Dealing With the Downsides of Life in Cambodia

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  • Опубліковано 20 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 96

  • @BrandonJHunt
    @BrandonJHunt Місяць тому +5

    Glad your channel found me, love listening to you talk.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      That's the best compliement and encouragement I can recieve - I've been working on it. Thanks man, stay tuned...

  • @kevinadams9468
    @kevinadams9468 Місяць тому +5

    I watched the whole video, was very surprised at the down-to-earth honesty... but I spit out my drink when you started talking about the Tulum Mayan Role Players... Well done, sir! Well done indeed.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +3

      Ha - forget about reaching 10k subscribers. Getting someone to spit out their drink at my honesty about this life is the real benchmark of my success on UA-cam! Thanks for that.

  • @douglasthorp7471
    @douglasthorp7471 Місяць тому +7

    Yes Phnom Penh is a different story to kampot. I find a larger city better as a retired individual. I live in a condo overlooking tole sap river. I have lost 30 pounds swimming and walking to the market. I'm happy with my life here. I have had 50 years experience so this is perfect. No drama or expectations here. Thanks for your views.😊

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +3

      30 pounds - congratulations! I'm going to post a weight loss video soon where I get rid of 20 pounds in 6 weeks.
      I am more of a city guy myself but i really wanted a house with room for a film studio and other projects. My Phnom Penh video will go up Saturday. Stay tuned...

    • @pAuL-nb2ud
      @pAuL-nb2ud Місяць тому +2

      Good for you man on the weight loss 💪

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      @@pAuL-nb2ud Thanks brother! I'll drop the video around the turn of the year when I'm lean and everyone wants to get back into shape after the holidays.

    • @NicholasWarnertheFirst
      @NicholasWarnertheFirst 19 днів тому +2

      Well done brother. I like PP, have lost weight, stopped smoking and drinking and love to walk everywhere.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  19 днів тому

      @@NicholasWarnertheFirst Seems to be a theme - guys coming over here and losing weight. The Olympic Stadium and Riverside are great for the morning walks. Let me know where else...

  • @betobarber5135
    @betobarber5135 26 днів тому +1

    Great stuff! Do you mind sharing the camera and accessories you use?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  26 днів тому +2

      @@betobarber5135 This walk and talk stuff I shoot on a GoPro Hero 9 Black with a Tascam DR-10 sound recorder that goes in your pocket with a wired lapel mic. In the glossier videos I'm using the Sony ZV e 10 ii and a Sigma 16mm 1.4 and typically some drone work with the DJI mini 2 se. Pretty much the lowest cost gear for sort of high end UA-cam content.

    • @betobarber5135
      @betobarber5135 25 днів тому +1

      @followbrando thank you!! Appreciate you!

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  25 днів тому +1

      @@betobarber5135 Sure - check out the guys from Think media for gear ideas. I used to be a real expert on the latest equipment. Now that I'm a bit out of touch with the tech stuff, I watch their videos for all of that stuff.

    • @betobarber5135
      @betobarber5135 25 днів тому +1

      @@FollowBrando will do! Thanks for being so helpful you’re the best!

  • @DwayneCook-o4i
    @DwayneCook-o4i Місяць тому +3

    Great video thanks , I'm researching Cambodia

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +2

      Easiest long term visa to get - it's worth looking into. Kampot has a strong and growing communtiy of expats. So does Siem Reap, that seems to be the favorite city for Westerners. I'm heading over there in a week or so. Stay tuned for a cohesive video on the pros and cons of Phnom Penh this weekend.

    • @DwayneCook-o4i
      @DwayneCook-o4i Місяць тому +1

      @FollowBrando thank you. I'm in coastal Australia and not sure if I could leave my beaches and fishing here for cheaper and crazy hot there. The rivers around Kampot look good for an outdoorsman if I could buy a kayak. I'm coming over feb 22nd for 22 days. I'm doing 2 back to back tours with intrepid tours, if I like it I'll come back and have a more in depth look. Those street dogs are crazy, I'd carry a proper stick.
      Cheers mate

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      @@DwayneCook-o4i The heat is a bit crazy so you've got a smart plan - to test it out for several weeks. But this place is pretty outdoorsy. I'll get into that in future videos - the mountains and rivers and beaches.
      I think I'll take a stick on the walk this morning...

