The Lost City of Angkor Wat, Cambodia

This ancient city’s wonders were rediscovered in 1860 by the French explorer Henri Mahout after it had been concealed deep within the Cambodian jungle for centuries. Today it is now possible to experience this city’s mystical wonders. At one time this amazing place was the Khmer civilisations capital. The city’s high of power came in the 12th century when the magnificent Angkor Thom was built which is a royal city within a city.

During this time King Suryavarman the second, erected the temple which is said to be a symbol of Mount Meru – the sacred core of the Hindu faith. This temple is truly a spectacular building in itself. It is encircled within a sizeable moat and bridged via a stone causeway. The three story stone built structure faces west with the top floor capped by four corner towers and a main level 65 metres high. When it was first built the temple was bestowed to Shiva – one of the Hindu gods, later this temple was used as a Buddhist monastery. Nowadays carvings relics of the Buddha are present within its hallowed spaces. Today it is acknowledged as a spiritual monument by Cambodia’s mainly Buddhist population. Eight centuries of plundering and weathering have done little to diminish the quality of the majestic detail of the carvings of Angkor Wat. The carvings depict scenes from the Mahabharata – a great Hindu story and shows scenes of great Khmer battles and warnings of the sufferings of Hell.

The best time to view this unforgettable place is in the morning, where you the carvings and reliefs really stand out in the morning light. The rising sun highlights the aspsaras (celestial nymphs) carved into the walls ad pillars. The detail of these sculptures is truly amazing given how old they are. Bullet markings remind us of recent history of when the temple was used as a safe haven for the infamous Khmer Rouge communist movement. Indeed the entire top level of the city would seem to have been designed specifically with daybreak in mind. The sun slowly creeps through the stone pillared windows of the temple casting the beautiful morning light upon the apsaras in the sanctified Buddhist sanctuary fading into the shadows again less than 20 minutes later.

The Bayon and Ta Prohm are also two locations that are a must for any aspiring visitors to this great city. The Bayon is a small temple which was built later than Angkor Wat. This temple is easily distinguishable with its massive, expressionless stone faces resembling the Lord Buddha. Historians think these were built at a time when the ancient Khmer civilization was making a transition from Hinduism to Buddhism. Ta Prohm on the other hand was a once beautiful temple which has been ravaged by time. You may know this temple by the huge roots that push their way through the stone. This part of the temple is well known through photos around the world.

The temples of Angkor are now more accessible than ever with Cheap flights to Thailand and onto Cambodia. If its peace, tranquillity and jaw dropping history and architecture you are after head to the main Buddha sanctuary on the top level of the temple. You can only reach this temple by climbing one of four flights of steep and dilapidated stairs which the Khmers who built it equated to the demanding and tricky path to heaven. This is perhaps the most spiritual place you could ever visit and uniquely offers tourists the chance to feel inner peace.

Phnom Penh – Cambodia’s Capital City

Getting to Phnom Penh:

Phnom Penh’s International Airport, formerly known as Pochentang International Airport, is a very modern facility located 10 kilometres from the centre of the City . It is the larger of Cambodia’s two International Airports .As befits the Capital City of Cambodia; Phnom Penh is serviced by the major South East Asia airlines with flights to and from South and South East Asia destinations.

These include Bangkok Airlines and Thai Airways to Bangkok, Lao Airlines to Vientiane, Vietnam Airlines to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Dragon Airlines to Hong Kong, Silk Air to Singapore, Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur, EVA Air to Taipei, Asiana Airlines to Seoul and three Chinese Airlines to Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Bus services run from Thailand through the border at Poi pet and also from the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh City, crossing the Cambodia-Vietnam border at Moc Bai.

A more exotic mode of transport is the boat ride to Phnom Penh from Char Doc in Vietnam. This route follows the Mekong River.

Getting around

Phnom Penh does not have a local public bus system. Either motorcycle taxis or tuk-tuks are on every corner ready to take the visitor around town. These operators offer a cheap service with the trip from the centre of town to the airport costing $ 7.

For a quaint and relaxed experience the three wheeled cycle rickshaws offer a slower ride around town.

There is a limited taxi service with taxis mainly available from the cities hotels. Cars are not available for rent and although motor cycles are available for rent it would be a brave person who would want to ride in this heavily congested traffic system.

Entertainment

Evening cruises on the Mekong River Live Music and the bars and restaurants along the River.

Where to stay

Accommodation in plentiful in Phnom Penh with all travellers catered for from those seeking the $ 5 per night budget guest house through to the affluent using the increasing number of four and five international hotels. A good cross section of accommodation is located in the Riverside area.

Where to Eat

The Phnom Penh river front along Sisowath Quay is where you need to go if international food and flavour has a special appeal to you. There is a distinctly French influence in the dishes available as well as the traditional Cambodian fare. In addition restaurants with Vietnamese and Thai dishes make this area a true South East Asian dining experience.

What to See

The Royal Place seated on the banks of the Mekong River takes up a whole block and features the Silver Pagoda and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Palace Grounds. Next door to the Royal Palace is the National Museum. The museum houses Angkoran statues and an extensive collection of exhibits from that era. On a more sombre note the Tuol Sieng Genocide Museum displays evidence of Cambodia’s horrific past under the rule of Pol Pot.

The Cheoung Ek “Killing Fields” located 15km south of Phnom Penh provides further evidence of the atrocities during the reign of terror. Situated in a field of green is a stupa loaded with layer on layer of human skulls.

Where to shop

The Central market in the Riverfront area sells everything imaginable both inside and on the outside of the art deco styled dome covered area. Also nearby is the Soraya Mall which has several floors of well stocked shops.

Angkor Wat – Temple of Ta Keo

The original name of the temple was ‘Hema-sringagiri’, meaning ‘The Mountain with Golden Peaks’. It is one of the few temples where you can still see mae ji, as the female devotees of Buddha are known. They are recognizable by their shaven heads and white garb. In past years, they tended the Buddhist shrines that had been placed in the often Hindu temples. More recently, due to the influx of tourists, one sees less of the mae ji and more of the locals dressed up in traditional garb to pose for photos. The mae ji can be considered female monks, but that is not quite accurate. The mae ji occupy a place between the monks and lay people. Many sects of the Buddhist faith allow women to be ordained, and their numbers are growing, but those rights have still not been extended to women in this area of the Buddhist world. Still, they take the same vows of faith that the male monks do. In the temples they often sell incense sticks to be presented to the shrine they tend.

The climb to the top of the temple is an arduous one, especially in the hot sun. The east-facing stair is the easiest of the four, yet still quite steep. Take great care if you decide to go all the way to the top of the 22-meter-high temple. The temple plan is straightforward: the stairs on each side lead directly up each level, eventually leaving you at the top where you can enter the central tower.

You probably won’t be able to notice just from looking or walking around, but the temple is slightly asymmetrical. The third level is slightly west of center, and the southern edge is slightly wider than the north edge. It is unknown if these variations were intentional or not. However, it was intentional that Jayavarman V built his state temple in a place other than the center of his capital, though the significance of this is unknown.

In accordance with the symbolism of Mt. Meru, the third level is the most holy place. One of the kings succeeding Jayavarman V, a man named Suryavarman I, gave the temple as a gift to Yogisvara Pandita, one of the religious leaders of the time. Despite the esteem that others felt for this yogi, the man himself used only the lower two levels and considered himself unworthy of the highest level. If you make it to the top, you will see that it is a special place, with a great view over the treetops and even a glimpse of the very tip of Angkor Wat to the southwest, though it’s easy to miss.

The central tower that is accessed by the long flights of stairs does not have a roof. The absence makes the room of the central tower seem like it has a skylight and, along with the unfinished carvings, is evidence that Ta Keo was left incomplete. Scholars believe that it was just too ambitious a project for its time. This certainly may be true, but it must also be considered that the temple builders experienced a big setback during construction.

Work was interrupted when lightning hit the crowning stone. In Khmer culture, this was a very inauspicious occurrence. A ceremony had to be held to cleanse the temple of the bad luck, and new stone had to be ordered. The stone was high-quality sandstone known as grauwacke, which had to be cut and shipped in. This setback may very well have made the building project too much to finish.

Famous Temples Worldwide

There are a number of temples world over which are famous because of one reason or the other. Some are famous for their architectural designs, some for their locations and some because of their spiritual and religious importance.

Wat Rong Khun, Thailand

Wat Rong Khun is a Buddhist temple located in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It has various dissimilarities with the other Buddhist temples of the world. It has been made using the white colour and various mosaic mirrors have been used to give it an amazing shine. Mastermind behind the construction of this temple is Chalermchai Kositpipat, a renowned Thai artist. The temple is still under construction and it is believed that it will take another half century to complete this temple.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan

Tiger’s Nest Monsatery has been constructed at the edge of a cliff, which is 3,000 feet high in Paro Valley, Bhutan. It is counted among the most holiest places of Himalayan kingdom, Bhutan. According to a famous legend, Buddhist Guru Rinpoche (famous as second Buddha), flew to this site on a Tigress back and meditated here in a cave. This cave now exists in the structure to the monastery. This monastery, which is called as Taktshang Goemba, was constructed in 1692.

Prambanan, Indonesia

Prambanan is a famous Hindu temple, which is located in Central Java region in Indonesia. Prambanan temple was built in 850 BC and there are about 250 small shrines inside the temple complex. Walls of the temple have been covered with carvings of bas relief narrating various stories of incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Ramayana.

