For anyone who works in a city or town, one of the best parts of getting away is the chance to reacquaint oneself with things that are green. And even for those fortunate enough to live in a rural or semi-rural environment, the need for green (not the one with the dollar signs on it!) … read the full post

The question of overcrowding at Angkor Wat is becoming a serious one, and efforts are being made by numerous bodies to try to address it. One Cambodian artist has been doing his own bit too as his work offers a novel way of viewing Angkor: in miniature. Dy Proeung, 75, is one of the few … read the full post

Somehow, we all want to make a difference, whether quietly or to great acclaim, for one individual or for thousands. The stories of differences being made in Cambodia are too numerous to count, but one stands out for being one in which anyone can participate while learning something new and appreciating the beauty of Cambodia. … read the full post

Within less than a minute’s walk of Siem Reap’s Old Market is a quiet little hideaway, a fragrant oasis where you can escape the hustle and the crowds of Siem Reap and take a moment to breathe, relax and get your bearings. More than that, if your curiosity about Angkor goes more than skin deep, … read the full post

So many tourist markets, boutiques, jewellers and craft shops in Siem Reap can make shopping here a real pleasure. On the other hand, if you have a case of the midnight munchies, or just need batteries, its charms can seem a little over-worked. The practical things in life can rarely be found in the bottom … read the full post

Unlike India, it’s not easy in Cambodia to find a sympathetic ear if you’re a vegetarian. Instead, you will be confronted with everything ranging from open disbelief, to dark mutterings that the barang is clearly mad, to acts of rebellion with secret sprinklings of shrimp or bacon bits. And sometimes the struggle is not even … read the full post

Much maligned as the unsavoury cousin of spicier and more glamorous Thai food, real Cambodian cooking is unfortunately under-appreciated by many visitors to Cambodia, although this is hardly their fault. Among the reasons is their simple lack of awareness. “People are familiar with Vietnamese food, Chinese food and Thai,” says French chef Joannès Rivière. “But … read the full post

A few years ago, a young French chef came to Siem Reap as a volunteer to train the students at Sala Baï, an NGO that every year trains about 100 young disadvantaged Cambodians from the surrounding area in the arts of cooking, front of house, house-keeping and waiting tables. The school has a solid reputation … read the full post

On July 3, 2011, Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon were in Siem Reap for a special ceremony to mark the official opening of the restored Baphuon temple. The opening was the culmination of nearly 100 years of work, punctuated by wars, conflict and occupation, made possible by the tireless dedication … read the full post

How hot and sticky is it in Siem Reap? Even in the cooler months of the year, after a day spent trampling around Angkorian temples or visiting any of the many other things to see, you feel horrible before it’s even midday. Clothes are stuck to everything. A river, a whole river, of sweat has … read the full post