Cambodia with Wide Eyed Tours
I was surprised at how developed the city is. There is a clear divide between the rich and poor with luxury cars cruising around and plenty of new developments and modern hotels mixed with traditional Asian architecture, but obvious signs of people struggling to make ends meet.
Our first visit on this week long tour of Cambodia was to the Phnom Penh killing fields and the torture prison. Let’s just say it was upsetting to say the least. Walking round a place like this and learning about the atrocities committed within many of our lifetimes was shocking. It’s tragic that one of the main focal points of the city is this, but it’s something we cannot ignore. It’s right we pay our respects to those who were not born in more favourable circumstances like we are, and who lost their lives through no fault of their own.
That evening we sailed on a Mekong River sunset cruise. Onboard, we enjoyed Cambodian tapas washed down with a local beer. We journeyed upstream to view the city with the dropping sun in the background. It was an excellent evening.
The following morning we left Phnom Penh for the town of Battambang. The journey took around 4 hours but on the way we stopped at a settlement where the locals made pottery. We saw how they don’t use a rotating top but instead shuffle around the clay sculpture, moulding it with their hands and a small paddle as they go. I got to have a try myself, which was funny due to my complete incompetence.
Upon arrival in Battambang we checked into our lovely hotel, the Cambana La Riviere, had a dip in the pool, before heading out on Tuk Tuks for dinner which was served at a local tour guide’s house on his rooftop. We heard how Sam got into the tourism industry and how he loves showing people around the town and the surrounding scenic beauty.
The next morning he did just that, taking us to some local temples, a market, places where they made fish paste (vile smell!), noodles, whiskey, and rice paper. The highlight of the afternoon though being the Bamboo Train. The Bamboo Train is a small platform seating four people plus a driver with a diesel engine at the back and two pairs of wheels and axels. It’s as simple as that, but it chugs along the track at around 20-25 mph through the countryside. It was great fun! And when another train is headed the other way on the single track, you just simply jump off, take it apart, and let the other one pass by before reassembling and getting back on your way. After 20 mins or so, you just turn the thing around and head back.
Before sunset we headed for the bat cave not far from the town where 3 to 5 million bats exit the cave en mass every evening. It’s an extraordinary sight and lasts 30-40 minutes as they swam out to go and find food. One poor little fella was struggling to fly so along with Sam’s help, I held him for a while before putting him back to safety.
Next and final stop, Siem Reap. Siem Reap is a much more developed and lively city than Battambang. There’s a plethora of luxury hotels to choose from, a lively party quarter aptly named Pub Street, decorative lights hung and shining over the river, and many markets. After visiting a selection of hotels including the amazing 4.5 star Viroth’s hotel, we checked into the stunning 5 star Shinta Mani, with it’s turn-down service, gorgeous pool, and delicious breakfasts.
Before dawn the next day we headed for the world famous Angkor Wat. We saw the sun rise behind it, bringing colour into the scene. Mist rose up over the lake as the heat of the day began to arrive. It was incredible! We walked around the temple, learning about the history and how it had been reassigned from Hindu to Buddhist, and we saw the scars in the form of bullet holes from last century's fighting.
Next up, we went to the Ta Prohm Temple, or better known now as the Tomb Raider temple from the Angelina Jolie film. It’s fascinating how the trees over three centuries have grown to be part of the temple, adding to its aura.
Last temple visit was to Bayon. Different from the other two with more face carvings and probably more alleys and corners to explore. The heat was really picking up so we couldn’t stay too long as we’d all been up since 4AM and were all shattered. We’d done well over 10000 steps already by lunchtime!
Our final day we went on a river boat to visit the Kampong Phluk fishing village. Starting our journey along the Siem Reap river, we made our way along, mesmerised by the houses built on stilts to allow for the vast changes in water levels. It must be a difficult way of life for the people living and working there, but they still had access to electricity and medical services, and what they may lack in facilities, they gained in being at one with nature in one of the most iconic places in SE Asia. The river then spills out into the Tonle Sap Lake, which is so huge it has a horizon like the ocean.
The tour ended in style with a brilliant display of acrobatics, humour, music and dance at the Phare Circus. For an hour we were enthralled by the performance, sometimes with held breath as they did their gravity defying stunts. A visit here when in Siem Reap is a must.
The final evening we wondered the streets for a while, found a stall selling local specialties like spiders, scorpions, and bugs (unfortunately I'd just eaten, otherwise I might have been tempted), finishing up in a bar on Pub Street with a happy hour offering buy-one-get-one-free beers - they were already only one dollar each!
If you’re considering a visit to Cambodia, you shouldn’t need too long to think because it’s got so much going for it. Our visit was 7 nights, but you can go more leisurely than our whistle-stop tour, and perhaps include some down time at one of the destinations beach resorts too. Speak to me for more info and help planning your next trip.