Shwedagon Pagoda, Mayanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda in Mayanmar is believed to have been built 2,500 years ago between 6th and 10th century. The temples has been painted in Golden colour. The dome of this famous Stupa has been covered by using more that 2,000 rubies and 5,000 diamonds. One of the main attractions of this temple is eight strands of Lord Buddha’s hair. It is popular belief among devotees of this temple to donate packets of gold leaves after saving their money for a long time. These gold leaves are stick to the wall of the temple.

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), India

Golden Temple is one of the famous holy places of Sikhs in India. It is also famous by the name of Harmandir Sahib (Abode of God). It is located in the holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. It is believed that the site of the temple used to be a lake in the ancient time and Lord Buddha and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji meditated here. Golden temple has been constructed using marble stone and sculptures and has been gilded in gold.

Apart from these temples, there are a number of marvelous temples around the world like Vishnu Temple in Srirangam, India, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Tibet, Hindu temples and holy ghats of Varanasi in India, Borobudur temple in Java.

Discovering Angkor Wat Temples in Cambodia

If there was one place I’ve always wanted to visit, it would have to be Angkor Wat. For those of you who haven’t heard of Angkor Wat, it is a temple complex built near Siem Reap in Cambodia. It was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman the second and was the capital city for his empire. It is well known for its large variety of bas-reliefs, and devatas (guardian spirits) that are decorated throughout the entire complex on its walls.

Fortunately my recent visit to Cambodia, included spending a few days in Siem Reap and getting to go to the temple complex. It costs about $ 35 to get a pass into the complex for 3 days and that allows you to see all the temples. I took time to see quite a few of them, obviously the masterpiece however is Wat. Another amazing temple that is very popular is Angkor Thom, it was 15 minutes or so from the Victoria Angkor Hotel we stayed at in Siem Reap. The temple boasts 216 smiling faces. Words cannot describe the emotional effect the temples have on you. It is a place of beauty, mystery and wonder. The age and history of the temples are incredible. Our Guide “Sophy” from a Southeast Asia travel company called Exotic Voyages could not have been better; he really knew his history and he knew how to find just the right spots to take 5 Star pictures and stay away from the crowds. The hotel we stayed at is one in a chain of my favorite hotels in Southeast Asia, Victoria Hotels.

They are peaceful, serene, laid back and wonderfully designed. They even had 2 baby crocodiles on display in the indoor river. It was a wonderful hotel and the breakfasts at resorts in Southeast Asia are like nothing you’ve ever seen in the U.S. You literally have over a hundred items to choose from. There was a chef ready to make any type of egg you wanted with 30+ options, there were 20 varieties of cheese and fruits and cereals. There was even a waiter standing ready to serve you any juice you asked for and most of them he picked fresh right from the town. The breakfasts are always amazing and I love waking up early in the morning, getting a good workout in and having a great breakfast to start the day. There is so much to share about Cambodia, one of my favorite destinations. I love Cambodia and can’t wait to go back!

Do and Don't When Travelling to Cambodia

Cambodia is becoming a popular country in Southeast Asia for international travel: it’s affordable, friendly and beautiful. It may not be packed with five-star hotels, water parks and luxury spas, but what it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in charm. Recovering from a dark past that many visitors are interested in learning about, Cambodia is similarly eager to show off its lighter side: from ornate temples to lush natural parks and wonderfully preserved architecture.

You can get cheap Cambodia flights by searching online comparison sites finding the cheapest airline serving your home city. Remember the following dos and don’ts when you go to Cambodia:

Cambodia’s religions is Theravada Buddhism, which is practised by an estimated 95 per cent of the population across all provinces, in nearly 5, 000 wats or temples.

In Cambodia, there is a close link between religious tradition and everyday life, and Buddhism is fundamental to the country’s national identity. Thus it’s important for visitors to respect local traditions and religious beliefs. For example, ask permission prior to taking photographs of people or monks. In the case of visiting temples, try to always be respectful of worshippers and holy men.

Before you travel internationally, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor for health advice.

Although no vaccinations are required for entry to Cambodia, some immunisations (depending on the time of year and region you’re travelling to) are encouraged. The climate in Cambodia is tropical, with monsoons between June and October, and warm, dry weather dominating the rest of the time. Many Cambodians wear “Krama”, which is a long, narrow checked cotton cloth around the neck – what Westerners may recognise as a necktie – that warms against chilly weather and protects against mosquitos.

Owing to the warm weather, you can expect to drink a lot of water. Take care to only drink purified bottled water. You may enjoy the local Khmer cuisine, which has been described as similar to neighbouring Thai food, but without the heavy spicing. Staples include stir fries, rice, noodles and soups, and of course you may recognise Prahok, which is a fermented fish paste that’s used in a variety of speciality dishes. Are you brave enough to try the delicacy, “balut”, which is a fertilised duck embryo boiled alive and eaten in the shell?

Whether you’re travelling to Cambodia’s cities to enjoy her well-preserved architecture, or touring the killing fields to learn about the Khmer Regime, there is much to see in this complex and beautiful country. Get flights today and plan your holiday to the pearl of Southeast Asia.

Cambodia Holiday

In the past, travelling to Cambodia can only be achieved in our dreams as it has shut its doors for about 25 years. Now it is good news to those who want to travel to Cambodia as it has finally open the doors with open arms and welcome anyone to travel and visit the country. The kingdom of Cambodia is now a safe and enjoyable destination for tourists.

Cambodia is well-known for its ancient temples, fabulous sandy beaches, dense forest and the amazing culture and amazing history. Travelling to Cambodia is certainly very educational and eyes opening and is a perfect trip for the family.

It has been said that seeing the Angkor Wat alone is worth the trip to Cambodia. Angkor Wat is known to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is built by the Khmer Kings and it took almost 4 centuries to complete. In the ancient days, this temple was hidden in the forest but was fortunately discovered by a French man about 150 years ago.

The size of Angkor Wat is so huge that it is not possible to walk from one temple to another. If you prefer to move around at your own pace, you might want to rent a motorcycle and tour around at your own time and convenience. Another alternative is that you can get a local guide which usually includes transportation. For the second option, you can get more information about the various itineraries and packages from your hotel tour counter. The “Lost City” of Angkor is indeed an irresistible attraction not to be missed.

The people in Cambodia is extremely friendly and warm especially towards tourists. Besides the vast number of tourists attractions, the friendly culture of the Cambodia people, the delicious cuisine is also another reason for the increasing numbers of travellers coming to Cambodia.

Having a vacation in Cambodia is a totally different experience and cannot be compared with travelling in a city like Japan. The pace is a bit slow here and transportation is not as efficient and fast compared with cities in other developed countries. Travelling between destinations although is quite an experience, it can be rather fun as this is cannot be experienced elsewhere.

If you are living in a fast pace country, visiting Cambodia is like visiting a new world. Everything is so different and unique here. It can be an unforgettable experience for most of us.

Experience the Cambodia Tour

A tour to Cambodia is one decision you will always be proud of throughout your life. Cambodia’s ancientness and depth in history is richly woven into the very tapestry of Cambodian landscape and life style. Traveling in Cambodia is like an appointment with the very past that has molded our present existence. The aroma of Cambodia’s rich history lingers around Cambodia’s modern beauty. Its evolving identity is as much a continuation of its rich cultural values as it is about Cambodia’s urge to forge a distinct modern identity. Cambodia tour is much more than an excursion; it is a tribute to the precious existence of the planet’s tapestry of life.

Angkor Wat is the architectural manifestation of the very spirit of Cambodia; large, grand, unyielding and inviolable.

The blows of mighty nature have neither been able to diminish its beauty nor dent its determination. The temple was built during the rule of Suryavarman II in the early 12th century and is believed to have been built to represent Mount Meru; the mythical abode of Hindu Gods. Angkor Wat is situated close to the city of Siem Reap, inside a larger area called Angkor Archeological Park. There are many temples spread in this large area of more than 350 square kilometers. Angkor Wat is the grandest and most breathtaking among these temples. The real enormity of Siem Reap to Angkor Wat can only be appreciated most when seen in the foreground of the rising sun. The temple reveals itself in full glory and majesty, with the sun acknowledging its grandeur by bestowing dawn’s most radiant light on Angkor Wat’s symbolic magnificence.

Many modes of transport are available to visit Angkor Wat, and the friendly looking tuk tuk is among them. It is the sweetest one, a symbol of the creative spirit of Cambodia. A motorcycle is attached to a decorative and comfortable trailer, supported on two wheels. It happens to be one of the most delightful rides one can ever hope for. Tuk tuks offer comfortable and environment friendly rides both in rain and sun. If the rains pay a visit roll down the covers of your tuk tuk, and roll up the covers to enjoy the refreshing breeze especially when the day gets hot. The licensed drivers speak good English, they can guide you properly and also narrate interesting anecdotes to tell your friends back home. Cambodia is not only about the places you visit, it is also about the places you see along the road, and the precious people who smile and wave to you through the open tuk tuk. Enjoyment of Cambodia takes a unique hue, once you are atop the friendly, safe and welcoming tuk tuk.

Cambodia tour does not stop at Angkor Wat. Limestone caves near Kampot, Phnom Penh city build by the French, and Preah Vihear Temple are among the many other tourist destinations to be visited in Cambodia. The beach buff can also find Sihanouk ville Beach for a soothing experience. Sihanouk ville is a port city with all modern amenities like star-rated hotels, a wide array of cuisines and a variety of bars. The richness and variety of Cambodian landscape is as unique as it is fulfilling. A tourist returns home with fond memories and a longing desire to come back again, and then again.

