Cambodia travel guide

Cambodia is one of the safest and most fascinating destinations in Asia. The country is blessed with a rich history and a variety of cultural heritages, making it a paradise for historians, archeologists and everyday people wanting to see some of the many wonders of the ancient world.
Bordering Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east, Cambodia offers visitors many unique experiences ranging from visiting the tribes of Ratanakiri to exploring the vast wet land of Tonle Sap Lake. There are also countless ancient temples and impressive natural scenery, including pristine beaches, mighty rivers and remote forests.
Far removed from its turbulent past, Cambodia is now open to visitors from around the world who wish to admire the grandeur of Angkor Wat and Thom, and the colonial capital Phnom Penh. Moreover, sea lovers can head for the empty beaches in Sihanoukville on the southern coast, which is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun.

Best thing to do in Kep, Cambodia

When referring to southern Cambodia, people often think of Kampot an interesting town located right on a river. However, not many people know about Kep, another small town on the coast. Kep is located about 30 km from Kampot and is usually a day destination for tourists. As a peaceful small town, visitors come to Kep will feel a slow life and impressed by its long history.
Kep is currently developing as a tourist city but still retains many ancient beauty. And with its beauty, Kep deserves to be added to your list of must-see destinations in Cambodia. Here are some best things to do in Kep.

1. Lie on the sandy beach and snap a picture of the large status
The coastline in Kep is famous for its shiny golden sand, with its irresistible charm that will pull you into the spotlight than you can imagine. The beach is quite small but not often crowded, especially on weekdays. It will be a reasonable place for you after stressful working days.
The charm of the coast in Kep is also large and impressive statues as a friendly greeting of the people here to visitors. In addition to the famous crab statue, there is a mermaid statue and a few statues of monkey climbing trees on the shore.

Source: Luxury Travel

2. Experience the Crab Market and enjoy in fresh seafood
Pretty sure that there’s no other place that can be a better fit to eat seafood than seaside towns can. One of the famous seafood there is crab.You should go to the Crab Market to choose all of the ingredients fresh out of the ocean for your dishes. This place is full of people wading in and out to fill up their crab pots, especially at morning time. However, the fresh seafood is always available for you to choose for your lunch and dinner. Apart from the seafood, you can also find other Khmer and Western dishes so that you do not have to quit meals if you are allergic to seafood.

Source: Luxury Travel
After finishing buying your crabs, you can ask the sellers to cook it for you right away. Steaming or frying or grilling with chili sauce all depend on your preferences. Find a nearby table, get your dishes a little pepper and a lime, and dig in! If you do not like to eat in such a crowded open market and like to have a decent seat, you can go right away to other Crab Restaurants, they have very excellent chief and the menu there are also more varied for you to choose from. If you go to Kep but have not eaten crab dishes, then your journey is not completed.

3. Explore old and historic villa
Before the 1970s, Kep was a famous resort town. During those years, wealthy Khmer and French colonists built houses with beautiful architecture overlooking the sea. Over time and war, these houses gradually became abandoned and a special feature in Kep. Today, this is Kep’s tourist attraction, they come here to check-in, take photos and explore the impressive architecture of the 70s.

4. Visit local pepper farm
The areas around Kep are famous for green pepper. Coming to these farms, you can walk around the garden, experience the picking and processing of famous dishes from green pepper.

5. Trekking, hiking in the park, caves and exploring

If you’re truly an explorer, can’t wait to testing the nature and your own limits, then don’t miss the opportunities to do so at Kep. Visit the limestone caves or hike to the top of Phnom Salei (in the mountain areas of Kampong Trach). You can also check for the motorbike tour of Kampong Trach, which starts in nearby Kampot.

Source: Luxury Travel

Kep National Park is another promising place to go to when you’re there, which encompasses 53 square kilometers on the small mountain that rises out of the center of town. . A carefully preserved forest, it is home to a variety of birds, insects, monkeys, lizards, butterflies and a few other animals. There is an 8 km long road where you can walk, bike, take some pictures, admire the natural beauty or climb. Along the way, you can see some beautiful scenes of Kep, Kampot or even Phu Quoc Island of Vietnam.

6. A trip to Rabbit Island
And in the end, if you’re tired with all the hiking and eating stuffs, looking for a place to really spend sometimes alone for examples, just like when on the movies, usually all the characters who wish to escape from reality to block themselves in a place where no one knows who they are, just the beautiful scenery and them, in this case: a beautiful beach with literally no one. Then it takes you only 30 minutes from Kep to Rabbit Island to enjoy this experience. Maybe before leaving and going on the boat, buy yourself some foods, snacks would be great, beers of course and bring some books, with earphones. Best time to heal.

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Essential travel guide to Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Cambodia is well-known as a ultimate travel destination for intrepid backpackers, which fascinates tourists by ancient temples, beautiful resorts and impeccable local meals. Sihanoukville is one of the most favourite places of interest that is becoming a must-visit tourist hub in this South East Asian countries.

