Where I’m At: November, 2012 – Bangkok, Otres Beach, Ho Chi Minh City

Bangkok with bloggers and boats

After making my way to Malaysia I was planning to head to Indonesia. Instead I have ended up back in Bangkok (again!) after getting an invitation to attend the Royal Barge Procession rehearsal.

[Not an actual barge]

This event is only held every few years so I couldn’t pass up the offer. It also gave me a chance to catch up with some travel blogger friends.

[Chris, Kevin, James, Dieter, Mark]

There are two rehearsal days before the main event and journalists/media are invited to attend to get a better position for photos as well as getting photos out before the main day. I will publish a photo post next, and if you happen to be in Bangkok on the 9th of November I would highly recommend heading down to the river to see this event.

It was an interesting day out mingling with photo journalists as well. I often get asked if I would like to be guide book writer. That sounds like the hardest travel job in the world to me. I think I will add photo journalist to that list as well. At least event photo journalist. I always appreciate event photography, especially for sporting events, but I know that behind the scenes there is hours of waiting around, shooting hundreds, thousands of shots in the hope of getting that magazine cover shot or feature in a newspaper. It seems to be a competitive business as well, and we saw one skirmish break out over a prime position on the riverside.

Then there is the equipment. I thought I was doing alright with a 150mm lens, but it really showed it limitations when I was surrounded with what looked like bazooka’s with a camera attached. I love photography and I am constantly trying to improve, but I will stick to photography that doesn’t require a personal sherpa to carry my equipment around. I recall this interview with Henry Rollins where he says he only uses a 16-35mm lens, which forces him to get up closer to his subject. I like that philosophy.

[Waiting patiently for the boats]

Otres Beach, Cambodia

I first visited Phnom Penh in 2005 in what was my first visit to Southeast Asia and I loved it the moment I stepped out of the airport and got on the back of a motorbike taxi. I have been back to the region at least once a year ever since, to the point now that I am here for half the year.

[Phnom Penh – my first city in Southeast Asia]

I’ve come to Cambodia to see what Phnom Penh is like as working base, and also to see some friends who are here on my way back to Vietnam. I arrived at Phnom Penh airport to be greeted by Anthony and Will. I met Anthony in Chiang Mai earlier this year, and have since been email contact with Will.

[Will, Anthony and Yours Truly]

Also in Cambodia are Dave and Lauren, who have lured me down to the beach.

[Hanging out with travel blogging glamour couple Dave and Lauren.]

Not that I needed much luring. This is Otres Beach.

[Otres Beach]

I’m stayed in a beach bungalow for $12 a night with remarkably decent internet. While working by the beach is not the best for my productivity, it’s good to be able to hit the beach for a few days while keeping the business ticking over.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

After spending a month in Ho Chi Minh City in September it was apparent to me that this city was a place that I want to base myself for a while. The cost of living is favourable, there are plenty of cafes with fast wifi, and at the moment there is a buzz to the city with many online entrepreneurs setting up here.

I have a three month visa and I plan to be here for the duration. I’m not promising anything but I feel like I could easily spend 3 months here (with a few side trips thrown in.) Now that I think of it 3 months would be the longest I have been in one place in over 3 years, maybe longer. I have stated previously that I wanted to get into a cycle of one month on, one month off with the work/travel thing. 2012 turned out to be more travel than work, which it is not a bad thing, but I am now ready to put in a solid few months of productive work before planning my travels for 2013.

So far life as a temporary Saigoner has been working out well. I arrived here with with travel friends Anthony and Will, and there are plenty more friends on the way. I have already found a room in an apartment and I’m getting to know my new neighbourhood and of course all of the great places to eat.

[Goi cuon (fresh spring roll with shrimp)]

Travel Links
Reflections on 1,000 Days as Digital Nomads from Never Ending Voyage.
President Barack Obama’s Trip To Asia (I was in Phnom Penh when Obama was there.)
Can’t find a job? Move overseas.
Speaking of visiting cities for future potential working base locations, Dan from tropicalmba.com has done a great podcast on this subject: what is the best place in Southeast Asia for internet entrepreneurs?