Cambodia

>> My latest, for Fodor’s:

Sometimes it’s better to just pay the bribe: a retelling of my travel fail from my first ever day in Southeast Asia.
Angkor 101: Everything you need to know about visiting what was once the world’s biggest civilization.
- And I was pretty thrilled that Fodors.com Managing Editor Rachael Levitt said that the “incredible tips and tricks” in my article make her feel like she can finally go to Angkor “properly” and without losing her mind in the throngs, in her entry for Where Fodor’s editors are traveling in 2019 (scroll down to #4).
The Cambodian version of Cirque du Soleil must be seen to be believed.
10 things you need to know before you go to Cambodia.

Featured in this piece simultaneously published by MSN and Reader’s Digest:

- - I’ve been to 60 countries but these 6 changed me forever (MSN version, a slideshow).
  - I’ve been to 60 countries but these 6 changed me forever (Reader’s Digest version, all on one page).

People fall in love with Cambodia, and they keep returning and returning. I know I do.

I’ve spent so much time in Siem Reap that I have travel tips I don’t see in any guide books. If you’re planning a trip and would like an hour of my Siem Reap advice, plus a doc with travel tips, please feel free to get in touch.

Or, have a look at my Cambodia articles, and don’t forget the general Asia articles which contain lots of tips for Cambodia, including what to pack, how to walk and how to avoid scams, and how to travel respectfully in a Buddhist country.

Intro to Cambodia

The story of my first day ever in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, which I’ve titled Pursued by Police in Phnom Penh. And the shorter version, published in Canada’s national newspaper, The Globe and Mail.

Insider tips

For Google’s new Touring Bird travel website, 9 of my insider tips for Siem Reap:

See it all at just one Angkor temple.
Walk again thanks to a hot herb massage.
Skip the sunset crowds at Phnom Krom.
Eat tapas bugs paired with cocktails, including how to respect Cambodia’s history and culinary traditions.
Take a cooking class that helps locals, including responsible tourism tips.
Make a pit stop at a crowd-free temple.
Find the Ta Phrom stegosaurus.
Support female Cambodian chefs, with some tips on how to support responsible tourism.
Avoid the line for Angkor Wat’s top tier.

Personalities and responsible tourism

Turning life around, a “4 questions with” profile on the most amazing monk you’ll ever meet, Hoeurn Somnieng, (for Singapore Airlines’ regional in-flight magazine, SilkWinds) and the backstory. Venerable Hoeurn Somnieng, founder of the Life and Hope Association and the Park Hyatt Siem Reap Sewing School, is one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met during my travels, and I describe the experience in this interview by Lauren Crabbe, The Lemon Pie Life.

General travel info

For Fodor’s, 10 things you need to know before you go to Cambodia.
Angkor 101: Everything you need to know about visiting what was once the world’s biggest civilization, for Fodor’s.
For USA Today, Travel to Angkor Wat.
For Bon Voyage Travel, Educational adventures disguised as fun: including Mexico, plus Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Cambodia and two US cities.
For The Wayward Post, how to have a great weekend in Siem Reap and support businesses that make Cambodia better, A Wayward Weekend in Siem Reap, and a profile of a wonderful hotel that gives back to the community, Sojourn Boutique Villas, in This hotel gives back to locals.
Dear travellers to Cambodia: Please don’t come visit until you’ve understood these 9 things — a rare responsible tourism listicle (for Matador Network).
- And to read my 10th tip which was edited out: Dear travellers to Cambodia: Please don’t come visit until you’ve understood these 10 things.
What do you mean, I can’t wear my tanktop at Angkor Wat? Five etiquette tips to make sure your visit to Southeast Asia offends no one (for Canadian Traveller, spring 2016). Don’t forget my bonus tips!
An overview of Siem Reap, the city near the Angkor temples.

There are a lot of so-called elephant sanctuaries in Asia. If you’re considering visiting one, read this first: ethical elephants, with a link to my Reader’s Digest article about elephants.
The Cambodian version of Cirque du Soleil must be seen to be believed (for Fodor’s).
Angkor 101: Everything you need to know about visiting what was once the world’s biggest civilization for Fodor’s.
Work your muscles at Angkor Wat then melt them with a traditional Cambodian massage, about one of the best massages I’ve ever had, for
For Departures Magazine, I contributed a recommendation for the spa at Udaya Residence in this best-spas-around-the-world roundup by Valentina Valentini 10 of the world’s most spectacular spas.
The ideal way to see Angkor — the sunrise trip I took to Angkor Wat courtesy of the Amansara luxury resort.
The show like no other, and a can’t miss in Cambodia (in Siem Reap and in Battambang): the Phare Cambodian Circus — Grins all around, the article I wrote for their website.
Flight of the Gibbon operates a ziplining course inside the Angkor archeological park. I’ve checked out their Chiang Mai, Thailand course and Simone Gribble off The TrackAndOffIt.com writes about their Angkor course.