The Memoria Palace & Resort: How Human Decency Calms the Thunderous Cannon

By: Tommy Boukhris

There is a peaceful softness that accompanies the sunrise in the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia.  The stillness and calm of the Memoria resort blanket you in relaxation and comfort.  There is a palpable sense of joy in the air. This was not the case in Pailin, Cambodia just a few decades ago.  The Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror ruled through fear and intimidation, unleashing cruel acts against its own people in the name of equality.

Justice has a name; so does mercy.

Mr. Panhavuth Long, Vuth for short, dedicates much of his life to fight justice for the people of Cambodia. He and his entire family undertook a lifelong dream to restore peace and civility in once war torn Cambodia. Vuth spent three years clearing out more than 120 land mines from the area. The local authority and Cambodian government recently certified that all land mines are cleared from the area Vuth concentrated his efforts.  It is on this site where he hopes to rebuild a prosperous future for Cambodians, their families, and welcome visitors from around the world.

Let’s get Quizzical in Siem Reap…

By: Simon Hare

Time for something a bit controversial: Anyone who stays longer than 3 days in Siem Reap might just  risk getting bored of 1000 year-old temples, fish pedicures and cheap beer. There, I’ve said it. *Ducks for cover*.

But something else tends to happen when visitors stay longer too. They can’t help wanting to do something to help alleviate the poverty that hits you like a fist once you venture beyond the well-trodden tourist streets of the town’s buzzing centre.

But the perils of misguided acts of spontaneous philanthropy are well documented, so anything that keeps the longer term visitor amused and takes the mental anguish out of working out how to give responsibly, must surely be a win-win situation…Ladies and Gentlemen I give you: the Siem Reap charity trivia quiz circuit.

When to Travel to Cambodia

When to travel to Cambodia largely depends on one thing: the weather. But also take the cultural calendar of Cambodia into consideration, there is a wealth of cultural festivals & celebrations that you don't want to miss!

When to Travel to Cambodia: Seasons & Weather

Cambodia is located 10 to 13 degrees north of the equator. This means the climate overall is hot, often humid and sometimes very wet. Four seasons can be distinguished in Cambodia: hot and dry between March and May, hot and wet between June and August, (relatively) cool and wet between September and (early) November and cool and dry between November and February. Obviously, these seasons aren’t fixed, as weather patterns shift in Cambodia as anywhere else in the world.

Overall, the cool and dry season between November and early February is the best to travel around, as the temperatures are agreeable and the countryside is still vibrantly green from the previous rains. After February the temperatures rise, with April and May being the top months. The raining season reaches its peak in May and June, when monsoon rains can last up to a few hours. The rainy season might not be the most comfortable for travelers, but has certain advantages too; you will encounter fewer tourists (hence cheaper prices for rooms and air fares) and the Angkor Wat is wonderfully lush and definitely less crowded.

Eastern Cambodia

Eastern Cambodia is a region of Cambodia and includes the following provinces: Kratie to the east of the Mekong, Mondulkiri (Mundulkiri), Rattanakiri (Ratanakiri) and Stoeng Treng (Stung Treng) to the east of the Mekong.

Eastern Cambodia is an up and coming eco-tourist destination, with rugged green mountains, waterfalls, lakes and the meandering Mekong river as the perfect playground.

Highlights include spotting the ever more rare Irawaddy dolphin near Kratie, taking a refreshing dive in the crystal-clear crater lake Boeng Yeak Lom and visiting the Elephant Valley Project near Mondulkiri. The vast rolling hills in Eastern Cambodia are not only home to many different ethnic minorities (Khmer Leu or 'Upper Khmer'), but also to rare wildlife such as elephants, leopards and even tigers.

Northwestern Cambodia

North-western Cambodia is a region of Cambodia and includes the provinces of Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Siem Reap and the part of Stoeng Treng to the west of the Mekong. The region is served by Siem Reap - Angkor International Airport.

Absolute highlight in Northwestern Cambodia is of course the Angkor Wat, one of the world's great monuments and Cambodia's biggest draw.

Other sights include the city of Siem Reap, Banteay Chhmar a quiet and remote temple complex with it's own baray, Koh Ker - the former capital north of Angkor, Preah Vihear - a disputed cliff-hanging temple in the far north bordering Thailand and the
Tonle Sap Lake - the largest freshwater lake in South-east Asia.

The region's north is lined by the Dangrek Mountains which form a natural barrier with Thailand. To the south is very flat and fertile land which leads towards the great Tonle Sap Lake.

Mekong Lowlands

Mekong Lowlands and Central Plains is a region in Cambodia and includes the following provinces: Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kandal, Kratie to the west of the Mekong, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Phnom Penh and Takeo.

