Top Things to Do in Cambodia

There are so many exciting sights in Cambodia thatmade to the humanitarian organisation Pour Sourire
you’ll hardly find yourself without things to do.D’un Enfant at their onsite office.
Just scrambling around the ruins at Angkor can keepRide an elephant. If you’ve never ridden an
you busy for days if not weeks, or you can climb upelephant, there’s no experience quite like it. The
for a bird’s-eye view of the complex by hot-airactivity is most popular in Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. Be
balloon. The country is beautiful, and even moresure to go with a reputable company and take a guide
incredible for rising out of the intense history of waras land mines and other dangers may spoil your day.
and genocide. Take time to visit major sites that giveYou can also ride an elephant around Angkor or at the
you a glimpse into the history of the country, but alsozoo on Mekong Island, a daytrip from the capital.
make sure you get to meet some of the friendly andTake a sunset cruise along the Mekong river.
positive people who have weathered through theOne-hour cruises are available and will give you great
history.insight on the lives of the people living on and around
Cook Khmer-style curry or other cuisine. There arethe river. The sunset is especially brilliant from the boat
plenty of Khmer cooking classes in the capital, held inand this is a relaxing way to end your day.
English or French. The Frizz restaurant on SisowathVisit the Memorial at Choeung Ek. Located 15kms from
Quay operates some of the most popular coursesPhnom Penh, this is a memorial to those who died in
and will have you creating an amok fish curry to diethe infamous Killing Fields. Here you can view around
for.8,000 skulls arranged by sex and age behind a glass
Explore the temples at Angkor. You could spendpanel.
oodles of time watching the sunrises and the sunsetsVisit the Stone and Woodcarving School in Siem
at this amazing temple complex. Especially ifReap. This is a great place to see how stone and
you’re interested in photography, there is sowood is carved into reproductions of the ancient
much to see and so many nooks to explore. Hire aKhmer temple carvings. Prices are cheap and
guide for a day or two to hear the stories behind theyou’ll be supporting a good cause.
temples.Volunteer for a good cause or donate blood. There
Fire a rocket launcher or M-16. You won’t find aare numerous NGOs and charity organisations doing
lot of places in the world where you can go crazygood work in Cambodia. Additionally, only about
firing weaponry. There are two venues that offer thisone-third of the country’s requirement for blood
bizarre form of entertainment, one in Phnom Penh andis being met, so you can make a donation at the
one in Siem Reap.Cambodian Red Cross to help.
Get high over Angkor. The best way to see AngkorWatch traditional Khmer theatre. A few different
by far is from the air. It’s a spectacular sightvenues in the city offer the chance to watch Khmer
that you will remember for the rest of your life. Theperformances with the most popular being the Aspara
tethered hot-air balloon offers a budget way to soarTheatre at the Angkor Village Resort, which is also a
above the temples for about 15 minutes; or you can gorestaurant. The evening shows feature a wealth of
all out with a helicopter tour.traditionally dressed performers, meaning there is lots
Hold you nose at Stung Meanchey Garbage Dump.of gold finery on display and the chance to experience
Your entire outlook on life will change in this one visit.classical Khmer music and dance.
Shocking, alarming and filled with despair, this garbageWatch traditional Khmer kickboxing. Khmer traditional
dump is an example of how many ofboxing, or Pradal Serey, has made a huge comeback
Cambodia’s children spend their time –since it was banned by the Khmer Rouge. The biggest
sifting through garbage all day long to survive. If yourfights are held at the Olympic Stadium, but you can
kids complain about going to school, they probablyfind smaller bouts at other venues too, so ask around.
won’t after they see this. Donations can also be