Hey there, I'm Sonja - a mum of 3 & nan to 6 grandchildren. Don't be fooled by the nan title - I'm a passionate traveler who believes adventure has no age limits! Who says backpacking is just for the young? Not me! I refuse to wait around for an invitation to explore the world. That's why, in June 2022, I sold my hairdressing salon, and all my belongings, to chase my travel dreams. From New Zealand to Borneo, I've embarked on some incredible journeys, & I'm just getting started! Join me on my adventures as I share captivating stories & valuable insights from my travels. Whether it's discovering hidden gems in my own backyard or exploring corners of the globe, I'd love to take you along for the ride. So hit subscribe and let's create unforgettable memories together! www.youtube.com/@nanwithabackpack?sub_confirmation=1
Hi Sonja, thanks for the video. I'm in a similar position to you, grandfather to 7 kids, but still enjoying travel. I'm coming to siem reap later this month and catching a bus from there to pnohm penh. Cheers, Noel
My friend sobbed her way round the killing fields. It’s so important to visit and remember. All those photos in Tuol Sleng. I wanted to look at every one and say you are not forgotten.😥
@@rachel.please3929 omg yes I was totally the same. I cried so much at the killing fields. By the time I got to the killing tree I was a quivering wreck. The graphic photos in p21 just about finished me off. My eyes are leaking again now just thinking about it. 😫
Wow.... have been to Angkor Wat, never to PP. is definitely on my list to visit. Thanks for doing the video, which is obviously a very difficult and emotional subject. Well done. Thanks so much for sharing......
Secret 21 Genocide Museum was my neighborhood where I grew up in the 70s and my former highschool. Each trip I visited this horrific place , I just couldn't understand how these evil people were so cruel to us after the war ended in 1975. It was seemed just like yesterday with only sad memory lives on as most of my family members did not survive mass killing madness under Pol Pot era not so long ago. I've been visiting my sole survivor sister who currently lives in Phnom Penh every year since my retirement from US. Sharing is caring. Peace from a genocide survivor ✌️
Thank you for sharing with me. Yes I cried so much visiting even now a few weeks after my visit just thinking about it I get upset. My overwhelming sense like you was how could these people be so evil. It was such a dark time for Cambodia 🇰🇭. I have been traveling for almost 2 years and the moment I arrived I felt the love and warmth from the amazing Cambodian people. 🥰🇰🇭🥰
@@MarkGillard-g1x thank you that means a lot. I was nervous about this video as I was so sad and emotional after. I am glad I went but it was such a difficult place to visit. My videos run a few weeks behind me and even now after rewatching I feel my eyes welling up. 😔
@@nanwithabackpack I’m in PP but still summoning up the courage to go. I did some SE Asian studies at university 30 years ago and remember reading a lot about it. Noticeable amongst the horrors of the 20th century that as far as I know NO ONE has ever tried to defend it, I don’t really like using it but the word *evil* comes to mind. Pol Pot was no peasant you know, educated by French intellectuals.
@@nanwithabackpack Somewhere else I haven’t been. Always makes me laugh when people assume I like traveling. I don’t particularly. I like to get to know a small area very carefully. Doing that with PP at the moment. I was in China for 8 years and always took my holidays in a small city called Yangshuo. No tower blocks, no metro, stunning scenery, perfect. Always stayed in the same hostel room for a laughably small price. If I was late they’d leave the key under a stone for me. 😉😉😂😂
The tour in the little bus was lovely I highly recommend it. Even though my driver did not speak English it was so nice to see the area in this way. I was in so much pain with my back I could hardly move. I was very grateful. Have you been to Quy Nhón?
@@MichaelChenCC no I was there for 2 weeks but have left now. My youtube channel runs about 4 weeks behind me. As when I'm traveling I never know what the wifi will be like for uploading, so I run them behind me.
@@nanwithabackpack Making it ahead of will be great. I've been here for 2 years, as an expat, Malaysia is pretty good for me to chill, unlike back home gloomy England 🤣
👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🇰🇭🇰🇭🇰🇭 I love your videos. Please make more videos in Cambodia. I'm enjoying very much for your videos in Cambodia. I'm waiting for more videos from Cambodia. 🙏🙏🙏
There is a giant ibis office in Siem Reap. I went there and booked the staff are great. Hopefully the link will work. I will also add to description below. 👇 hope that helps. 9V23+P7C Khet, 17252 NR63, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Great vlog. PP is a tad frenetic but I’m growing to like it. Been here a couple of weeks now. You’re perhaps now committed to SR but you might like to know that apartment rents in PP are dropping at the moment. I don’t quite understand why. Have fun.
