Tailor Made Holidays in Cambodia: Highlights

Admire Banteay Srei's exquisite carvings

A gem of a temple, Banteay Srei is one of the best preserved temples at Angkor. When initially discovered explorers believed the temple to date from the 13th or 14th century owing to its remarkable conservation, but incredibly construction is now believed to have started as early as the 10th century. If being perfectly formed and encrusted with elaborate stone carvings were not enough, what makes Banteay Srei really stand out is the incredible pink sandstone from which it is made. The best time to visit in my opinion is in the late afternoon, when the sandstone almost glows in the hues of the afternoon sun.

 
Relax on the lovely beaches at Sihanoukville

You would not necessarily associate Cambodia with beaches, but located four hours drive from Phnom Penh in the south lie the lovely beaches of Sihanoukville. The white sands and clear waters provide an ideal place to unwind after days of sightseeing.

Read more about: Sihanoukville
 
Confront the colossal faces of the Bayon

From afar the Bayon can look rather ordinary – you would not be mistaken for thinking that the Bayon is a little slap dash, an unstructured agglomeration of man-made stalagmites that initially pale in comparison to Angkor Wat’s ordered, stylised beauty. But how wrong you would be if you failed to explore further for the Bayon is a creative masterpiece, and the true personification of its architect – King Jayavarman VII. As you approach the seemingly characterless rubble metamorphoses into a collection of 54 towers encompassing a total of 216 striking, smiling, enormous faces reminiscent of the King himself – not known for his humility!

 
Welcome the dawn at Ta Phrom

If there is one temple that has to be seen at dawn then it is undeniably Ta Phrom. A firm favourite of Audley, Ta Phrom has been left to the ravages of the jungle, a temple that time forgot now encased by creeping strangler fig tree roots. What is truly mesmerising about Ta Phrom is that it remains exactly as when European explorers first discovered the site in the mid nineteenth century. As the sun breaks the temple takes on a whole new persona – full of mystique as an eerily beautiful green light penetrates the tree canopy and rays of sunlight hauntingly highlight the moss-covered pinnacles and courtyards. Dawn here will make for one of your most atmospheric experiences at Angkor.

 
Take a sunset cruise on the Mekong

At the end of a hot day sightseeing or shopping there is no better way to ease into the evening than taking a short cruise on the Mekong or Tonle Sap rivers at Phnom Penh. As the many families who live on the river go about their evening ablutions you will no doubt find yourself waving back to the children who are more interested in tourists than bedtime. As the boat chugs its way slowly up the river and back you can settle back with a cold beer and gaze at the sun sinking behind the Phnom Penh skyline.

 
Relax at Kep

Along the south coast of Cambodia lies the sleepy little village of Kep. Formerly a coastal retreat for the ruling French classes it fell into decline during the war years and has been largely ignored by the tourist market. However, interest is picking up and there are now a number of places to stay for those looking to get away from the beaten track and to see a part of Cambodia unaffected by tourism. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, providing ample photo opportunities and there is easy access to a number of outlying islands for a relaxing day on an unspoilt beach.

Read more about: Kep
 
Enjoy genuine Cambodian cuisine at Rum Chong restaurant, Phnom Penh

Just over the far side of the Mekong River in Phnom Penh is the area known as Preak Leap where you will find a restaurant called Rum Chong. On the banks of the Mekong, you can sit on the large terrace underneath a giant tamarind tree, and dine on some of the best food in Cambodia. Serving a bewildering variety of local foods, such as my favourite, Ngieuw - a shell fish dish cooked in tamarind and basil sauce - you can eat like a king for very little money. A fantastic place to eat real Cambodian food in a superb setting.

Read more about: Phnom Penh
 
Watch the magical sunset over Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is truly extraordinary, arguably the most impressive of all the Angkor temples and reportedly the largest religious structure in the world. Sunset over Angkor Wat is a magical experience and exploring the complex late in the day can be especially rewarding as the majority of visitors tend to ascend nearby Phnom Bakheng.

 
Temple safari at Preah Vihear

Of all the many temples of the Angkor period you will not find one in a more stunning location than Preah Vihear. Perched on a 500 metre high promontory in northern Cambodia it surveys the Cambodian jungle below and Thailand in the distance. If you do a temple safari you get to stay overnight in the grounds of this magnificent site when all the other tourists have left. Just sit on the steps of the highest temple and listen to the jungle below as you watch the sun set behind the distant hills. Truly inspiring.

 
Mingle with the locals at the "Russian" Market, Phnom Penh

Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it under the ramshackle roof of Tuol Tom Pong, known locally as the Russian market since the 1980s when Russians were the only visitors. Used by locals and tourists alike it houses everything from fruit, veg, meat, antiques (real and fake), clothing (real and fake designer brands), jewellery, silverware and even car spare parts. Try the food at one of the stalls in the middle or cool off with a freshly squeezed orange juice. It’s a great place to people-watch or swap a bit of banter with one of the many stall holders who speak English.

Read more about: Phnom Penh
 
Get soaked at the Water Festival

During the monsoon season the waters of the Mekong build up to such a level that it pushes the waters of the Tonle Sap River back on itself so that it reverses its flow. As the Mekong starts to drop in October the Tonle Sap begins once more to drain back into the Mekong at Phnom Penh. This remarkable event is celebrated in early November each year with a hectic 4 day festival in Phnom Penh that brings the city to a standstill. The bar at the FCC provides the perfect place to view the boat races and parties below!

Read more about: Phnom Penh
 
Rub shoulders with the locals at Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh

Reputedly the spiritual birthplace of Phnom Penh, this wat sits on the only ‘hill’ in town and provides a microcosm of what Cambodia is all about. Locals come here to pray for luck and lay offerings of flowers and incense, traders ply their goods, beggars try their luck, children play at the water taps and elephants provide rides around the base. It is all conducted in great spirits and really captures the essence of Phnom Penh past and present.

Read more about: Phnom Penh
 
Wonder at Yeak Loam Crater Lake, Ban Lung

In the wild north east of Cambodia sits this mysterious jade green lake, reputedly 80 metres deep, surrounded by forest. Anyone who has ventured this far into Cambodia's interior will find this lake a welcome spot to cool off and refresh the spirits. Situated just outside Banlung, provincial capital of Ratanakiri, no-one quite knows its origins or indeed how deep it is. You can hire a rubber inner tube for 2000 riel, or 50 cents, and float on the cool green waters looking at the trees and birdlife around you.

Read more about: Ratanakiri
 
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