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ASIA TRAVEL GUIDE |
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Cambodia
- The Happiest Country in Asia
The
Splendor of Angkor Wat
Featured
Hotels in Cambodia
The Kingdom of Cambodia
is a country in Southeast Asia with a population of almost 15 million people,
with Phnom Penh being the capital city. Cambodia is the successor state
of the once powerful Hindu and Buddhist Khmer Empire, which ruled most
of the Indochinese Peninsula between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries.
A citizen of Cambodia is
usually identified as "Cambodian" or "Khmer", which strictly refers to
ethnic Khmers. Most Cambodians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction,
but the country also has a substantial number of predominantly Muslim Cham,
as well as ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and small animist hill tribes.
| The country shares a border
with Thailand to its west and northwest, with Laos to its northeast, and
with Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south it faces the Gulf
of Thailand. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong river
(colloquial Khmer: Tonle Thom or "the great river") and the Tonlé
Sap ("the fresh water lake"), an important source of fish. The low geography
of Cambodia's fertile areas means much of the country sits nearly below
sea level, and consequently the Tonle Sap River reverses its water flow
in the wet season, carrying water from the Mekong back into the Tonle Sap
Lake and surrounding flood plain.
Cambodia's main industries
are garment and tourism. In 2006, foreign visitors had surpassed the 1.7
million mark. |
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In 2005, oil and natural
gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial water, and once
commercial extraction begins in 2009 or early 2010, the oil revenues could
have a "profound" impact on the future of Cambodia's economy.
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Cambodia
- The Happiest Country in Asia by Rick Chapo
Given the recent history of
Cambodia, you might wonder why I refer to it as the happiest place on earth.
Well, there is a real reason if you understand what happy means in Cambodian
slang.
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Cambodia - The Happiest
Country in Asia
Cambodia is located in Southeast
Asia. It is bordered by Thailand to the west, Laos to the north and Vietnam
to the east. As you may know, some very nasty things happened in Cambodia
in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge
ruled the country or were fighting to do so.
Reign of terror is a phrase
often over used, but not when it comes to the Khmer Rouge. The group implemented
what can only be called bizarre policies and managed to starve and murder
roughly twenty percent of the total population of Cambodia. |
The reign of terror was
eventually ended when the Vietnamese invaded and pushed the Khmer into
a small, isolated pocket of land in the far north.
A few years back, I had the
urge to travel. I get it every two or three years. I get it bad. I usually
sell off whatever I have and travel for as long as I can. In this case,
I flew into Thailand because I didn't have a lot of money and the flight
from Los Angeles was cheap, cheap, cheap! Thailand was pretty touristy,
so off to the wilds of Cambodia I went.
| To be honest, Cambodia is
not as wild a place as you might think given its recent history. These
are some seriously strong people from a mental perspective. If you walk
around the major city, Phnom Phen, it looks like nothing happened. In fact,
you keep seeing signs for happy this and happy that just about everywhere.
I am not kidding. The signs literally say "happy dinner", "happy pizza"
and so on. Gee, these people are happy.
As you might imagine, happy
has a particular connotation in Cambodia. Do I even need to tell you? Yep,
it refers to that funny tobacco that so many in the hippie generation liked
to enjoy. Simply put, the Cambodians mix marijuana with just about any
type of food stuff - pizza, cake, shakes, tacos. It is used like a spice,
to wit, it isn't obvious it is in the food. |
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If you don't know what happy
means, you can be in for a BIG surprise an hour or so after eating! It
was not uncommon to see tourists giggling and staggering around the sidewalks.
At the end of the day, I
found Cambodia to be a great place to enjoy notwithstanding its past and
the happy food. Angkar Wat and the surrounding Khmer structures are stunning
and definitely should be on your list of things to see. So go ahead and
take off to Cambodia, but make a mental note regarding the happy food!
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Featured
Hotels in Cambodia
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| About the Author: Rick Chapo
is with NomadJournals.com - makers of journals that are great
travel gifts. |
|
The
Splendor of Angkor Wat by Oudam Em
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Featured Hotels in Siem Reap
Angkor Wat is a temple complex
in Siem Reap, Cambodia, constructed for King Suryavarman II in the early
12th century. As the best preserved temple in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat has
continued to be a major Buddhist center. The temple is the apex of the
classic Khmer architecture. It has become a prominent symbol for Cambodi,
adorning the nation's flag, and is the country's primary tourist destination.
| The name Angkor Wat means
"city temple". Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which is derived
from the Sanskrit word nagara meaning capital. Wat is the Khmer term for
temple. Previously, the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous
title of its founder, Suryavarman II.
