Why I’m Going Back to Cambodia

I landed in Cambodia straight after the chaos of my insulin freezing in remote Vietnam. Not only that, I now had no bank card, so I was relieved to find a contactless ATM at Siem Reap airport.

I had scheduled to stay in Siem Reap for only three or four days.

I stayed for nine.

The people made me stay

At first, I didn’t think much of the city, and the insane 42°C heat was really doing a number on my blood sugars. Then I began to form close bonds with the locals there.

Two amazing local barmaids at the hostel made me feel so welcome and were so good to chat to that I didn’t want to leave. I even had an amazing day with one of them at a local lotus farm, run by well-paid but incredibly hard-working women.

At night, I’d be soaking in the charming atmosphere of the city, and a group of local guys would invite me to have beers with them on the house. I was now fully hooked by Siem Reap.

By the time I saw Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples, I had become fully engrossed in the appeal of Cambodia. The weather was insane, but the incredible locals made up for it.

Paradise is even better with people to share it with

I then went to Koh Rong Samloem, taking an overnight bus and then a local boat from Sihanoukville. The island was stunning, with crystal-blue water, pristine beaches and even more friendly locals.

It was here, though, that I really began to feel lonely. The expat environment on the island made it harder for me to integrate, and for the first time I wished I was with a group of mates to make the most of paradise.

That feeling is a big part of why I want to bring a community back with me. You can turn up on your own and still have people to share the whole experience with.

The day that changed how I see Type 1

I went back to Phnom Penh and immersed myself in Cambodia’s dark history. The Killing Fields were deeply emotional and shocking. I would recommend reading First They Killed My Father, an incredible memoir from someone who endured those horrific events.

The day before my flight to Indonesia, I volunteered with Action4Diabetes. And it changed how I see Type 1 forever.

Meeting people living with the same condition made me think differently about the healthcare and diabetes equipment I have access to in the UK. Our day-to-day challenges had so much in common, but the resources available to us could be very different. That stayed with me long after I left.

As I left Cambodia, I remember thinking: this country really has it all. History. Paradise islands. Huge temples. Amazing food. And some of the friendliest locals I met on my travels.

Why I chose Cambodia for our first community trip

When I was deciding where to have my first Type 1 community group trip, Cambodia was an easy choice. I want this to be more than another influencer trip — because I really don’t see myself as one, ahahaha.

I want to share a country that means something to me, travel alongside people who understand the extra planning Type 1 can involve, and use our stories to raise awareness. Sharing my experience has already helped me raise £1,410 for Action4Diabetes.

I also had absolutely no idea how to set up a group trip, so I left the admin side to KILROY. They’ve organised a special departure and tailored itinerary for our community. I’ll be there throughout, alongside an experienced tour guide — I don’t feel qualified to do all of this by myself!

The trip at a glance

What we’ll do: the 10-day itinerary

1. Day 1 · Arrive in Phnom Penh

   Airport pickup, settle into the hotel and meet the group over an included welcome dinner.

2. Day 2 · Phnom Penh’s history

   A tuk-tuk tour, then visits to S21 Prison and the Killing Fields to learn about Cambodia’s difficult recent past.

3. Day 3 · Head to Kampot

   Travel to our riverside guesthouse and spend the afternoon kayaking through the countryside.

4. Day 4 · Food and a river sunset

   Visit a pepper plantation, try a Khmer cooking class and finish with a sunset river cruise.

5. Day 5 · Koh Rong Sanloem

   Train and fast ferry to the island, then time to settle in, enjoy the beach and catch the sunset.

6. Day 6 · Boat trip and snorkelling

   A private long-tail boat takes us to snorkelling spots and quieter beaches around the island.

7. Day 7 · Beach morning, then north

   Enjoy the last island morning before the ferry back to the mainland and an overnight bus to Siem Reap.

8. Day 8 · Siem Reap and floating villages

   Arrive in Siem Reap and explore the surrounding countryside and traditional floating villages.

9. Day 9 · Angkor Wat and APOPO

   An Angkor Wat sunrise tour, temples including Ta Prohm with a local guide, and a visit to APOPO’s landmine-detection rats before our final evening together.

10. Day 10 · Check out and onward travel

    The trip ends in Siem Reap. Head home or arrange to stay longer; the group leader can help with onward plans.

See KILROY’s full day-by-day itinerary and accommodation details →

What your £1,199 covers — and what it doesn’t

KILROY’s headline inclusion is transport during the itinerary. Its final day describes making your own way onwards, so confirm any departure-airport transfer arrangements with them when booking.

Coming solo? You’re welcome here

If you’ve ever wanted to travel somewhere like Cambodia but Type 1 has made doing it alone feel intimidating, this is exactly why I wanted to create this trip.

People with Type 1, friends, partners and family members are welcome, as are people who are respectful and supportive of the community. The trip is for adults aged 18 and over.

You do not need to arrive with a ready-made group of mates. KILROY can help with solo-traveller room arrangements, and we can talk in the WhatsApp group before we go. If you’re travelling from the UK, we can also discuss coordinating flights.

This is a shared travel experience, not a medically supervised diabetes camp. You’ll still manage your own diabetes and discuss your travel plans and supplies with your usual diabetes team. Tell KILROY about any access or dietary requirements before booking so you can check what can be accommodated.

How to book

1. Open the KILROY booking page. Check the departure, current availability and full terms, then reserve your place with a £200 deposit.
2. Wait for KILROY’s departure confirmation before booking flights. The trip needs at least ten passengers to become a guaranteed departure.
3. Pay the remaining balance 60 days before departure. Follow the payment instructions in your booking confirmation.

Flights aren’t included. You can book them independently or through KILROY. Their page says ATOL financial protection applies when you book the tour and flights together through KILROY; it is not a blanket claim for a tour-only booking.