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.
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
- Forthcoming slideshows for Fodor’s.
- For USA Today, Travel to Angkor Wat.
- 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.
Do
- Forthcoming articles 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.
Eat
- Mie Cafe: Can’t Miss Dining in Siem Reap, for Luxury and Boutique Hotels.
- Eat elegantly near Angkor at The Dining Room in Park Hyatt Siem Reap, for La Carte Magazine.
- Dining in Siem Reap, for Luxury And Boutique Hotels.
- Two unique dining experiences at the Amansara — a traditional Srah Srang Khmer breakfast and a cool Mad Men lunch.
- More dining deliciousness: a guest post by Simone of On The Track And Off It, Is it worth it to eat at a training restaurant? Sala Bai in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
- How to make the national dish of Cambodia — Running Amok for Fish Amok (for World Nomads)
Stay
- Siem Reap hotel reviews for Luxury And Boutique Hotels, and occasionally for other publications. More detail is on the Siem Reap overview page:
- Review of Udaya Residence
- A treasure in the Siem Reap countryside: Trésor d’Angkor, Cambodia (for Boutique Travel).
- Udaya Residence is a sweet retreat in Siem Reap (for La Carte)
- Review of Sala Lodges
- Review of Natura Resort
- Review of Pavillion d’Orient
- Review of Park Hyatt Siem Reap
- Review of The RiverGarden Hotel
- Review of Sojourn Boutique Villas, as well as another article for The Wayward Post, which highlights Sojourn’s efforts to improve Cambodia, This hotel near Siem Reap is good for locals.
- Review of Heritage Suites Hotel, one of Luxury And Boutique Hotels’s top 8 worldwide hotels
- Review of Angkor Miracle Resort and Spa
- Review of The One Hotel Collection
- A mindful and beautiful place — an article I wrote for Nomad Is Beautiful’s series, and a picture of why Cambodia is so special.
Have you been to Cambodia? What did you love (and not love) about it?