Angkor Wat Temple is the Great Architectural Genius in Cambodia

angkor cambodia temple

The Angkor Wat temple is world famous for being a product of the most engineering feats in human history. It has the distinction of being the biggest stone temple in the world and the steps are amongst the steepest in the world.

It was built in the 12th century for King Suryavarman II, and is one of the most well preserved temples in Cambodia. It epitomizes the classical style of the Khmer temple architecture, which is a combination of two plans: one is the temple mountain and the other is the galleried temple. The design of the temple represents Mount Meru, the mythological home of the Hindu Gods (devas).

Angkor Wat is oriented to the West, which is not the case with the other temples in Angkor.

Until the 19th century the Angkor city and temples were hidden by the forests. It was seen by the world only when French archaeologists took up the extensive restoration of this hidden marvel that stood the test of time. It involved clearing the forests, repairing the damaged foundations and constructing drains to ensure that water does not damage the buildings.

The Angkor Wat temple is now a World Heritage Site, which ensured that the Cambodian government protected the site and also funded part of the restoration project.

In the 1980′s, after another restoration, the roof was replaced with cement, but this cement leaked into the temple and caused immense damage. Now, restoration is underway and the roof stones have been removed, but they will be reassembled on stronger foundations. There are also sections of the structure that have collapsed, and this restoration is to ensure there is no further collapse.

This architectural masterpiece with its perfect balance, composition and sculpture is one of the finest monuments in the world. A moat surrounds the temple and the wall around it measures 1300m x 1500m. The walls of this temple are covered inside and outside with carving and bas-reliefs. Keeping such a massive structure intact is a huge task, which is being undertaken with a lot of love and care it deserves.

A Very Troubled Templed – No End in Sight For Standoff Over Extraordinary Preah Vihear

After a seventeen-year wait, Preah Vihear, along with nineteen other sites, was inscribed as a new site on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on July 8, 2008, but the inscription excluded the 4.6 sq km plot of land adjoining the temple.

The inscription of the sacred site has been one of the most challenging tasks of the Cambodian government. The case has been widely publicised but many wonder why its inscription is such an important and controversial issue.

Significance of Heritage Listing

Aside from symbolising Cambodia’s majestic past, national pride in current Cambodia and optimism in the future Cambodia, one of the foremost benefits of Preah Vihear being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the recognition that the temple has ‘outstanding universal value’. This should raise global awareness of the Temple of Preah Vihear and bring economic benefits from increased tourist revenues. The concept of World Heritage lies in its universal application of ownership by all peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which it is located.

A Backdrop of Controversy

The ownership of Preah Vihear temple, located on a dramatic promontory with sweeping views over Cambodia, has long been a point of contention between Thailand and Cambodia. The site has been the centre of diplomatic tension between Cambodia and Thailand since 1902. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in Cambodia’s favour stating that the temple indeed belonged to Cambodia, but the court failed to define the border in the area.

Preah Vihear’s location is on a promontory of the Dangrek Mountain over five hundred metres above the Cambodian plain. This makes access from the Cambodian side difficult. Most tourists visit the temple from the Thai side of the border as the land slopes gently up from the plain of Khorat. The issue of ease of access is one of Thailand’s most powerful and oft-argued justifications for ownership over the Preah Vihear temple.

Much of the controversy over the temple’s inscription is linked to internal politics of Thailand. A military coup in 2006 forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from office. Thaksin’s party reinvented itself and was elected with a new leader, and Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej. Samak contended that the agreement to allow the Preah Vihear’s inscription was initiated by the military government that ruled after Thaksin’s ousting and that the new government was acting on promises made by the preceding government.

The opposition party was bitterly opposed to Samak’s government and managed to have an Administrative Court invoke an injunction on the government’s decision to allow Preah Vihear’s inscription as a World Heritage site. Prime Minister Samak claimed in interviews at the time that the controversy was driven by a vendetta toward former Prime Minister Thaksin.

Since Somchai Wangsawat took over from Samak as Prime Minister in September 2008, there has been a significant escalation of conflict in the border are not at Preah Vihear.

Unique Heritage Values

A holy site was established on the promontory as early as the 9th century, but most of the temple we see today was built during the reigns of Suryavarman I (AD 1002-1050) and Suryavarman II (AD 1113-1150). The sanctuary is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in the King’s manifestations as the mountain gods Sikharesvara and Bhadresvara. The temple complex is on a grand scale, stretching 800 metres along the crest of the ridge, although this is the result of centuries of additions and modifications to what was certainly a much simpler original layout.

Preah Vihear is currently in a state of disrepair, so it is incumbent on the international community as a whole to participate in the protection of this heritage site by assisting with its conservation and preservation.

The Temple of Preah Vihear is one of the greatest achievements of Khmer architecture and undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary temples in the world. The site represents an incredible opportunity for both Cambodia and Thailand to benefit from its inscription. There is no doubt that the temple was built by the ancestors of the Khmer people and the Cambodian government should be applauded for securing the temple’s inscription so that all the world may share in celebrating this ancient monument.

Yet given the current, highly-publicised military build-up by both sides at the temple site following the decision by UNESCO, it is clear that the controversy surrounding the Temple of Preah Vihear is far from being concluded.

Editor’s note: The information contained in this article is accurate at the time of writing. However, due to the volatile situation at Preah Vihear prior to publication, some elements of the article may have been overtaken by events.

Must-see destinations of Cambodia

The Kingdom of Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia, borders Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the north, Vietnam to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. Now Cambodia is considered one of the new tourist destinations in the world. The most attractive places of Cambodia are Angkor Wat, the temples of Angkor, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville beaches with all necessary services such as hotels, restaurants, entertainment and travel. In the following pictures, you will have chance to look through Cambodia’s famous historical places. Let’s travel Cambodia to experience and witness the most mysterious temples and spiritualization culture in the world.



Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, is the center for the country’s economy, industry, commerce and culture.



The Silver Pagoda is located on the south side of the Royal Palace, Phnom Penh.



The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh was constructed over a century ago to serve as the residence of the King of Cambodia.



Angkor Wat was built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram II to honor the Hindu god Vishnu.



Baphuon Temple, a three-tiered temple mountain, was built as the state temple of Udayadityavarman II dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.



Siem Reap City is the capital of Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. It has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter.



In the heart of Angkor Thom lies the beautiful Bayon temple. It was built about a century after Angkor Wat.



Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire.



Wat Phnom known as “Mountain Pagoda” is the heart of the city. At 27 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the area.

Active Travel Cambodia

The years of fear and loathing are over. Right now, Cambodia is just about as hot as it gets on the global travel map. Peace has come to this beautiful yet blighted land after three decades of war, and the Cambodian people are embracing the world. Tourism is taking of, but a journey to this little kingdom is still one of Asia’s genuine adventures.

Contemporary Cambodia is the successor state to the mighty Khmer empire, which during the Angkor period (9th to 15th centuries) ruled much of what is now Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The remains of this empire can be seen at the fabled temples of Angkor, monuments unrivalled in scale and grandeur in Southeast Asia. The traveler’s first glimpse of Angkor Wat, the ultimate of Khmer genius, is simply staggering and is matched only by a few select spots on earth such as Macchu Picchu or the Taj Mahal.

But behind the brochures just as Angkor is more than its wat, so too is Cambodia much more than its temples. The south coast is ringed by tropical islands with barely a beach hut in sight. The mighty Mekong River cuts through the country and is home to some of the region’s last remaining freshwater dolphins near Kratie. And the northeast is a world unto itself, its wild and mountainous landscapes a home for Cambodia’s ethnic minorities and shy wildlife.

Finally there are the people. Cambodians have weathered years of bloodshed, poverty and political instability. Somehow they have come through the experience with their smiles intact: no visitor comes away from Cambodia without a measure of admiration and affection for the inhabitants of this beautiful land.

Highlights:

* Chill out on the beach at Sihanoukville

* Make a pilgrimage to the mountain sanctuary of Prasat Preah Vihear

* Leave the lowlands behind with a trip to the rolling hills of Mondukiri Province

* Hitch a ride on an elephant in the rewarding northeast

More than just Temples, Venture out of Angkor and Discover a Cambodia filled with Variety

If you’re up for temples and ancient ruins, then Cambodia will not disappoint! You cannot go wrong with Angkor, the Khmer Empire’s capital and home to countless temples. Yes, this is where Angkor Wat is. And who can’t forget the jungle temple of Ta Phrom? You’d also be happy to know that you can sprinkle your temple touring experience with elements that make Southeast Asia so endearing. If you’re thinking of laid back villages, beaches, tasty food and tropical nature, then look no further because it’s all here in Cambodia!

First, let’s start with the capital Phnom Penh, located on the junction of the Tonle Sap and the Mekong. The Royal Palace is a beautiful site to see, housing beautiful two pagodas..  A sad but educational experience at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum will remind you of Cambodia’s bloody past and its road to recovery.

Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city.

Here, you’ll embrace a place with temples of various influences sitting side by side with faded colonial structures. This is also where you’ll get to ride the famous bamboo train.

If you’re looking for beaches, then Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s biggest and most decorated beach resort town certainly warrants a look. With long stretches of attractive beaches and options to dive around the nearby islands, it is emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s must visit. If you want something that’s a little more low-key, then you don’t really have to venture out too far from Sihanoukville. Kep, although once billed as Cambodia’s most popular seaside spot (the award now goes to Sihanoukville, of course) is now much more humble than it used to be, making it a an ideal destination for some relaxing under the tropical sun. And not too far from Kep is Kampot, the gateway to Bokor National Park, famous for its old French hill station situated more than 1000 meters above sea level. And since you are here, you just have to try the Kampot Pepper Crab!

