Cambodia - The Forgotten Jewel of Asia

Cambodia is in Southeast Asia and has Thailand, Laos & Vietnam as neighbors. This lends itself to fascinating history as it was devastated by decades of war but there are positive signs of economic revival and it is a good time to visit this beautiful country.

You can visit throughout the year, according to your preferences in terms of weather, and tourist populations. The dry season is from November to April and it is a good time to consider going even though it will be very hot.

Khmer food includes noodles, grilled meat/fish, fried food, curries, soups, salads, desserts, many vegetables, tropical fruits and of course rice. They also love crickets and frogs’ legs, grilled or stuffed with rice and ginger and delicately spiced. Tap water is not drinkable but you can buy bottled water everywhere. Avoid ice in your drinks and with fresh fruit juices.

Show respect in Cambodia by doing the following: Where appropriate clothes especially to temples, men & woman must cover their shoulders and knees. Address people with sir or madam before their name. Do not criticize the royal family. Do not point at people or touch their heads, not even children. Always ask permission before taking a picture of somebody.

Shopping is great and includes food, silverware and crafts. In the Kampot Region, small farmers grow a pepper, which is considered as one of the best peppers in the world. You can find many fake Kampot peppers in the markets. Be sure of the quality and of the origin of the pepper you want to buy, look for the label FarmLink. They use silver to produce a large choice of art items. You can find these silver items in the different markets of Phnom Penh: offering bowls, rice spoons, cutlery, jewellery and a large choice of boxes for betel nuts or jewellery.

There are many ways of getting around in the cities. With tuk-tuks, the price depends of the number of passengers and the distance of the transfer. Convenient to carry luggage, they also offer good protection in case of rain and shelter from the fierce rays of the sun. Cyclos are perfect for leisurely tours of cities and are less dangerous and more relaxing than motorbikes. Moto-dops are the fastest way of getting around. You stand on the side of the road to stop one but remember to fix the price before you get on. Getting between cities can be by bus, boat or train depending on your route.

Must see places are Siem Reap – local villages, trail riding, zip lining, vesper tours, pottery & floating villages. Kep & Kampot - national parks, pepper plantations, crab markets, beach, kayaks & stand up paddling. Phnom Penh – capital city, restaurants, bars, genocide museum, cooking classes, art galleries, silk island tour, traditional dancing & shadow puppet show.

Cambodia is a great family destination and still good value for money. If you would like to plan a holiday to this fascinating country please contact me.