Exploring Phnom Chisor Temple

Prasat Phnom Chisor that means Phnom Chisor temple is one of the important ancient temple in term of its history, architecture and its significance to religion. Built by King Suryvarman I, the 11th century temple is a dedication to Brahmanism made of laterite and bricks in which it produces a red image as the sun shines through it. Prasat Phnom Chisor is located 42Km, south of Phnom Penh Cambodia at Takeo Province.

The ruins are situated atop of a 130 meters hill at Roveang Village and going to the top is either by 198 steps stairs from the west or the 412 steps stairs on the south. Despite of the climb, the spectacular view of the countryside is worth-taking, and of course, the preserved carving found of the temple walls and doors. Prasat Phnom Chisor is one of the favorite getaways of Cambodians especially during the long holidays of Khmer New Year, Pchum Benh and Water Festival.

On the east of the temple area, going down the hill, are the ruins of gataways Sen Thmol and Sen Roveang. At the main temple area on top, several structures are situated such as the central tower and the surrounding 5 towers, the fire shrines and the galleries and walls surrounding the towers and shrines. The carving depicts different tales such as the one at the front entrance of the main tower showing the god Vishnu dancing, celebrating the fulfillment of the wishes of beautiful woman named Kari Kala Meya. She prayed to Vishnu to grant her wish of transforming her to an ugly woman so that the men from the human world, heaven and hell would not wage war against each other just to win and marry her.

Anther notable carving found on the east entrance door facing west of the center tower depicts Lady Uma sitting on Shiva's lap while riding on the flying cow. It shows the role of men as caring hsbands to their wives during that time. Aside from these, there are plenty of well-preserves carving, especially the sandstone lintels. awaiting to be explored by visitors. This is one of the reasons why visiting Prasat Phnom Chisor is worth-taking. Prasat Phnom Chisor is 5 Km, off from the National Road N.2. Turn right upon reaching the sign along the highway and head straight passing the twin towers of Prasat Neang Khmau or the eTemple of Black Lady. There is a fee of $3.00 when visiting the temple. It is also ideal to rent a car going there.

KAMPOT PROVINCE & KEP CITY

Sunny, peaceful and a few degrees cooler than Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Kampot and Kep are favoured holiday getaways for Cambodia's city-dwellers. Kampot, a quiet but happening riverine town, and Kep, a sleepy coastal city, are must see destinations for any travelers searching for a taste of Cambodia's South.

GETTING THERE

Traveling from Siem Reap, you will need to head first to Phnom Penh in order to make it to Kampot province. Once in the capital, National Route 3 takes travelers to Kampot, with buses taking about 4 and 5 hours and costing around $5. A private taxi for this same journey will set you back $35, but it will take only 3 hours.
If you are starting off from Sihanoukville, the 80 miles journey to Kampot will take around 1 to 2 hours, with road in a surprisingly good condition. Expect to pay around $30 to $40 for a private taxi. Shared taxi cost $5 per person, and usually carry six or seven passengers. While there are no proper buses currently, there are several Van companies that go between Sihanoukville and Kampot. Kampot Tours and Champa Mekong Tours are the most popular with expats. The trip will cost $5 and take 2 hours. The quiet seaside resort of Kep is about 30 minutes south of Kampot. The trip is only 25 Km and takes between 30 minutes to an hour depending on which type of transport you choose; your options include Reu Mok (around $12 one way), Moto $6, Taxi $20 boat $9.5 and bus $3. More adventurous readers might hire a Motorbike and ride the journey instead. This is quite a popular choice especially in the dry months from November onwards.

WHERE TO STAY

There are numerous places to stay in Kampot, and they can roughly be divided into two distinctive areas. The town centre hosts various accommodations that cater for the budget backpacker to the high-end tourist. For a room with a view, there are several guesthouses that sit on the river just out of town and offer the perfect place to kick back and relax or party, depending on which one you pick. A room with a twin bed and a shared bathroom can go for as low as $6.
Although much smaller, Kep caters for the medium to high-end tourists, with a good choice of hotels and guesthouses, many of which boast pools to help you cool down after a day of sightseeing. Kep's accommodation is quiet spaced out, and while there are some within easy walking distance of the beach, many of the options are clustered on the hill off the Kampot road, which begins at the bus's station. These places deliver excellent sunsets, but the further you go, the more you'll be relying on transport to get you around. Prices start at around $20 a night.