Angkor Wat brings together
two fundamental plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain
and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian Hindu architecture,
with features such as the Jagati. It is created to signify Mount Meru,
home of the devas in Hindu mythology. The temple is adored for its size,
splendor and architecture, its bas-reliefs, and for the vast guardian spirits
carved on its walls. |
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Angkor Wat is just one of
the many structures in the vast Angkor complex some 40 square kilometer
in size, geographically the size of modern day Los Angeles. At its height
Angkor was a major population center in the mighty Khmer Empire and is
believed to have a million residents.
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Besides Angkor Wat, prominent
subcomplexes within the Angkor complex include Angkor Thom, Ta Phrum, and
Bantei Srey.
Angkor lies in the modern
town of Siem Reap, the provincial capital. With the recent construction
of luxury hotels, restaurants, golf courses, tour agencies, and other many
other amenties, Siem Reap has become a major tourist destination. Visitors
might hire trained tour guides to help them explore Angkor Wat and the
many other temples in the Angkor complex.
Angkor Wat is truly a place
that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. It easily belongs
among the Seven Wonders of the World, along with the Taj Mahal, Great Pyramids
of Egypt and Great Wall of China.
Once there, the visitor is
overwhelmed by the grandeur and mysticism of the temple. Neither words
nor pictures can do Angkor Wat justice. Without visiting the site first
hand, it's hard to gauge the breath-taking size and splendor of the monument. |
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Featured
Hotels in Siem Reap
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| About the Author: Oudam
Em is Cambodian American writer who publishes the popular blog, Oudam.com,
a site devoted to Khmer
music, culture, and issues. He also maintain Khmercity.net, a Khmer
online community that brings together Cambodians
from all over the world. |
PHNOM
PENH FEATURED HOTELS, CAMBODIA
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Cambodiana,
Phnom Penh
Hotel Cambodiana is located
in Phnom Penh, close to Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument, Silver Pagoda,
and Royal Palace. Nearby points of interest also include Independence Monument
and National Museum. There is a large swimming pool on the banks
of the river. Only riverside hotel in Phnom Penh. The exterior is a 5 storey
rectangular white provincial style building with a huge central pagoda
on the top. The lobby is large but offers limited seating area. There are
lobby bar, bakery shop and souvenier shop. Colour schemes in the executive
rooms are rich and are offset by light coloured woods. Bathrooms are very
good and brightly lit with baths. The Hotel offers a choice of restaurants
with a range of cuisines. |
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Holiday
Villa, Phnom Penh
Located in central Phnom
Penh, Holiday Villa Phnom Penh is near the airport and close to Phsar Thom
Thmei, Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium, and National Museum. Nearby
points of interest also include Wat Phnom and Independence Monument. The
modern low-rise building in mixes Cambodian and French architecture. Lobby
is medium in sized with warm Khmer welcome atmosphere. Rooms are
a mixture of standard and superior and suite. Hotel has many restaurants.
The cuisine served are Asian, Western and Middle East.There is only one
hotel in Phnom Penh offering Halal food. |
 |
Juliana
Hotel, Phnom Penh
Located in central Phnom
Penh, Juliana Hotel Phnom Penh is near the airport and close to Phnom Penh
National Olympic Stadium, Phsar Thom Thmei, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
Nearby points of interest also include Independence Monument and National
Museum. Hotel offers nice outdoor swimming pool and Thai massage. The conference
room with standard equipped can combine guests for business and leisure
trip. The low-rise resort nested amidst lush garden. Lobby: The beautiful
lobby greeting guests with comfortable seats. Hotel offers wide range
of cuisine such as Thai, Chinese and Continental. The buffet lunch is recommended
here. |
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Raffles
Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh
Raffles Hotel Le Royal is
located in Phnom Penh, close to Wat Phnom, Phsar Thom Thmei, and National
Museum. Hotel has beautiful outdoor swimming pool, spa, business
center, children club, high-class tailor and souvenir shop. This is traditional
luxury property in the heart of the city. It is an inspired blend of khmer,
art deco and French colonial architecture, the hotel has been restored
by the raffles hotel group of Singapore in the spirit of a tropical palatial
residence creating a historical grand hotel. Rooms are to be found in several
wings, all faithful to the original design, with high ceilings as was the
norm. |
 |
Sunway
Hotel, Phnom Penh
Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh
is located in central Phnom Penh, close to Wat Phnom, Phsar Thom Thmei,
and National Museum. Nearby points of interest also include Royal Palace
and Silver Pagoda. Facilities are included fitness center, spa, steam
baths, sauna, massage and jacuzzi. Recommend for travellers who looking
for hotel with International standard service and reasonable rates. A 6
storey modern concrete building in light pink. Rooms are medium in size,
taste fully furnished with bright modern fabrics and wooden furniture.
