Cambodia feature stories

Sihanoukville's beach lifestyle lure expatriates
Dozens of Western tourists ambling through Cambodia's Sihanoukville are tossing aside travel plans to relocate to this sleepy resort town, drawn by sparkling seas and a no-frills lifestyle.... Sihanoukville's beach lifestyle lure expatriates -- full story

Angkorian traffic woes
Any recent visitor to the famed temple complex of Angkor Wat must find themselves wondering how many eons ago all those wistful pictures of a deserted causeway bar a solitary dashing monk were ever taken. Today the typical sounds of dawn have been replaced by thumping boots, whirring cameras and hawkers flogging film. Entrances are crammed with tripods and their menacing owners who staked out their territory by the western gopura at 04:00am and aren't moving for anyone. Others take in the atmosphere from their plastic chairs at the western edge of the northern pond -- buzz, whirr, click, snap, buzz, whirr, click, snap -- and the sun hasn't even come up yet.... Angkorian traffic woes -- full story

Spas, shopping and seers in Siem Reap
Take your pick: spas, shopping and seers. Some super alternatives are springing up in Cambodia's Siem Reap so you don't have to feel too guilty for bowing out of rambling through Angkor Wat's endless ruins when you've had your fill.... Spas, shopping and seers in Siem Reap -- full story

What is a good guesthouse in Phnom Penh?
There are many great places to stay in Phnom Penh -- whether your budget is a couple or a couple of hundred dollars a night -- and, with a bit of diligence, you should have no problem finding a place that meets your needs. You can stay on the shores of Boeng Kak Lake, near the river, or in the heart of the city -- each location with its advantages and disadvantages.... What is a good guesthouse in Phnom Penh? -- full story

The Death Highway
I'd long considered the overland trip from the capital of Mondulkiri, Sen Monorom to Ratanakiri's capital Ban Lung, but the combination of my not being a particularly accomplished motorcyclist, and not knowing of any other means to do it, had led me to settle on a trip to Sen Monorom. So imagine my surprise when, as I walked into Sen Monorom from Vibol's Guesthouse, two Daelim drivers rode up and asked "Ratanakiri?"... The Death Highway -- full story

Kompong Cham escape
We're sitting under a great old tree, on plastic chairs by the slick stirring waters of the Mekong. To our right the brilliantly lit Kasuma Bridge spans into the darkness. Beyond, the faint outline of the French-period guard tower. Below us a gaggle of sampans, bobbing and bumping in the river's current. Above the far bank, the moonrise lights the river in electric ghostly hues. It's midnight in Kompong Cham and we have the entire place to ourselves.... Kompong Cham escape -- full story

How do I get from Bangkok to Siem Reap?
The trip from Bangkok to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat is one of the most talked about routes in the region: scam buses, awful roads, visa rip-offs, over-priced taxis and a whole realm of shysters and con men to boot, but in the end, it's a very straightforward trip, which, with a bit of planning is as easy as pie. Here's a cheat sheet to get you there and back without too much fraying of the nerves.... How do I get from Bangkok to Siem Reap? -- full story

How do I cross the Cambodia to Laos border?
Of all the border crossings in the region, the overland crossing between Cambodia and Laos has been one of the most changeable. In some ways, the Veun Kham / Dom Kralor has all the ingredients of a pain in the posterior crossing -- corrupt border officials, unscrupulous boat men, inconsistent travel advice and of course wildly varying traveller tales. Read on to find out the best way to cross this ever-changing border.... How do I cross the Cambodia to Laos border? -- full story

Cheap flights in Asia with the Discovery Airpass
If you're planning a holiday in Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and are thinking of flying some of the legs, then the Discovery Airpass -- a flight coupon deal offered by Bangkok Airways, Lao Airlines and Siem Reap Airways -- can work out to be a money saver, delivering on the promise of cheap flights right across Southeast Asia.... Cheap flights in Asia with the Discovery Airpass -- full story