If you’re looking to further your National Park experience, then head over to Ream. Here is where you can combine a fine jungle adventure experience with treks, boat rides and animal watching. Complete that with seaside serenity and of course your very own luxury beach tent and ream truly becomes a special place.

The unique region of Ratanakiri, situated in the northeast of Cambodia, is a beautifully preserved example of the country’s traditional way of life. Lush bamboo forests, waterfalls, rivers and vistas towards neighbouring China compose this regions stunning landscape.

Kratie in Northeastern Cambodia should certainly appease those looking for countryside serenity. Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the town is small laid back and truly rural in character. This is also a great spot to try to get a glimpse of the Irrawaddy Dolphin.

So you see, there are tones of options in Cambodia apart from the temple touring experience in Angkor. These destinations are just the tip of the iceberg. Delve further into Kampuchea and discover what can be true for you by looking into our Cambodia tours page.

Sihanoukville, Cambodias Beach Getaway

Sihanoukville – Cambodia’s largest beach town.

Sihanoukville is on Cambodia’s southern coast which hosts Cambodias only Sea Port on the gulf of Thailand. Founded relatively recently in 1964 specifically for the deep water port. Now popular as a tourist destination because of its many beaches and tropic weather.

Named after Cambodia’s retired king, Norodom Sihanouk, Sihanoukville has developed as a premier attraction for tourists visiting Cambodia, as well as residents looking for a holiday. This was stifled in 1994 when three western backpackers were kidnapped by the Khmer Rouge, and later murders. Sihanoukville has since recovered and now entertains almost 1,000,000 tourists every year.

Sihanoukville also supports an international airport with a troubled history – following a crash in the Cardamom Mountains in 2007 the airport remains ready for service but no flights are scheduled. The plan was for the airport to encourage visitors to other major attractions like the Angkor temples in Siem Reap, to enjoy a beach vacation on Cambodia’s southern coast.

The commercial deep water sea port is located on Sihanoukville’s northern peninsula, with a number of tropical islands and beaches to the west and south. The other beaches lie on the western and southern edges of the peninsula.

The most popular beach in Sihanoukville is Occheuteal beach which is lined with casuarina trees, sporting many grass roofed huts with lazy chairs which offer cold drinks and refreshments. The northern tip of Occheuteal beach, which naturally part of the same beach, has been dubbed serendipity beach where you can find many of the same grass roofed huts, as well as backpacker accommodations and some mid-range bungalows.

The Southern end of Occheuteal beach is mainly deserted, awaiting the development of a large resort, the progress of which has been very slow following the failed attempt to build a golf course on this land. Around the headland on the Southern end of Occheuteal beach is a similar and primarily deserted Otres beach – While formerly devoid of visitors, Otres beach is now home to some backpacker accommodations and is being touted as a location for adventure sports including sailing and paragliding.

The premier beach in Sihanoukville is the privately owned Sokha beach, a beautiful stretch of well maintained beach belonging to the Sokha Hotel chain which belongs to Cambodian oil mogul Kem Sokha. Non-Guests may be disappointed if they would like to visit Sokha Beach as the hotel guards may deny access however visitors could park in the hotel car park and walk to the beach unnoticed.

Independence beach is a pebbly beach to the west of Sokha Beach and to the south of Victory Beach – Many open air alfresco restaurants line this beach which is very popular with khmer locals. Just north of Independence beach is the small and rocking Koh Pos beach with Koh Pos island only 800m off the coast. The northern most beach in Sihanoukville is Victory Beach which is directly south of the port of Sihanoukville. Another small beach called Lemherkey Beach is located on the Southern end of Victory Beach. This is where a construction began in the 1950′s on the new port of Kompong Som. You can hire boats from here to nearby islands.

Tourists can easily visit the dozen or so islands off Sihanoukville’s coast. Most remain undeveloped, however overnight accommodation is available on Koh Russei, also know as Bamboo Island. Many businesses in Sihanoukville offer trips and tours to Bamboo Island.

Sihanoukville has also been known as Kompong Som and Krong Preah Selhanu, and is often nicknamed Snookyville or even just Snooky to expatriate residents.

The Cambodian national beer, Angkor Beer built its first brewery in Sihanoukville. The famous Independence hotel claimed host to Jaqueline Kennedy in her 1967 tour of Cambodia, but in 1970 Prince Sihanouk was ousted in a coup by the Khmer Rouge as Cambodia descended into civil war. At this time Sihanoukville was renamed Kompong Som, and still retains this name to some degree. During the Khmer Rouge era, the Independence Hotel was used as target practice, and following the mistake hijacking of an American cargo ship, the port was heavily bombed by the american air force.

Despite Pol Pot’s downfall, the highway from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh remained in a shocking condition and was well known for banditry. This has changed drastically in the past 10 years with the roads from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville being improved, and all hostilities eradicated.

Sihanoukville has since been dubbed by the New York Times as “Asia’s next trendsetting beach” and this is justified by the never ending construction, with new hotels popping up on a weekly basis, and an ever increasing population of expatriate residents walking around enjoying the sun.

The famous independence hotel which was used as target practice for the khmer rouge and whose swimming pool was used as a mass grave, has since been restored as one of Sihanoukville’s luxury hotels, however a new swimming pool has been dug, and the old one filled in.

Sihanoukville is definitely worth a visit if you plan to travel to, or through Cambodia. The beaches are relaxing for all, and there is always something to do if you are so inclined.

Sihanoukville – Cambodia’s Beach Resort Scene

Getting there

While Sihanoukville does have a small airport it does not have a scheduled flight service. The Sihanoukville Airport is currently completing major renovations to upgrade the airport to an International standard. It is anticipated that flights will be scheduled to and from Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

The most travelled route is the day time scheduled bus service to and from Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. This trip will take 4-5 hours including a 15 minute refreshment breaks halfway through the trip.

Travellers from Thailand can enter Cambodia through Koh Kong and travel by bus to Sihanoukville. This trip will take 4 hours. Of course, Sihanoukville being Cambodia’s largest port, is also a cruise ship destination.

Getting around

With everything a tourist needs in close proximity the tuk tuk is the most common form of transport around town. Motor cycles can be rented without the need for paperwork even though by law everyone is supposed to have a valid Cambodian driver’s license. For the more adventurous and fitter all the beaches are within a half hour walk from the shopping precinct.

Where to stay

There are over 160 accommodation choices ranging from backpackers to guesthouses to hotels. Every budget is catered for from $ 2 per night up to $ 2000 per night.

Where to Eat

If fresh seafood is your specialty the seafood restaurants on the beaches are the places to go to. The restaurants on Victory, Serendipity and Ochheuteal Beaches serve very inexpensive meals literally on the waters edge. In the downtown area there is a wide range of authentic food restaurants from countries around the world.

What to see

Day boat trips to the Islands of Koh Ta kieu, Koh Russay, Koh Rong Saloem and Koh Dek Koule. The Preah Sihanouk ‘Ream’ National park entrance way is 20 kilometres north of Sihanoukville on the Phnom Penh road. The park offers walking tours, safari hours to view the wildlife ,butterflies and some of the 150 species of birds in the park. Boat trips down the river through the mangroves and out to Koh Thmei and Koh Ses islands in the Gulf of Thailand leave from the park. The Kbal Chhay Waterfall on the road to the National Park is another popular attraction.

Entertainment

Sihanoukville has four 24 hour Casinos featuring slot machines, card games and roulette. The Holiday palace and new Peak Casinos are located in the Victory Hill/ Beach area while the Fortuna and Gold Sands Beach Club Casinos are on the other side of town in the Golden Lions Circle and Ochheuteal Beach areas.

Cambodia Secrets of Sihanoukville?

One of the worst held secrets is the rapid emergence of Sihanoukville Cambodia as a major Asian beach resort town. Many that have been here in the past would smugly say I told you so, as to all it was readily apparent that this quiet little coastal beach town had all the makings for a long time now. All that is needed is more flights into the now open Sihanoukville airport; as soon as there is a direct flight from Bangkok; watch out this place is going to blow!

Three things make Sihanoukville especially appealing and you should take every opportunity to see Sihanoukville now before it becomes overrun, which it will in the very near future.

A 5 Star luxury Hotel Under $ 100

Sokha Beach Resort is a 5 star luxury beach resort that has it own long private beach, a pool the size of a small lake, a staff to guest ratio of 4 to 1, and all the other amenities that you would expect from a 5 star luxury beach resort for under a $ 100 a night! This price I can assure will not last for long. If your budget is under $ 100 a night there are lots of other Sihanoukville hotels and guesthouses available near the ocean with more being built at a furious rate.

The Sihanoukville Islands

The islands have always been the real secret there are not many places in the world where you can go to and have this many large undeveloped islands. This will be the area that in the next ten years will see a large growth spurt similar to what happened on Koa Sumui, Koh Phangan and now Koh Chang which incidentally is the closest islands group in Thailand to the Cambodia Thai border. It makes sense that Koh Rung Samleom and Koh Rung will see major things in the next 3 to 5 years and the Koh Tang groups do to its isolation, beauty and excellent scuba diving and water sports, will be the real Shangri la in the future.

Real money, make that Riel money.

The Cambodian economy is based on the US Dollar. What this means for you is ridiculously lower prices compared to a lot of other tourist destinations in South East Asia. Thailand being an excellent example as the Baht continues to get stronger despite a military junta running the country, and a major Muslim uprising in the southern three provinces, that has seen over 2500 killed in just a few years of on going guerrilla warfare. One of the reasons stated for the Junta to take power was to try to get that situation under control which from the news reports that do manage to come out of the region that they are no further along to a solution than they were a year ago.