  • @sokpisethlalalanno
    @sokpisethlalalanno Місяць тому +1

    Such a nice home and best location you got right there dude, WoW

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      I feel a bit guilty like I'm getting away with something but I've also been seeking out a deal and a place and a city like this for the last two years in Southeast Asia. I found a good one.

  • @roygoad2870
    @roygoad2870 Місяць тому +7

    Go and visit some pepper farms, they are well organised for visitors and very interesting to walk around to see the structure and running a pepper farm business! Good luck with your new lifestyle! I’ve been to all the SE Asian countries, been living in Pratanmak Pattaya, for the last 5 years it suits me, got everything you could want. I’am not a bar person, prefer playing sports like pickleball, badminton etc etc. There’s an interesting mix of expats here! Just use an agent to apply for a retirement visa, it’s easy once you’re here!

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +3

      @@roygoad2870 Yeah the pepper farms sound like a good idea. I'll get over to Pattaya soon and look into the agent. Thanks for leaving the comment!

  • @pp-bf2ec
    @pp-bf2ec Місяць тому +3

    Great video!
    Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and I believe also Battambang all have multiple organic stores. Also all of them start to have electric car charging stations. Usually at malls but also some PTT fuel stations have charging available.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Yeeah I've seen the electric charging station at the PTT station here and a few other gas stations. Haven't found an organic store here yet though...

  • @kam_abroad
    @kam_abroad Місяць тому +3

    I have to say, your new accommodation is so much better than the last one. And the price is only like $150 higher - only in South East Asia. Btw, did you give up the deposit in your last apartment in order to break the lease early?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Yeah I'm digging my new compound. Finally feel like I live somewhere. I jumped at the chance to tie this place up when I saw it - and met the landlord. Super cool/helpful guy, that was a big part of it. I just kept the apartment for another month so I could do the move in two trips, and in case there was an unforseen problem with this place like the internet (turns out I get 75mbps up/down for $20/month) or the water pressure (landlord just installed a pump).

  • @Far_Ken_Gone
    @Far_Ken_Gone Місяць тому +5

    Hi Brando, Ken here, an Aussie living in Phnom Penh, You have a great presence on screen and enjoyed my first time watching your video. Just wondering what camera and mic you are using. Thanks Ken.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      Hey Ken, thanks brother. I've been working on my delivery so I appreciate it. I use a GoPro Hero 9 Black for the walk and talk stuff. I've found it's the cheapest GoPro that still looks good for that material (about $400). The interview material and cinematic B-roll comes from the new Sony ZV-E10 II ($1000 for the kit) with a Sigma 16mm 1.4 lens (about $350). The Sony/Sigma is like THE UA-cam setup. You can get the ZV-E10 earlier model, camera body only, for much less and get the same look. The mic is a Tascam DR-10L. It's only about $100 and it's like a wireless lavalier mic without the wireless reciever.

    • @Far_Ken_Gone
      @Far_Ken_Gone Місяць тому +1

      @@FollowBrando Camera and sound were perfect, I use a Insta 360 x3 for my vlogging but only use the front and back screens, the 360 mode is a pain in the arse (Aussie spelling) ass. Most of my filming is on my moto so easy to switch from front to rear screens. I have lived in Siem Reap for a while, then moved to Phnom penh, I love Cambodia, a surprise around every corner. I start my daily coffe ride with no plan, but always seam to find something interesting to film. I have suscribed to your channel and look forward to future content, So take care and thanks for your response , Cheers Ken

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      @Far_Ken_Gone Hey Ken that's a great setup. I liked and subscribed and commented. I'll watch some of your stuff and see the Cambodia i haven't been to yet.

    • @Far_Ken_Gone
      @Far_Ken_Gone Місяць тому +1

      @@FollowBrando You are a champion, Thanks Brando. Cheers. Ken

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      @@Far_Ken_Gone Watching your latest video - I've been pulled over about 3 times in PP - they go for the gringoes haha. I'll let you know when I'm back in PP next month. Maybe I can interview you for my channel, talk about expat life here...

