Cambodia boasts a rich culture with its many ancient temples and its amazing natural scenery found in its mighty rivers, empty beaches and the remote forests. It lies at the heart of Indochina, bordered by Thailand to the west, Laos and Thailand to the north and Vietnam to the east. After three decades of civil war, peace has come to this beautiful country and the Cambodian people are welcoming travellers with open arms. The Khmer people, who make up more than 95 percent of modern Cambodia’s population, impress visitors as some of the friendliest, ‘happiest’ (sabai), and most gentle people they have ever met. The ubiquitous Khmer smile is legendary, as is traditional Khmer hospitality and openness.
Cambodia’s primary tourist destinations such as the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Bayon and other ruins of the Khmer Empire rank amongst the world’s grandest and most magnificent World Heritage Sites. Other destinations such as the hill tribe areas of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri, the remote temples of Preah Vihear and Banteay Chhmar, and quaint provincial capitals such as Battambang and Kampot, are just now being discovered by travellers, and all offer unique glimpses of ‘unspoiled’ Cambodia.
Siem Reap was a Cambodian provincial town with few facilities at the turn of the millenium, until the visitors started to discover the ruins of Angkor Wat. As the gateway to the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap has retained it’s rural charm but, now provides five-star hotels, air-conditioned buses and international restaurants. The past is represented by its shady tree-lined boulevards and traditional French shophouses, with a gentle river winding its way through this enchanting town.