I. The best time to visit Sihanoukville

Thanks to its proximity to sea waters, Sihanoukville witnesses tropical weather with two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The best time to visit Sihanoukville is in the middle of the dry season between November & February. With the temperatures under 30*C during the days, this is a great time to explore the beaches and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.

II. Things To Do In Sihanoukville

Things to do in Sihanoukville vary from immersing in thrilling water sports and beach hopping to enjoying its pristine white-sand beaches and azure water and exciting nightlife at the beach bars or gamble away at night. To experience a gorgeous and rejuvenating vacation, here is our top 10 best things to do in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

1. Kbal Chhay Waterfalls: Get relaxed by natural’s beauty

Kbal Chhay Waterfall is a waterfall approximately 7 km from the city of Sihanoukville in south-west Cambodia and then a further 9 km along a red dust track. It can easily take a fun trip on a bike or a tuk-tuk. The best time to visit these cascading falls is during the rainy season between July and October when the gushing froth presents an absolute pretty picture. It is recommended to take in some incredible mountain views, and even stop by a local village where you can purchase homemade snacks and local beer. Lunch is also included to keep your energy going.
Timing: 7.30AM – 5.00PM

Source: Luxury Travel

2. Otres Beach: Spend some fun hours cooling off

The main reason to visit Sihanoukville is the beaches. Otres is a three kilometer crescent of white sand facing southwest, but Otres is further from town and more thinly touristed, offering a more relaxed atmosphere, especially at the far end. With five major beaches along its shore, the place has established itself as the country’s premier beach resort town and beach-hopping is undoubtedly amongst the best things to do in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The endless stretches of powdered white sands and azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand make a pretty picture and great spots for a laidback holiday by the beach.

Source: Luxury Travel

3. Phsar Leu Market: Take a day as a local citizen

The Phsar Leu Market is the biggest traditional market in Sihanoukville. It offers a great chance for tourist to discover the interesting culture and lifestyle of locals. This market features sections, which provide fruits, clothing, seafood, tailors, jewellery, barbers and Khmer food, the building of this market is a well -known landmark in town. You can find some local souvenirs in this market and also expect reasonable prices and an abundant selection, but possibly subpar hygienic conditions.

Timing: 5.00 AM – 7.00 PM

4. Wat Leu Pagoda: Sightsee to the serene temple
Wat Leu is located on the Sihanoukville Mountain is only 6 kilometers from the provincial town, it is considered as one of the 5 main wats in the picturesque port city, which lies on a hill where you have a magnificent view of Sihanoukville and the sea that surrounds the peninsula. This temple is also ideal for photography. The tranquility and sacredness of the place attracts the travelers as well as those who are in search of peace. It is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped forestoffers wonderful views of the town and islands nearby. It opens daily and free of admission.

Source: Luxury Travel

5. Koh Rong Island: Discover the significance

Koh Rong is the largest Cambodian Island, while Koh Rong Samloen is the second one. Koh Rong is one of the 23 islands that are part of Ream National Park, Cambodia and it is one of the islands in the air supposedly there is a lot of snorkeling crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, swimming, fishing, scuba diving or simply take a walk through this beautiful island. It can be great for the whole family to enjoy a day. Plus, you will find no tastier and fresh of fish on the earth but there. It will truly make you never want to leave.

6. Ream National Park: Interact closely to nature

Located just 11 miles from downtown Sihanoukville, the capital of this region, this is one of the most spectacular locations on earth to visit, because up until recently this was a land that was virtually untouched. You will find a wide variety of ecosystems within the Ream National Park. This includes rivers, estuaries, beaches, coral reefs, forests, rain forests, mangroves, and open water. This array of ecosystems makes it a prime location to find a large number of different species of plants and animals, one of the largest such arrays outside of the tropical rainforests of South America.

Source: Mark Ord – Flickr

7. Holiday Palace Casino: Gamble away at night

If gambling is your thing, you will be delighted to find Holiday Palace Casino in Sihanoukville in the centre of town, behind Independence Hotel. It is now the longest running casino. You cannot miss its giant colorful lights and decoration that truly stand out compared to others. It consists of a formal casino and a few restaurant and coffee shop, it also can have great lotteries and giveaway on special occasions.

III. Food explores in Sihanoukville

After adventures, you can reach to many food stalls and restaurants along the beaches. Although the local share a lot of dishes with neighboring Vietnam, Thailand, India,… Cambodian food is about contrasts. A single dish is a mixture of magic from sweet and slight bitterness. Must try menu includes:

• Fish amok: Fish curry baked as soufflé on a banana leave
• Khmer curry: Coconut-milk-based curry topped with beef/ chicken/fish, vegetables and kroeung
• Nom banh chok: Rice noodles with a fish-based green curry gravy topping
• …

Source: Luxury Travel
And all the noodles no matter of kind would be remarkably special here.
Sihanoukville is also offered varied cuisines in settings, styles and price ranges that are as enticing as the flavors, due to an increasing number of foreign travelers. Therefore there will be no problem to find European food in the city.

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