ACTIVITIES

Kampot is home to historic Bokor Mountain, which makes a great day trip by motorbike as the road is now in excellent condition all the way. Kayaking and other water activities are also available and, during high season, a recommended activity is stand up paddleboarding through the mangroves further upstream. Exploring the surrounding countryside is a must when in Kampot and the best way to do this is hiring a motorbike and hitting the roads.
Despite being laid-back and sleepy, Kep is home to a wealth of activities to enjoy. As well as boasting a beach with white sands, there's Kep National Park, boat trips, snorkeling and the famous crab market where visitors can enjoy the town's signature crab and Kampot pepper. Rabbit Island also site off the coast of Kep and is a 20 minustes boat trip away. Other popular activities include Kompong Trach and its caves, which are about 35Km northeast of Kep. The limestone caves can be explored and inside sites a huge reclining Buddha and a small lake, which is perfect for swimming in on a hot day.

FOOD & DRINK

Kampot and Kep may not have the extensive culinary range of Phnom Pen but most tastes are catered for. Fresh seafood is widely available, with crab, prawns, squid and many types of ocean fish caught fresh daily. No visit to Kep complete without a taste of the Kep crab. This blue swimmer crab is specially renowned for its taste in curries. Options abound when it comes tom sampling the gorgeously sweet and meaty crab. Culinary adventures head straight to the Kep crab market, where they can choose the choicest live catches from vendor's  baskets, haggling down the price before paying a few thousand Riel to have them steamed at a nearby stall. This is the cheapest and most interactive crab experience, but visitors looking for a more hassle-free dinner will find it in the homey row of restaurants near the market, which all have crab platters as the highlight of the menu. Served still in the shell often with a thick, peppery sauce, dinners get to dig into each crab, scooping out the flesh in a messy and satisfying culinary experience.

NIGHTLIFE
Kampot is home to several bars, mostly along the town centre, with some of the venue that sit on the river hosting live music at weekends. And while nightlife in Kep is fairly scare, there are a few bars near the crab market that can get quite lively at nighttime.

Coastal Cambodia, Sihanoukville

SIHANOUKVILLE

To escap the Siem Reap's sizzling heat, head down to Sihanoukville, the laidback epicentre of Cambodia. While serendipity Beach's popularity continues to rise among backpackers, the beautiful Otres Beach, south of town, is the ideal spot for a relaxed, family vacation. The southern island are the place to be if you are looking for the tropical paradise vibe.

GETTING THERE

Unfortunately, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville- two of Cambodia's top tourist destinations are on opposite side of the country. Although less than 200 miles apart if you fly, on the road the journey can be as long as 350 miles. Traveling by plane is by far the easiest and safest way to do the journey. Cambodia Angkor Air offers flights four times a week, with one way ticket going for $115 to $150 and roundtrip tickets setting you back up to $300. Flight time is a little under an hour. By the road, the journey on bus or mini-bus almost inescapably entails a stop in Phnom Penh, and usually takes around 12 to 14 hours( including the layover in the capital). Giant bus and Mekong Express are some of the companies that offer this route. Ticket go from $20 to $24. Taxi between Siem Reap and Sihanoukville are also available, costing between $120 and $150. The trip on taxi will take about 10 hours.

WHERE TO STAY

Sihanoukville has a variety of accommodation ranging from a basic fan room at $5 to luxurious suite for $250 a night, with several boutique hotels in the $30-60 range. Most are located either downtown, near the bustling Ochheuteal Beach or at Victory Hill. Otres Beach, which sits about 10 minutes away from town is a popular option for budget travelers seeking peace and quiet, although the area is rapidly changing as more upmarket accommodation and restaurants set up shop there.

