THE BEST 15 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CAMBODIA

We have visited Cambodia twice, and on both occasions we left with the feeling that we were leaving one of the most welcoming and interesting countries in all of Southeast Asia. And that his story is not the happiest. But the Cambodian people knew how to overcome one of the most heinous genocides of humanity and today the country welcomes the traveler with a huge smile and lots of attractions to discover. If you are thinking about a visit, we will tell you the best 15 things to see and do in Cambodia.

1. We always say that Cambodia is much more than Angkor, but we cannot deny the evidence: we all visit the country with the idea of ​​knowing what was once the largest city in the world. And it doesn't surprise us. The impressive Angkor Wat, the faces of Bayon, the temples trapped between the roots of Ta Prohm ... Each corner of Angkor is a real past. Its negative side is the "children of Angkor" who, instead of being in school, roam the ruins trying to sell souvenirs to tourists. It is the other side of the coin. Here we tell you how to visit Angkor.

2. To visit Angkor you will have to base in the city of Siem Reap. It is not one of the friendliest in the country, but it is a good place to spend a couple of nights. The hotel offer is huge and you can find real hotels with a pool for little money. There is an interesting night market, quality restaurants where you can try the gastronomic specialties (lok lak and amok are our favorites), buy some souvenirs like the typical checkered scarves, stroll through its alleys and start making friends with the new country.

3. The capital of Cambodia is Phnom Penh, and this is not a beautiful city either. But we recommend you visit it for a couple of reasons. The first, to greet the mythical mekong river (better from a little boat at sunset). And the second to learn more about the dark past of the country, the years of Pol Pot and its genocidal madness. The best place to do it is the S-21, an old school converted into a high security prison and where prisoners suffered atrocious torture before being killed. It is not an easy visit. But you have to know the story to avoid repeating it. Here we tell you our passage through Phnom Penh.

4. South of Cambodia there are beautiful beach areas, and its epicenter isSihanoukville. It is a coastal city with all the comforts, with cool beaches (don't expect paradise), cheap beer and lots of atmosphere. Here you will pass yes or yes if you want to travel to an island that, in its day, was our never-never country ...

5. We talk about Koh Rong. The first time we visited it, we felt like a couple of shipwrecked on an almost deserted island (in total we would be 20 tourists). We enjoyed as dwarves and even planned to set up a hostel by the sea (but we didn't have a hard haha). When we returned after three years, the thing was no longer (in our eyes) so paradisiacal: welcome to mass tourism my friend. The island is not prepared for all the consumption there is and garbage accumulates in many corners, there is more party tourism and the environment is not what we remember. But the postcard beach and the crystal clear waters are still there!

6. If your roll is somewhat quieter, you can choose to know its sister island: Koh Rong Samloen. The accommodations are somewhat more expensive, but probably worth more. By the way, if you are lucky, in these islands there is an indescribable natural phenomenon: the luminous plankton.

7. And if you already want to add unforgettable bathing experiences, you can swim in the very crater of a volcano. Of course, you have to move east and visit the volcanic lake Yeak Laom. It is located in the beautiful province of Ratanakiri.

8. The second largest city in the country is Battambang, but the atmosphere in this case is much more rural and relaxed. You can see colonial houses, markets, pagodas and temples, and even attend a circus show, but of the good ones. A while ago you could ride the famous bamboo train, unfortunately not anymore.

9. In the Battambang surroundings there are some excursions That may be worth it if you have time. The ancient Angkorian era ruins of the temples ofEk Phnom YPhnom Banan, the latter on top of a mountain. See thousands of bats inPhnom Sampov, one of the sacred mountains and also known for its "caves of death", where the Khmer Rouge threw their victims. And also related to this tragic episode of Cambodia, you can visit theWat Samrong Khong, a detention center and death camp near Battambang. To make these visits you can negotiate a tuktuk (about $ 15 -20 $) or rent a scooter and do it at your own pace (about $ 7 a day).

10. The visit to floating villages of Tonle Sap LakeIt is a good option if you are on the road between Siem Reap and Battambang. There are more than 100 floating villages, so we believe that the ideal is to spend a few days in the area and meet some unknown people (such as Phoum Kandal and Chong Kos), in addition to the more touristy (Chong Kneas, Kampong Khleang and Kompong Phluk). But if you only have one day, there are tours like this that depart from Siem Reap. Curiosity: did you know that Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia?

11. If you plan to travel to Vietnam after passing through Cambodia, we recommend you stay a few days in Kampot, the world capital of pepper. Although it does not have a special charm, we found it a pleasant little town, thanks especially to its French colonial legacy. And of course, it is the perfect place to put on your boots with the local specialty: pepper crab! It is best to rent a motorcycle and explore its surroundings until Kep. Tip: don't miss the Bokor National Park where you can take a good dip in the beautiful Popovkil waterfalls.

12. Although a very original way of get to Vietnamit is furrow the mekong aboard a ship. There are from cruise ships 3 days / 2 nights ($ 300-600) to less flirtatious boats that take you for about $ 25 / $ 40 to Chau Doc, border town of Vietnam. One thing is clear: it will be cheaper to arrive by bus.

13. In Cambodia you eat one of our favorite dishes: the amok, a chicken or fish curry, cooked in banana leaves and with coconut milk and lemongrass that will make you relax your mustache. Our second love is the lok lak, beef cooked to the wok and with sweet soy sauce, which is served with rice and a fried egg, to suck your fingers! And the best thing is that you can accompany it with pitchers of Angkor ice cold beer, for 0.50USD! (Yes, in Cambodia two currencies are used, the rail, the national currency and the US dollar).

14. We did not go but we fully trust the criteria of the Conmochila boys, so we advise everyone who wants to visit a elephant rescue center of the real ones, far from any tourist circus, go to Elephant Valley Project. It is something we would love to do on a hypothetical 3rd visit to Cambodia. More information.

15. Did you know that Cambodia is one of the few places in the world where you can see freshwater dolphins Irrawaddy? Specifically, you will have to go to Kratie.

15+1. Returns: It is impossible to fulfill this list of essentials of Cambodia on a first trip. Also, who says NO to meet Angkor again or have some cold beers while you ride an amok in a paradise like Koh Rong?

Have you visited this country? Do you know more things to see and do in Cambodia?

* Photocredit: Shutterstock