe do. We sold our car, all of our things, we don’t have a stable place to live, we haven’t started a family, we don’t own a home.

We work overtime to afford our travels, and we have very little money for anything else. 

And of course, we must acknowledge that we have huge amounts of privilege to even be able to make that choice. Our strong passports allow us to see much of the world, we were born into a country where our currency is valued worldwide, and we always have a friend or family member’s couch to crash on if we need it.

So this post is not meant to complain, rather show: everything comes with a sacrifice - and if you’re considering giving up your stable life for full-time travel, there may be some things you have to leave behind.

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

__

Tags: #notluxe #traveltips #budgettravel #cheaptravel #budgettraveltips  #girlslovetravel #travelgram #getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #canadiancreator #vancouverblogger #vanlifesociety #vanlifediaries #traveldiaries
  • We’ve lived on 3 continents by travelling slow and working when we end up 🫶🏼

& somehow our travels brought us back to our home city for the summer this year for the first time in 6 YEARS! Damn.

But we’ve said it once and we’ll say it a trillion times, we will do almost a n y t h I n g in the name of travel.

Any questions?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

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Tags: #notluxe #traveltips #budgettravel #cheaptravel #budgettraveltips #gapyear #travelgirls #travelgirlsgo #girlslovetravel #travelgram #granolagirl#getoutstayout #livetoexplore #travelblogger #vanlifeculture #vanlifediaries #vanlifeideas #liveoutdoors #vanlifeliving #vanlife #homeiswhereyouparkit #tinyhome #canadiantravel #ohcanada #canadiancreators
  • If you want to live in a van in 2023/2024, here is our roadmap for getting started with van life. 

⇾ Embrace minimalism and downsize your possessions

⇾ Research different van options that fit your lifestyle and budget

⇾ Set a realistic budget for your van purchase or build

⇾ Plan your layout and storage needs

⇾ Learn about solar power and sustainability

⇾ Source materials and supplies for your build - you can learn on YouTube

⇾ Talk to insurance companies and classify your van as a motorhome

⇾ Download iOverlander and create a budget for your travels

⇾ Connect with the van life community and attend meetups

⇾ Hit the road and embrace the freedom of van life 

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

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  • How much I spend in a day living *basically* rent-free in Vancouver 

As many of you know, we live in a van, but we also do housesitting with @trustedhousesitters 

Transit with a compass card is $2.50 which I use frequently - especially to visit my parents who also live in Vancouver 

This day we checked out To Live For Bakery @tolivefor.bakery which I highly, highly recommend to anyone who is cruising through the city and ends up on Nanaimo 

Also popped by @welksonmain for some N/A drinks from  @sobercarpenter & @getgruvi 

And our Trusted Housesitters membership is $11/mo totalling $0.38 for rent per day

& the one day total was $18.23 

Any questions?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

Tags: #notluxe  #vanlifeculture  #traveldiaries #travelgram #livetoexplore #vanlifeculture #budgettravel #worktotravel #traveljobs #travelblogger #vandwelling #discovercanada #vancitylife #bcadventure #canadiancreator #vancouverfoodie #veganfoodie #outdoorsycreator #minimalism #housesitting
  • Things we would have never done if we had listened to ✨ fear ✨(and these are just a few)

• quit our jobs to teach English in Asia
• sold everything we owned (twice) 
• moved to a country we’d never been to before (twice)
• converted an old ambulance into a tiny home with no experience
• drove from Canada to Mexico in our van 
• met up with people from the internet and became best friends 

But mostly, taken a chance on ourselves.

We do our best to not let fear or the opinions of others lead the way. 

Do you have any to add?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

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  • Is van life really cheaper than renting? Van life costs vs. monthly expenses living in an apartment.

Not to mention the average price in Vancouver now is $2,700 - so not sure where we’d find that $1,300 rental anymore.

Any questions about van life?

➟ follow @nickandraychel // full-time van life & budget travel 

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