Deluxe balcony room has big balcony overlook the street in front of the
hotel. |
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SIEM
REAP FEATURED HOTELS, CAMBODIA
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Angkor
Palace Resort & Spa - A SUMMIT Hotels & Resorts, Siem Reap
Hotel offers various of
facilities included Spa, sauna, steam room, beautiful outdoor swimming
pool, tennis courts. The conference room can cater up to 200 people. It
has excellent resort atmosphere. Perfect for all types of travelers who
looking for a nice and peaceful place away from home, yet with easy access
to the major tourist attraction. The low rise resort style 2 storey
overlooking the landscaped garden and swimming pool. There is also private
villa with private pool. The decoration are the blend of modern and
Khmer style. Facilities included all you would expect from a five star
hotel including a hair dryer and self-service tea and coffee. |
 |
Mekong
Angkor Paradise Hotel, Siem Reap
Mekong Angkor Paradise Hotel
offering 169 beautifully appointed rooms for relaxing in serene comfort
and provide breathtaking view from your private balcony. The 169 spacious
rooms and suites meet the highest international standards, with rich woodwork
and balconies offering stunning views, each room have their own balcony.
The restaurant is located on the ground floor, serving Khmer, Asian &
Western a La Carte dishes and Continental cuisine in relax casual atmosphere.
Breakfast buffet is available everyday and enjoy the excellent and delicately
favored lunch or dinner from our a la carte menu. |
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Borei
Angkor Resort & Spa Hotel, Siem Reap
Hotel's pool area is at
the back of the hotel, large in size and are equipped with pool facility
such as sun bathing, chairs. Other recreational facilities include Jacuzzi,
badminton court and Petanque pitch. Room service and Business center is
also available. A white concrete three storey buildings facing the city
view. Lobby: Lobby is in medium size with air-conditioning. It is fully
furnished with traditional style Khmer furnitures. The hotel is comprised
of standard, deluxe and suite rooms. Standard rooms are all located in
the front building and are simply furnished with wooden furniture in Khmer
Style. All rooms are clean and properly carpeted. All other suite rooms
are available with larger space and finer details of decoration. |
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La
Residence D'Angkor, Siem Reap
Swimming pool area is large
and peaceful, guest is able to relax and enjoy the fresh air and take refreshment
drink after daily adventure tour from temple complex and local markets.
This is high class superior first class hotel in town.Hotel is built in
Khmer low rise resort style 3 storey overlooking the landscaped garden
and rectangular swimming pool. A boutique charming resort with artful design.
All 55 rooms are spacious and built on parquet floor, modern Khmer style
wooden furnitures, bamboo, stone and cotton materials. Hotel has
one main restaurant on the Garden Terrace offering traditional Khmer, similar
Thai and western cuisine |
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Raffles
Grand Hotel D'Angkor, Siem Reap
35 metre lap pool and family
fun pool, with poolside pavilion. Exercise par course with ten stations
which follows a trail within the compound. Two tennis courts. Fully equipped
spa, unsurprisingly the premier one in the country. Library and map room,
which also house the business centre. A Sugar Palm Club, children play
room. Shops such as Treasure Chest Thai Silk, Lotus room for antique souvenir
and beauty salon. A reserved traditional style elevator gives full fun
and pleasant atmosphere yet convenience to valuable guests. Unrivalled
luxury in the heart of the city, and one of the great hotels of the Orient,
also a Raffles property. It is gracious four storey building, a renovation
of the original opened in 1931. |
 |
Sofitel
Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Siem Reap
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra
Golf & Spa Resort is located in Siem Reap, close to Psar Chaa Market
and Angkor Wat. Additional area points of interest include Phnom Bakheng
and Angkor Bayon. Dining options at Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf &
Spa Resort include a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Room service is available
24 hours a day. Recreational amenities include a golf course. Also located
on site are an outdoor pool, a children's pool, a spa tub, and a sauna.
The property's full-service health spa has massage/treatment rooms. Guest
parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include a library,
a poolside bar, and a coffee shop/café. |
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