Countryside Homestay

Are monks vegetarian?

Not in the Theravada tradition. Buddha was asked if monks should be vegetarian and he said no, it's not required. A monk should not eat meat if they have seen, heard, or suspect the animal was killed specifically for them. But monks have to beg for their food so, if someone shares their food, a monk may not refuse it, even if there is meat in it.

What does Sok-Sabay mean?

Many Cambodians will greet you with a friendly Sok-Sabay! Sabay simply means happiness. Sok is a wish that all things work out for you: money, health, and safety. Often translated as luck, but really more a wish for peace of mind in all things. If someone says it to you, the correct answer is just to say it back!

Who is the figure with the giant statue on Bokor Mountain?

Lok Yeay Mao is an ancient local Neak-Ta guardian spirit of Kampot Province.

Why do so many Cambodian cats have crooked, stumpy tails?

There's nothing wrong with them! They're born that way.

Why do Cambodian women wear pyjamas?

For Cambodians, they aren't pyjamas; they're farming clothes. Traditional, loose-fitting, light clothes that cover the skin to protect them from the sun. Even the Khmer Rouge dressed people in 'black pyjamas'.

Why are kids driving motorbikes?

The reality is that it simply wasn't feasible to provide tests and licensing for everyone across the country, so in 2016, the Government of Cambodia decreed that motorbikes less than 150cc were excluded from license requirements. So, you don't need a license for smaller motorbikes. However, it's almost certain your medical insurance will see it differently!

How do Cambodians know which chickens are theirs?

Chickens instinctively roost: they have a favourite safe spot where they spend the night. So, you don't need to keep track of your chickens. Every evening, about 30 minutes before sunset, they all come back home!

Why are they called tuk-tuks?

Originally called auto-rickshaws, motorized vehicles started replacing traditional hand-pulled rickshaws around the 1950s and '60s. They were produced in Japan with little two-stroke engines that would putter down the street, making a 'tuk-tuk tuk-tuk tuk-tuk' sound. The locals started referring to them as tuk-tuks.

What is the colourful flag you see everywhere in Cambodia?

The multicoloured flag is the International Buddhist Flag. First invented in 1885 in Sri Lanka, it was officially adopted as the International Buddhist Flag in 1950 at the World Fellowship of Buddhists.

Where can I see 60+ rescued dogs by the river?

At High Tide! Joe Pitman, an Australian known locally as 'Pu Joe', has rescued and rehabilitated over 60 dogs who now roam freely at the sanctuary on the Kampot River.