During the Angkorian period (9th to 14th century AD), Cambodia was the greatest empire in the Southeast Asian region ruling over much of what is now Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, and its heritage is one of the wonders of the world. The ruins of Angkor are in a class of their own: there is no other historical site in the Southeast Asian region that matches their grandeur (the Temples of Bagan in Myanmar are probably most likely to compare with the Temples of Angkor).
Unfortunately, during the past few decades Cambodia has experienced the most terrifying civil war that was continuing until recently. Due to the presence of the Khmer Rouge guerrillas Cambodia remained during much of the 1990s a difficult country in which to travel. However, the long and bloody civil war is definitely over and the Khmer Rouge is no longer terrorising the people of Cambodia. Cambodia has re-opened its door to welcome the rest of the world as the sign of peace. It is ready to show what it has to offer to the world that can never be experienced elsewhere except in this country of cultural richness and the diversifying lifestyle.
During our more-than-rewarding trip to Cambodia, we visited…
- The Temples of Angkor and Siem Reap: Siem Reap is the gateway to the stunning Temples of Angkor, Cambodia's spiritual and cultural heartland. Angkor's 100 or so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of a spectacular administrative and religious center.
- The capital Phnom Penh: Phnom Penh is a crossroad of Asia's past and present, a city of extremes of poverty and excess, but one that never fails to captivate the visitor. Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonlé Bassac and Tonlé Sap Rivers, it was long considered the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochina, its charm while tarnished, has largely managed to survive the violence of its recent history and the present invasion of property speculators and motor vehicles.
- The beach retreat Sihanoukville: Sihanoukville's principal attractions are the four beaches that ring the headland, where it is still possible to have stretches of beach to yourself.
Check out the Online Diary entry on Cambodia!
The Temples of Angkor and Siem Reap |
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Phnom Penh |
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Sihanoukville |
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