Katie Taylor travelled to Cambodia with InsideAsia Tours in November and December 2017, combining her trip with three weeks in Burma. Here, she’s shared some of her highlights from her trip – along with some truly amazing photos. Thanks Katie!
1. The Bayon Faces
The wonderful Bayon temple with all its faces. We visited after the searing heat of the day has calmed down and the crowds have gone. So atmospheric!
2. Siem Reap’s countryside
Siem Reap town is fun, with some fantastic restaurants, but we feel the need to escape to countryside. We hire a tuk-tuk and ask the driver to take us on a tour of the surrounding villages. He turns out to be a tour guide in training and is delighted to be able to use us as trial customers! He’ll do well – his enthusiasm is amazing – and he found us some lovely rural scenes.
3. Preah Vihear
We head north to Preah Vihear, on the Thai border. Peace and tranquillity and breathtaking views in all directions.
4. Kampong Thom
We reach Kampong Thom and borrow bikes from the hotel to cycle along the Stung Sen river. All the locals want to say hello.
5. Driving from Kampong Thom to Kratie
The drive between Kompong Thom and Kratie features lotus fields, Chinese fishing nets and Muslim communities where suddenly the temples are replaced by mosques.
6. Koh Trong
Koh Trong island, a haven in the middle of the Mekong river, reached by boat from Katie. The ferry grounds on a sandbank on the way over, and one of the daily commuters casually pushes us off with a pole.
Koh Trong is a car-free, community based island with a vegetable cooperative and all islanders benefitting from tourist income. We spend our days cycling round and soaking up the peace.
7. Mondulkiri
On to Mondulkiri province which has a completely different look and feel. It’s cooler and it’s great to see forest stretching as far as the eye can see.
We spend a day crashing through the jungle, following the rescued elephants at the Elephant Valley Project – a real privilege to be able to get so close to them, and to see them being well cared for. Each has its own personal mahout (trainer).
8. Cardamom Mountains
We head west to the beautiful Tatai River in the Cardamom Mountains – total tranquillity, interrupted only by the occasional chug of a local boat passing.
We visit a fishing village on the river and meet the local ladies who are busy shelling shrimps and laying out fish to dry on wooden racks.
9. Koh Rong
Our final stop, Koh Rong Island, is reached by speed ferry from Sihanoukville. The beach is vast and the sand wonderfully pale and soft.
Two local brothers take us on an afternoon snorkelling and fishing trip. The young one is still in his school trousers but that doesn’t stop him diving in and out of the water. They catch about 10 fish to every one of ours!
The day is topped off as they barbecue the fish over a wood fire on the beach. It’s delicious. We enjoy it with a can of beer as we sit and watch the sun go down. Bliss!
If you’ve been inspired by Katie’s travels, our travel consultants can tailor you a trip just like this – or something completely different. Just get in touch to find out more.
