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Published: June 29th 2015
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ANGKOR WAT
Image courtesy of writer – ANGKOR WAT The Kingdom of Cambodia is a rare gem that is located in Southeast Asia. Simply listening to its name can certainly intrigue anyone because it does sound like an enchanting country, a unique place that can surely perk your interests with its unusual attributes. I admit, I have become quite obsessed with this nation. I have been to this place so many times in the past for work-related development work, but I was not able to explore the place as a tourist. After reading all about the country’s tragic history, majestic temples, and friendly people, I was all too ready to start my trip (after 8 years since my last visit) with two of my daughters to this beautiful kingdom that has caught the hearts of many people around the world.
I wanted to be one of those people who have not only fallen in love with the whole place but revered it as well. I would like to think they have been caught under a spell that would forever change their lives. Being a kingdom is somehow befitting with all of its amazingly preserved attractions and laid back ambience. I am a sucker for all these things
ANGKOR WAT
Image courtesy of writer – ANGKOR WAT that connote a one of a kind adventure that displays the rawness of the country, that is why you could just imagine my sheer excitement while I sat on a plane going to Cambodia the first time as a tourist.
Upon arriving, I noticed the
Phnom Penh International Airport’s simple but clean facilities. Its size was quite moderate and the interior was designed to provide efficiency rather than style. I didn’t mind this at all since its humble features gave no room to confusion, making my arrival fast and smooth. Unlike Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok with their highly urbanized cities, shopping hubs, and technological advances, this quaint country offered none of these things.
Yes, you got that right. Surprising, isn’t it? One might think that these elements are necessary for a particular country to get noticed but in spite of Cambodia’s lack of modern entertainment that you can easily find in a developed metro, it didn’t stop thousands of tourists from visiting this bucolic nation. So let’s find out the secret, shall we?
It’s All About the Temples! Cambodia is synonymous to the famous
Angkor Wat temple located at the outskirts of
BAYON
Courtesy of Mam Huot (local tour guide cum translator) - BAYON the Siem Reap province. If you search for it in the Internet, you will instantly see the enormous edifice and towering lotus-like towers of the temple. Its imperial qualities are so unique and divine that it can completely take your breath away by simply looking at the photos. You wouldn’t believe how my eyes popped out the first time I saw this gigantic structure. I couldn’t even begin to describe how beautiful and magnificent it is. The intricate bas reliefs manually carved to perfection on the 800-metered wall made my heart stop out of pure amazement.
And it didn’t stop there. Although smaller in size, you will find other temples that are equally incomparable and resplendent. These are the
Preah Khan,
Banteay Srei,
Ta Prohm, and
the Bayon. Similar to their mother temple, all of these buildings have been specifically built as a place of worship and prayers. All the temples were created during the 12th century and have a capacity of over a million people, making it the most advanced pre-industrial city in the ancient world.
I was kind of relieved that the country did not lose its simple lifestyle, traditional values, and religious beliefs because these
TA PROHM
Image courtesy of writer – TA PROHM factors made them very different from other nations, thus making them shine brightly among its neighbors and an attractive tourist destination as well. However, the fees that you need to pay during these visits can be a bit pricey but I must say that every cent is totally worth it!
Learning the History and Culture Other than its fascinating temples, there are other things that you can do to make your visit at this magical place worthwhile. Also the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh is a gold mine when it comes to searching for a rich and sad history. The country has gone through a lot over the past centuries. From fighting for their kingdom and belief during the 19th century to the heinous political warfare that has caused the deaths of millions of people during the mid-70s, these experiences have made Cambodia stronger and wiser.
I was totally crushed when went to the
Killing Fields , where I witnessed the remains of the genocide that happened under the Khmer Rouge Regime. I was astonished to discover that over three million have died at a killing camp in a former high school building
APSARAS
Image courtesy of writer - APSARAS in Phnom Penh converted to an imposing and sadistic prison. It strongly reminded me of Auschwitz, a nasty concentration camp in Poland that was built to kill prisoners during the Second World War. I saw the sad eyes of the elders whenever they talked about this, a ghost of their hardships caused by Khmer Rouge.
Cambodia was colonized by French back in the 1800’s. That explains a lot of the French buildings scattered around the area, giving the whole place a surprisingly quiet elegance. Hotels in the city were reasonably priced but the food can be pricey in the city. If you are willing to take an adventure by visiting the local markets, you can see a wide array of delicacies and rice dishes that are mostly tasty, if not passable, at a very cheap price. So if I were you, why not try something different and really start experiencing the country? It certainly made my vacation all the more memorable.
Promoting Human Welfare Not being fully developed, you will find a lot of beggars and poor families living in shanties that can break your heart. Despite their poor status, they were
Siem Reap National Park
Image courtesy of writer – Siem Reap National Park friendly to the tourists and were all too willing to learn English. They always had a warm and sincere smile, ready to tackle the world. Seeing these people made me feel guilty about the unnecessary conveniences that I have. Although the country’s economic advancement has continuously increased to six percent over the past decade, Cambodia has not been diversified yet and is also one of the most populous countries in the world so you can expect to see an overcrowded city with a provincial feel to it.
I found my peace, my yoga place, my place for meditation Cambodia has many things to offer that almost everyone can enjoy. Do not expect a sophisticated country. Instead, anticipate a simple and charming place that is full of enigmatic wonders of nature, history, and people. Many travel guides say that Cambodia has a high crime rate. I, however, found out that you can tour the place without stressing about kidnappers or bandits. I found the locals very hospitable and helpful so you should not let your worries about these things spoil your vacation. I would highly recommend that you visit this incredible place. You can either join
Dine Racoma
Dine Racoma is a senior writer for Day Translations, Inc. a group tour, get a personal travel guide, or an
in-person interpreter to get the most out of your visit. After all, it is always fun to personally discover all its secrets and mysteries. Who knows, you might find something that can forever change your life. I know I did – in Cambodia I found my peace, my yoga place, my place for meditation.
By: Dine Racoma
Dine is a senior writer for
Day Translations, Inc. She brings with her a wealth of experience earned from her extensive travels abroad. She's always had a passion for writing and research and started seriously pursuing her passion after taking early retirement from her post in an international development organization. She's creative, imaginative, a dog-lover, a super-mom and always willing to lend an ear or a shoulder to a friend.
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Sean
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Something new
This is a very interesting article. I am from the USA and we usually Vacation domestically or we go to the Caribbean or Europe. It's so nice to see the Asian perspective and makes me want to travel to these places.