ACTIVITIES

Sihanoukville is, without a doubt, the sports capital of Cambodia, with a long list of activities offered to the visitor. Many visit this beach town in search of their scuba diving certification, or to relax with a fishing, snorkeling or standup paddle boarding session, while others go for more action-oriented activities, like Jet skiing and fly board. Countryside tours and trips to the nearby island are a popular recreational option. A great number of fascinating places lie within a 1-2 hour-ride from town. You can visit the small, charming towns of Kompot Province and Kep town. Stueng Hauv, a small fishing community, can be found an hour outside of town. Other day trips include Ream National Park and Tek Chou Waterfall. If you are craving some adrenaline, keep in mind that most of these trips can be done by dirt bike or quad.

FOOD&DRINK

Finding a place to satisfy your cravings for good food and refreshing drinks is never a problem in Sihanoukville. Its numerous expat-owned restaurants have brought many international culinary delights to the city, including French, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and of course, Chinese. Restaurants specializing in local food are also widely available: from fish amok to beef  Lok Lak, finding your favorite Khmer dish will be a piece of cake. Sihanoukville is a fishing town where fresh seafood is brought to the market daily in astonishing variety. Restaurateurs buy fish from the different markets around town and use it in many different dishes, from Amok to fish and chips. Make sure you visit one of the city's many fish markets: you'll find your  favourite seafood, from barracuda and marlin fillets to crabs and squid.

Ta Prohm Temple

Ta Prohm is one of the most impressive temples in Cambodia's Angkor region, presenting the visitor with an intriguing and mystical  picture. Ta Prohm temple built by King Jayavarman VII during the year 1186 A.D. Surrounded by lush jungle, the complex is seized by towering trees that break through the base stone and devour the half-collapsed structures, their thick roots zigzagging through the floor and clambering up the walls.

In 1992, UNESCO awarded the temple World Heritage status. However, Ta Prohm's popularity really spiked in 2001, when the movie "Tom Raider; partially shot at Ta Prohm, showed famous actress Angelina Jolie walking between the temple's iconic tree roots. Ta Prohm is one of the few temples in the Angkor region that has been left much in the same condition that it was found. When the efforts to conserve and restore the temple of Angkor began the early 21st century, Ta Prohm was hand-picked to be left untouched due to its picturesque appearance. In its heyday, it was a vibrant city, home to more than 12,500 people, including high priests and dancers.

Angkor Wat Temple

Angkor Wat temple built by King Suryavarman II, of the end 12th century. 
Angkor Wat is the jewel of the crown of the whole Angkor complex. As the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat is a magnet for tourism into Cambodia, having received over two million foreign tourist in just 2013. The massive temple is now a symbol of Cambodia, even taking center stage on its national flag.

This behemoth- spanning 1,626,000 sq meters- was originally constructed as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, to be later transformed into a Buddhist place of worship toward the end of 12th century. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. Angkor Wat combine two basic plans of Khmer Temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleries temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu mythology. Unlike most Angkor Ruin temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs, and for the numerous devatas adorning its wall. 

Sokhalay Angkor Hotel Resort & Spa

Seeking to release an uptight moment after along traveling, just pack your bag and go on a drive to Sokhalay Angkor Hotel Resort & Spa, locating itself a long National Road N.6, Khum Sror Nge, Siem Reap City, Siem Reap Kingdom of Cambodia.

Sokhalay Angkor Hotel Resort & Spa

The place offers the best accommodation for all guests to unwind and rejuvenate in a comfort and serene setting. Ranging from Luxurious stay to wide range of services, the setting is well-know for its stunning views inside the compound, allowing all visitors to experience natural atmosphere and view. Garden, Pool, and each villa are upscale for business travelers to lay down their busy day relaxing.

Sokhalay Angkor Hotel Resort & Spa

 Plus SUNNALINE Spa, which covers a wide selection of facilities as have treatment rooms, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Swimming pools, fitness center and beauty Salon, is what really makes you younger than age. Authentic Khmer and continental cuisine are also available at all-day dinning venues; they are made with organic produce and fresh greens collected in the area. If visiting in person, then you will say it's out of your imagine.For more detail please visit this website (www.sokhalayangkor.com), Email.info@sokhalayangkor.com, Reservation: reservation@sokhalayangkor.com, Tel: (+855) 63 96 75 75.

