Taking a Train Journey in Cambodia
Cambodian railways have a long history, but troubled with lines being installed way back when Cambodia was part of French Indochina. There was even a line connecting Siem Reap to Phnom Krom built in the 1890’s, now long since gone. Many of the lines were constructed in the 1930’s including many of the quaint countryside stations noting the art deco master pieces of Phnom Penh, and Battambang. Over the years of war the lines fell into disrepair and became impassable, with engines going off the rails becoming frequent due to the rickety tracks. Things got so bad that by early 2009 commercial rail ceased in Cambodia.
8 Amazing Bird Watching Destinations in Cambodia
In recent times Cambodia has been gaining a reputation on the international stage as one of the world’s best birding destinations where it is common to spot many of the target species, including endemic and critically endangered species. These have become known as Cambodia’s Big 5.
Exploring Kep and Kampot with Kouprey Adventures
Several months ago I was keen to get down to the coast with the team and see what had changed in the last two years down in Kep and Kampot since our last Kouprey Adventures inspection in 2020. So, one bright morning we hopped on our motorbikes and headed south.
Koh Kong and Cardamom Mountains Trip Report
We were recently, kindly invited by the Cambodian Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the World Bank to take part in a FAM trip to the South of Cambodia to explore and discuss Ecotourism, what is available and what are the opportunities going forward. It was great to be back on the road once again doing what we do best with like minded industry colleagues.
An Interview with Cambodia’s Celebrity Chef Nak
Chef Nak is Cambodia’s first female celebrity Chef and the home of Khmer cuisine. Chef Nak’s mission is to preserve Cambodia’s rich culinary culture by celebrating the art of Cambodian (Khmer) cuisine and presenting it’s unique and diverse flavours on the world’s stage.
Cambodia’s most Instagrammable Beaches
When considering your options of visiting Southeast Asia for a holiday most people automatically think Thailand, a longtime popular destination for a bit of relaxation, or increasingly Vietnam, with its long coastline there is a large variety of stunning beaches to choose from. Most people however overlook Cambodia, nestled right in the middle. Cambodia is home to some beautiful white sandy beaches.
Venturing off the Beaten Path; Visiting Preah Khan Kompong Svay and Betreed Adventures
There are large areas of Cambodia which are often completely overlooked by travellers and tourists alike. The majority of people will drive through these regions to get to their next destination. However more often than not in countries like Cambodia the journey can often be the destination. If you think about it, some of our most memorable moments in travel come when you least expect it and often on the road somewhere unexpected. In years to come you will remember these small things over the sumptuous dinner you had at the end of the day in the fantastic hotel you were staying in.
A Motorbike Adventure in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia
While the borders are closed to tourism, there is currently no better time to explore Cambodia (for those fortunate enough to remain here now, with very little by way of lockdown). There is nothing quite like being out on the open road on two wheels. Therefore I set off with a friend, a colleague, and a Cambodian specialist, Jake, on an adventure that would take us for a few days through the largely unexplored Cardamom Mountains to the coastal town of Koh Kong. Along the way we would pass stunning scenery, traverse some very rough trails, pass over mine fields (literally) and converse with friendly locals everywhere we stopped….but firstly we had to get into the mountains from our home base here in Siem Reap.
Family Holiday’s in Cambodia
Going on a holiday with young children is always a point of discussion, especially if that holiday is to a developing country like Cambodia. I want to reassure you that the rewards gained by your children for the experience of such a trip will far outweigh your initial trepidation’s and fears. Being based in Cambodia with a very inquisitive 5 year old daughter I can ascertain to the fact that each day is an adventure for her and her friends. We have ventured out on multiple trips around the country and indeed our neighbouring countries (Pre-Covid of course), and always found it to be far easier than expected.
Interviews with Khmer Tourism Professionals During Covid19
In Cambodia the halting of international tourism due to global pandemic has been extremely difficult for the ordinary people working in tourism in Siem Reap. The tourism, hospitality and retail industries have been hard hit especially in the tourism-centric Siem Reap where the local community depends heavily on international tourism. We interviewed several Khmer tourism professionals to understand more about how this halt to tourism has affected their lives.
Top 5 Glamping Experiences in Cambodia
Cambodia is blessed with some of the best glamping experiences in the region, with some of the most uniquely designed properties on the planet. With the onset of the new normal and social distancing measures in place worldwide, what better way to escape the crowds than in your own private ‘tent’ out in the wilderness.
Angkor Wat Without Tourists
The year 2020 has certainly been a year of surprises, not in the least with the onset of Covid19 and the subsequent global lockdown. As a consequence the travel industry has ultimately been devastated, with many companies struggling to survive during these extraordinarily lean times. Nowhere has this been felt more than in the developing world where the government safety nets and subsidies are simply not available to regular SME’s and individuals as they have been in some of the developed western nations. I would like to give an idea of what it has been like living in Cambodia during these tough times.
An Adventure in Eastern Cambodia
We were in the midst of the Covid19 slowdown, I’ll refrain from using the term lockdown as Cambodia never did lockdown, however during these strange times there was an initial air of caution to travel, even domestically. After a few months domestic travel began again in Cambodia with locals and expats travelling like never before. After a bit of planning with our contacts around the country we decided to put our best foot forward and travel again, to stunning remote areas rarely visited by international travelers.