The increased value of Korean, Malaysian, Singapore, Japanese and Chinese money against the US dollar make Cambodia even cheaper for the regional tourists with Koreans being the fastest growing sector of the tourism market. And the Asian tourists like a lot of things on offer in Sihanoukville including legal gambling and an abundance of very cheap seafood.

You know, I should also mention that despite what the biggest guide book says, it has a lot of really nice beaches to chill on.

Khemara Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap – Cambodia

If you like to spend your vacation in Cambodia, you will have to choose one of the best hotels for staying during the holidays. Cambodia is a beautiful tourist spot which provides the excellent cityscape, natural panorama and sophisticated city life.

In Cambodia, you will come to know about different cities and tourist destinations. There are also a number of sophisticated and luxurious hotels which offer excellent accommodation and food at justified prices. Khemara Angkor hotel is the marvelous resort which has decorated rooms, spa centers, dinning space and bars within the periphery of the resort.

Types of Accommodation in Khemara Angkor Hotel:

There are different types of hotel rooms in this modern resort. Khemara deluxe suites provide the perfect comfort and coziness to those who are interested to spend their honeymoons with their sweethearts.

The interior decoration of these deluxe rooms is naturally attractive due to excellent furniture and furnishings. The wonderfully handcrafted artifacts have been installed into the deluxe rooms for adding up the color to the room decor in this hotel. Magnificent colorful emulsify the walls of the suites in a brilliant way.

There are many restaurants scattered within the boundary of the resort. You can enjoy the evenings with your sweetheart in the bar which is close to the water pool. Apsara lobby is another attraction for young travelers. You will be served with delicious dishes, soft drinks and other tasty treats.

Location of Khemara Hotel in Cambodia:

Khemara Angkor hotel is located in the vicinity of Siem Reap. The international aerodrome being close to this Khemara Angkor hotel, tourists will have no problem to reach the lobby of the hotel by tuk tuk(special transportation system).

If you walk down the city of Siem Reap Angkor, you will find the busy highway which is flanked by luxurious hotels in Siem Reap. It will depend on you in the matter of the selection of the hotels in Siem Reap. Better to say, you will get many economic hotels and luxurious accommodation in case you want to choose your shelters as per your wish.

During the sojourn in this Khemara city hotel, you can indulge in various wellness programs attending the nearby salon /spa center where you will have an excellent chance to groom your skin and do different types of bodybuilding exercises for a perfect your physical fitness regime.

Discount Offers on Special Occasion:

If you decide to book suites in the Khemara Angkor hotel, you will have good chance to enjoy a lot. The hotel authority often declares the attractive promotional packages for facilitating visitors at the time of reservation of hotel rooms to spend vacation.

There are different discount rates like 15% reduction on suite charges on 2 nights stay in the hotel. Another surplus 5% reduction on the 3 nights stay and finally a single night is free if you choose 4 nights sojourn in the hotel.

The indoor ambience inside the hotel is amicable and you will get high quality security system. If you do proper research browsing the net, you will come to know that comparing to other sophisticated hotels in Siem Reap, this famous hotel in Cambodia is more cost effective, reputed and it has marvelous performance records.

Cambodia Holidays – Top Five Resorts

Cambodia is one of the most beautiful and culturally-rich countries in the world. It maintains its natural beauty, but also offers 21st century luxuries such as modernised hotels, lodges, exquisite lakeside homes and restaurants to delight visitors during the heavy tourist season. If you would like to take a trip that is a bit ‘out of the ordinary’, where you can relax and enjoy some of the best resorts around, then might want to think about reserving your tickets and checking out some of the Cambodia holidays that are available. The five luxury resorts and hotels that are listed below are all four-star and five-star accommodations where many people have enjoyed staying on their Cambodia holidays.

Amansara Resort

One of the most popular and finest resorts that you can find to spend Cambodia holidays, the Amansara Resort can be found in Siem Reap which is arguably the cultural capital of this stunning country. Amansara was at one time the guest villa for King Norodom Sihanouk. These days, the garden compound has the capacity to serve 24 guest room suites that allow those who are staying there on Cambodia holidays to feel right at home. This luxurious former royal getaway was built by the French architect Laurent Mondet in 1962 and was reconstructed in 2006.

Sokha Angkor Resort Siem Reap

Located in Siem Reap, this classic luxury resort features 276 rooms and has a five-star rating from former guests who have spent their Cambodia holidays there. This resort is conveniently located right in the heart of this grand town and is walking distance from the Old Market, which is a wonderful area to find handmade souvenirs and unique collectables. Just a few minutes away from the airport and 15 minutes from the world-famous Angkor Wat Temples, you are sure to enjoy your Cambodia holidays at this beautifully constructed resort.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf and Spa Resort

This five-star resort offers those on Cambodia holidays peace and relaxation near to many of the country’s most famous landmarks. This location is most commonly referred to as Siem Reap’s best hotel, and it is easy to see why once you enter this beautifully-detailed building constructed out of a mixture of Khmer and French-inspired architecture. This resort features several glorious gardens and peaceful lake areas as well as the largest free-form swimming pool. There is also a spa for you to enjoy while you are there, five fine dining restaurants, two bars and an 18-hole golf course.

AMATAO Tropical Residence

For those who would like to stay somewhere a little more discreet whilst on their Cambodia holidays, the AMATAO tropical residence is the place to be. This amazing private resort located in Siem Reap is the first private tropical resort in the country. Surrounded by nature and offering total relaxation, AMATAO will treat you to the best possible personalised service and assistance. The rooms are designed to make guests feel like they are in a tropical fantasy, and the fun events that await you during your stay will make you enjoy this resort even more during your Cambodia holidays.

Angkor Palace Resort Spa

The Angkor Palace Resort Spa is located in Siem Reap and is one of the best resorts to stay in while on Cambodia holidays. The intriguing design and beautiful décor of this luxury hotel are all inspired by traditional Cambodian architecture that was created for royalty and dignitaries at the time. Located in a convenient part of town, you are sure to enjoy your stay at this resort which is located just twenty minutes from the world famous Angkor Wat Temples.

Siem Reap – The Gateway to Angkor Wat

Transport:How to get there The modern Siem Reap International Airport which is located 6 kilometres from Siem Reap City is serviced by most of South East Asia’s International Airlines. These airlines include Malaysia Airlines, Lao airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and China Airways.

In addition Cambodia’s domestic airlines provide flights to on from Phnom Penh. Daily bus operators service the route from Phnom Penh with fleets of air conditioned buses. For the same travel time (5-6 hours) a river ferry service operates from Phnom Penh port along the Tonle Sap River and Lake to Chong Khneas, 11 kilometres south of Siem Reap City overload from Thailand the most direct route to Siem Reap is through the crossing at Poi pet. A large section of the road from Poi pet is still under construction so expect a bumpy ride.

How to get round: The tuk-tuk is the most widely used form of transport around the city and surroundings. Taxis and small buses run tours to the temples and for the more energetic tourist, bicycles can be hired from accommodation sites. It is not possible to hire cars around the city.

Where to Stay: No matter what your budget there is suitable, accommodation for everyone, from the $ 5 guesthouse to the $ 500 luxury hotel. The luxury, and in most cases new, hotels are mainly located along the road between the Siem Reap International Airport and the City centre. The cheaper hotel and guesthouse accommodation is located in the Tophel Village area or the east of the Siem Reap River over the Stone and Wat Bo Bridges in Wat Bo. In the Old Markets area there is also guesthouse accommodation on the other side of the river across the Old Market Bridge in Wat Damnke.

Where to Eat: The area around the Old Market is the centre of the town’s restaurant trade. There is a wide variety of cuisine available including traditional Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Indian and Italian Another choice is the Butterflies Garden Restaurant which is located over the Siem Reap River Bridge to the north of the Old Market. Besides its Khmer menu, the restaurant houses over 1500 tropical butterflies in a delightful garden setting.

What to see: While the major attraction of this northern area of Cambodia is the Angkor Temples, the area has developed other sites for the tourist. Visit the modern Angkor National Museum, with its display of 1000 Buddha Images and galleries. This museum highlights the artefacts, history and culture of the Angkor. Further out of town the Cambodian landmine Museum gives an insight into Cambodia’s landmine problem and the work of one man backing these issues. The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary at the northern end of Tonle Sap Lake is a popular bird watching site and a habitat for over 100 variations of water birds.

Where to Shop: To the casual observer the Old Market of Phsar Chase offers the traditional souvenir range to visitors and tourists. However the immediate area around the Old Market is dotted with art galleries and stylish boutiques offering genuine quality to shoppers.

Entertainment: Daytime and sunset tours on the Tonle Sap Lake take in the floating villages. For a bit more adventure Balloon Flights and Helicopter rides offer aerial tours of the Angkor Wat temples from their base sited between the Angkor Wat Park and the airport.

There is More to Siem Reap, Cambodia Than the Angkor Temples

The Angkor National Museum is located on the road to Angkor Wat at Vithei Charles De Gaulle, Phnom Salokanseng, Siem Reap. The Angkor National would be classified as one of Cambodia’s premier museum sites.

Upon entering this very modern museum through the foyer the visitor is ushered in a briefing room where there is a screen presentation of what the museum has to offer. It sets the scene for the upcoming journey back into an ancient civilization, that of the Khmer.

Leaving the briefing room, the visitor enters the Gallery of 1000 Buddha Images. This spectacular room displays rare Buddha statues and images from all periods in time and would be one of most prestigious collections you could imagine. There are images in niches around the interior walls which are highlighted by the coloring and lighting used.

