Angkor, CAMBODIA
Airing Date: Jan 1st, 2002
Many visitors to Cambodia hold a lasting impression of the genuine warmth of the people towards foreign visitors, and they come away with admiration and affection for the people of this troubled country.
Cambodia's instability means extended travel - especially by train - is NOT recommended, so it's best to join a guided tour. But a trip to the country's capital of Phnom Penh and the temples at Angkor is no more dangerous than visiting any other South East Asian country. There is no other historical site in South East Asia that matches the grandeur of Angkor. More than 100 temples were built seven to 11 centuries ago when the Khmer civilisation was at the height of its creativity.
For more than 500 years Angkor was the bustling capital city of the Khmer Empire, until 1431 when the Thai army captured and sacked the city which was abandoned by most of its citizens. It was the 'discovery' of the 'lost temple city' of Cambodia by French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1868 that put Ankhor back in the spotlight. Angkor Wat is the most breathtaking of the city's monuments and is spectacular during sunset. The 10-square-kilometre fortified city of Angkor Thom is another staggering religious monument, which was carved entirely in stone. In the centre of the walled enclosure is the Bayon, a collection of 54 gothic towers, decorated with over 200 smiling faces. At sunrise the sun inches its way up, lighting face after face with warm rays.While most of the Angkor temples were rescued from the encroaching jungle, the appeal of Ta Phrom is the fact that the jungle got its way. Century-old trees envelop the whole structure. Silmriap is the closest town to Angkor. There is a central market, hotels and a few restaurants to choose from. A trip to the nearby Vietnamese fishing village on Tonle Sap Lake is also increasingly popular.The ideal months for travel in Cambodia are December to January, when humidity is low and there is little chance of rain.
The local currency is the riel, but US dollars are the most useful and the Thai baht is also accepted. Travellers cheques can only be changed at a small number of banks. WARNING: Never stray from marked roads or paths around the monuments at Angkor. Cambodia still has millions of unexploded landmines.
The facts
Peregrine Adventures offers a six-day tour through Cambodia and three days in Angkor. Prices start from $1100. This includes a tour leader, all accommodation, local guides, temple entry fees, internal flights and some meals.Tel: 1300 655 433
Thai Airways has flights to Bangkok starting from $1033.
Tel: 1300 651 960
Bangkok Airways has return flights from Bangkok and Silmriap from $542.
Tel: 03 9646 9101