The capital of Phnom Penh is located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers. Phnom Penh International Airport (IATA: PNH | ICAO: VDPP) is the largest airport in Cambodia, located 7 km west of the city.

Kampong Cham is the third largest city in Cambodia and the capital of the province with the same name. This city has yet to be heavily touristed like Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. It carries with it plenty of colonial French charm, and has a genuine "wild west" feel to it. Most travellers who do find themselves in Kampong Cham are in transit to elsewhere in the country, but those that choose to spend at least a couple of days in the provincial capital will enjoy the laid back atmosphere and quaint charm. The highway between Kampong Cham city and the capital, Phnom Penh, is one of the best in the country, being paved and divided. It runs along the Mekong, and buses frequent this route daily, so you should have no trouble getting between the two cities.

Kompong Thom is the capital of Kampong Thom Province in Cambodia. It's situated about half-way between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and thus most travellers will only rush through on their transfer between these two major attractions. Nevertheless it is a pleasant and relaxed place and a good starting point for exploring the countryside and the temples of Sambor Prei Kuk

Going Batty for Battambang

By: Gabrielle Yetter

It was my husband’s idea to find the bats.

He’d heard about a cave near Battambang where millions of bats swarmed every sunset and was excited about finding it on our trip to Cambodia’s second largest town.

It wasn’t top of my hit parade but I thought it might be worth a look.

So we put our trust in a Cambodian moto driver outside Wat Banon who noticed our directional confusion and shouted “I take you to big mountain” and beckoned us to follow him.

Six of the best: Siem Reap Hotels to make you stay another day…

By: Simon Hare

A recent publicity campaign tried to persuade visitors to Siem Reap and the wonders of Angkor to ‘stay another day’ and invest a little more in the local economy. Most visitors still fly in, visit the ‘Big Three’ of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm, and promptly fly out again. Finding the right hotel can make the decision to stay a day or two more just that little bit easier. Whatever your penchant, whilst far from exhaustive, our list of hotels with a difference provides just a few suggestions that might make you want to linger longer…

1 Suite Dreams in Siem Reap

French colonial meets art deco at the swish Heritage Suites Hotel. Tucked away in a quiet backwater near the working pagoda of Wat Po Lanka. A vintage Mercedes Benz, once owned by the former King of Cambodia will whisk you away from the airport crowds, spirit you along the quiet roads of the Angkor Archaeological Park and deliver you to your warm and personal welcome at this unassuming member of the exclusive Relais and Chateaux Group. The hotel’s twenty large, sumptuous and very private suites are complemented by just six rooms – built originally for guests’ cooks, pilots, chauffeurs and nannies…Live weekly jazz in the elegant galleried lounge is just one of the many little touches that make this hotel special. Rooms from $145, suites from $245.

Siem Reap – So Much More than Temples!

By: Gabi Yetter

“Where you from, lady?” a small voice piped up next to me on the street.

“England,” I replied.

“Your prime minister is David Cameron. Before him was Gordon Brown then Tony Blair, then John Major then Margaret Thatcher”.

The little fellow delivering this information stood no higher than my hip. Around his neck was a harness loaded with dozens of photo-copied books. His face broke into a cheeky smile as he talked.

“You want to buy book?”

In Siem Reap, even the kids are business people. Instead of sitting in a classroom, this young boy, along with dozens more like him take to the streets each morning, brazenly approaching tourists all day long with their clever street patter, in a desperate attempt to make a sale.

When visitors come to Cambodia, Siem Reap is statistically their first – and sometimes only – stop. Drawn by the stunning temples of Angkor Wat, tourists pour in by the thousands (last year saw 1.6 million visitors) and a new international airport is in the works to be completed around 2015.

Budget Friendly Phnom Penh Accomodation

By: Abigail Gilbert

The days of the $2 room for hardy travellers are gone, but it's possible to balance budget and comfort for a memorable stay in Phnom Penh. Hidden boutique hotels, swimming pools and garden locations that don't break the bank? Read on for our recommendations for cheap and mid-range guesthouses and hotels in Phnom Penh.

Backpacker friendly

Long Lin House is actually in four locations close by each other on St 19 and St 172. The staff are very friendly, helpful and amusing, with excellent English. The best rooms come with a private balcony, usually unheard of in this price range, along with little touches like free drinking water, wifi and toiletries. A basic fan room with TV and shared bathroom is $7 a night, rising to $15 for a private bathroom with hot shower, air con and balcony. Centrally located within 10 minutes walk of the riverside, National Museum and Central Market, enjoy the real life of Phnom Penh going on outside your door.

#159, Street 19, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Tel: 855 (0)23 99 24 12