The floor displays are highlighted by an eye catching antique Buddhist statue.

This gallery alone was worth the price of admission, let alone the splendor of the other seven galleries.

There are a total of seven other galleries which highlight this ancient civilization by both display and video presentations. The video presentations are very well done and appreciated by visitors who possibly had no knowledge of the achievements of the ancient Khmer empire. The galleries blend one into the other after leaving the Gallery of the 1000 Buddha, with the first two concentrating on the Pre-Angkor period of the civilization, religion and beliefs. The roles of the Great Khmer kings are honored in the next gallery with the 4 kings who formed the Khmer kingdom and who also presented the ancient cities of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom to the world.

The next two galleries gave an insight into architecture and engineering tents of the two cities and give the visitor an educational background which would enhance their experience when visiting the Angkor complex. There is a large scale model of the Angkor temple area which gives the visitor a useful reference if viewed before their trip to the temples. The next gallery outlines the use of stone inscriptions to record how people lived in ancient Khmer times. The final gallery tastefully painted in earth colors blends in with the displays of Ancient costume. To complete the museum experience, the souvenir shop has a selection of genuine Cambodian arts and crafts available for purchase.

For those whose knowledge of Khmer culture had been limited to the Angkor temples, this museum is an excellent background resource to visitors.

Beng Mealea ? The Jungle Temple of Cambodia

Looking at the grandeur the city of Siem Reap shared in the 1960s one would wonder what it would take to get this charmingly quaint Cambodian region back on the map. A new outlook, high class hotels and fine dining restaurants are all the reinvention this place needed. The not so long ago overlooked city has taken its place as one of the most visited destinations in the world. Filled with cultural heritage and charming architecture, it is little wonder that all Siem Reap needed was a face lift.

About 60kms away from Siem Reap lies a jungle temple that is spectacular in its sights and history. This temple that is called the Beng Mealea is a relatively new attraction to the tour of Cambodia. Built in the architectural style of Angkor Wat, this massive scale temple was constructed under the patronage of Jayarvaman VII. It’s no wonder that Beng Mealea is among the larger temples of the Khmer empire, as the gallery itself runs a width of about 181m by 152; this is what forms the outer boundaries of the temple.

This massive structure is further surrounded by a moat that is 1025m by 875m with a width of 45m.

The carving and the architecture that is found among the ruins that is now Beng Mealea places it among the Hindu temples. But among the statues, there have been Buddhist motifs that have also been discovered. In order to retain its natural beauty the temple at present has not been restored, but material that has been found at the site has confirmed that the temple was constructed using sandstone from the quarries along Phnom Kulen. The sandstone was believed to be transported by water canals that were artificially constructed at the time.

When considering accommodation at Siem Reap hotels it’s imperative that one considers comfort and excellent service. One such place that can be recommended is the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. Built with the comfort of the guest in mind, it is a five star hotel Cambodia that will provide you with the best of services for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation.

Exploring Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

Twenty years ago it would have been quite impossible for this lovely cultural city to have been featured on any travel list, but now it is open and welcoming to curious travelers. Siem Reap serves as a wonderful gateway to the Cambodian culture, history, architecture and the famous temples of Angkor Wat whilst also offering modern hotels and great shopping. Craft shops and silk farms abound, offering the chance to bring home some beautiful fabrics and hand-made jewelry. Take time to explore the Colonial and Chinese-influenced architecture of the Old French Quarter of Siem Reap and enjoy the cultural music and colorfully costumed Apsara dancers. The city dates back to 800AD and its temples and monuments are among the world’s premier architectural sites.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor WatThe highlight of any visit to Siem Reap will undoubtedly be time spent at the nearby Angkor Wat temple complex. Built in the early 12th century, when other cultures still lived in simple, temporary buildings, 25,000 workers labored for 37 years to create this temple city. Imagine then, that after the fall of the Khmer Empire in 1431, it remained unknown to the outside world for centuries, until French botanist, Henri Mahout, stumbled upon it deep in the jungle, in 1860. Surrounded by a 570-foot wide moat, Angkor Wat has a central pointed tower surrounded by four smaller towers and is embellished with gorgeous statues, carvings and works of art carved in bas-relief. The lesser attraction of nearby Bayon, the last great temple built at Angkor, has 54 towers which peer incongruously through the dense Cambodian jungle, still awaiting rescue.

Things to do in Siem ReapThe city of Siem Reap is built along the banks of the Siem Reap River. It is made up of a series of villages, each with their own Buddhist pagoda, called a Wat. Although Siem Reap is attracting increasing numbers of tourists, is it so far retaining its cultural identity. An international airport, new hotels and international restaurants make a visit palatable to those used to a first world lifestyle, but generally there is no conflict between serving tourists’ needs and maintaining the established way of life. These can all be enjoyed on a boat trip to see the local fishing villages; a bicycle tour around the paddy fields; eating at a local market food stall; supporting the work of local craftsmen and enjoying a cultural evening with dinner and an Apsara Dance display. A somber reminder of the recent reign of the Khmer Rouge can be experienced with a visit to the Cambodia Landmine Museum, a cause dear to the heart of the late Princess Diana. There is also a newly opened National Museum in the city containing unique and wonderfully crafted artifacts and 1000 Buddha images in the 8 purpose-built galleries, which are well-worth seeing.

For those who are seeking a trip that is a little different, off-the-beaten-track and steeped in wonderful architectural history and treasures, Siem Reap should go right to the top of your “Places I must Visit” list.

How to Enjoy Visiting Angkor Wat Temple

If you have never visited Angkor Wat temple before, knowing some tips for enjoying visiting Angkor Wat is a really cool thing. As Angkor Wat is the most famous temple in Cambodia we can enjoy visiting this temple in the early morning and late afternoon which means it can be a little bit hot in the noon. But visiting in the late afternoon is so much wonderful. You can wait and see the sun set, Super cool view if you can see it from Angkor Wat temple. You can see more people come to this great temple rather than in the morning.

When you arrive Siem Reap province, which this great temple is located in, don’t just expect to see Angkor Wat, you may have to spend some few days or a week to visit as many other temples near Angkor Wat. Those temples are greatly designed and built in the ancient time of Cambodia which show the strong relationship and collaboration of the people in that period. In this case, you should rent a bike which you can find easily. One more you can also try Tuk Tuk, which most of the Tuk Tukl driver can speak English and many languages, so they can be your friendly tour guide. But don’t forget buy a guide book which can describe the temple history, and also can tell you the best time to visit those temples, so you can ensure that you can divide your time effectively.

As the weather in Cambodia can be a little bit hot for you, so drinking much water is a good ideal, but you can also find pure drinking water are sold everywhere. You can find tons of restaurants in this great place, when you can choose which one that is suitable for you that may depend on price or the kind of food you like.

Another great tips, is always wearing the hat and sun classes if you are not very good of being under the sun light. But you must assure that you always take off you hat when speaking with Cambodian people; it is the main key of morality in Cambodia.

Bringing camera with you every time is a must when visiting this temple. Because you can take million of photos which greatest view of Angkor Wat. But if you don’t have one is OK, you can simply hire cameraman to do this job for you with some fee.

Diving Cambodia

Cambodia is located in the Gulf of Thailand between the countries of Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia is a new diving frontier and has a few dive centres and therefore the country offers a real chance to explore dive sites. There will be plenty of chances to dive unmapped dive sites and even some not discovered yet.

The diving tourism is located around Shanoukville which is also known as Kompong Som. The town as rapidly grown but is blessed by white sand beaches wrapped around the headland.

Located just off shore from Shanoukville are the islands of Koh Rong, Koh Kon and Koh Rong Samloem which are known as the Kompong Som Island group. You can find more islands further south which are visited by snorkelling trips.

The Royal group of islands of Koh Tang and Koh Prins offer some of the best sites for divers with good coral growth and some occasional big creatures. String Ray Alley as you guessed as plenty of String Rays to keep you happy.

Koh Tang and Koh Prins islands are located several hours by boat from Shanoukville and are best visited on an overnight trip which can be slightly difficult to arrange but they are less affected as other islands that have been dynamited nearer the shore.

Most of the country coast from Koh Kong up to the Thai border is virtually unexplored and get for the adventurous divers who like explore.

As with most spots along the Thai gulf coast the diving is seasonal with variable visibility. The dry season from October to November thought June offer the best diving, as low rainfall offers better visibility.

Cambodia Cheap Travel “Motodops” Buses Taxis and Cheap Flights

In the last few years travel in Cambodia has become much less arduous than in years gone by with the continual improvement of the roads Buses taxis and “Motodops” (shortened to moto’s) are running at faster speeds and they are not the body shaking, teeth rattling odysseys anymore for the most part. The major exceptions would be the route from Poipet to Angkor Wat voted worst road in the world for over ten years and the overland route to Sihanoukville from Bangkok via Trat Thailand. With more tourism, which has been growing in double digits for many years now, the flights and air routes into Cambodia have more potential passengers, which have increased the competition, which has resulted in some of the cheapest flights in Cambodia in quite a while.

Cambodia buses both the mini bus and the big commercial busses are getting to be a higher quality, and new bus companies are forcing the older companies to improve their equipment in order to compete. Taxis like wise are improving as the western tourist demand a better quality, you can be fairly certain of getting a taxi that meets a minimum standard that is much improved from the old days. I remember one time that they had taken the seat belt and secured it behind the molding of the door frame, making it totally useless, this kind of modification was not unusual, nor was it unusual to be suffer from a massive headache in a mini bus due to sucking on exhaust fumes for hours on end from the open rear door.

