Our Cambodia Experiences

 

 

 

I visited Cambodia and it still feels like a dream. There was a group of us from work who went together including my very special Cambodian friends who proved to be wonderful tour guided for this unforgettable trip. We were only there for 7 days, but had a chance to visit the small villages, a beautiful untouched beach with its luxurious hotel, silk markets, the capital city of Phnom Penh and even climbed Angkor Wat temple. I was especially amazed by all the hustle and bustle in the streets of Phnom Penh lines with its beautiful Asian architecture and temples. Hundreds of people were out at 5:00 a.m. either in groups praying, or participating in morning exercises of Thi Chi, and aerobics, which I also partook in. Streets along the Mekong River were filled with bicycles sometimes holding a whole family, cars, walkers and you may even catch an elephant or two walking along. I would also be remiss not to mention the geckos that kept us awake at night in our hotel rooms with their kissing sounds. Although Cambodia is very poor country, the people are rich. Everywhere you went Cambodian men, women and children were noticeably gracious, hospitable and warm. Smiles everywhere- and most of all they loved to have their picture taken which I loved doing. The whole culture gave me a great awareness of another side of the world so different from ours. I will always treasure this trip forever.   

 

---Patty

 I was very fortunate to take a trip to Cambodia with my friend Seng Ty. A group of us traveled together around this beautiful country seeing many ancient wonders. We learned about a history that was both fascinating and horrifying given the Khmer Rouge torture of the Cambodian people.

Despite the beauty of the country what most impressed me was the warmth of its people. There were beautiful smiles everywhere and a kind of welcoming easiness that made you feel right at home. I spent early mornings walking along the Mekong River in Phnom Penh greeting other early risers who were enjoying the cool air and various activities such as volleyball, honoring Buddha in a small temple, picnicking, and even aerobics classes! With the beautiful Royal Palace in the background I cannot imagine a more peaceful and serene setting. I cannot wait to return to this beautiful country.      

 

---Jackie

 

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Tour Itinerary 

Day 1 - Phnom Penh

• Arrival in Phnom Penh
• Transfer
• Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 2 - Phnom Penh  

 • Sightseeing in Phnom Penh
Explore PHNOM PENH, a chaotic, energetic and always fascinating city. Graceful tree-lined boulevards and riverfront promenades are reminders of bygone eras; today they teem with life and activity, as motorcycles weave in and out of traffic, vendor hawk their wares, and pedestrians go about their business. Start your tour with an insight into Cambodia's cultural heritage with a visit to the ROYAL PALACE, still the official residence of King Norodom Sihamoi and the adjacent SILVER PAGODA, also known as the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to the elegant NATIONAL MUSEUM, which contains a comprehensive collection of Khmer Art. Finally, explore the modern-day city, visiting one of Phnom Penh's two great markets, the CENTRAL MARKET, located in a distinctive domed Art Deco building, and the sprawling RUSSIAN MARKET, a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from CDs and DVDs to silks, crafts, jewelry and more.

 

 

 

 

   • Visit Tuol Sleng (S-21)
Learn about a chapter from Cambodia's more recent, tragic, past at the TUOL SLENG MUSEUM (Museum of Genocide). Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, this became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime at that time known as Security Prison 21, or simply S-21. Kept largely unchanged, this prison now showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims that passed through these doors only seven of whom came out alive.

 

• Excursion to the Killing Fields
Just outside Phnom Penh, in a peaceful rural setting, the KILLING FIELDS OF CHOEUNG EK provide a stark reminder of the atrocities under the Pol Pot regime. Thousands of people were killed here between the years of 1975 and 1978 and buried in mass graves. Today is possible to see the fileds and visit the MEMORIAL STUPA, which contains 8000 skulls from the human victims of the Khmer Rouge.
• Overnight in Phnom Penh

 

 Day 3 - Siem Reap

• Transfer
• Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
• Transfer
• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public cermonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.
• Visit a temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.
• Overnight in Siem Reap

 

Day 4 - Siem Reap

• Sightseeing in Angkor
• Visit Angkor Wat
The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stonecarvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

 

 

 

  

• Visit Preah Khan
A temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters.

 
• Visit Banteay Srei Temple
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, BANTEAY SREI is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.  

Day 5 - Siem Reap

• Sightseeing in Angkor

• Visit Prasat Kravan 

The five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls.  

• Visit Banteay Kdei Temple
A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, BANTEAY KDEI is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters.

 

• Visit Sras Srang
A basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.

 

• Visit Ta Prohm
One of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

 

• Visit Ta Keo
Built by Jayavarman V who ruled from 968 to 1001), it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers.

 

• Visit Thommanon
Temple which mirrors Chau Say Tevoda (just to the north), as it was built around the same time and has a similar plan. It is also dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

 

• Visit Chau Say Tevoda
Built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite of Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

 

• Excursion to the Tonle Sap Lake with boat trip (Great Lake)
Located in the heart of Cambodia, this extraordinary lake swells up to seven times its original size during the monsoon season. Its ecosystem is one of the richest and most diverse in the region. This boat trip will explore the floating fishing villages that live at the edges of the lake, passing submerged forests and fishing farms.

• Overnight in Siem Reap

 

 Day 6,7 and 8  -Sihanoukville Beach

After visiting the historical sites and culture, you need a several days to retreat and relax at the beach resorts. With several white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and a national park nearby, Sihanoukville is slowly emerging as one of SouthEast Asia's premier beach destinations. Whether its water sports or relaxing spas that you crave, this sleepy southern Cambodian town has just what you're looking for.

Situated in the centre of a small peninsula on the Gulf of Thailand, Sihanoukville town is surrounded by several palm tree-lined beaches and filled with things to do. For the ultimate in relaxation, enjoy a massage at one of the town's luxury spas and bask in the sun at the private Sokha beach. Or, spend the day doing waterspouts before hitting the lively bar-lined Ochetuel beach at night.

Nearby are several uninhabited islands which are easily accessible from Sihanoukville. Traditional wooden motorboats take passengers on day trips out to these serene retreats, where you can snorkel amongst the beautiful fish and coral, relax on secluded beaches, and enjoy a bar-b-que on the sand. Several scuba diving sites are situated off the coast and dive operators run several options of trips for those who like to explore the depths of the ocean.

Explore the areas rich biodiversity with a trip to Ream National Park. One of four national parks in Cambodia, Ream is home to spectacular mangrove forrests, over 100 different species of birds, monkeys, and the endangered fresh water dolphin. A guided jungle walk or a boat trip with a park ranger will introduce you to the unique species found here.