Thanks 🙏 glad you enjoyed. Yes I found PP hard work. It’s a large city and for me yes I think I’m better suited to somewhere smaller that I can walk around. Glad you are enjoying PP 😊
@@TheBuddyShowWorldwide they are great and I found an apartment today. I’m so glad as the current hostel I’m in is not good. Definitely check them out and say I recommended 😊
Been a while since i have visited your page and I see you are up to 2.23k Subscribers - wasnt that long ago when you were celebrating hitting the 1000 mark. Well Done. Safe travels.
@@leemoores9830 thank you so much ☺️ and welcome back. Yes I am so lucky to have so many people following me. I am so humbled by all the support and encouragement from everyone. Thanks for stopping by wonderful to have you back 🥰
Hahaha....... yes traveling on a very small budget with absolutely no regrets. Can you imagine sat in that nursing home thinking to yourself I wish I had done whatever you passed up when you had the chance? I'm so blessed to have this opportunity and I am eternally grateful. 🥰 Thank you for watching.
@@nanwithabackpack I'm totally with you. After living for 20 years in Sth East Asia and planning to retire there next year as a minimalist, I totally understand. 😀
Thanks so much! Yes I’m really looking forward to taking some quality time to really settle into learning more about Cambodia 🇰🇭 I would also like to take language classes. 😊
Just came across your channel & well done you for following your dream to travel at an older age. As a guy in my 60's with all my kids grown up & only myself to account to I'm seriously thinking of traveling & seeing the world sooner rather than later, just subbed 😀👍
Welcome so glad to have you along. I can definitely recommend solo travel. Yes of course there are times when you just want to cry because you have had an exhausting day when nothing seems to have gone well. But you can have those days in your home town. If you’re unsure try a long weekend or 5 day trip somewhere not too far away I used to holiday solo every year on the island of Zante. Before I set off on this epic adventure I did a few days in Northern Ireland wow it’s so beautiful over there. After I did a few days in Iceland. (I preferred Ireland even though Iceland is stunning. What’s your favourite destination or place on your wish list?
As a resident of SR ist seems to me that the apartments look more and more similar. An almost useless baby kitchen, a tiny balcony, an uncomfortable sofa and not enough cabinets. If the apt. is older, in many places the fridge smells so bad that you don't want to use it. All points get way better for a monthly rent of USD 500 and higher. It is only my opinion.
Thank you……. but my budget is $150-$200 per month so $500 is completely unattainable for me. I have seen a few places and my friend has one for $150 per month that’s really nice. After dorm rooms it will be lovely to have more than a single bed and small locker 😄 bicarbonate of soda is great for removing any bad smells from items. 🥰
I agree. 500 USD is too much for me as well. When looking for an aptm in the lower price range you can be lucky, especially in the low season. Happy hunting 😊.
As a former renter in Siem Reap, My Advice, be aware of older style Split System Air Conditioning, they will cost you extra dollars in electricity Especially if they haven’t been maintained
Thank you so much for that I will google split systems and definitely check when I am ready to decide. Thanks again for info I do really appreciate it.
350$ pm seems highly excessive. it's important to note that the less you can seperate areas the more expensive the aircon becomes. All rooms like comfortable. It's always worth noting if doors and windows can be opened to create a breeze.
Great tips thanks 🙏 Yes the $350 was way too far out for me and out of my price range. I’m looking for $150-$200 per month really. But they insisted I went to see it as it was new. Only just finishing the build. It was nice but definitely not for me. I much preferred the last place also it was shaded by trees so felt cooler. 🙂
I did put prices in the video the first two 1 bed apartments were $350 per month the two bed was $500 and the last was $200 per month. Electric is $0.25 per kw and water $5 per month hope that’s helping.
so cool sounds like your settling in. The apartments all look lovely and are nice for u to unwind in your own space for a bit. interesting as well. yes go for the one where u know the area well i say and not far from your friends.
Yes I can’t wait to find somewhere to call home for a while. I am mentally physically and emotionally exhausted 😴 I really need to find somewhere to call home for a while and unpack. I love seeing new places but I think 🤔 settling for a while will do me good. 😌
