Cambodia

Cambodia promises a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences to the intrepid traveller. Your heart will race at Angkor Wat, one of the world's greatest achievements, only to haltingly derail when faced with the impact of humankind's darkest moments. After two decades of war and isolation, only now is Cambodia truly starting to recover from the Khmer Rouge's genocidal 1975 79 rule.

Phnom Penh
Cambodia's capital retains an undeniable charm, despite its tumultuous, often violent past. The crumbling colonial architecture makes an attractive backdrop to bustling streetside cafes and the redeveloped riverfront precinct a particularly lively part of town on Friday and Saturday nights.

Battambang
Situated about 292km from Phnom Penh Battambang is Cambodia’s second largest city an elegant riverside town, with a population of perhaps 80,000. Quiet and serene, it was founded on the bank of the Stung Sangker river in the 11th century. It is home to interesting historical sited like Wat Ek Phnom, a temple built by Suryarvanam I (1002 1050) in the 11th Century, Wat Toul Baset which dates back to 7th century and Wat Poveal Museums which displays Khmer arts.

Siem Reap
Siem Reap is the gateway to the temples of Angkor, Cambodia's spiritual and cultural heartbeat. A sleepy backwater until a few years ago, it is fast reinventing itself as a sophisticated centre for the new wave of visitors passing through each year, with restaurant and bar prices climbing weekly.

Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville in Cambodia (Kompong Som), it is above all some very clean white sandy beaches, the crystal clear ocean and palm trees, at 4 hours of Phnom Penh the capital. A stopping place in this seaside resort before or after the discovery of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Shaded beaches were equipped for the rest, the relaxation and the idleness. The beaches of Sihanoukville enter slowly in the ocean with transparent blue waters, not polluted by garbage or other waste.

Activities and Tours

Bokor National Park
One of Cambodia's premier protected areas, Bokor National Park clings to the southern tip of the Elephant Mountains. Besides a refreshingly cool climate, the park possesses secluded waterfalls, commanding ocean views, an abandoned and eerie French hill station (elevation 1080m/3543ft) and exceedingly elusive animals like tigers and elephants.

Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Rising amid 129 mass graves (43 of which remain untouched) is a blinding white stupa memorialising the approximately 17,000 people executed here by the Khmer Rouge between mid 1975 and December 1978. Displayed on shelves behind the stupa's glass panels are over 8000 skulls found during excavations here in 1980 a moving reminder of Cambodia's dark past.

Temples of Angkor
Angkor Situated at 7 kilometres of Siem Reap, Angkor's site extends over square 400 km. 287 temples were counted in the region, the construction of which is spread out by the 9th & 13 th century. Angkor Wat, the most famous, the most majestic temple of Angkor's site, tours of which are the emblem of Cambodia. It's a temple Hindu dedicated to the god Vishnu, whose construction was begun at the beginning of the XII th century during the administration of king Suryavarman II.

Phnom Sontuk
Phnom Sontuk is the most important holy mountain in Cambodia's northwest and the hillside is decorated with images of Buddha and a series of pagodas. It's set high above the surrounding countryside, meaning there are a lot of stairs to climb - 980 in fact. They wind their way up through a forest and emerge at a colourful pagoda with many small shrines.

Travel Tip and useful information

Climate
The ideal months to be in Cambodia are December and January, when humidity is bearable, temperatures are cooler and it's unlikely to rain. From early February temperatures start to rise until the killer month, April, when temperatures often exceed 40�C (104�F). Come May and June, the southwestern monsoon brings rain and high humidity, cooking up a sweat for all but the hardiest of visitors.

Time Zone
Cambodia is 7 hours ahead of GMT (+7 GMT).

Population
Cambodia is ethnically homogeneous, more than 90 percent Khmer; national minorities comprise about 3 percent of total population; Cham the most significant minority group, other scattered tribal minorities in upland and forested areas.

Transport
Bangkok is the easiest place to pick up a flight to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. Flights to the capital also fly out of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane and Guangzhou. The major airport is 7km (4mi) west of Phnom Penh. You can catch a taxi to the centre relatively cheaply, and the even cheaper motos charge per passenger.

Currency and credit cards
The unit is the RIELS. US$ are generally accepted thoughout the country. In Phnom Penh, some credit cards can be used and limited services and purchasing and cashing traveller cheques.

Dress Code
Casual dress is the norm because of the hot and humid weather. However, more formal attire is preferred for meetings, official functions and major ceremonies or events. If you are there for pleasure, wear sport shirts, tee shirts and trousers, skirts, slacks, blouses and comfortable shoes.

Safety and security
Visitors to Phnom Penh should be aware that armed theft of tourists can occur & is more likely late at night. These are infrequent, isolated incidents & shouldn`t necessarily deter you from sampling Phnom Penh's extensive nightlife. Simply take just as much money as you need with you.