cambodia
the kingdom of cambodia is home to asia’s macchu picchu, borobudur, or taj mahal: the magnificent temples of Angkor. though the ruins are now so firmly on the southeast asian tourist trail, virtually everyone has been to this cultural disneyland. though crowded, except for the summer months, the early morning sunrises, temple reliefs and stunning sunsets can melt any crowd of camera gripping hordes into thin air.
As home to one of asia’s largest lakes, cambodia’s countryside is practically changeless, and heading out from the cities is a great way to see the real cambodia.
with the days of the khmer rouge are far behind, phnom penh is surging back from the days of total abandonment in the mid 1970’s, and trade, business and tourism are flourishing along with the arts and music that were almost destroyed by brother number one, pol pot.
don’t miss:
sunrise at angkor wat;
sunset at the bayon;
wandering around ta prohm;
a boat ride on the tonle sap;
the sculpture collection at the national museum in phnom penh;
the cambodian new year in april
food:
khmer sour soup;
grilled tarantulas, yum;
roasted cockroaches, double yum
give it a miss:
any of the southern beaches, unless tarty hostesses are your crowd;
the thai border crossing, soaked in thieves
don’t even think about:
riding a taxi after dark;
going to a dodgy nightclub in phnom penh