With the academic year now over in Cambodia, I headed back to Finland to see my daughter, friends and colleagues, as well as to catch up with my long-time jiu jitsu brothers. However, the highlight of the trip was a week long self-development retreat located somewhere in Finland’s countryside. There, with my daughter’s Godfather, we had an in-depth discussion about friendship, artificial intelligence, and the related project that he was currently working on, as well as how the magic of Cambodia can serve to save the west from its downward moral trajectory. I then conclude with some fresh news about Matilda’s, Snuffy’s and my maiden Tour de Cambodia bicycle tour, which will go ahead shortly after our return to Siem Reap, so be on the look out for that!
This is not a video that I had planned on making, but it manifested as a consequence of the passing of one of my neighbours at our apartment complex. After I got the news from Autumn in Asia‘s Kelly, who is also my neighbour, we then attended the funeral/passing ceremony, which had been organised at very short notice just a few hours later. Kelly and I attended, along with members of the landlord’s family, as well as some local people, and it was conducted by 6 monks from our local Wat.
It was a very powerful and moving experience, and I hope that this video, where I go over everything that I observed, as well as add some personal thoughts on the greater concept of what is likely to happen when an expats dies in Cambodia.
Just note, that this is in no way a sad video, but one that provides yet another reminder of how important it is to live your life with meaning and passion, which includes providing service to others.
I commenced the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail on my 59th birthday in June of 2025. This personal journey of spiritual growth over 800km took me 22 days, and here I will be present to you the full 4 part series, the initial ‘Road to Saint Jean’ – prologue, and then the 3 main parts to match the 3 phases of the Camino – the Physical, Mental and Spiritual.
The first video above is of that prologue, which describes my journey from Finland to the starting point at Saint Jean Pied de Port, a small town located at the foothills of the Pyrenees by the border with Spain. Below you will find the three remaining videos in the series. I hope that you’ll follow this wonderful journey, and that it will inspire you to also plan for and do something similar, if not the Camino Frances itself. You won’t regret it!
Be blessed, George
La Fase Física
The second video is the story of that first physical phase, La Fase Física, which sees me walk 325km from St Jean Pied de Port, over the Pyrenees on day 1 and then on to the city of Burgos in 9 days via Pamplona, Los Arcos, Viana and Belorado.
La Fase Mental
This third video is the story of the second or mental phase, La Fase Mental, which sees me walk 196km from Burgos to León over a period of 5 days over ‘La Meseta’ (The Plateau) via Castrojeriz, Frómista, Carrión de los Condes, Sahagun and Puente Villarente.
La Fase Espiritual
This final video is of the spiritual phase, La Fase Espiritual, which sees me walk 323km from León to Santiago de Compostela over a period of 7 days via Astorga, Ponferrada, Sarria , Portomarin and Arzúa.