“Moto’s” still tend to aggravate tourists mostly for the constant rip offs and now there is a lot of “took tooks” these guys are just as bad as the “touk touks” drivers in Bangkok and if you can avoid using one you will be that much happier on your travels.

In Cambodia cheap flights are now more common and there are more flights both within Cambodia as well as flight to the neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam and Singapore which serves as a regional hub for the discount flights.

As always in Cambodia remember to be vigilant when you travel if it seems wrong often times it is trust your intuition and do the smart thing.

The Most Magnificent Temple of Cambodia

I suppose if you were to pick two places to visit in Cambodia in hope of grasping a bit of what its about they would be the two we visited: the capital Phnom Penh and arguably the most amazing ruins on the planet, the temples of Angkor Wat.

Lose yourself in the magnificence of a lost civilization. Angkor is the heart and soul of Cambodia, a place of extravagant beauty and the perfect fusion of creative ambition and spiritual devotion.

Angkor Wat is the most famous temple ground in the entire Angkor plain. It was built by King Suryavarman II in the middle of the 12th century over a period of about 30 years. Like many other Khmer temples, Angkor Wat was built as architectural allegory of the Hindu religion. The central tower stands for Mount Meru, the center of the universe according to Hindu mythology; the top of Mount Meru is considered the home of the gods.

The temple ground is surrounded by a wall and a moat, not only for demarcation purposes, but also because in Hindu mythology Mount Meru is surrounded by other mountain ranges and oceans.

The main entryway to Angkor Wat is a street of roughly half a kilometer length, ornamented with balustrades and fringed by artificial lakes, so-called Barays. This entryway resembles the rainbow bridge in Hindu mythology, the link between heaven and earth, or the realm of the gods and the realm of the mortals.

Angkor Wat is in better structural condition than many other temples on the Angkor plain because it has been converted into a Buddhist temple probably even before the Siamese conquest in 1431, and because it has been used as such continuously after (in the 13th century Buddhism became an important religion in originally pure-Hindu Angkor)

Cambodia promises a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences to the intrepid traveller. Your heart will race at Angkor Wat, the world’s greatest achievements, only to haltingly derail when faced with the impact of humankind’s darkest moments. After two decades of war and isolation, only now is Cambodia truly starting to recover from the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal 1975-79 rule.

So, why don’t you explore this beautiful country right now?

Endorsing Government’s Stand Over Preah Vihear Tension

The Preah Vihear site has long been the epicentre of diplomatic tension between Cambodia and Thailand since 1902, but the case that Preah Vihear was inscribed as a new site on the World Heritage List of UNESCO on July 8, 2008, but excluded the 4.6 sq km plot of land adjoining the temple, has steered Cambodia into a full-scale diplomatic tension with Thailand. Since then, we have seen the military build-up as well as the act of aggression into Cambodian territorial sovereignty from the Thai side.

Cambodian government, since then, has been accused of taking negatively gentle measure in dealing with such a material breach of international law from the Thai side. Though not perfect, I sanction that this is a right approach. Notorious for its consecutive wars over the last decade, past internal conflicts, internally displaced population and other unwanted social burdens, resorting to international law is just the right step for the Cambodian government.

International law has unquestionably been weakened as the United States works to sort through complicated issues such as the Afghan and Iraq wars, the use of torture and secret detention, Guantanamo, climate change, and nuclear proliferation, but Cambodia can not be an actor in material breach of such the international law as the United States, by clearly seeing into its economic indication and other weak social realities.

Remember that Thailand is currently facing internal political split-up between the governing and the opposition party, as well as the opposition party’s revenge against the former Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra.

And this case must somehow relate to Thailand’s scaling up border conflict with Cambodia. Cambodia must use the most mature way in resolving this interstate conflict and never subside in resorting to international law.

Holiday & Travel Guide For Cambodia

Sightseeing

Siem Reap City in Cambodia has many tourist attractions, with a wealth of history and culture it is so inviting it drags you into Cambodia. By far the best way to see this country is back-packing, but if you haven’t got a rucksack on your back then there are still many places around the tourist resorts to entice you to into this extraordinary land, this surely is a trip you will never forget. Angkor Temple is one of the most impressive places to visit in Cambodia, inside this temple the walls are carved with Hindu mythology; it’s absolutely fascinating even for those who are non religious. Angkor museum is full of cultural items depicting civilisation and the history of its people, in the exclusive gallery there are 1000 Buddha images. The Temple grounds in Angkor Thom were built around the 12th century. This inner royal city is just amazing. A few miles out of the city are the Wat Thmei Temple & Stupa which is a memorial to the Killing Fields near Siem Reap.

Take a ride out to the silk farm or one of Cambodia’s orphanages where you will see some traditional dances being performed for you by the children, it’s a great way to give something back and contribute to the financial support of the orphanages. Before you leave Cambodia you must take an excursion out to see the Kampong Phluk Floating Village, it’s just amazing. If you have had enough of amazing Temples and Museums then you could go to the theatre or have a relaxing massage at one of the spas, or perhaps a dirt bike tour. Even taking a couple of cooking classes are quite a popular tourist activity and many of the restaurants offer these to tourists in small groups. Prices are very reasonable for the tours and excursions in and around the Siem City, but you will find things a lot cheaper further out into the villages.

Eating

You will have no trouble finding a restaurant in Siem Reap, there are hundreds of them. There are entire streets catering for tourists, selling a variety of international snacks and cuisine. You will find everything from fast food pizzas and burgers to the very traditional Cambodian curry. Many restaurants cater for vegetarians and food is very reasonably priced, in fact it’s actually very cheap and even the more upmarket restaurants are very well priced, so it doesn’t cost a lot to eat out. The hotels serve a variety of international foods but the best way to experience traditional Cambodian cuisine, like a fried hairy tarantula, is out in the towns and villages.

Nightlife

There is quite a lively area in the city with bars and nightclubs. Some of these are western owned and you can have a great night out if you have any energy left from all the day time activities.

Shopping

You will not be short of gifts and souvenirs to bring back home; Siem Reap has many small shops selling traditional handmade carved crafts and some beautiful silk items. There are some nice fashion items to be purchased as well, and many pieces of decorative art.

Beaches

There are no beaches in Siem Reap, but you can travel with one of the local tour companies or hire a car to take you to the nearest beach which is around 2 hours away.

Cambodia Travel on a Budget

The most expensive part of travel to Cambodia and indeed any international destination is the price of the airplane ticket. This is particularly true for Cambodia which doesn’t have a direct destination link with major airlines based out of the South East Asia catchment area. However the introduction of online airline booking systems has made the costs to travelers more competitive. It is now possible to receive price comparisons from over 100 different airlines in a matter of minutes. The arrival of budget airlines in the South East Asia area has also made the market more competitive and offered more assistance to the budget traveler.

With the cost of internal air travel in Cambodia expensive the budget traveler will be seeking out alternate forms of transport. Cambodia fortunately has very efficient bus services utilizing the country’s modern highway system. Where is your favorite destination point in Cambodia? Is it Siem Reap in the north to view the majestic Angkor temples? Is it the coastal region to the south including the port and beaches of Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand? Or is it the lesser known town of Kratie on the Mekong River where you’ll be able to sight the Irrawaddy dolphins? All these destinations are a 5 to 6 hour bus trip from the capital city; Phnom Penh.The International Airport at Phnom Penh is the busiest airport in Cambodia and is the first port of call for most travelers.

All long distance bus services in Cambodia operate during daylight hours. With buses setting out as early as 7 am travelers have enough time to enjoy the sights after reaching their travel destination without losing a entire day on traveling

In this part of South East Asia, Cambodia offers cheap accommodation. It is possible to stay in clean, guesthouse accommodation from as low as US$ 4 per night. US dollars as well as Cambodian riel’s are the accepted currencies in this country. For the budget traveler these accommodation prices represent great value as generally accommodation is the most expensive cost after air travel.

The low local cost of living is reflected in the price of food. It is possible to get an excellent, nourishing meal for under $ 2 from street vendors. By simply following locals to where they go to eat, travelers will save money by not needing to pay expensive restaurant prices. There needs to be no excuse to put off traveling to Cambodia as it would qualify as one of the World’s most affordable travel destinations amidst some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

Thailand Expat Life – Visa Run to Vientiane, Laos

A few days ago, I made my first visa run to Laos, by bus.

Normally I go to Singapore to get a 60-day tourist visa, but the last time I went, they refused to give me a 60-day visa because I have an open e-ticket back to Canada. They now want a confirmed ticket, and will not accept an open ticket. This is stupid, if you ask me. I told the lady at the front desk that if the violence in Bangkok gets bad, I can phone Air Canada and be on my way next day, so an open ticket is much better than a ticket for a particular date. No dice. So I had to fly back to Bangkok and got the usual 30-day entry at the airport. The entire trip cost me 18,000 baht, counting hotels, flights, meals, taxis, etc. What a waste.

I did a couple of visa runs by bus to Cambodia, and find that a pain in the bum, since you only get 14 days and then have to do it again, and it costs 2000 baht each time.

So this time, I signed up for the bus to Vientiane.

I must say that the service by the visa run company was excellent; the bus (a 40-seater) was full, and it was the same comfortable bus they use for the Cambodia runs, with the same driver. The driver is relatively conservative, seems to be mindful of the fact he’s got 40 farangs on board, and is as careful a driver as you would want.

The bus left PB Tower on Sukhumvit Soi 71 exactly at 8:30PM.

