Captivating Cambodia
We arrived in Phnom Penh - Cambodia’s lively capital – after a short flight from Saigon. There were plenty of activities on offer and we explored the city centre on a cycle tour, learned how silk is made from start to finish and took a relaxing boat trip on the Mekong River with magnificent views of the Royal Palace. Less relaxing was the visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum one of the more notorious prisons in Cambodia, and the killing fields just outside the city.
Our private minibus took us from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and we admired the wonderful scenery along the way watching the water buffalo working away in the rice paddy fields in the lush countryside. Most houses were made of wood and raised up on stilts mainly in rural locations. One of the stops on this journey to Siem Reap took us to an insect market where crispy insects were being sold. Cambodians regularly snack on crispy cockroach, tarantula, crickets, and other insects. Needless to say, I didn’t try any. I was surprised to find the food in Cambodia to be spicier than that in Vietnam. All of the restaurants we visited were of high quality and serving delicious food. One of the specialities of Cambodia is fish Amok – fish in a curry sauce steamed in a banana leaf.
We spent the next 3 nights in Siem Reap which is famous for the Angkor Archaeological Park just outside the town, which contains the remains of the different capitals of the Khmer empire. This UNESCO protected monument includes the temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple and Ta Phrom which appeared in the film Tomb Raider. Several varieties of monkeys can be seen swinging from the trees in the temple complex or on the ground begging for food. Watching the sun rise over the temple at Angkor Wat was an unforgettable experience and a highlight of the tour.
Siem Reap is also known for Pub Street - popular with back-packers and anyone looking for lively nightlife. It is a good place to stop for a drink after a day exploring the temples or to do some shopping in the evening at the night markets.
Cambodia is still relatively unspoilt especially in the more rural locations. The people are friendly, and the food is wonderful, but for me the most important reason to visit is for the spectacular Angkor Wat temple complex.
If you are interested in taking a trip like this, please get in touch. For solo travellers small group touring is an ideal way to see the world safely. I can also tailor-make a private tour to suit your interests and budget.