PLACE TO GO > CAMBODIA

             

I have a mild fascination regarding East Asia, countries such as Palau, Japan and Vietnam have been on my bucket list for years and apart from a 2 hour stopover in Singapore, I've never really travelled around that part of the world. I've mentioned before how much I'd love to see Angkor Wat, but there is so much more in Cambodia than just that. Cambodia has everything from ancient temples to rich countryside and iconic city life. Phnom Penh is a chaotic city of bustling markets, full of exotic street-food and pretty colonial architecture. The city is still away from the tourist mainstream yet offers days of sightseeing and activity. Immerse yourself in local culture by taking part in sunrise aerobics at the Olympic Stadium or alternatively visit the Royal Palace from the back of a famous rickshaw. A friend of mine who visited Cambodia also recommends Tuol Sleng, known as the 'Genocide Museum', an interesting but grim visit into Cambodia's history. The Killing Fields are also an important reminder of Cambodia's notoriously dark history and are a few km outside of the city centre. On a lighter side, try a wide range of street food creepy crawlies; fried spider with a spicy lime sauce? Dried snake with green mango salad? Mmm crunchy. Or if you're not into that; try a traditional staple of noodle broth topped with fish paste. Phnom Penh is the cultural heart of Cambodia but there is still plenty to see in this small country. The Cardamom Mountains are perfect for exploring jungle life. Coconut Palms and Wild Plum trees welcome all sorts of wildlife in this protected jungle landscape. The area is preserved through it's dense canopies which shelter a scattering of villages and eco-lodges, which are ideal for trekking in-between. There is plenty more to see across Cambodia which just wouldn't fit in one post; Takeo Province, Tonle Sap and Siem Reap are also must-see's on my personalised map.