Angkor Wat offers some of the most magnificent historic sights in the world and after many visits, I’m still fascinated by walking around the amazing temples built centuries ago. Yet, very little is known about the Khmer Empire and it’s capital city Angkor that had 1 million citizens when London was a town of only […]
Siem Reap is the town to explore the temples of Angkor Wat – one of my Top 5 Historical destinations and I highly recommend it. If this is your first trip to Siem Reap or a developing country like Cambodia, it helps to prepare a little bit. The countless friendly locals welcoming you at the
Taipei is one of the most modern and open cities in Asia and, to my surprise, has a vibrant art scene that is rare to find in the region! The Museum of Contemporary Art is housed in a historic building from the Japanese Colonial era and houses an interesting exhibit of modern art that’s surprising,
One of my favorite things to do in Ubud is to hike along the many trails through the rice paddies. It takes only a few minutes walk to escape the crowds in Ubud and you are walking among the rice fields and forests, with few people around. A few small restaurants cater to visitors, so
The most popular day tour for visitors to Kampot is a visit to the Bokor Hill Station. It includes a visit of a nearby temple, a giant Buddha statue, an abandoned palace and a church ruin. While none of the sights would be worth a trip on their own, it makes for a relaxed day
Phnom Penh might not be on top cities to visit lists, but it is a charming city to hang out and a good introduction to Cambodia. You can relax in resort-style hotels in the center of the city at low prices and learn about Cambodia’s history – an important backdrop to understanding the country ad
During my first visit to Phnom Penh in 2002, the memories of the civil war that ended in 1994 were still fresh. Since then the city has grown and dark memories have faded, making Phnom Penh a much livelier city. And one of the best places to soak up the atmosphere is along the River
If you want to understand modern Cambodia, it’s important to know about the horrific history of the Khmer Rouge who ruled the country from 1975-1979 and killed between 1.5 and 3 million people of a population of only 7.5 million. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields nearby
The National Museum in Phnom Penh is worth a visit to learn more about the history of Cambodia. It displays artefacts covering 2,000 years of Khmer history, from small wooden boxes or ceramic bowls to huge stone or bronze statues! With many objects from the pre-Angkor period, it provides an interesting framework for what you
The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh is one of the most impressive architectural and historic highlights of the city. The Palace was built as the residence of the Cambodian Kings in 1866 and today is again occupied by the current King and the Royal Family. The golden roofs and towers are visible from the river
After a few days of fighting Bangkok traffic, touring the sites or exploring crowded malls, taking a break from the crowds seems like a great idea. But how do you escape the crowds in this busy city of more than 8 million people? You head to one of the parks that are a green oasis
One of the best things about Sydney is that in addition to the vibrant city, you get amazing beaches and sunny weather, making it the ideal location to combine city fun with a trip to the beach. And while there are plenty of choices around city, my favorites are the Eastern Beaches along the ocean,