  • @gerhardthen8851
    @gerhardthen8851 21 день тому +1

    I'm going back to Cambodia in late February 2025....will be based in Kampot....I love Kampot...a happy medium place...yes, what you say about cheap booze and drugs is correct...if you're not careful you can into problems..I've seen a lot of expats that are down and out and drug addicted in Kampot....Phnom Penh has the local junkies that are strung out around the public monuments...but, if you can occupy yourself, as you do, you can have a good lifestyle....a wholesome and fulfilling one at that.
    Cheers, and thanks for the honesty.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  21 день тому

      Thanks brother for the considered response! Let me know when you're in Kampot. Would love to meet!

  • @peten409
    @peten409 Місяць тому +3

    Looks like your channel is growing fast now. Congrads. I think you've got me more interested in Phnom Penh. I was always a little concerned about going. Now I want to check it out. Looks like I'm retiring soon and I my need to figure out a way around the new Thai taxes. I might try the trifecta approach and live in a place 4 months a year. I lived in Vegas for 7 years and love it but SE Asia is a lot cheaper. I still may need to hit the states for a bit guess we will see. I really like Pattaya nice cheap easy to deal with. I'm a bit of a loner how do you suggest going about meeting good expat friends. I'm always a bit cautious with new people.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      My next video is a cohesive peice on Phnom Penh so look for that one - it will have one of the more photoshopped thumbnails - Pros and Cons of Phnom Penh or somehting like that.
      You should try the trifecta anyway just because it's easy and exciting to do your first year or so. Another viewer from Pattaya just said the retirement visa is easy through an agent. He said he's kind of a quiet type but lives in a nice commuity a bit removed from the walking street hookers and parties.
      You'll trip and fall over other expats if you like to drink beer all day but plenty own restaurants - I've met some good ones that way. I've met others hiking or at Muay Thai classes. The Pattaya guy says he plays tennis and pickelball and stays out of the bar scene - I'm sure he's meeting other expats doing that. Get on the local facebook or reddit groups and you'll find other exptas.

    • @peten409
      @peten409 Місяць тому +2

      @@FollowBrando Not a partier or big drinker but lots to do any Pattaya and tons of girls lol. Still like to be in central location although I spend a month in Jomtein one year bit more late back and a lot cheaper. Been going to Pattaya for 3-4 months a year since 2017. Also like Kuala Lumpur. Angeles is good for a visit. And do is Phuket. Thanks for info.

  • @thefilipinapee
    @thefilipinapee 21 день тому +2

    You should carry a nice sized walking stick to keep those stray dogs in check. Did you get a rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP vaccine before going to Cambodia ?
    Realistic video, thanks for posting.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  21 день тому +1

      Thanks man. Yeah I went for a travel advisory with my primary care physician before I came here and got all of my shots current.

  • @Riff4Raff
    @Riff4Raff 15 днів тому +1

    When you coming back to Saigon?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  15 днів тому +1

      Next month for 2 or 3 weeks. Can't wait!

  • @chulito3309
    @chulito3309 Місяць тому +2

    Hey Brando, thanks for your video. You mention the properties you looked at that had issues with the internet service. I would really appreciate if you could elaborate that in one of your future videos. I am planning to move to Cambodia some time soon and I was considering using mobile data service for all my needs, however, I would rather use some kind of wired internet service at home as it would be faster, and hopefully, more reliable.
    🐕 From my experience living in a semi-rural area in Thailand, I would carry a bottle of water and spray the barking dogs with it. Never tried dot treats though - it may be a good idea. 😊

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      The water bottle sounds practical. I could use it on myself too with this heat! The internet service is available - the issues are with landlords who have crappy service when you see the place and just don't understand that the only thing getting in the way of a lease is a discussion about upgrading. I now have 75mbps up/down for $20/month from Metfone. it's pretty great. I will post a video soon about getting moved in and wired up. Thanks for the support.

    • @chulito3309
      @chulito3309 Місяць тому +1

      Thanks for clarifying the internet situation, it sounds like it’s something that just needs to be communicated to the landlord. I look forward to your video on getting moved in. Thank you 🙏

  • @jeswmuke
    @jeswmuke Місяць тому +4

    Interesting observations on phoniness of Bali and Tulum.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +3

      I can't speak from experience in Bali but Tulum is full of nut jobs. I think foreigners should probably leave the spiritual healing ceremonies to the indigenous local shamans.

