Cambodia

Cambodia is one of South East Asia’s last tourism frontiers and is a paradise for historians and archaeologists, with its rich history and culture dating back beyond the 10th century. Cambodia is located in the heart of South East Asia, bordering Thailand to the west, Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east. The Mekong River is the lifeline of Cambodia, cutting a path of about 500 kilometres from north to south. The Cambodian people are, without exception, friendly, welcoming and justifiably proud of a glorious ancient heritage, the spectacular remains of which constitute one of the wonders of the world.

To visit Cambodia is to fall in love with an enchanting country, working hard to shake off the burden of its recent brutal history and always doing so with a smile.

PHNOM PENH is the capital city of Cambodia and is located in the middle of the country where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet. Phnom Penh has a nicely developed river front along Sisowath Quay with many restaurants and bars looking out over the rivers. The most well known Killing Fields site is at Choeng Ek, about 17 kilometres south of Phnom Penh. It is here the Khmer Rouge executed and buried thousands of people in mass graves and there now stands a Buddhist Stupa, a memorial building containing more than 8000 skulls of the victims buried nearby. The glass sides of the building are usually open during the day, enabling a close look at the skulls inside.

SIEM REAP is quite rightly best known for being the gateway to Angkor and the town itself has a good selection of shops and restaurants. This once sleepy town has benefited from its proximity to the ancient sites and is now the fastest growing city in the country.

It used to be that if you mentioned Cambodia, most people would first think of the Khmer Rouge and then Angkor Wat. Fortunately the Khmer Rouge are no longer fighting, but Angkor Wat, UNESCO protected World Heritage Site, is very much in evidence with serene landscapes and a fascinating history. The temple is just one of hundreds in the jungle, which also include Angkor Thom and Bayon, each one exquisite and even temple weary travellers will be amazed at their magnificence. Indeed, many temples have been left as they were found centuries ago, including some with the spectacular sight of enormous tree roots twisting and strangling their way through the ancient ruins roofs and walls and creeping through the huge blocks of stone which are strewn all over the ground.

SIHANOUK VILLE, or Kampong Son as it is called locally, is a new and developing resort overlooking the Gulf of Thailand on the coast of Cambodia, featuring many hotels, bars, restaurants and boasts a stunning beach.

CURRENCY:	Cambodian Riel
TIME DIFFERENCE:	GMT+7
VISA:	Issued on arrival ( approx cost US$25 )
VACCINATIONS:	Recommended. Please consult your local GP for further information

Cambodia Phnom Penh

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sun hrs	9	9	9	8	7	6	6	6	5	7	8	9
Rain mm	0	0	51	76	127	153	178	153	330	280	127	51

Cmbodia Phnom Penh

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp C	31	33	34	35	34	33	32	32	31	31	30	30