Wat Phnom Sampeou

Located some 15kms from Battambang, this is a 2002 reconstruction of a Buddhist temple that was originally built in 1964. The history of this temple as part of the Killing Fields is what makes it interesting though. People were slaughtered and thrown into the caves here. A visit takes you through the temple, caves and prison building.Dining & Shopping Much like the cuisine of the surrounding countries, Khmer food contains fewer spices. There are also many restaurants in the larger cities serving Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. However, the local cuisine is the most interesting and well prepared. A typical meal contains soup and rice with fish. One must-try is the speciality of grilled freshwater fish that has been wrapped in lettuce or spinach, and served with a nutty fish-sauce dip. Another fish treat is amok, fish steamed in bamboo leaves with curry and coconut milk. Salads are spiced with lemongrass, mint and coriander.There’s still plenty of French influence in the cuisine as well, with baguettes seen everywhere and a good smattering of French restaurants in the larger cities. Bread carts can be found along the city streets, especially in the capital, and contain sweet breads alongside baguettes. There are also some Vietnamese baguettes filled with pâté.Your sweet tooth will definitely be satisfied with desserts of cakes and sweet breads, as well as unique treats made from rice and coconut milk. Perhaps the best dessert though is the many tropical fruits ranging from durian and jackfruit to mangosteen and rambutan.If you can tear yourself away from the many activities on offer, the shopping is also worth a spot of time, if only for souvenirs at least. If you’re in the capital, you should take time out to see the Central Market, which has been in operation since 1937. As well as being a spectacular photo opportunity, the market offers a plethora of goods including jewellery, silk, souvenirs, handicrafts and more.Although Cambodia’s silk weaving fell by the wayside for a time, it’s now coming back and you can find some really beautiful pieces. There’s also attractive hand-carved wood souvenirs and fine metalwork. Popular gifts to take home include silver, sarongs, hats, copies of ancient Khmer art and figurines.The krama makes a great inexpensive gift. It is much like a scarf and they come in many colours – and are seen worn by both men and women all over the country. Clothing, décor and handbags made from natural fabrics are all great bargains. Silver shops are increasingly popular in Phnom Penh and village centres such as Tul Mau, 30kms to the north.Baskets and other items woven out of bamboo are also light souvenirs that can be easily carried home. Many landmine victim rehabilitation programmes assist people with creating items for sale and this is a great way to purchase a souvenir and also do some good for others. Betel nut boxes make really cute souvenirs with their intricate designs or animal shapes made of silver. Rice paper prints – essentially charcoal rubbings of carvings from temples – are good mementos too.It’s illegal to sell and export registered antiques. And although many artefacts have been stolen over the years and now reside in other countries, it’s doubtful you’re going to come across any. However, there are lots of fakes that can look nice in your home, as long as you know you’re paying for a reproduction.Outdoor Activities Tourism is just taking off in Cambodia and your main activities are likely to be sightseeing, eating and shopping. However, tourist-oriented areas such as those of the bigger cities are now offering some leisure activities ranging from jet-skiing to elephant trekking.Dirt-bikingQuite a popular activity, dirt-biking is done along many off-road trails in the region that are reputably the best in the world. There is also a motocross track in Phnom Penh with races every month.
Visit this website for further information about Dirt-Biking in Cambodia.Elephant trekkingElephant trekking can be done in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri, and is a fantastic experience and a great way to see the jungles of Cambodia. However, you should be sure to take a guide, as setting out on your own can be dangerous. Obviously you will have a mahout with you, but a certified guide will be able explain the lay of the land to you and provide a good itinerary, allowing you to make the most of your experience.
Visit this website for further information about trekking around Ratanakiri in Cambodia.GolfThere are three golf courses in Cambodia: Cambodia Golf & Country Club is an hour’s drive south of the capital; Royal Phnom Penh Golf Course is just half an hour out of the city; and Siem Reap’s Phookethra Country Club is the city’s first and is managed by the Sofitel Resort.Horseback ridingHappy Ranch International is an international stable with foreign instructors offering lessons. Rides are possible within in the compound and on nearby trails, and all equipment is included in the price of your ride. It’s a little bit out of the city on the road from Sivitha so make sure to check with a taxi driver that he knows where to go.Scuba divingThus far, the only place to see what lurks below the waves is Sihanoukville. The diving is still pristine here with lots of marine life including giant clams. There are more than 20 islands in the area as well as coral reefs, all within a day’s reach by boat. You’ll find three groups of islands: Som, Ream and Royal. Reputed as the best diving areas are the waters off the islands Tang, Prins and Poulo Wai which have visibility up-to 40 metres. The waters off Prins Island contain some shipwrecks and a downed US helicopter at 35 metres.
Visit this website for further information about diving in Sihanoukville.Shooting rangesJust outside Siem Reap near Banteay Srei, there is a semi-legal shooting range that is popular among those who want the chance to fire something they wouldn’t be able to anywhere else. Try the likes of an M-16 or even a rocket launcher, but don’t expect it to be cheap. Thunder Ranch is another similar venue outside the capital, near Cheoung Ek.Tonlé Sap Lake and ExhibitionJust a tiny way out of Siem Reap, this is the largest body of water in Southeast Asia and is a vibrant ecosystem supporting many species of birds and other wildlife along with the local human population, some of which live in attractive houses on stilts out on the water at the village of Chong Kneas. Before you go to the actual lake, stop at the lake’s exhibition inside the city to examine artefacts and explanations of the Tonlé Sap eco-system. Especially interesting is the working model explaining the complex water system that connects the lake to the Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers.TrekkingWhile a popular activity, trekking in Cambodia is still limited due to the many thousands of unexploded land mines in the more remote areas. However, there are still plenty of cleared and marked routes around Ratanakiri that are frequented by visitors. You should never stray from main paths, and it’s always advisable to take a local guide