Wazzup Pilipinas!?
It's usually Thailand and Indonesia that get all the attention in South East Asia, but Cambodia is slowly and surely taking over the spotlight. Located on the Mekong River and surrounded by jungle, this is the home of the Khmer people famous for their optimistic nature.
Ancient temples, magical beaches, elephant sanctuaries, and many more attractions waiting for visitors here. But although it's not a huge country, you still need some kind of plan for the best things to do in Cambodia.
Survey coral reefs near Samraong
One of the most popular activities in Cambodia is diving considering the rich marine life. However, if you want to join a volunteer abroad program and have a non-tourist experience, come to Samraong to survey the coral reef. This rural village is secluded from tourists and offers genuine immersion into the Khmer culture and language.
Besides learning and upgrading your diving skills, you can join community projects that will help the area grow economically and ecologically. If volunteer work is something you are interested in, Cambodia offers several options besides surveying the coral reef, like mangrove environmental conservation and teaching.
Wait for sunrise at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Archaeological Park where you can learn a lot about Khmer history. The area is one of the most recognizable in South East Asia with millions of tourists visiting it every year. Besides the gorgeous temples of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon, you can admire Indian architecture and its depiction of Buddhism.
However, even with all those amazing things, the number one reason people come here is the sunrise. You have to come early to catch the best seat, but it's worth it, especially in March and September during the equinoxes. At these times, the sun comes up above Angkor Wat’s central tower creating a sight to behold.
Visit an animal-free circus Phare in Siem Reap
Phare the Cambodian Circus in Siem Reap tells folklore stories through theatre, music, dancing, and of course acrobatics. All performances come from the non-profit Phare Ponleu Selpak School, while all funds from tickets go to help youth education. What makes this circus show even more great is the fact they don’t use animals in their performances.
Since Phare has nightly shows, it's a perfect way to finish your busy day of sightseeing in Cambodia. The reputation of a legitimate national act gathers quite an audience every day so you might want to get your tickets beforehand.
Go up to the temples of Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear is a remote temple located in the Dangrek Mountains at 625 meters in elevation. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and has been a pilgrimage route for centuries now. Unfortunately, the temple is the cause of tension between Thailand and Cambodia, some that even lead to armed conflicts.
Because of its elevation, you can go to the temple by motorcycle or 4WD truck for a fee, as well as arrange for an English-speaking guide. The road up is bumpy and if the ride makes you nervous, it might be best to finish the last mile on foot.
Go dolphin-watching on the Mekong River
The Mekong River is a great spot for kayaking and coming across endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. These mammals live close to Kratie, in the Kampi dolphin pool and a kayak will take you to them over flooded forest terrain.
Not many tourists come here because it's remote and in the middle of nothing else to see unless you plan to travel to Laos. However, the dolphin-watching experience is reason enough, considering it's a rare opportunity to observe these unique creatures in a lifetime.
Learn to prepare Cambodian dishes
Khmer cuisine is equally exquisite as famous ones coming from Vietnam and Thailand. Since chances are you didn’t have any opportunity to encounter national Cambodian dishes, taking a cooking class is a wonderful way to do it. You will learn to make teuk trey or fish sauce and prahok a fish paste, which will undoubtedly impress people back home.
On the other hand, if you are more interested in eating than cooking, you will find lots of great places to try Cambodian cuisine, like at the night markets. Beware if you are a picky eater since insects dominate most of the dishes and are considered a delicacy. Wild crickets, beetles, worms, and other creepy crawlies are commonly served at these markets, as well as scorpions and snails. However, dishes like amok and nom banh chok are an insect-free and delicious display of tastes of this Southeastern country.
Hike in the Kep National Park
The Kep National Park is ideal to meet the wilder side of Cambodia by hiking among its forests and wildlife. It takes approximately 3 hours to finish a trail, but make sure you are done before dark since there are no lights in the park. When planning a hike, pack enough water and snacks, as well as a mosquito repellent, and wear enclosed shoes.
While the park has rich wildlife, chances are the animals will keep away from you with occasional insects, lizards, toads, and birds that may cross your way. From Wat Samot Raingsei temple you can proceed to the Sunset Rock Viewpoint with an amazing view over the Kep Beach and Kep Crab market.
All in all
As you see, the best things to do in Cambodia include learning about its culture and offering a helping hand to the friendly Khmer community. Even though it’s not overrun by tourists like its neighbors, Cambodia is gaining popularity, promising to become one of the IN places to visit in South East Asia. So, it may be wise to travel here in the next couple of years if you want to avoid crowds.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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