Passion Of Cambodia, 8 days

On arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you are greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have free time to relax and catch your first glimpse of Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. This bustling riverside town favorably located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Tonle Bassac Rivers has long remained little more than a large village. However, it became the permanent capital of Cambodia since 1866 and had developed into a sizeable, largely French designed city, once known as the Pearl of Asia. The crossroads of cultures, peoples and worlds have made Phnom Penh on the edge of everything. We can find the Cambodian elements together with the Chinese and French influences in the gleaming temples, sidewalk coffee,  vibrant markets, and colonial structures and tree lined boulevards amidst the monumental Angkorian architecture. The cityscape undergoes rapid changes from the ashes to take its place among the hip capitals of the region, with an alluring cafe culture, bustling bars, world-class food scene and international chains of hotel.

Today, we explore some major sights of Phnom Penh. The stunning Royal Palace complex is now home to the royal family, therefore  it is very close to the public. We walk across the beautiful royal gardens to see the Throne Hall where the king coronation  and the royal receptions are often  held.  The magnificent Silver Pagoda set at the northern palace ground would not to be missed. This country most sacred pagoda  is named  after some 5000 silver tiles covering the floor,  each weighing 1kg. Nearby this complex is the National Museum of Cambodia, a graceful terracotta structure inspired by temple architecture. This exquisite masterpiece with an inviting courtyard garden concentrates various incredible sandstone sculptures and intricate bronze objects from the  Angkor periods. The following stop is  Wat Phnom which dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh and  has an interesting legend about this city name. We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge as we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge. Heading out of the town, we follow the same route of Tuol Sleng  prisoners  to the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek that is  an extermination camp for political prisoners. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the memorial stupa.  We round off our day with a walk in the Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center of Phnom Penh was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed  with countless stalls of goods.

Today we explore some major sights of Phnom Penh. The stunning Royal Palace complex is now home to the royal family, therefore  it is very close to the public. We walk across the beautiful royal gardens to see the Throne Hall where the king coronation  and the royal receptions are often  held.  The magnificent Silver Pagoda set at the northern palace ground would not to be missed. This country most sacred pagoda  is named  after some 5000 silver tiles covering the floor,  each weighing 1kg. Nearby this complex is the National Museum of Cambodia, a graceful terracotta structure inspired by temple architecture. This exquisite masterpiece with an inviting courtyard garden concentrates various incredible sandstone sculptures and intricate bronze objects from the  Angkor periods. The following stop is  Wat Phnom which dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh and  has an interesting legend about this city name. We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge as we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge. Heading out of the town, we follow the same route of Tuol Sleng  prisoners  to the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek that is  an extermination camp for political prisoners. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the memorial stupa.  We round off our day with a walk in the Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center of Phnom Penh was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed  with countless stalls of goods.

The chaos traffic will be left behind as we depart for Battambang Town and venture into northwestern Cambodia. Along the way, we make a stop at Kampong Luoung where the silversmiths are seen fashioning silver objects from delicate chicken and fish boxes to large fruit shaped bowls. They have been practicing this skill for generations, making for the main local industry. The following stop is  Oudong which was one the capital of  Cambodia. However, this ancient capital  left its legacies in forms of some historical Buddhist stupas. We embark on a walk uphill to see  the twin-hill Phnom Oudong and catch panoramic views of the surrounding areas. The overland journey continues along the Tonle Sap River, giving us a fantastic view of the idyllic countryside  changing from vast marshes and wetlands into extensive rice paddies. They are dotted with limestone outcrops, rolling orchards and mystical temples. On arrival in Batttambang, we check in our hotel and take a walk  along the main street, where are arty boutique hotels, quirky cafés and innovative restaurants. The urban modernity and the colonial structures intertwine to give this second largest city of Cambodia a unique charm. The fascination is not just in the architectural heritage but in the stunning surrounding countryside which is ideal for an enjoyable escape from the boom and hustle of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

The cycling experience lends itself perfectly to the exploration of the scenic countryside surrounding Battambang Town. Today we ride our bike, venturing into the outskirt of this town and seeing Wat Ek Phnom, an angkorian temple built along the Sangkae River. This temple is hidden behind a colourful modern pagoda and still remains some beautiful carvings. Upon leaving this site, we continue cycling and pass by several industry cottages. There are some stops to see local people making rice paper , Khmer scarf, dried bananas, and fish paste. These village workers mostly speak their local language, however your guide helps you communicate and experience how they earn their life. We leave our bike behind and spend this afternoon driving to Phnom Banan, one of the famous sites in Battambang. This hill trop sanctuary is still keeping its old date architecture although it has fallen victim to massive looting. The long staircase uphill requires some physical preparation; however, the beautiful view of the winding Sangker River set amidst sugar palm trees, rice fields and small villages make the hardship all worthwhile. You also have an option to try a bamboo train ride at nearby rails. The villagers have built the simple train with poles that rolled along a bamboo and wooden platform, but have now been replaced by engine to maximize the travel speed.