There was a pee break about an hour later at a service centre, and then another 2 hours later, and so on, throughout the night. These gave the driver a chance to relax a bit, which I thought was a good idea.

Unfortunately, I have never been able to sleep on a bus or airplane, and this trip was no exception. While my seat mate happily snored away the night, I sat there bleary eyed, shifting in my seat periodically as my bum got sore. I appreciated the rest breaks as well.

A DVD movie was played at the start of the trip, but after it finished, it was after 11PM, so no more movies were shown.

We arrived at the border early, before 6:30. I watched the sun come up. We had to sit around for a while until the border office opened, and then one of the bus company ladies got all our passports processed. She had previously collected them on the bus.

After being stamped out of Thailand, we took 3 mini-buses (vans) across the bridge (Mekong River) into Laos, where again we waited while the lady got our passports processed by Lao immigration. In less than an hour, we took the mini-buses into Vientiane, and arrived at the street for the Thai Embassy about 7:30 or 7:40 AM. There were already at least 200 people lined up along the sidewalk, and it was hot.

The embassy gates opened about 8:15 AM, and we all filed into the embassy compound. There was a ticket machine at the front, and we joined the queue.

However, our erstwhile visa run lady ushered us up the stairs into an air-conditioned area and handed out low-numbered tickets from the machine. Our numbers started around 95, whereas the people at the ticket machine were getting tickets numbered over 350. So I presume she had some contact in Vientiane who stood at the beginning of the line at the gates at an early hour, and then passed the tickets to her when she arrived an hour or more later.

The ticket numbers were called out over the public address system in both Thai and English, and repeated once: “Ticket number 37, please proceed to counter number 2″.

I soon noticed that there was no pause in the number callout, the announcements came non-stop, and soon reached the 80s. We all rushed downstairs to the counters and were there when our numbers came up. But the numbers just kept on rolling by. Our lady collected our passports and tickets, and lined them all up along the counter, and then told us to go wait in the other building.

Over there, we found there were four more counters, numbered 3 through 6, but only one, counter 4, was active, and there were at least 100 people waiting, sitting on chairs. This waiting room was also air conditioned.

Again, the numbers were called out, but this time there were big gaps between, and there was a substantial pause after each number was called. When a number was called, a person went up to counter 4, received a paper receipt, and then exited stage left.

After every batch of 10 or 12 numbers, there was a 5 or 6 minute delay. That was when I noticed that the Thai lady behind the counter was printing out and then separating the receipts. Clearly, the passports and applications were being processed in the other building, entered into a computer, and then the receipt was printed in this building at counter 4.

After about 30 or 40 minutes, my number was called; I went up to the counter, got my receipt and exited. The guy next to me had a lower number, but his number was not called, so he got a little upset and went up to the counter, where the lady told him to wait.

I went out the exit, and there was my visa run lady collecting the receipts, and then ushering us over to one of the vans. My receipt had shown “60 days double entry tourist visa” and “fee: $ 0″, so I was happy.

The van took us to a local restaurant where we had a Thai/Lao food breakfast or brunch of fried rice and whatever. This was free, paid for by the visa run company, but soft drinks were 20 baht extra.

In Laos, you can use Lao kip, Thai baht, and US dollars interchangeably. If you pay in Thai baht, you get change in Thai baht. If you pay in US dollars, you get change in Lao kip, which, like Cambodian currency, has very high denominations and no value. A Pepsi was 20 baht, which was reasonable, but no diet drinks were available. By the way, ATM machines in Laos only dispense Lao kip.

After brunch, we were taken by van to the hotel, which turned out to be quite acceptable, maybe 2.5 stars. There was no pool, just a room, but it was a big room, private bathroom, and cable or satellite TV with many Thai, a few Lao, and some movie channels, including HBO and Star Movies.

The bathroom was typical Thai-style, with no shower stall or bath, and a shower head on the wall. There was a flash water heater which worked, and the toilet worked. The towels were large, red, fluffy, and obviously new.

I had paid an extra 200 baht at the front desk for a private room. The visa run fee of 5000 baht includes a shared room (2 per room). The fee will increase to 6000 baht after the free tourist visa promotion ends June 5.

In bed by 1PM in the afternoon, I slept for several hours, got up, showered, watched a movie, then went out in search of dinner. I walked up and down the main street near the hotel, but there was nothing appealing. However, the office complex 20 meters from the hotel had a restaurant, so I went in there and found 5 other farangs from the visa run also there. The food was good, the prices were not expensive, and I was able to pay with Thai baht. The young lady behind the bar was probably the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on, and I have been to Thailand off and on for 20 years. She made me wish I was 25 again.

Next day, I had breakfast at the same restaurant, and then around 1PM, we piled into the vans again and were taken to the border. There are a lot of “duty free” shops at the border. We waited about 45 minutes or so, and then the visa run lady showed up, and we all went through Immigration with the Lao border people just looking at us, not asking to see our passports, which the visa run lady had.

Back across the bridge to Thailand, where we waited another 45 minutes or so, then it was back on the bus for the return trip. Within an hour, we stopped at a restaurant, where we had another Thai meal, again free, soft drinks extra, 20 baht.

The return trip seemed much faster, as several DVD movies were played, which occupies the time and the mind.

We arrived back in Bangkok at 1:30 AM. You can get dropped off anywhere along the route; some exited at Ramkhamhaeng. I waited until the end, which is just beside Ekamai BTS station, where I quickly discovered that the BTS was closed. An 80 baht taxi ride later, I was home again.

Would I do it again? Definitely, yes. The whole process was pretty much automatic. The company took care of everything. You do have to book a seat in advance, though. One farang apparently called to find out the price and time, showed up and was angry that there was no seat for him. But he had not made a reservation, had not left his name or phone number, so was out of luck. Of course, he had left it until the last day of his visa, so he would have to leave the next day somehow and pay the 500 baht overstay fee.

To summarize: you leave at 8:30PM, spend a night on the bus. Then it’s half a day waiting around, with brunch included. Check into the hotel, sleep a bit or, if you have the stamina, explore Vientiane. Not much there, though. Have dinner, sleep one night at the hotel. Next day, wait around for a morning or visit Vientiane, then bus it back to Bangkok, arriving about 1:30 AM.

If you want to do this yourself, the company I used was “Quick Thai Visa Run”, 6th floor, PB Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 71. The contact is Phillip, who speaks perfect English, at 02-713-2498 (office hours) or 09-0245-255 (24 hours). They have a web site at ThaiVisaRun.com, but it hasn’t been updated in a while, and only mentions their Cambodia run, not the Laos run.

Traffic in Phnom Penh Cambodia?

Traffic in Phnom Penh may look like an accident waiting to happen, but step outside the law and it will cost you a lot of time and money.

Anyone who has been on Cambodian streets on two, three or four wheels knows it’s a free-for-all affair. There are city ordinances that seem only to be enforced when the boys in blue are near enough to evaluate the worth of stopping a violator. And like it or not, the foreigner is viewed through lenses embossed with a dollar sign and he/she will often be stopped for what seems to be the most mundane of reasons.

Just the other week my wife was stopped car for having “a dirty vehicle”. Technically there is no law against having a dirty vehicle, as you can probably gather from some trucks that are so covered in provincial red dirt or general grime that it is impossible to identify the original colour. Needless to say she handed over the demanded $ 5 fine, largely because our daughter was in the vehicle and it wasn’t worth fighting it out in the midday heat.

En passant so to speak.

Drivers who are stopped by the police and want to persuade them to obey Cambodian law, point out that no traffic fine for a car or pickup truck can exceed 10,000 riel, which is about $ 2.50. As for motorcycles, it is a manageable 5,000 riel for major violations and 2,000 riel for crimes such as running a red light. If more than those sums are demanded, it’s up to you to argue or pay up.

Despite the current chaos and horror stories, though, there are traffic laws here. A full set of rules was passed by parliament in December 2006 and they are very slowly being enforced.

Strangely for Cambodia, unnecessary noise is included in the ordinances as the use of your horn is allowed only at daytime in order to inform road users of a traffic accident.

Vehicles 49cc and up need proof of a licenced driver, registration and inspection. There are five licence grades: A1 for motorcycles 49cc-125cc, A2 for motorcycles over 125cc and vehicles with trailers, B for vehicles transporting less than 10 passengers, hauling goods less than 3.5 tons and/or towing less than .75 tons. B licence holders can also drive the same vehicles as A1 holders but not the same as A2 holders. Nobody can answer, however, how to get a licence that allows you to drive cars and big bikes.

Motorcycles must have rear-view mirrors and drivers must wear a safety helmet.

When a traffic light is yellow it is a sign to prepare to stop or go forward. Driving is prohibited if the driver has from .5mg of alcohol per litre of gas or from .25mg per litre of blood. Hence, the reason to drive a big SUV? Maximum speeds for vehicles in town are 30kph for all motorcycles and tricycles, 40kph for all cars. Outside town the top speed for all vehicles is 90kph. On motorways (national roads), in town the max is 60kph, 100kph out of town.

If you open a car door and cause an accident, you are to blame and all traffic accidents are “under the competency of the traffic police”. After an accident, everyone involved must stop and report it to the traffic police.

If there are no injuries, the parties involved can settle or ask for intervention from the police. If there are injuries or deaths you must help get the victims to a nearby hospital, not tamper with evidence and wait until the police arrive. Police officers are authorised to impound your vehicle as well as impose fines or confiscate your licence for petty offences. If you find yourself in such a situation, stay calm and resign yourself to the fact it will take time to resolve. Bringing in copies of the legal code, along with as many people as you can muster, to the police station will help. Cash is, of course, faster.