Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once known as the Khmer Empire, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Its total landmass is 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq mi), bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The Vietnam War extended into Cambodia, during which the Khmer Rouge took Phnom Penh in 1975 and later carried out the Cambodian Genocide from 1975-1979 when they were ousted by Vietnam and then fought against the Vietnamese backed People's Republic of Kampuchea in the Cambodia-Vietnamese War (1979-1991).

Do not be troubled by this country’s turbulent past, the people here are so charming & friendly. Tourism is still quite new here, as apposed to its neighbours, Thailand & parts of Vietnam, you definitely feel like you have stepped back in time.

THE TEMPLES

Angkor Archaeological Park is home to hundreds of temples as well as villages, schools and farmland. Just as a millennium ago, Angkor is a vast area where people live and work. Glimpses of rural Cambodian life – immaculately uniformed children walking to school and their parents working the fields, offer humble interludes between temple visits. Its centrepiece is Angkor Wat, Cambodia's best-preserved and beloved temple. Originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it has remained a place of worship since its foundation. Thought to be a miniature replica of the universe, its towers, moats and walls reveal an architectural sophistication, and the triumphal battle scenes reflect a healthy, wealthy period of history.  Elsewhere, in the park, some of the most elegant carvings can be found at Banteay Srei temple, decorated with sensuous celestial dancers. Ta Phrom (or the Thomb Raider Temple - Thomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie was filmed here) is one of the most photographed temples, deliberately left mostly unrestored, and tangled and strangled by undergrowth, branches and roots.  The perennial favorite is the Bayon temple at Angkor Thom whose towers, like at Banteay Chhmar,are etched with enlightened bodhisattva faces. The Bayon is also decorated with enchanting bas-relief depicting ordinary Khmer life rather than the Hindu mythology seen at most other temples.

HOMESTAY HOSPITALITY

We spend to nights with our Homestay families, and what a fantastic way to experience Cambodian Family Life.  The Homestay is situated in Chi Pat, as small secluded village only accessible by boat and near to the Southern Cardamom mountains. The Homestay is part of the CBET (Community Based Eco Tourism).

The Chi Phat CBET project has 12 guesthouses and 5 home-stays that are official members of the project.  Membership in the CBET (Community Based Eco Tourism initiative) means that the facilities are monitored by the CBET committee, they are being cleaned regularly, and that facility owners share a portion of their revenues with the community fund, allowing the project to become sustainable. - Read more.

The Chi Phat CBET project has 12 guesthouses and 5 home-stays that are official members of the project.  Membership in the CBET (Community Based Eco Tourism initiative) means that the facilities are monitored by the CBET committee, they are being cleaned regularly, and that facility owners share a portion of their revenues with the community fund, allowing the project to become sustainable. - Read more.

Membership in the CBET means that the facilities are monitered by the CBET committee, they are being cleaned regularly and that the facility owners share a portion of their revenue with the community fund, allowing projcts to become sustainable. Bathroom facilities consist of squat toilets and a water cistern with scoop, will function as your shower. Dinner & breakfast is served in the only restaurant in the village, and is fantastic.

THE BIKING

All bikes on our trip are included in the cost of your holiday - BARGAIN!. The bikes are either Trek or Giant mountain bikes.  All are in very good condition, and are cleaned at the end of each day. The support crew are fantastic. From help with punctures, to those 'squeeky' bits your not sure of. A good 'glug' of oil, and your on your way.  Biking around the Temples is the best way I think of seeing them.  Meandering down a long track to be then hit with the view of Angkor Wat is a sight to be hold. 

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