  • @walsakaluk1584
    @walsakaluk1584 20 днів тому +1

    You can cut down on your aircon cost if you think a little about it.
    A fan is fine for personal comfort. For work, just cool the room you are working in and only when you are working in it.
    Your new concrete cave will keep you cool.
    Those dogs are just doing their job. They didn't roam beyond the front of their homes. They shut up faster if you just talk to them.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  20 днів тому

      Since I work at night from midnight til 8 or 9am, I've been able to just use a fan for my entire work day. Then I do what you mentioned, close the windows and curtains and cool it down then kill the ac. You're right about the concrete cave! Thanks for the comment.

  • @dougm3037
    @dougm3037 20 днів тому +1

    I don't know how you handle all those barking dogs. Would drive me crazy. Totally agree about Bali. Totally overrated IMO. Used to visit Chiang Mai a lot but switched to Vietnam. Why did you pick Kampot over say Siem Reap? Looking for something quieter?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  20 днів тому

      @@dougm3037 Just visited Siem Reap for the first time. Great place to visit. Wouldn't want to live there with all of the tourists and the several miles of gridlock that's hard to ride through every evening. Also like being closer to a beach, the capital and Vietnam. I can jump on my motorcycle and be in any of those places within a few hours. Plus the smaller community is easier to have wired. I would recommend that newcomers try Siem Reap first though. Super clean, big stores, great restaurants, etc. If they made a spray repellent for tuk tuk drivers I might consider it myself.

  • @cryptopolus1518
    @cryptopolus1518 Місяць тому +2

    Kampot is one of the places I consider living in Cambodia, but I am open water swimmer, so I need water to swim. Is the river swimmable for morning open water swims?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      This is from a Google search because I've never seen anyone swimming in the river:
      " The Praek Tuek Chhu river, which provides life for Kampot, is at the city's heart. It is a canal that is safe for swimming and is clean enough when compared to the Mekong or Tonle Sap (the further you go out of town, the better the water quality)."
      Seems about right to me. It is waaaaay cleaner than the Mekong and doesn't get the wastewater like the Tonle Sap in Phnom Penh. And check it out on the map - there are some river beaches between here and Kep, which has a pretty decent actual beach at the ocean (about a 25 minute motorbike ride away).

    • @DwayneCook-o4i
      @DwayneCook-o4i Місяць тому +2

      @cryptopolus1518 hi there, I've researched the water ways a little bit and yes there are bull sharks in the area but no attacks so far. I gamble like anywhere but doable.

  • @mimibigdy1917
    @mimibigdy1917 Місяць тому +1

    Great work desk - good feng shui - strong work… nice city…

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      Haha, yeah feng shui - I found a local guy selling big slabs of wood like I've got for my desk. I'm going to build some of my own furniture and give the place a designed look. And the city is great - stay tuned for more property tours and expat interviews as well as more of Cambodia and Southeast Asia.

  • @MSWcryptoworker
    @MSWcryptoworker Місяць тому +2

    Are you living in PP or which city in Cambodia are you in?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      I'll be in Kampot most of the next year aside from traveling for videos see my other comment.

  • @MSWcryptoworker
    @MSWcryptoworker Місяць тому +3

    How much are u paying for ur villa?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      $450 but running the AC remains to be seen. My goal is to keep the cost of electricity under $150 - we will see.

  • @MarkBennett007
    @MarkBennett007 27 днів тому +1

    As long as a Man has got a project….he’s never old…..John Wayne.
    100%

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  27 днів тому +1

      Thats great. Never heard that one before. But now I won't stop using it.

  • @dennisstoichkov8233
    @dennisstoichkov8233 Місяць тому +1

    What about bugs, insects etc. as a downside, or are they not so bad?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Not bad at all here. The mosquitos were a lot worse where I grew up in Central Connecticut in the US. I did have a probelm with mosquito bites in Chiang Mai, Thailand but not here. I expected that problem but I think all of the movies about war in the jungle in Vietnam and Cambodia blew that out of proportion.

  • @jameswilde3414
    @jameswilde3414 16 днів тому +1

    greetings from Ireland

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  16 днів тому

      Hey brother - about as many Irishmen here as Americans. Very few. Except the good bar owners, of course!

