Destination: Cambodia
Cambodia is a a very special destination to me.
I am often asked as a Travel Advisor “So what is your favourite destination?”…
I am very lucky to have travelled extensively over the last 20 years and I can honestly say that I couldn’t name just a single one – I have probably at least 10 “favourites” in Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Europe and Africa.
But there is one destination that is incredibly special to me, in fact one that I consider almost a 2nd home…Cambodia.
As an Indochina Travel Specialist - my passion, expertise and knowledge for Cambodia is unrivalled. And for very personal reasons - my children’s father (my ex-husband and partner of many years) fled “Khmer Rouge" ravaged Cambodia as a child. He lost his dad and many relatives during Pol Pot time. In fact, Cambodia is estimated to have lost a third of its population during 1975-1979.
I first travelled to Cambodia with him back in 2000 on his “pilgrimage” to the country of his birth. I instantly fell in love with Cambodia and its beautiful people. I have now travelled back to Cambodia countless times since 2000, introducing my children to their heritage & culture.
So whilst I am no longer married to a Cambodian, my children are half-Khmer and it will always remain a very special destination for me – Cambodia has truly touched my soul. It is a place which I have seen change so much and blossom over the years. I know Cambodia as much as I know Melbourne (my hometown) and it is a country that I am incredibly passionate about.
Siem Reap is of course home to the famous Angkor Temples - my children love to explore the temples, each armed with their own camera - favourite temples include the “big 3” Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the Bayon. But we also love Preah Khan for all its doorways and the more remote Beng Melea - both allow the kids to feel like ‘explorers’.
Aside from the temples - Siem Reap has so much to offer and is a great choice for any trip. Compared to my first visit in 2000, there are so many options of accommodation - from small boutique properties to deluxe 5 star resorts. Many have beautiful pools – a must after exploring the temples or town in Cambodia's humid weather.
The restaurants, cafes and boutiques of Siem Reap have also come along way. The Alley is now full of great Khmer restaurants – I love it that Cambodia is now proud of its Khmer cuisine, back in 2000 all the ‘tourist” restaurants were pushing the usual backpacker favourites of pancakes with banana and chocolate sauce and the like. Shopping is a highlight for many visiting Siem Reap - apart from Phsar Chas Market during the day, there are numerous night markets in town, along with some great small boutiques and NGO run shops selling items made by street children and underprivileged.
But Cambodia has so much to offer apart from Siem Reap. The busy ever-changing capital of Phnom Penh; the rustic seaside village of Kep; colonial riverside towns of Battambang, Kampot or Kratie; or for the adventurous the Cardamon Mountains or Ratankiri are worth exploring. As too are some of the great little towns you can visit on your travels.
A River Cruise on the Mekong between Siem Reap and Saigon is also a great way to combine Cambodia & Vietnam. The Cambodia Photography Tour listed below features 4 Days/3 Nights onboard The Jahan - a truly luxurious way to experience Cambodia.
Cambodia like Asia in general is a great destination for families - your children are bound to get many comments and the occasional cuddles. With children in tow, you often find there is so much more interaction with locals.
So I love to give back to a destination that has given me so much - I love to help others explore and experience 'my' Cambodia.
This year I am very excited to be working on some exclusive special interest tours:
- Photography Tours with acclaimed Australian photographer Tony Amos - Photography Tour to Cambodia (20-28 July 2016) which can be booked independently or to follow on from Myanmar Photography Tour that I have also organised with Tony Amos (10 -20 July 2016) For details of Tony Amos Cambodia Photography Tour – see my earlier blog or my Specials page.
- Cambodia "Immersion" tour with Chan Uoy, chef/owner of Melbourne's Cambodian restaurant Bopha Devi. Sure to be a special tour which will be part personal pilgrimage to the country he also fled as a child during Pol Pot time, part a culinary journey and also a chance to focus on the great work be done within Cambodia by NGOs and a focus on the re-emerging arts scene of Cambodia. For details of Chan Uoy's Cambodia Immersion Tour – see my Specials page.
I have spent so much of the past 20 years travelling extensively throughout Asia - I truly know the "insider" or "local" ways to ensure your travel experience is truly enriching. Whether its Cambodia or another great spot in Asia, I would love to plan a truly unique travel experience for you.
If you would like further information on these exclusive tours or would like my assistance to plan your own trip to Cambodia, please visit email me or connect with me on Linkedin.
**As a keen photographer myself, I have thousands of images of my "Cambodia" - but the above photo has to be one of my favourites, taken a few years ago... my 3 beautiful children relaxing together after busily exploring one of the Angkor temples.