Marty wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2020 2:15 am It is totally more dangerous off a main road. And the more off the road you are, the more dangerous. And the whiter you are, the more dangerous.

Yea, skin cancer can kill you if your not careful.

Marty can't you ride/drive on a dirt road, as for locals they are alot more welcoming and friendly off the beaten track, that's what makes Cambodia such a great place to travel.
I'd say same as country folk throughout the world

Sounds good, I'll wear sunscreen and travel all the Cambodian dirt roads once travel is allowed again.

There is a chance those people had only ever seen a handful of foreigners and were worried you were going to rob their home. lol. If you're concerned it's easy enough to source a concealable knife or a big one, your choice. I would carry most definitely carry one. they are handy to cut fruit or many different things in the bush farming. Hopefully, you'd never need it for protection, but it could save you as well.

When I first went to my wife's home province I could see far away in the back of rice patties, lots of colorful flowers. I thought it was a poppy field. I told them I wanted to go walk out there to have a look around. Her family was worried about my safety and wouldn't let me go which cemented the thought of "oh shit, it is a poppy field!" I soon realized, when I snuck away and walked out there, the flowers were lotus flowers blooming everywhere. haha.

What the other person said above I've also found to be true. The further from the city I get the friendlier the people. I get waved over and offered beer all the time. Lots of stares while on my moto because they may not have seen a white person before or are just not used to it.

I totally want to explore the poppy fields. How about a meat cleaver for self defense?

Just carry a pack of cards with you and you will get many waves and invites from friendly old ladies to sit down with them for a chin-wag or more.

Marty wrote: ↑Thu May 14, 2020 10:15 am I totally want to explore the poppy fields. How about a meat cleaver for self defense?

Best weapon for self defense in the country side is a case of beer and a smile

To understand reality, you need to listen to the Cambodian people. They are giving you good advice for your own safety.

If you believe your guess is true, and what the Cambodian people say can't be true, you are living in fantasy land.

To the people on this forum, who understand reality, please speak up more before the op gets killed.

explorer wrote: ↑Fri May 15, 2020 9:23 am To understand reality, you need to listen to the Cambodian people. They are giving you good advice for your own safety.

If you believe your guess is true, and what the Cambodian people say can't be true, you are living in fantasy land.

To the people on this forum, who understand reality, please speak up more before the op gets killed.

Welcome back!

A return well recognizable in style I must admit.

Hey Explorer - good to see you back. Where did you go on your holiday?

PS - i have spent many years exploring in some the most remotest parts of Cambodia. I feel, and in fact am, far far safer out there than in Phnom Penh or in my provincial capital.
All my life i have been attracted to "dangerous places", "dangerous situations" and "dangerous people" but they have turned out to be pussies compared with inner city living - anywhere.
imo