Cambodia may have had its share of troubles in the past but as any worldly traveller knows, it is now one of the must see destinations on the Asian trail.
The ravages of time have only intensified the air of history that fills this mysterious land. Workers silently move around the rice fields that define this nation, the capital Phnom Penh with its tree lined streets throbs with vitality and life and the beaches with their miles of idyllic white sands give a glimpse of paradise.
Whichever Cambodia you want to see there is no greater welcome to be found, each and every visitor is treated to the same hospitality from this amazing nation of people, people that have seen the worst of humanity and yet still retain the greatest of faith in its future.
The beaches around the Gulf of Thailand are simple stunning and the Koh Rong islands are no exception, absolutely untouched, white sands that are surrounded by hillside jungle hold their own beauty whilst the pure waters filled with marine life and reefs just beg to be explored. Song Saa Private Island Hotel offers a castaway experience like no other, unrivalled luxury in the most private of surroundings – this may be an expensive choice but once you arrive the hardest decision that you will have to make is which of the amazing array of seafood you are going to dine on next.
Those that are travelling around Cambodia are unlikely to be booking onto a private island but are still adequately served by the guest houses that are dotted throughout the country both in the cities and the rural retreats, most of the rooms are basic but clean and perfectly adequate for a nights sleep before moving on to the next adventure.
Cambodian cuisine may have less heat than some of its neighbours but it certainly lacks nothing in flavour, sour undertones to the food rather than fire make every meal a mouth watering experience – rice is beloved throughout Cambodia as are a myriad of fresh fruits and vegetables(often pickled); pineapple, ginger, black pepper and coconut milk feature heavily in many of the best known dishes.
There are lots of great places to eat in Phnom Penh and global cuisine is readily found along the riverside, although mainly inexpensive this is the area where you may just get caught out and tempted into one of the more expensive establishments. The best food is always going to be the local food and traditional dishes are best when eaten at one of the many markets, the food is usually of a high standard so eating from the stalls should never be an issue.
If you only take one cultural trip whilst in Vietnam then it has to be to see the Temples of Angkor, the Khmer architecture is dotted around some 400 square kilometres and all of it designated as a UNESCO world heritage site; rising out of the forest these temples with their intricate carvings and majestic towers are unbelievable with Ankhor Wat (close to the lovely town of Siem Reap) said to be the most breathtaking of them all.
Cambodia is tropical in climate with a distinct rainy season which runs from June to October, immediately after the rainy season is when the weather is at its calmest with temperature ranging from 75-80F however by the time April has arrived the temperatures start to climb and often reach 100F making the intense heat almost unbearable at times.
If you are planning a beach holiday in Cambodia then the rainy season is best avoided however for sightseeing the short intense bursts of rainfall can be a welcome relief from the heat; there are also localised micro-climates throughout parts of Cambodia that can affect the overall climate guide – this should be checked out prior to travel to avoid adverse conditions.