  • @EvanFilm
    @EvanFilm Місяць тому +1

    Now I am good with all pro editing software, but no formal education. Would that potentially get me started as a social media nomad? Also if I saved up like 10,000$ how long could I live in Cambodia.?
    Just random questions off the top of my head

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Ten grand would/could buy you a year in Cambodia. Rent a small place for $200/month with decent internet so you can look for video work on Upwork and build a professional portfolio to attract better/higher paying clients.

    • @EvanFilm
      @EvanFilm Місяць тому +1

      @FollowBrando thanks Brando. Very valuable info. You know the problem with other creators is they are purely entertainment with no new information to learn.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому

      @@EvanFilm I'm trying to be a bit of both - infotainment - and help others navigate life in Southeast Asia. A lot of cultural landmines to step on over here haha. Thanks for the support!

  • @thefilipinapee
    @thefilipinapee 21 день тому +1

    Is the Chinese investment prominent in your current city? Casino? Chinese owned businesses?

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  21 день тому +1

      In Kampot you don't see Chinese overdevelopment. It is a running conversation - keeping the city from being stained by bad Chinese ideas. There's at least strong sentiment among the Khmer people to keep them out and keep them from ruining Kampot as they did to Sihanoukville. Solid concern.

  • @MSWcryptoworker
    @MSWcryptoworker Місяць тому +3

    Ahh a villa!!

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Haha yeah that's what they call them here. I didn't want to sound too pompous and say "my villa" - if I had an exotic car parked out front and a marble fountain I'd go for it. But yeah, I've definitely got my own little compound here!

  • @reoun1654
    @reoun1654 Місяць тому +4

    Cons.. dogs, roosters, karaoke, funerals lasting 5 days, dickheads on motorcycles, flooding 😂 , power black outs for 1 to 2 days yes Boondocking in Vietnam for over 10 years need more vlogs on that for the would be digital nomads.....great vlog mate🤙🤙🤙🤙 quality work👍👍👍

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +2

      Thanks mate! Your list is accurate - especially the karaoke in Vietnam. The worst!!! I'm cutting a long documentary piece I shot on a motorcycle tour through the Vietnam highlands that I will post in about a month. and I will be back in Vietnam in January to shoot more videos. Stay tuned...

  • @mst6429
    @mst6429 Місяць тому +2

    Stayed in a similar environment surrounded with dogs in thailand in the 90s and had to deal with them but never had to walk that far out, that was a crazy distance to walk btw. N cambodia has the friendliest visa to obtain. Thailand is 50 yrs, 24k, 3 mths reporting. As for you trying to figure out Vietnam during your stay, check out what a vietnamese had to say about their culture n pass time.
    ua-cam.com/video/wvF__3qgjqc/v-deo.html

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      That guy's videos are pretty good. I've watched swveral of them in the past. I do like Vietnam but I don't know of any expats successfully running a life and business there without being married to a Vietnamese woman and that seems like suicide at least for me. I'm entertaining the Thai visa but I'm happy in Cambodia right now where I can visit the other countries easily. This place is just a super easy answer for an immediate long-term stay. Thanks for the thoughts!

  • @MSWcryptoworker
    @MSWcryptoworker Місяць тому +2

    Amazing I really hope to meet u and your girlfriend Arriving in Saigon in 2 weeks for cosmetic procedures and then heading to Cambodia to get residency

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +2

      We will be in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Battambang for a few weeks next month but here in Kampot otherwise.

    • @VyKetetrorp
      @VyKetetrorp Місяць тому +1

      @@FollowBrando I'm waiting for your video about Battambang City 🥰

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      @@VyKetetrorp I plan to visit in about two weeks...

  • @kosamui
    @kosamui Місяць тому +2

    White isn’t your color, imho.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Ha - yeah I've always been a black t-shirt guy. But this sunshine and heat...

  • @gene_retire
    @gene_retire Місяць тому +1

    Great video as always.
    Looks like you're getting domesticated😅. Anyway congratulations.

    • @FollowBrando
      @FollowBrando  Місяць тому +1

      Yeah I feel a bit more domesticated. But now I've got a place for power tools and all sorts of projects. Good to be in a house again.