Thommanon Temple one of the magnificence of Angkor

Thommanon Temple

Thommanon temple is a small, but a worth seeing one, situated 500 meters east of Angkor Thom's Victory Gate. A single-towered temple dedicated to Brahmanism, it was built in the late 11th and early 12th century by King Suryavarman II.

The temple complex is rectangular in shape with a sanctuary opening to the east, a moat, a rampart and two gopuras both located on the east and west. A library is also situated nearby on the southeast of the temple.
Thommanon temple is a part of Angkor Archaeological Park, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Thommanon Temple

Thonmmanon seems to stand in conjunction with Chao Say Tevoda, located just across the road going to the gate, but was built decades earlier. The temple's carving are well preserved and the aged sandstone provides as distinct contrast to the surrounding jungle. Thommanon is in much better condition than the Chao Say Tevoda as it had undergone restoration by the French archaeologists in the 1960's. The structure and design of the temple has been concluded as  inspiration in building the Angkor Wat temple. It may not be one of the major landmarks in the park, but its fascinating beauty us surely worth-seeing.

First time in Siem Reap City

Is it your first time or planning to visit Cambodia, particularly Siem Reap? The name would ring something that you have known, but definitely this place is different and it will surely surprise you. Yes there's beer, and it's reasonably priced, but there are great dish too! Yes, there's music, but is something friendly and welcoming to everyone. Yes, there's crowd, it's diverse and it really makes the place lively.
Pup street is a small street between Street 11 and 2 Thnou Street. It's line up with restaurants and bars serving many food Westerns and Asian cuisines. Its quiet at daytime and as the sun sets, the street is closed  to traffic and it becomes alive. Just tell you  Roemuk's driver that you are going to pub street, they will know how to bring you there as there is no other place here in Siem Reap. The driver will drop you off on the corner, there's a sign on the both end of the street that you will never missed it.

Pub Street at night in Siem Reap

A Place for Everybody

There's a place to drink and dine for everyone in Pub Street. For a delicious meal reasonably priced compared to other high-end restaurants and hotels in Siem Reap. There are several places to dine such as the Red Piano, corner of Street 11 and Pub Street, the sidewalk seating at Cambodia Seafood, Banana Leaf, Soup Dragon, Temple  Bar, Khmer Idea easy speaking and a lot of more. Want to watch Cambodian traditional dances? Go upstairs of the Temple Club and enjoy your dinner watching the performance. Do come early as the place is normally packed.

Pub Street Siem Reap

Want to have some good time dancing with your friends while enjoying a reasonably priced beer? Check out Angkor Wat Bar, the first and the one who started to give name to this street as to what is it today. The Bar also serves other spirits and drinks that best suits to your budget. In case, you missed buying some souvenir at here. Don't Forget to Visit Cambodia !!!

Siem Reap Kingdom of Cambodia

Welcome to another new year 2016 of travel to this Kingdom of Wonder. If this is your first time to visit here, it would be fitting if we give you a preview of the most visited and never to be missed place here in Cambodia, Siem Reap Province. The gateway to the ancient Temple of Angkor, Siem Reap continuously develops as it is poised to receive a growing millions of tourists for the year to come. There are many place that await to be discovered and things to do here.

Visit The Ancient Temple

Angkor Wat Temple

Angkor Wat, the largest religious complex in the world and the symbol of this Kingdom depicted on the national flag. Its architecture is truly impressive and its majestic view won't disappoint you. Others temples not to be missed are Bayon inside the Angkor Thom complex and the other nearby ruins scattered around. Ta Prohm Temple should be your next visit after Bayon where you will be awed by the roots of the trees that had grown on top clamping down the ruins. There are a lots of ancients temples to discover that even few days would not be enough. You can hire a Taxi or Reumok ot trek the road to these temples through a bicycle.etc.