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 50,000 people. The Angkor National … Continue reading
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 airport and offering their services … Continue reading
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, innovative, challenging, unusual and provocative … Continue reading
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 you can have a cold … Continue reading
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 trip through the countryside with … Continue reading
Singapore is an easy city to visit, so you should be able to see a lot more of the city than Kim and Trump during their summit! And Orchard Road should be on hour itinerary, with all its stores, restaurants and art installations – especially during the annual Great Summer Sale with lots of discounts thrown in!
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 its people today! There is … Continue reading
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 Promenade in the heart of … Continue reading
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 are shocking sights and provide … Continue reading
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 see when visiting the temples … Continue reading