Upon leaving Battambang, we travel by road to  Siem Reap Town and make some stops at Sisophon market, Carving village  and Angkor silk farm. The scenic  drive delivers us  in Siem Reap Town, a gateway to explore the ruins of Angkor Temple Complex , which is regarded as the largest religious structure in the world. This archeological site stretches over an forested area of some 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains from the different capitals of the Khmer Empire between  802 AD and 1350 AD. They range from stunning architectural marvels to ordinary edifices full of rubble. We take a short drive to explore Roluos Group  representing an early capital of the powerful  Angkorian-era Khmer Empire.  This ancient capital was established by Jayavarman II and  served as the Khmer royal city for over 70 years under four successive kings. There are several remaining temples in place, some of which are   Lo Lei, Preah Ko and Ba Kong, mostly built by end of the ninth century.  The oldest temple of Preah Ko was dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva and Vishnu while Lo Lei was built in an artificial island, to honor the ancestors. We have a look at these two small temples before we pay a visit to Ba Kong, the first large mountain temples in Angkor.

The sunlight reflects a golden glow over the entire Angkor Complex.  We start this day tour with Angkor Thom, an epic collection of striking structures encompassed in quadrangle area. The best preserved South Gate comes into view with a causeway fringed with 54 demons and 54 gods pulling a giant snake. This scene is focusing on a famous Hindu story in bygone time. We walk through two ranges of status on a cosmic scale to the gate tower with colossal human faces carved in stone. The walkway leads us to  the Royal Enclosure where remains some  mysterious ruins, including the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas Temple, and  Royal Terraces. These structures built from perishable materials have long vanished. The memorable climax of our visit is Bayon Temple  built in the centre of Angkor Thom. This enigmatic complex contains  54 towers, each topped off with the four faces of  Compassion Buddha. Upon leaving Angkor Thom Area , we take a short drive to  the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. The iconic monument  of the entire complex was built in the 12th century and reflects a perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry, bringing the pride and strength to all Khmers. The distinctive five towers of this temple are now emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. We stroll around this massive monument, unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs from Hindu mythology to the glories of the Khmer empire. The footsteps lead through the upper levels of the inner sanctuary to the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry. We round out day tour with a walk up the Pre Rup Temple to enjoy the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.

Heading out of the town we drive beyond the towering Angkor Complex  to Banteay Srey Temple. This intricately carved temple despite the lack in size is still a jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The architecture style features a mixture of the archaic concept and the innovative materials since Banteay Srey Temple  was largely built from sandstone in pinkish hue, with brick and laterite used for the enclosure walls and some structural elements. We stroll around this beautiful landmark and admire the marvelous sculpture at every step. Upon leaving Banteay Srey , we keep driving to see Banteay Samre, which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and  Krishna. Today we also have time to visit Prasat Kravan with a line of five brick towers, and Srah Srang which was once used for the royal baths and the ritual bathing. The following stop is Banteay Kdei Temple, a monastic complex of  enclosure walls, concentric galleries and towers. We venture into the jungle where Ta Prohm Temple is standing.  This famous structure is relatively untouched for centuries by its secluded location. There are enormous fig trees and creepers which embrace themselves in temple stone foundation, giving it a distinctive feature. The sightseeing also includes Neak Pean, which is originally designed for the medical purposes with four connected pools representing water, earth, fire and  wind. We continue onto  Preah Khan , a good counterpoint to Ta Prohm Temple.  The large ruin of Preah Khan was all but partly destroyed by the climate impact. However, it is till interesting to walk around, exploring the legends, towered enclosures and  shoulder hugging corridors.

The temple exploration is not only activity in Siem Reap Town. We spend this morning on a boat trip out, to discover Tonle Sap Lake, one of the largest natural fresh water bodies in  Southeast Asia. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards this large lake, giving us a chance to see friendly children on small boat, many vendors making a shift floating market, and fishermen pulling in day catch. Along the way we anchor to visit a floating village where are everything from schools, shop houses to police station. The village life goes on as it would anywhere else in Cambodia. This enjoyable stop gives a good insight into the lifestyle of local people who call this grand lake their home and mostly rely on the lake for their livelihood. They may move from a place to place following the water level and current of Tonle Sap Lake. You may have free time before the Airport transfer to do your last minute shopping opportunities and own exploration of  the town or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for your departure.