Chan Uoy's Cambodian Tour
Very excited to be planning a special Cambodia "Immersion" tour with Chan Uoy, chef/owner of Melbourne Dockland's Cambodian restaurant Bopha Devi.
Sure to be a special tour, part pilgrimage to the country Chan fled as a child during Pol Pot time. The tour will also be a celebration of Khmer cuisine, culture, history and the blossoming arts scene.
As an Indochina Travel Specialist - my passion, expertise and knowledge for Cambodia is unrivalled. Cambodia is a very special destination for me, my children are half Khmer and I have travelled to Cambodia countless times since 2000. See my recent blog for more details on how and why Cambodia is like a second home to me. So I am really excited to be working with Chan on this tour to Cambodia, a destination that means so much to both of us.
Join Chan Uoy's Cambodia Immersion Tour: 13 Days/12 Nights
21 May - 02 June 2016.
Chan Uoy was just five years old when his family joined hundreds of thousands of refugees that fled to Thailand during the terrifying early days of the Khmer Rouge’s reign. He and his family were amongst the first Cambodian refugees to arrive in Melbourne in 1976.
In 1998 Chan and his Uncle Sun Chung established a small restaurant in Yarraville. In October 2005, the Bopha Devi Docklands restaurant was launched, Chan opened Bopha Devi as a testament to his heritage. Once he accepted the suffering of a collapsed Cambodia, Chan set out to promote and support the country of his birth – Chan has been involved with many Cambodian causes, his most recent cause was to raise funds for three Arts Scholarships through Living Arts Cambodia. Other NGOs have also hosted their fundraisers at Docklands over the last ten years; the restaurant to date has touched so many lives.
Opening the restaurants has been a life journey not only into food, but a rediscovery of a heritage that Chan was taken away from. Chan had to discover for himself the stories behind the refugee experience of family members, the story behind a lost empire and the need to learn more about arts and culture so that the Khmer identity does not become extinct. His journey is about overcoming adversity and the story continues with this tour, which is not only a culinary tour but a real “immersion” tour into Chan’s Cambodia.
On this tour, Chan Uoy will share with you “his” Cambodia – the tour takes in bustling Phnom Penh, Chan’s hometown Battambang, and Siem Reap with its famed Angkor temples.
This is a personal pilgrimage for Chan, highlights will include exploring his hometown with a very special monk's blessing in Battambang. There will be plenty of opportunities to experience Khmer cuisine through cooking classes, market and street food tours. With Chan, you will delve into Khmer history, architecture and culture with city tours and visits to ancient Angkor temples. Finally a chance to see the blossoming arts scene and the wonderful work being done by the NGOs and cultural groups like Phare Circus, HUSK and Cambodian Living Arts.
- Immersion tour escorted by Chan Uoy – chef/owner of Melbourne’s Bopha Devi Restaurant
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh
- 3 Nights Accommodation at La Villa Hotel, Battambang
- 6 Nights Accommodation at Shinta Mani Resort, Siem Reap
- Breakfast daily at hotels, numerous lunches and dinners in Khmer restaurants and villages
- Private transfer, transportation, entrance fees, sightseeing and touring in Battambang, Phnom Penh & Siem Reap with Local English speaking guide.
- Cookbook
- Small Group Tour or just 12 people
Tour cost - $3074.00 USD Per Person Twinshare
As the exclusive booking agent for these tours, I will be able to assist with flights, visas and pre/post touring or accommodation. I have spent the past 20 years travelling extensively throughout Asia - I know the "insider" or "local" ways to ensure your travel experience is truly enriching. This is a small group tour, so places are limited - contact me for further details or to book a spot of Chan Uoy's Cambodian "Immersion" Tour.
**Image of Chan Uoy supplied courtesy of City of Melbourne.
*Price is per person, twinshare in USD, subject to availability at time of booking. Single supplement available. Land only cost - no international flights included. Please contact Kirsty for International flight options and prices. For full terms and conditions please contact Kirsty Thomas-Thoeun, MTA Travel Advisor.