I should declare my interest first: my husband is the director of the Center for Khmer Studies, a research centre and library in the grounds of Wat Damnak, which makes him the only person I know who gets to go to work along fragrant, frangipani-lined paths, and settle down to his desk in a beautiful, … read the full post

Word was out about Mushroom Point on Otres Beach almost before it opened on Christmas Eve, 2011. At the time, it was the mushroom-themed, thatched-roof architecture that was attracting all the attention. Since then, just about everything about Mushroom Point has been drawing attention — and visitors. When I made a casual enquiry about room … read the full post

There has been no regular train service in Cambodia since at least 2009, and even when there was it didn’t go anywhere near Siem Reap. So how The Station Winebar got its name remains a bit of a mystery. One thing is for sure, though, whether you are on foot, bicycle, moto or tuk tuk, … read the full post

Visitors to Phnom Penh are sometimes surprised at the cost of food, but it’s perfectly possible to eat for $5 — or 20,000 riel — a day if you know where to look. The first trick to cheap meals is to put aside thoughts of familiar nosh and get experimental. A Western breakfast can set you … read the full post

You’re touring around Asia, having a whale of a time I hope, but fancy settling your travel-weary bones down in one place for a little while. It could be time to time out, sit back, breathe and reflect on everything that you’ve seen and experienced so far, the people you’ve met, the highs, and lows, … read the full post

If you want to throw a little culture into your visit to Sihanoukville, take a day trip out to Ream and the set of the 2009 film, Un barrage contre le Pacifique (The Sea Wall). Based on the 1950 novel of the same name by Marguerite Duras, the film starred Isabel Huppert and was directed … read the full post

Following the death of the former King Norodom Sihanouk, an official week of mourning in Cambodia has been declared and will continue until October 23, 2012. Observance will have a minimal effect on most visitors, but if you care to acknowledge the passing of a historically significant figure, the Royal Palace has become a focal point … read the full post

When the news first broke that the former king of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk had died, many Cambodians were in the countryside provinces marking the Pchum Ben festival. As the word spread, Facebook statuses and profile pictures were updated. Many who had remained in the capital made their way to the Royal Palace to pay their … read the full post

The death of former King Norodom Sihanouk, aged 89, on October 15 during the Pchum Ben festival is being mourned by Cambodians. Increasingly frail, the King Father’s last visit to Cambodia from his home in China earlier in the year proved to be his last. His death has saddened but not surprised Cambodians, who are paying … read the full post

Further update: Now the latest reports we are hearing are that the festival is cancelled in Phnom Penh only. We’ll let you know definitively as soon as we know! Update: Xinhua reports that the Cambodian Water Festival for 2012 has been cancelled to mourn late former King Norodom Sihanouk who passed away last week. The … read the full post