Cambodia

Cambodia, a country in Southeast Asia, is today known as the “Kingdom of Wonders” for its colonial cities, temples, rice fields, floating villages, nature, food and the smile and welcome of the local people, called Khmer.

Despite the atrocities that Cambodia suffered during the recent civil war, the population is ready to welcome anyone who wants to embark on an adventure journey in this marvellous country in the best possible way.

Here’s what you can do on an adventure trip to Cambodia.

Here are the sports and adventures we recommend in this destination.

For more details about sports click here.

• To explore the Siem Reap region we recommend a bike to enjoy the scenery
• Those who love nature, should visit Mondulkiri, where it is possible to go trekking in the Seima Protected Forest
• Along the Mekong Discovery Trail, north of the town of Kratie. boat excursions and overnight stays can be organized in local stilt houses
• The town of Kratie is also known as a starting point for excursions in search of the particular Asian dolphin in the Mekong river
• The underwater life is also worth exploring by diving especially in the Sihanoukville area
• Visit the Mondulkiri region to see elephants

Here are some of the unique and exciting experiences you could live in this destination:

• Cambodia is famous for its tasty dishes, so don’t miss out on tasting Khmer cuisine, even tasting street food; sometimes you may find real delicacies that only a few will dare to taste, such as fried tarantula. Then cool your throat with a beer in one of the street bars
• Shop for souvenirs and handicrafts from local night markets
• Pamper yourself with a Khmer-style massage
• Take a tour with a tuk tuk
• Take part in a cooking class to learn how to cook traditional Khmer dishes (don’t worry, no fried tarantulas 😉)
• Take a boat to a remote island like Koh Rong and Koh Kong for a moment of peace away from everything
• Take a ride on a train built with bamboo canes from Battambang to Phnom Penh to admire nature as you pass small farming villages. These trains consist of a wooden frame, bamboo decking, an engine and wheels that come from a bust-up wartime tank
• Take a boat tour on the Mekong River at sunset
• Get invited to local people’s homes for a snack
• Spend a night in the luxurious hotel within a nature reserve in the jungle inspired by Jackie Kennedy
• Visit the stilts of Kompong Plouk, the floating village on Tonlè Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Here you can live in close contact with the local population, see the artisans at work, fish and have lunch with them

In addition to the sports and adventures mentioned above, Cambodia offers wonderful locations that are absolutely worth visiting.

Cambodia is littered with temples and ancient and modern cities to visit. We suggest you not to miss:

• Angkor Archeological Park in the Siem Reap region, the largest historical center where the Khmer empire was established between the 9th and 15th centuries. About a thousand temples and religious buildings have been found in the area. In particular, the temple of The Bayon which is the only one to be built as a Buddhist temple, it’s particular because on each pinnacle there are numerous smiling faces. Here you can visit the ruins of the ancient city of Angkor Wat, the largest pre-industrial city in the world, the heart of the ancient Khmer empire.
• Phnom Penh’s, the capital of Cambodia, to discover its heritage, history and culture, such as the Royal Palace
• Battambang, the best preserved example of French colonialism. Center of the agricultural area and trade with Thailand, mainly devoted to the cultivation of rice and exotic fruit.
• The temple and monastery of Ta Prohm, became famous by the movie Tomb Raider, mostly shot in these ruins.
• Banteay Srei Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, also called “Fortress of Women”. It is very rich in decoration and built in sandstone

The country hosts numerous natural parks and reserves and many irresistible beaches.

• The paradise island of Koh Rong is surrounded by white-sand beaches facing azure seas. This island has a hippy and party atmosphere, which is becoming popular especially among backpackers who perhaps like to take refuge in its village of Koh Tuch, where the jungle reigns supreme and allows you to get away from the world
• If you prefer more peace, there is the island of Koh Rong Sanloem, with a more peaceful and easy atmosphere
• Sihanoukville Beach, a popular tourist destination in the area overlooking the Gulf of Siam
• Bamboo Island, golden sand, bungalows a few meters from the sea with transparent waters and paradisiacal views
• Ream National Park is one of the most pristine places in Cambodia

As we said, food in Cambodia is a real experience. Among restaurants and street food, you will surely find dishes that will test your courage (such as fried tarantula), but also very tasty vegetarian dishes, succulent meats and fine desserts.

Rice is certainly a primary ingredient of Khmer cuisine, along with fish, tropical fruit, soups and noodles. French colonialism has also greatly affected the food of here.

Let’s see what are the typical dishes here:

• Fish amok: steamed coconut milk fish in banana leaves and curry paste
• Amok chouk: snails with curry steamed in their shells. It’s best served with a plate of hot, steamed rice.
• Samlor machu trey: sweet and sour soup with fish. Its ingredients include fish, garlic, lemongrass, celery, tamarind juice, bean sprouts, pineapple and seasoning with sugar, fish sauce, and salt. Many people also add some fresh green herbs and hot chilli pepper on top before serving
• Char kroeung sach ko: stir-fried lemongrass beef. After putting the beef in heated oil with garlic, stir fry until the beef becomes tender. Then add vegetables such as red peppers and onion as well as the kroeung mixture paste, made from a variety of Asian herbs such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and galangal.
• Bai sach chrouk: grilled pork and broken rice. It’s pork marinated in coconut milk or garlic before being brought to a slow grill. It’s then served with broken or fractured rice and a small bowl of clear chicken broth as well as some fresh vegetables. As part of the street food culture, it is available everywhere especially in busy neighborhoods. It’s so popular that many middle and upper restaurants also include it on their menus. Try it with iced coffee.

Cambodia is one of those earthly paradises that is worth visiting all year round.

The best period is from December to mid-February.

From March onwards, temperatures rise and unpredictable monsoon phenomena can occur, making this country particularly rainy.

Language: Khmer, French

Currency: Cambodian Riel – ៛ – KHR (widely used US Dollar as well)

Capital: Phnom Penh

For up-to-date and detailed information visit www.viaggiaresicuri.it

Hotels, shops, and restaurants now accept credit cards. However, it is always better to have cash in small denominations. Also, there are ATMs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville.