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AngkoRYour Inflight Magazine April - June 2015

Welcome Aboard yourCambodia Angkor Air flight

Angkor in-flight magazine is pleased to bring you the latest issue covering April to June 2015.

Allow us to guide you through what makes the Kingdom of Wonder so special. Enjoy your journey throughout

this magnificent country and let us help you to enjoy a fuller experience of Cambodia.

The culture is rich with history and human endeavour. Whether you are casting your eyes on the splendour

that is Angkor Wat for the first time, navigating a busy Phnom Penh street in a tuk-tuk or cooling down at one

of the many glorious coastal escapes, Cambodia is sure to surprise and delight you.

In this issue we delve into the vibrant culture and heritage of Khmer New Year, learning the significance and the customs associated with this important tradition.

We explore the rich biological diversity of the Tonl Sap biosphere reserve, casting light on the vibrant tapestry of flora and fauna making their home in this ecologically diverse national treasure.

Recognising the wide variety of talented artisans who call Cambodia home, we profile emerging Khmer artists,

exploring their inspirations, their creations, and their fascinating personal journeys.

Cambodia has a rich heritage of traditional woodcarving, and this

issue explores the history of this beautiful tradition along with the

intricacies involved in breathing life into their wooden medium.

While Angkor Wat may be the jewel in the Kingdoms crown,

a relatively undiscovered destination lies hidden in the forest,

waiting to be explored. We cast a spotlight on Phnom Kulen, the

birthplace of the Angkor Empire.

From lush jungles and hidden temples, next we enter a world

of glitzy catwalks and haute couture. Cambodias original

supermodel, Sapor Rendall, gives us insights into the glamorous

world of Cambodian high-end fashion.

Khmer cuisine is bursting out onto the world stage and we

talk to two of the men responsible for revitalising Cambodias

culinary landscape, Luu Meng and Hak Sokhoeun. Youll learn all the

quintessential ingredients of traditional Khmer cooking.

In Destinations, we whisk you away to the fabulous sights and

sounds of the booming Ho Chi Minh City; a city currently

experiencing a renaissance of culture, cuisine, and exciting activities.

We extend our warmest wishes to you and hope you

enjoy your travels and experiences with Cambodia

Angkor Air and throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The Editorial Team

6 AngkoR Inflight Magazine April - June 2015

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AngkoR Inflight Magazine April - June 2015 7

Chum Reap SuorCambodia Angkor Air is the national airline of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Cambodia Angkor Air currently offers domestic and international flights between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville; Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand) and Guangzhou & Shanghai in China. In the near future we have plans to expand the flight network to cover the ASEAN region and North East Asia.

Our fleet is comprised of current model aircrafts. Fly in safety and comfort on our ATR 72-500 turboprop planes and Airbus A321 jets. Relax with attentive in-flight service from our dedicated staff.

Your satisfaction is our pleasure!

Welcome Aboard

Publisher: Cambodia Angkor Air

Co-ordinating Editorial Board: H.E Tekreth Samrach Lim Kao Tran Thi Thai Binh

Directors: Lim Kao Dean Lennox Tim Gibbons Philippe Janowski

Editors: Max Burt Molyna Noun

Creative Director: Dean Lennox

Graphic Designers: Doul Reaksmey Koum Bottra

Editorial Contributors: Jessica Sander James Whitehead Marissa Carruthers Photographers: Anekoho Apiguide Artistdina.com Bom Bo Boonsom Chungking Ckchiu Colman Gerardo Coloursinmylife Conor Wall Cristal Tran Dan HVC Darren Wilch David L Merin David Page Dean Lennox Don Mammoser F9photos Goodluz Guo Zhong Hua Jadimages JM Travel Photography Jrmie Montessuis Jethuynh

Cover image: Nathan Horton

Administrator: Chhim Sunnary

Advertising Sales: Kao Sokkea Sovan Moniroth Tan Ratanak Visal [email protected] Philippe Janowski Tim Gibbons [email protected]

Contact Us: #206A, Preah Norodom Boulevard Phnom Penh, Cambodia +855 (0) 23 6666 786 +855 (0) 23 6666 788

Jimmy TranKelvin TranKimlong MengKushch DmitryLanceleeM LenouvelMario SavoiaMikhail StarodubovMurgermariNathan HortonNicole SaundersNtdanaiOuk VichetPeter PhoengPeter StuckingsRalf SiemieniecRawpixelThang SotheaSam JamSubin PumsomSuper PrinView ApartZkruger


Contents 6 Introduction WelcometothetwelfthissueofANGKOR,ourin-flightmagazine.

AllowustoshowyouwhatmakestheKingdomofWondersospecial.

46 Angkor's Lost City Deepinthejungle,shroudedinmystery,liesPhnomKulenNational

Park.Thisancientsiteholdsthekeytomanylongforgottensecrets.

42 Carving Traditions Cambodiaishometomanygiftedwoodcarvers.Weexplorethe

craftsmanshipandtechniquebehindthisbeautifulartform.

36 Emerging Khmer Artists WeembarkonajourneyacrossCambodia'sindependentartscene,

talkingtoarangeoftalentedartistsalongtheway.

24 Khmer New Year Delveintotherichhistory,customsandcultureofKhmerNewYear.

Wecoveralltheattractionsofthiscolourfultimeofyear.

16 News & Events WetakeyouinsidetheCambodiaAngkorAirgaladinner,andprovide

around-upoftravelindustryeventsfromaroundtheregion.

DESTINATION 30 Tonle Sap Reserve DiscoverthemagicoftheTonleSapBiosphereReserve.This

protectedregionishometomanyendangeredanimalsandplants.

Your Inflight Magazine April - June 2015

8 Welcome Aboard ChumReapSuor!WelcomeaboardyourCambodiaAngkorAirflight. Yoursatisfactionisourpleasure.Enjoyyourexperiencewithus.

CULTURE

CULTURE

ARTS

LEISURE & ADVENTURE

SHOPPING


AD 5 CC INCENTIVES

Contents

DESTINATION

82 Sihanoukville AnoverviewofthebeautifulcoastalareaofSihanoukville.Discover

thetopfivethingstoseeanddointhissouthernwonderland.

DESTINATION

78 Siem Reap CheckoutthetopfivethingstoseeanddointhetownofSiemReap,

Cambodiasepicentreforancientarts,cultureandnaturalbeauty.

DESTINATION 74 Phnom Penh ThenationscapitalcityofPhnomPenhhasmuchtooffer.Weexplore

thetopfivethingstodoandseetomakethemostoutofyourvisit.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW 70 Cambodia in Brief AbriefsnapshotoftheKingdomofWonder,coveringafew

essentialneedtoknowsandimportanttravelinformation.

58 Discover Koh Ker LongoneofCambodia'smostinaccessibletemples,

KohKerisnowopentoadventuroustravelers.

50 Catwalk Queens Theglamorousworldofhigh-endfashionhasarrivedinCambodia.

WetalktosomeofthehottestnamesontheKingdom'scatwalks.

60 Green Tea Wonderland DeepintherollinghillsofXinchangliesapicturesqueteaplantation

wherefragrantteasareharvestedamongstbreathtakingscenery.

SPOTLIGHT CHINA

SPECIAL DESTINATIONS

LEISURE & ADVENTURE

FASHION & LIFESTYLE

CUISINE

64 Ho Chi Minh City HoChiMinhisacitythat'strulybooming.Frombigbusinessand

retailtotourismandnightlife,weuncoveracitythathasitall.

54 Flavours of Cambodia Burstingwithflavour,Khmercuisineisquicklygoingglobal.

LearnthequintessentialelementsofanydeliciousKhmerdish.


DESTINATION

88 Ho Chi Minh City AsnapshotoftheSouthernVietnameseurbanepicentreof

HoChiMinhCity;hometomuseums,marketsandacathedral.

DESTINATION

92 Guangzhou VisitGuangzhouinGuangdongprovince,China.

Ithoststhelargesttradefairintheworldeachyear.

DESTINATION

90 Shanghai Effortlesslycombiningmodernismandoldworldgrandeur,

Shanghai,Chinaslargestcity,isthecityofthefuture.

DESTINATION

94 Bangkok VisittheLandofSmilesanditscapitalcity,Bangkok.

Awonderfulassaultonthesenses,Bangkokhasmuchtooffer.

96 About CA Air 100 Our Hospitality

DESTINATION

86 Hanoi ThecapitalcityofVietnam,Hanoihastheoldworldcharmofbygone

eras,withcolonialarchitecturealongsidemoderncityfeatures.

102 Fleet Information104 Flight Schedule

105 Route Map

DESTINATION

84 Kep & Kampot Visittwosoutherntownsthatarepopularamongsttouristsandlocals:

Kampot,basednearBokorMountain,andtherusticcharmsofKep.


News Events

&

GALA DINNER

Cambodia Angkor Air held a gala dinner in January, celebrating five years of operation.

The dinner was attended by many distinguished guests, including Cambodian officers, business partners, travel agents, and employees from across Cambodia, Vietnam and China.

There was much to celebrate at the event, after five years as Cambodias flagship carrier, 2014 saw Cambodia Angkor Air carry over 900,000 passengers nationally and internationally.

Speaking at the dinner, His Excellency Tekreth Samrach, Chairman of Cambodia Angkor Air said, Our vision is to be a leading airline offering safe and comfortable flights within Cambodia and internationally.

His Excellency continued, We have enlarged our capacity for domestic routes and opened new international destinations. New regular flights from Cambodia to key cities in China such as Shanghai and Guangzhou have changed Cambodia Angkor Airs image to a recognised and respected international brand.

This follows a partnership with Cambodian Ministry of Tourism in 2014 promoting Cambodia Angkor Airline alongside the national brand in international tourism promotions featured throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China, India, Indonesia, Germany, Russia and America.

His Excellency explained that the airline has worked very hard to promote Cambodian culture and heritage to potential visitors around the world.

There has also been a particular focus on the continual improvement of the services offered by the airline.

In 2014 Cambodia Angkor Air has upgraded our image to the international level. We have provided new standard in-flight magazines

since July 2014 and attracted much attention from readers and advertisers, he said. In 2015, we have issued Phnom Penh and Siem Reap maps freely to all passengers in order to help them become familiar with Cambodia in the shortest time.

Cambodia Angkor Air has also partnered with BIDC to issue a co-branded Visa card, offering valuable and attractive travel services. The Visa card can be used online to purchase tickets, access flight discounts, and enjoy special rates with premium business partners such as Angkor Golf Resort, Sokha Hotel Resort and Himawari Hotel.

Even with all of these exciting developments the best is still yet to come, according to His Excellency.

For the last five years, we have improved our transport services to our passengers. These improvements have only been made possible through the commitment and professionalism of all our staff responding to international standards, he explained. By the end of 2015, Cambodia Angkor Air plans to have up to 10 aircraft in our expansive fleet, and we will continue to go from strength to strength and have a brilliant future thanks to all our valued customers and partners.


News Events

&

Guangzhou Inter-national Travel Fair

The Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) is one of the leading business-to-business events held in the Asian region focusing on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). Since its first event 22 years ago, the GITF

has received widespread industry recognition as an important avenue towards understanding and entering the vast Chinese domestic market, in addition to tapping into their massive outbound tourist market.

This years event ran from March 6 to 8 and attracted a large number of industry professionals from around the world, eager to gain a foothold in this lucrative market.

Routes Asia 2015The Routes Asia 2015 event

took place from March 15 to 17 and attracted over 900 aviation professionals from around the Asian region, to discuss the pressing issues, developments, and technological advancements currently happening in the industry.

The event brought together representatives from airlines, airports and tourism authorities to provide a 360-degree picture of the regional Aviation industry.

Hosted in Kunming, China, a beautiful city on the ancient Silk Road trade route, event attendees had no shortage of stunning sights to see in between keynote speeches from influential industry experts.

Thai International Travel FairRunning from February 25 to March 1, the Thai International Travel fair served as an

excellent opportunity for travel and tourism operators to exhibit their tours, services, and accommodation offerings to a wide variety of engaged and informed buyers, business operators, and industry insiders.

Held at the exemplary Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, exhibitors were provided a valuable platform to advertise their offerings to a wide range of international tourism experts.

Not only did the event aim to promote and develop tourism domestically, but also regionally, with a push for greater integration of tourism services and infrastructure across ASEAN.

ATF Myanmar 2015The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2015 took place

in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, from January 22 to 29. The event attracted around 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries to Myanmars capital, home of the famous golden Uppatasanti Pagoda. Visitors included tourism ministers and officials, exhibitors, international buyers, media, and various tourism industry professionals.

The theme of the event was ASEAN: Tourism Towards Peace, Prosperity and Partnership, and reflected Myanmars three pillars of ASEAN community, publicised during Myanmars 2014 ASEAN Chairmanship.

Speaking at the event, Myanmar President Thein Sein said, Myanmar is pleased and honoured to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum after joining ASEAN 18 years ago. The ASEAN member states are about to enter a very exciting period of development in the ongoing evolution of the regional community. Through our regional strength, we are able to maintain and promote peace, prosperity and partnership in the region.


Calendar Events April - June 2015of

8-11KHMER NEW YEAR APRIL 14-16Cambodian New Year or Chaul Chnam Thmey in the Khmer language, literally "Enter New Year", is the name of the Cambodian holiday that celebrates the New Year. The holiday lasts for three days beginning on New Year's Day, which usually falls on April 13 or 14th, which is the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labour before the rainy season begins. Cambodians also use Buddhist Era to count the year based on the Buddhist calendar. For 2015, it is 2559 BE (Buddhist Era).

VISAK BOCHEA DAY MAY 2Visak Bochea Day falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month, which is usually May in the Gregorian calendar. The day signifies the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. During the day offerings are made to monks, and in the evening candlelit precessions are held.

APRIL FOOLS DAY APRIL 1April Fools' Day is celebrated every year on the first day of April. The day is not a national holiday in any country, but it is well known in Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and the United States, and it is celebrated as a day when people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. The jokes and their victims are known as "April fools". Hoax stories may be reported by the press and other media on this day and explained on subsequent days.

CINCO DE MAYO MAY 5Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is celebrated in the United States and in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla. Mexican Americans also often see the day as a source of pride; one way they can honor their ethnicity is to celebrate this day. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

ROYAL PLOUGHING DAY MAY 6The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a ritual derived from Hinduism. The ceremony marks the beginning of the rice cultivation season. The ceremony is usually performed by the royal family headed by the King and Queen, attended by high ranking government officials, foreign diplomats, and Cambodian citizens from around the country.

MOTHER'S DAY MAY 10Mother's Day is a modern celebration originating in North America, honouring one's own mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. Activities such as giving carnations and other presents to one's mother are common pratice on this day.

KING SIHAMONI'S BIRTHDAY MAY 13-15This national holiday was established to celebrate the birthday of HM King Norodom Sihamoni who was born on May 14, 1953. Norodom Sihamoni is the reigning King of Cambodia. His birthday is marked with fireworks, while the Royal Palace is beautifully decorated with lights and photographs.

KING MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY JUNE 18Queen Mother Norodom Monineath celebrates her 79th birthday on June 18th and the day is an official public holiday. She is the widow of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, whom she married in 1952. She is sometimes referred to as "Queen Monique".

FATHER'S DAY JUNE 15Father's Day is a celebration honouring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June. Father's Day was created to complement Mother's Day and was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century.


KHMERNew Year Th

anks

& Fo

rtu

ne:

Written by: James Whitehead

Khmer New Year, or Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei', is the Cambodian calendars foremost national holiday.

Marking the end of the rice harvest and prime fishing seasons, the festival is a time for one and all to let their hair down and enjoy the fruits of the year's labour - at least until preparations for the next begin.

The New Year festival bids universal thanks to the guardians of the land who have brought rain and sun to the crops, new fish stocks to the river, and a time to pray for good fortune for the year soon to commence.

Through a Western lens, Khmer New Year is not wholly dissimilar to Christmas in its practice. Although the Cambodian version is focused on rejoicing in seasonal cycles and balancing one's karma, both celebrations revolve around joining with family and sharing gifts and food with loved ones, as well as those in need.

The celebrations preceding this coming New Year begin on 14 April 2015, and will

bring with it a mass exodus from major metropolitan centres across Cambodia, as most will return to their eldest family member's home in the provinces.

April 14, known as 'Maha Sangkran', marks the two-day eve of the New Lunar Year. Most Cambodians, unsurprisingly, gravitate toward their local temples. Here prayers secure blessings and alms are offered to monks. Meanwhile, family homes are cleaned and decorated in preparation for the first day of the New Year.

On the 15th, New Year's Eve or 'Virak Wanabat', younger family members give gifts to parents and other elders. Time is taken on this day to collectively remember ancestors and pay tribute to their lives. All the while, families relish the opportunity to share meals and time together.

Catching up after a year apart in the big city is a common theme at many contemporary Khmer family tables over the break. Seng Song, from the Cambodian Living Arts Organisation (CLA), an internationally renowned society that supports Cambodian artists and art, locally and abroad, believes New Year traditions are changing fast.


"Ever-increasing urbanisation, new and more affordable opportunities to travel and work regionally and internationally, and dramatic changes in professional lifestyles are all diminishing the traditions of Khmer New Year," he explains.

Seng remembers the old traditions fondly: "Even if we are busy, we have to make an effort to see our families for the New Year and remember why we have long celebrated this time. We can't let such fulfilling traditions die as Cambodia changes to meet the demands of the global economy."

'Virak Leung Sakk', the third and, officially, final day of the festival marks the first day of the Khmer Lunar New Year. On the morning of New Year's Day, cleansing ceremonies are held at local pagodas. In this rite, everyone has the chance to settle personal indiscretions of the past year by offering repentance for these wrongs to the monks of the temple. After these acts of contrition, all may leave the service with good luck blessings and, hopefully, a small stockpile of good fortune in check for the year to come.

After the formalities are through, the party really begins.

For the first days of the new year, villages across Cambodia will see water fly and clouds of white talcum powder. Water and powder is doused on temples, houses, vehicles, people and animals, in an indiscriminate bid to wash away residual evil spirits and gain a fresh blessing for the new year.

Traditional games all come with flirtatious twists at New Year: a time to enjoy one's newfound freedom away from the farm and maybe even spark a romance.

Teanh Proart is a common New Year's game, very similar to the Western game Tug Of War, where two teams face a test of strength by holding on to either end of a length of rope and try to pull each other over a line in the middle. Girls and boys form two teams, one at each end of the rope. A referee shouts "yak-or" and the players reply "ho-verr" three times to ensure everyone is ready, then the referee rings a bell and each team pulls until one has been pulled over the line drawn in the middle. The team that is pulled over the line is the loser.

At Khmer New Year, all cultures are welcome to choose different ways to join the party season depending on their family's own traditions. Seng believes this inclusiveness is not new in Khmer culture. For example, the Cham people of Cambodia don't eat pork due to their religion, so naturally they can't enjoy 'Nam Ansom Chrouk', a sticky rice delicacy emblematic of Khmer New Year and fertility, but that doesn't spoil the fun. Instead, the Cham enjoy 'Num Go', the same delicious snack with beef substituting pork.

So, if you're in Cambodia this New Year, don't be afraid to join the party. Be thankful for the success of the past year, remember those who have brought you this far, and welcome good fortune for the year to come.


""


(Tug of War)

- -

Nam Ansom Chrouk


ofthe

RichnessTheTonle Sap Biosphere Reserve

Written by: Jessica Sander

The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve is the only area in Cambodia labelled by the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) under UNESCOs directive as protected. The main goal of the reserve is to study and promote indigenous ecological knowledge and its incorporation in the management practices of the local communities.

The Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve consists of a lake and its floodplain with three distinct zones: an open lake at its centre, a freshwater swamp forest surrounding it, and seasonally flooded grasslands at the margins, mainly on the eastern shore. The hydrological regime of the Mekong River which feeds the area is highly variable: the area underwater in the dry season is five times smaller than in the rainy season, and the mass of flood water reverses direction between seasons. Swamp forest habitat is critical for ecosystem productivity (fisheries) and biodiversity (particularly waterbirds and reptiles). Only 10 percent of the area is covered by tall-tree forest, mainly along streams and wetter areas. The least disturbed and most botanically diverse areas have been gazetted as core areas: Prek Toal (Battaming Province), Moat Khla / Boeng Chhma (Siem Reap/Kompong Thom Provinces) and Stung Sen (Kompong Thom Province).


The bird communities are the most striking natural feature, particularly in the dry season when they colonise every piece of open water. The rarest stork in the world, the Greater Adjutant, can be found in the waterways. More than 400 species of fish have been identified, along with many species of mammals and reptiles. Formerly endangered species such as the long tailed macaque, smooth coated and hairy nosed otters have returned to the area.

This area is vital for the economy of Cambodia, since its fisheries provide 80 percent of the protein consumed within the country. The capital, Angkor, situated 10 km from the northeastern edge of the lake at the edge of the biosphere reserve is a World Heritage site. More than one million inhabitants live mainly in the buffer and transition areas. Some sixty floating villages are found on the lake and lake edges in the buffer zone. Fishing is the main activity but the fertile flood plain is also used to produce rice and vegetables.

The Ministry of Environment in consultation with local communities has developed a core management plan. The four-year plan focuses on two aspects: the scientific and social. Regarding the scientific aspect, there is not enough study being done so we wish to encourage more research in the reserve to learn about evolving trends. The social aspect is about engaging communities to take ownership over maintaining the sustainability of the region, explained H.E Dr. Say Samal, Minister of the Environment.

The management plan seeks consultation at the village, provincial and national levels so that it is inclusive and encourages wider social responsibility.

By investing time and resources into

education at a school level, the upcoming generations will learn about environmental issues and hopefully enhance their sense of social responsibility. We also run community educational workshops


to raise awareness. The success of any environmental plan depends on everyone taking ownership over conserving and protecting the environment.

The plan seeks to work with the natural flow of seasonal patterns and natures course. The less we interfere, the better, The Minister noted, We want to preserve biodiversity and ensure food security through sustainable aqua-culture.

Eco-tourism is being encouraged throughout the region in conjunction with local communities to conserve the environment and improve the well-being of local people through the revenue generated. The creation of homestay programs in local villages, transportation services, and handicraft stores is assisting communities to become more sustainable and see the value in preserving the environment around them. The local communities can see that conservation and eco-tourism strategies are there to benefit them, Dr. Say Samal commented.

Other conservation efforts include employing local community rangers to patrol the reserve by foot and by boat to protect against poachers and reduce water bird colony disturbance. Several tree-top platforms have been established to assist in data collection and protection monitoring.

Environmental impact assessment laws are currently being drafted based on laws from Australia as another means of protecting the reserve and the wider environment across Cambodia. The Ministry of the Environment plans to open an environmental sustainability centre at its offices in Phnom Penh as a place for all community members to come and learn about environmental issues.

We are hopeful for Cambodias future. The efforts we make now will sustain our environment for generations to come. The more we all learn about the importance of conservation, the more we can take responsibility for protecting the fragile world around us.


(Man and the

Biosphere Programme)


H.E Dr. Say Samal


'Manu' by Thang Sothea

Having trained as an architect, self-taught artist Thang Sothea never predicted he would cross over into contemporary art. However, he felt the urge deep within to break free from his office-based job in 2009 and decided to pick up a paint brush instead. Thang developed an abstract erotic male series called Happy Together and was soon commissioned by a Siem Reap resort to paint more to decorate their suites. The rest, as they say, is history. His collection was later exhibited at the Goethe Institute to an eager audience.

He soon left his full-time architectural career to pursue his art, I started to think that maybe it was the time for me to study, improve and discover myself through painting.

Cracks, trickles and crackled drips are as much a sign of my particular personality, as a kind of trademark of my emerging art. His paintings reflect several styles from figurative realism to abstract fantasy.

Always trying to find new ways to express himself, Thang experimented with photography, using photo-montages as inspiration for his painting work to elaborate on how he sees his motherland. His work has been exhibited throughout Cambodia and at the Orenda Gallery in Paris, France.

His latest collection, Manu, is based on treated iron sculptures, drawing inspiration from the original human beings who first inhabited the world. These earthly life forms

are Amazonian-like ethereal beings from another time and place. I like natural things, Thang reflected, Natural is pure, powerful and the most beautiful." Applying architectural techniques, his incredible sculptures transform into human form using symmetry and shape combined with textured raw materials. The result is pure lines, strong forms and remarkable structures that evoke other-worldliness.

Chhan Dina is a unique and dynamic female visual artist who works in a range of media, including sculpture and abstract painting, using oils, ceramics, wood, wall putty and cement. Her work is vibrant with a focus on movement and daily life in Cambodia just like her effervescent personality.

I enjoy experimenting with different textures and mediums so as to reflect my feelings, Chhan explained, When Im sculpting I feel inspired by Angkor Wat and imagine what I make with my hands is just like they did during ancient times."

Her talent caught the eye of her American art teacher, Ronald Reimann when she was aged 12. He encouraged me to be creative and to use my imagination, she says, remembering him once holding a coconut and asking her to imagine that it was a human head with hair. He wanted me to understand the abstract mind.

Always smiling, Chhans love of art gives her the energy and enthusiasm to teach visual art to children and teenagers in a number of

Cambodias independent art scene is bursting with talent. We discover three multi-faceted Phnom Penh- based contemporary artists who are innovating across a variety of mediums and shaping Cambodian art today.

Khmer Artists:The New Wave



orphanages and at the International School of Phnom Penh. The 31-year old has exhibited her work in Cambodia, Columbia, France, Singapore and the US. I want foreigners to enjoy Cambodian artistry beyond Angkor Wat."

Chhan lived previously in a refugee camp in Poipet. Her experiences continue to inf luence her artwork to this day. She was the only female Cambodian artist to partake in the United Nations mine action program in Cambodia in 2010, visiting some of Cambodias most mine-affected provinces to observe how Cambodia is addressing the explosive remnants of war. She presented her interpretation of the issues through sophisticated sculpture.

Chhan is also the only female sculptor working with cement. Its not easy," she notes, It can cut your hands and is very hard. But I love it and I try to find techniques to make it easier to handle and interesting visually."

Another artist influencing Cambodian art today is 33-year-old Ouk Chim Vichet. He started sculpting in 2003 under the guidance of British sculptor Sasha Constable as part of the Peace Art Project Cambodia, turning decommissioned weapons and mines into art.

'Barbecue In Paradise' by Thang Sothea

'Cranes Blue' by Chhan Dina


A stand out piece of his is the traditional and over life-sized female divinity figure "Apsara Warrior that he fabricated with detonated AK47s. This arresting figure is currently displayed at the University Of Michigan Museum Of Art. These guns used to kill people, now they have been transformed into peaceful objects, Ouk explained of his creation.

Another outstanding masterpiece stands in a community park in Battambang. The 10 metre high mythical Naga was constructed using 10,000 decommissioned weapons and took Ouk nine months to complete in 2006. It was donated to the community as part of the Peace and Development Project.

Well-known for his metal sculptures, Ouk also works with copper, sandstone and wood. There are no more decommissioned weapons for me to use so I need to work with other materials," he says. Ouk also creates commissioned sculptures for home interiors of private clients.

Ouk has had 20 exhibitions over the past 10 years across Cambodia and overseas. His work has been sold to private collectors throughout Europe, the US and Australia. He continues to shape emerging artists through his teaching at the Royal University of Cambodia.


'Apsara Warrior' by Ouk Vichet


(ISPP)

(Sasha Constable)

AK47

(Michigan)

'Women Prepare Rice' by Chhan Dina


Car

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Written by: Marissa Carruthers

The art of woodcarving has been a familiar sight across Cambodia since Angkorian times when craftsmen in the field helped create the stunning temples of Angkor alongside stone carvers.

While evidence of the creative wooden structures that were enjoyed at the temples vanished centuries ago, the countrys innate skills in the field can be seen today in the detailed furniture, statues and wall hangings that adorn venues across the country.

Carving is particularly emblematic of Cambodia owing to its major use at the Angkor site where numerous impressive bas-reliefs were sculpted on the sandstone walls of the temples, says Mirana Randriananja, Communications Manager at Artisans d'Angkor, which has provided training to Cambodians in ancient arts and crafts since the early 1990s. Stone and wood carving skills were passed on from generation to generation.

However, in line with other artists and creative minds, woodcarvers were persecuted by the Khmer Rouge during their 1975 to 1979 reign. Most were killed or fled the country, leaving a huge creative gap once the Pol Pot regime was ousted.

In the wake of the war, with Cambodia starting to rebuild itself, Artisans Angkor made it its mission to rekindle the traditional craftscene. And today it continues to offer training programmes to under-privileged Cambodians aged 18 to 25, who live in rural areas of Siem Reap province. Many go on to run successful businesses in the trade.

Sok Heng works to create intricate carvings, such as replicas of the bas-relief panels found at Angkor Wat, statues of Bayon temples smiling faces, dancing apsaras and the head of King Jayavarman VII, from a small workshop nestled on a dusty road on the outskirts of Battambang. The ancient techniques of wood-carving have been passed down through generations to the 21-year-old. He says, When I was young my brothers and I would watch our father and grandfather make beautiful statues from big blocks of wood. It amazed me.

He was taught the traditional technique of hand-carving a sculpture by rough-hewing pre-cut blocks of wood until it is as close as possible to replicating the shape of the final carving. The next step is to sculpt or ornament, using ancestral gestures, to get the fine details. The final stage requires the use of abrasive materials, sandpaper and water to remove any remaining tool marks and to finely smooth off the sculpture.

Speaking of the importance of keeping the Cambodian art form alive, Ms Randriananja says, Crafts are a powerful tool to pass down a part of the Khmer culture in a very concrete manner. Being much more than a mere ornamental decoration, craft is also a way to keep ancestral myths and divinities alive in an age when they could have simply been forgotten in favour of modern standards inspired by Western countries.

Wood carving at Artisans d'Angkor


When I was young my brothers and I would watch our father and grandfather make beautiful statues from big blocks of wood. It amazed me.


Artisans d'Angkor


Phnom Kulen National Park, at first glance, is just another jungle-bound pagoda complex. Beautiful and mysterious, dotted with spectacular waterfalls and layered in the lushest of Cambodian rainforest, it ticks all the boxes. However, dig a little deeper and you'll find Mount Kulen also holds the secret to the birthplace of the Angkor Empire.

Kulen is the mountain on which Jayavarman II, a famed Khmer warrior-cum-king, declared a unified and independent Khmer Empire in 802AD. 1200 years ago, Mount Kulen thus became the location of the first capital city of the Angkor period, known as Mahendraparvata or "Mountain of the Great Indra". Mahendraparvata remained the

Angkor capital for 350 years before Angkor Wat was built to replace it as the new heart of the empire.

For many centuries after the Angkor Empires

collapse, the city was almost lost. While the legend remained in Khmer folklore, proof faded from view.

The first recorded reconnaissance of Phnom Kulen was undertaken by two French scholars in 1973 and 1979. These early discoveries, despite their brevity, excited archaeologists around the world about the potential city, however, due to heavy land mining and continued unrest around the area, the site remained too dangerous to begin any in-depth study for another 20 years.

The Lost City of Angkor: Phnom KulenNational Park


In 2008, the Archaeology and Development Foundation, an independent British NGO, began a large-scale project known as the Phnom Kulen Program in partnership with the University of Sydney's Archaeological Research Centre. Their chief aim: to once and for all discover the magnitude and lasting relevance of Mahendraparvata.

In June 2013, after years of exploration using revolutionary airborne laser technology to map the city's foundations, the team announced the definite discovery of the ancient city. Astonishingly, 36 previously recorded ruins scattered across the mountain were in fact linked by a complex network of gridded roads, irrigation dykes, ponds and temples; divided into regular city blocks. Many of the temples

appeared original and some even untouched, surprisingly having never been looted or damaged in over a thousand years.

To Cambodians, Phnom Kulen is most famous for the 'River of the One Thousand Lingas', as well as the 'Stone Elephant of Srah Damrei'. But there are dozens more temples, relics and rock shelters, in various states of preservation, dating back as far as the 8th and 9th centuries; less known, though similarly significant.

To explore this first civilisation in such archaeological detail is helping historians understand the evolution of Angkor, its supremacy over the majority of Southeast Asia, and its ultimate power decline.


But Mount Kulen has more to offer than relics. It is an important pilgrimage site for Cambodian people, and one of the few remaining tropical forests in northwest Cambodia, offering crucial protection to a wide variety of endangered species. The spectacular 20-meter high waterfall and the Preah Ang Thom pagoda, with its giant tilted Buddha statue, attract hundreds of visitors a day, and thousands more during annual Buddhist celebrations, to pray, swim or picnic with family and friends. The park is the original spring of the Siem Reap River, which flows through the whole Angkor temples complex. In respect of its unique environment, 37,500 hectares of the mountain range were granted full protection status in 1993 by the Cambodian Government.

In December 2012, UNESCO recommended that Phnom Kulen be included as part of the Angkor World Heritage Site.

Taking a tour of Mount Kulen is an easy day trip from Siem Reap, just a 42km drive North of the town centre. No regular admission ticket is required to enter the National Park, however, if you wish to enter Phnom Kulen proper, a $20 admission fee applies. A note of caution - Phnom Kulen is not yet landmine-free. Get a local guide and do not stray off the paths.

Angkor Wat remains the epitome of Cambodian relics. Yet, Phnom Kulen may prove to be more significant. Unravel the mystery yourself next time you visit Siem Reap.


(Lidar)


Sith Sothy throws back her head, her glossy hair skirting her waist as she strikes a pose for the camera. I watched models on TV, looked on YouTube and took advice from professional photographers and other models, the self-taught Cambodian model says.

Sothy is one of a growing number of young women creating waves in the Kingdoms burgeoning modelling industry. Having fallen into the profession in 2012 when a photographer friend asked her to pose for a shoot for a fashion magazine, her perfect features coupled with her strong work ethic have seen her grace the fashion pages of many of the Kingdoms magazines.

Rewind to little more than a decade ago and modelling was almost unheard of in Cambodia. There were only a few models and they didnt really know what modelling was about, says Sapor Rendall, the woman responsible for kick-starting the Kingdoms industry in the wake of the war.

In 1996, after returning from a few years in Australia where she trained under the guidance of a former Miss Australia, Rendall launched Sapors Modeling Agency. Offering training in everything from catalogue and high fashion through to the catwalk and etiquette, the agencys first clients were mainly advertising roadshows for companies such as Marlboro and Mild Seven.

However, in 2000 demand increased as foreign-run fashion boutiques started to trickle into the country, all needing models to promote

their fashion lines. Since then, the industry has continued to grow, attracting a growing number of both local and international faces.

Events such as Phnom Penh Designers Week and the start of popular TV show Cambodias Next Top Model have also helped push the industry into the mainstream. The modelling industry is changing here because people have a better idea of exactly what a model is, says Kate Sutherland, who has been modelling in the country since arriving from Toronto in 2009.

Were not famous people; were not rich people, or the photographer's cousin or the stylist's best friend. We can portray the same vision those who hired us are looking to create and I think more professionals in the fashion industry are beginning to realise that.

However, the industry still has a long way to go before catching up with the international arena and proving to the world that Cambodia has an expansive talent pool of models. I find it [surprising] that companies are bringing in models from Europe and paying for plane tickets and lodgings on top of whatever the models agency rate is for their shows here, says American Anna Mischke, who can regularly be seen in the fashion pages of Cambodian magazines.

There are [very] beautiful people locally who have what it takes to model and that should be recognised.

Catwalk Queens

Written by: Marissa Carruthers

Sapor Rendall



(Marlboro)

(Mild Seven)

(Anna Mischke)

Anna Mischke


Sith Sothy


"Balance is the secret to great Khmer food," says Cambodia's most internationally acclaimed chef, Luu Meng, "because every Cambodian ingredient is unique, and each brings an important dimension - whatever the dish."

"Sourness and spice are important," continues Luu, as he clutches a bunch of young mango leaves and rips them in two, spraying an inimitably zesty aroma into the air, "but they should never be overwhelming."

"It's a trick of balancing strong flavours with the more subtle, so that every ingredient is captured in the final taste."

And strong flavours may be an understatement.

'Prahok', both venerated and feared throughout Cambodia, depending on the fortitude of one's

taste buds, is as much a staple of Khmer cuisine as rice, fish and coconuts.

As Hak Sokhoeun, head Chef of Phnom Penh's Romdeng Restaurant, a training restaurant run by Friends NGO, explains, "There was once a time when prahok wasn't optional. If you didnt eat it in the dry season, you died."

Both Luu and Hak have refined the fermented fish puree for the international palate in their respective kitchens, a process of essentially reducing the salt, ensuring only the finest ingredients are used, and standardising all production methods. The end result is a suitably pungent paste that grants savoury depth to all variety of soups and grilled meats, and can even be comfortably eaten raw with vegetables and rice.

Flavours of Cambodia


Prahok, lemon grass, galangal, garlic, palm sugar, eclectic herbs, leaves and f lowers, and 'kroeung', Cambodia's signature spice mix, are just a few ingredients that dominate family kitchens throughout Cambodia.

A cuisine once born out of necessity is fast becoming a world-class celebration of the nation's abundant array of ingredients. The task of chefs like Luu and Hak is to adapt essentially home-style fare into internationally accessible cuisine, using the best local ingredients and invoking traditions of generations both past and present.

For this reason, Luu and Hak both proudly reject the title of 'fusion chefs'. They are Khmer chefs evolving to the demands and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

A generation of chefs, who cut their chops in sleepy guesthouses across the country making egg breakfasts and fried rice, day in day out, would soon step into international hotel kitchens, climbing the gourmand ladder from one to five stars as their expertise grew. Now these cooks have the opportunity to introduce Khmer ingredients and cuisine to the world as head chefs of the finest restaurants in the Kingdom.

For Luu, the joy of cooking Khmer food will always lie in its unrelenting diversity: "Every time I go out to the provinces I discover a new herb or spice, or twist on an ancient Khmer standard, that surprises me and excites my taste buds. I can hardly wait to get back to my kitchen and think of how to transform the recipe for my diners."


Luu Meng


Hak Sokhoeun


KOH KER

Shrouded for centuries by the relentlessly encroaching forest, Koh Ker (pronounced ko-kaye), the one-time capital of the Angkorian Empire, was for a long time one of Cambodias most inaccessible temples, lying well off the beaten track. With the advent of a recently-opened toll road, Koh Ker is well within striking distance for day-trippers from Siem Reap. However, with over 42 major structures in a 36 square-kilometre area, its a good idea to stay overnight.

Just 2.5 hours from Siem Reap, youll find this impressive remnant of the ancient Angkor Empire surrounded by dense jungle, with towering trees, lush undergrowth, and alive with the sounds of local wildlife. Under the rule of King Jayavarman IV, from 928 to 941 CE, an enormous water-tank and about forty temples were constructed at the site.

The most significant temple-complex, a double sanctuary (Prasat Thom/Prang), follows a linear plan unlike the concentric ones favoured for most of the Khmer kings temples. This impressive structure is reminiscent of some of the iconic Mayan temples of Central America. With a seven-tiered, 36-metre (118 ft) high pyramid, which likely served as the state temple of Jayavarman IV, it is unparalleled by any similar structure in Cambodia. Equally awe-inspiring are the ancient shrines with masterfully created two-meter-high lingas.

Koh Ker was constructed at the stylistic peak of the Angkorian Empire. Consequently, a dazzling variety of stunning statues and artifacts were chiselled. This incredibly artistry, coupled with the remoteness, atmosphere, and lush surroundings, makes Koh Ker a must-visit destination for any traveller looking to explore some of Cambodias less-seen attractions.


Written by: Wang Yuanchang

WonderlandA of

Green Tea

April is a wonderful period in the mountains as spring flowers are in boundless bloom and green plants begin to flourish. Moreover, it is also the best time for harvesting tea leaves.

Good tea has high demands on the environment, with most plantations growing in mountains with bumper water resources. Such is the case in Xinchang. In the Tianmu Mountain of Xinchang County, located in the southeast of Shaoxing city, there are acres upon acres of fantastic longjing tea plantations nestled in the clouds, which are gradually becoming known around the world.

The flourishing tea plantation extends along Tianmu Mountain, growing around thick forests, gigantic trees, gushing rivers and deep valleys. With the perfect combination of favourable climate conditions and fertile soil in the high mountain areas, the tea plantations are processed using traditional techniques with little external influence, no pesticides or growth stimulants. Praised for the rich aroma and strong taste, the tea here is truly a gift from nature.

Climbing over verdant hills and rolling mountains along the narrow, steep tracks, you can clearly feel the change in temperature and humidity. In the far distance, the green trees and tea plantations are visible, gleaming in the mist. A few old men and women come into view occasionally on the mountainside, moving purposefully as they carry out their tasks.

Approaching the tea plantations, the beautiful panorama reaches to the horizon, leaving you totally immersed in the magic scenery and grand atmosphere. The tea operation begins in a small village named Waipokeng, hidden 850 metres above sea level, high in the mountains.

There are only about 160 families living here; their livelihood dependant on harvesting tea. Initially working with a small area of wild tea, their plantations gradually widened and became their main source of income.

Among the dense tea plantation, huge numbers of tea harvesters, usually women, busily pick out quality tea leaves, creating a stunning picture. This is typical of village life here with most adults and young men leaving to find work in the city, with children, the elderly and women left behind to live by planting tea.

The highest quality longjing teasMing-qian Cha and Yu-qian Chaproduced by Waipokeng village are harvested at different periods of the solar calendar. Ming-qian Cha is harvested before Qing Ming (Pure Brightness), and Yu-qian Cha is harvested before Gu Yu (Grain Rain). Every month there is a regular tea market in Xinchang County. Villagers carry their tea to the market and trade with the tea merchants, including foreigners.

The tea harvested here has a crisp and mellow taste, with a sweet aftertaste lingering in the mouth. This fragrant green tea is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients which have many benefits for the body. The locals use a cool mountain spring to boil the teaits no wonder that Waipokeng Village is famous in China for the longevity of its people.

Leaving this undisturbed wonderland by boat, youll enjoy the picturesque scenery one final time: blue sky, white clouds and flourishing tea mountains, all reflected in the clear water. With the refreshing early spring breeze on your face, you will sincerely wish this quiet journey, free from the day-to-day worries of city life, could have lasted longer.


(Xinchang)

(Tianmu)

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(Waipokeng)

(Ming-Qian

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The tea harvested here has a crisp and mellow taste, with a sweet aftertaste lingering in the mouth.


HO CHI MINH:City of Modernity


Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnams centre of commerce and the countrys biggest city. As a result of the sweeping economic changes brought on by Doi Moi in 1986, this effervescent city, perched on the banks of the Saigon River and still known as Saigon to its eight million or so inhabitants, has changed its image from that of a war-torn city to one of a thriving metropolis.

Get a birds eye view of this sprawling city from the Saigon Sky Deck Observatory. Situated on the 49th floor of the famous Bitexco Financial Tower, which stands at 262 metres high or 68 storeys, the scenery is spectacular with a 360-degree panoramic view of the metropolis. Bitexco symbolises

the citys vertiginous rise as a major business hub. Its also a great place for fine dining and drinks from the Alto Helipad Bar on the 52nd floor.

Ho Chi Minh is well known as a shoppers Mecca. As a manufacturing nation for many international brands, you can pick up a variety of designer goods inexpensively. Cho Ben Thanh in District 1 is often cited as the go-to tourist market, filled with brand-name clothing, footwear, souvenirs and fantastic local cuisine. Bargaining here is a must! However, further away in District 5 (Cho Lon) is Cho Binh Tay bulk-buy market offering everything one could hope for and more, with better prices and a more authentic local experience.


To learn more about the history of the city, visit the War Remnants Museum, with tanks, aircraft and helicopters outside, and graphic photos and other memorabilia inside. Then take a trip to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. Set around 35 kilometres from central Ho Chi Minh City, these tunnels earned legendary status during the American War. An immense network of underground tunnels and chambers, Cu Chi in its entirety stretched for more than 250 kilometres, from Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border. Soldiers used these tunnels to house troops, transport communications and supplies, and lay booby traps.

Ho Chi Minh City is without doubt Vietnams culinary capital. Besides Vietnamese cuisine, which these days enjoys global popularity, just about every other type of food you could imagine is served here. Enjoy a fabulous variety of indigenous food, both in sophisticated restaurants and at a plethora of street side stalls. Keep your eyes open for simple eating houses, where delicious rice and noodle dishes are served for a pittance. Well-priced restaurants catering exclusively for travelers with good Western-style favourites are concentrated around the De Tham, Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien areas.


(Saigon Sky Deck

Observatory)

(Cho Ben Thanh)

(Remnants) (Cu Chi

Tunnels)


History and GeographyComprising an area of 181,035 square

kilometres, the Kingdom of Cambodia was part of the ancient kingdom of Funan. Today it comprises four cities (the capital, Phnom Penh, plus Pailin, Sihanoukville and Kep) and 20 provinces.

The Mekong River, which flows through the country, and the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) are the lifeline of the people who live along the waterways. The Tonle Sap is one of the richest sources of freshwater fish in the world.

There are three main mountain ranges, namely the Cardamom mountains in the South West, the Dangkrek mountains in the North and the Annamite mountains in the North East.

Population and PeopleOf the 15.2 million people (est 2014), about

90% are ethnic Khmers. There are several minorities such as the Chams (Khmer Islam), Vietnamese and Chinese. Hill-tribes such as the Pnong, Tampoun, Jarai and Kreung dominate the countrys mountainous regions.

ClimateCambodias tropical climate is affected by the

monsoons. The cool, dry North East monsoon, which brings little rain, lasts from November to March. April and May are the hottest months with generally clear skies and temperatures reaching upwards of 38C during the day. From late May to early October, the South West monsoon brings rains and high humidity. The average annual daytime temperature is 32C, and around 24C at night.

ReligionThe official religion is Theravada Buddhism

and almost 90% of the population are of this faith. The rest of the population is made up primarily of Muslims and Christians.

LANGUAGEThe official language is Khmer while the second language (spoken by the educated older Cambodians) has traditionally been French. However, in recent years, English has gained popularity and is widely spoken.

EconomyAbout 70% of the population work in agri-

culture such as rice cultivation, rubber, cassava, and pepper. Cambodia is also rich in hard-wood (teak and mahogany) and precious gems which are found in the North West.

Other major industries include garments, tourism and light manufacturing assembly.

The economy operates on free market principles, and in recent years Cambodia has adopted one of the regions most liberal investment laws for foreign investors.

Entry RequirementsA valid passport and visa are required for entry.

Visas can be obtained at the international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and other international border checkpoints on arrival. Travellers should bring two passport-size photographs and fill out the forms. A one-month tourist visit visa costs US$30 while an ordinary (business) visa costs US$35 - the latter can be extended indefinitely.

Cambodia


CurrencyCambodian Riel is the countrys official

currency, however the US dollar is widely accepted in most places. Travellers cheques in US dollars can be changed at most banks in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. If you travel to the more distant provinces, it is advisable to take plenty of riel. Credit card facilities are readily available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap but are limited in other locations. ATMs are widespread, though international withdrawals may incur fees as high as US$5 per withdrawal. At the time of writing, the currency exchange rate was approximately 4,000 riel to US$1.

TransportThe best and most inexpensive way to take

in the sights and sounds of Phnom Penh is by motodop (motocycle) and mototricycle (tuk-tuk). Fares increase at night. Siem Reap has motodops, tuk-tuks and taxis.

Metered taxis are now available in Phnom Penh. Alternatively, you may want to hire a car with a driver at around US$35 a day, or a motorcycle with driver from US$10 a day. Most hotel staff will be able to assist you.

There are many tour operators in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap who offer tours to other parts of the country. Several of them also provide cars and mini-vans for hire, as do a number of car rental agencies. Regular bus services to most provinces are available.

Traffic can be busy and congested in Cambodia and at night the risk of accidents is even higher. It is recommended that only experienced drivers attempt to drive here.

TimeCambodia is seven hours ahead of GMT.

Business HoursGovernment offices are open from 7:30am

to 5pm, weekdays only. Lunch break is from 11:30 to 2pm. Banks open from 8am to 4pm. Most businesses open between 8am to 5pm.

ElectricityThe electrical supply uses 220 volts.

CommunicationMobile phones are extremely popular in

Cambodia and almost everyone carries one (if not two). Mobile numbers start with codes such as 010, 011, 012, 013, 015, 016, 017, 018, 060, 077, 098 and so forth.

Mobile SIM cards can be purchased at the airports on arrival and can be topped up at local roadside vendors.

Main landline numbers are as follows:

Phnom Penh 023 Siem Reap 063Sihanoukville 034 Battambang 053Kampot 033 Kep 036 Koh Kong 035Kompong Cham 042 Kompong Thom 062

ClothingCambodians are usually casual in their

dressing except when they are attending formal events or business meetings, in which formal wear is required. Its not unusual to see both men and women wearing a krama, a long, narrow, checked cotton cloth round their neck or on their head. In the provinces, traditional sarongs are also worn frequently.

When visiting temples, wats and pagodas shoulders should be covered and pants or shorts length should be below the knees.

Cambodia in brief...


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destination PHNOM PENH

Things to do and see in Phnom Penh

1. The Royal Palace & Silver PagodaBuilt in 1866, the Khmer-style Throne

Hall served as the residence of the King of Cambodia, his family and foreign dignitaries, and as a venue for court ceremonies and performances. A highlight in the Palace is the revered Emerald Buddha made of Baccarat crystal, dating back to the 17th century. Behind it, another Buddha statue was cast in 1906, using 90kg of gold, and 9,584 diamonds.

Located within the Royal Palace compound, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles.

Admission: $3/person (foreigners only), $2/camera, $5/video camera. Open everyday from 7.30-11am and 2-5pm.

2. Oudong MountainAbout 40km North West of Phnom Penh,

a mountain topped with the spires of stupas rears from the plain like a fairytale castle. This is Phnom Oudong, at one time the ancient capital of Cambodia between 1618-1866. Oudong is a monumental necropolis of royalty for the past kings of Cambodia. After a 15 minute climb from the base of the mountain, the view of surrounding wats, rice fields and floodplains is well worth the effort.

3. The National MuseumThe National Museum displays more than

5,000 works of art, ranging from the 7th to the 13th century. Treasures include sculptures, 19th century dance costumes, royal barges and palanquins. Visitors can rest by the peaceful, palm-shaded central courtyard and lotus ponds and contemplate one of Asias riches cultures. Open everyday from 8am-5pm, $5/person (foreigners only).

4. Wat PhnomA small hill crowned by an active wat

(pagoda) marks the legendary founding place of Phnom Penh. A temple was built in 1434 to house the sacred relics. It remains the center of many forms of leisure activities and its green surroundings offer relief from the heat of the city. Admission: $1/person (foreigners only).

5. River CruisesShort river cruises and sunset cruises

along the Phnom Penh riverfront are easy to arrange and offer an interesting view of the city. A cruise typically takes about 1-2 hours and runs up the Tonle Sap River along the central riverfront area providing a very picturesque view of the Phnom Penh skyline, and then across the Tonle Sap and up the Mekong River to view some of the floating fishing villages. From about 4-5.30pm you can also take in a sunset cruise for around $4-$5/person on a shared tour boat.

Flight FrequencyPhnom Penh Daily flights to Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh CityPhnom Penh Bangkok Mon - Tues - Thurs - Sat. Phnom Penh Guangzhou Mon - Thurs - Sun.Phnom Penh Shanghai Mon - Wed - Fri - Sat

Head Office Phnom Penh:206A, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh, CambodiaTel: (+855) 23 6666 786, 788, 789; (+855) 23 21 25 64Email: [email protected]: www.cambodiaangkorair.com

For general information about Cambodia please see pages 70/72

The iconic Independence Monument in downtown Phnom Penh


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National Treasure

destination SIEM REAP

Things to see and do in Siem Reap

1. Angkor WatOne of the wonders of the Oriental

worlds and a UNESCO world heritage site, the ruins of Angkor Wat are located in the Angkor Archaeological Park. With its five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters into the sky, it is truly a monumental, and awe inspiring sight. To visit you must have a valid admission pass, costing $20 for a one-day pass, $40 for a three-day pass, and $60 for a seven-day pass.

2. Bayon Temple and Ta ProhmTa Prohm and Bayon are the best

known and most photographed of the other temples in the Angkor complex. The huge enigmatic stone faces of Bayon are some of the most iconic and recognizable features associated with the ancient Khmer Kingdom and its architecture.

The Bayon Temple is at the centre of the great walled city of Angkor Thom. The temple is rich in decoration, and the bas-reliefs on the exterior walls are outstanding.

Ta Prohm is a quiet and sprawling monastery made famous in the film Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie. Its most distinguishing features are the trees that spread their gigantic roots over stones, probing walls and terraces apart as their branches intertwine to form a roof over the structures.

3. Phnom Kulen National ParkSituated about 50km north of Siem Reap,

Phnom Kulen National Park is one of the most revered destinations in Cambodia, as it features Kulen Mountain which is home to a slew of temple ruins and old consecrated carvings as well as sculptures. Visitors can immerse in the cool, spellbinding attractions that nature itself offers by way of jungle-covered verdant surroundings, rivers and dazzling waterfalls. The archaeological site of Kbal Spean or the River of a Thousand Lingas has a riverbed with numerous carved sculptures dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries of Hindu Gods. Costs $20 road toll/person.

4. Apsara Dance Shows

Several restaurants and hotels in Siem Reap present Apsara Dance Shows, and Apsara dance dinner shows are included in many tours. Although little explanation is provided about the meaning of the classical Khmer dances, they are still an interesting, beautiful art form to experience.

5. Tonl Sap LakeThe Tonl Sap Lake is the largest freshwater

lake in South East Asia and houses several float-ing villages. In rainy season, the Mekong River backs up into the lake and it swells to more than five times its size in the dry season, making it the best time to visit, especially allowing easy access to the abundant bird sanctuaries.

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Flight FrequencySiem Reap Daily flights to Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok. Siem Reap Guangzhou Tue - Wed - Fri - Sat.

Branch Office Siem Reap:House 17D, Omkhun Street, Siem Reap, CambodiaTel: (+855) 63 969 268 (+855) 63 636 3666Website: www.cambodiaangkorair.com


Stunning sunrise at Angkor Wat


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Tomb Raider (Angelina Jolie)

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Relax and Unwind

Destination SIHANOUKVILLE

Things to see and do in Sihanoukville

1. Island HoppingFinding clean and unspoiled beaches in

Sihanoukville is no trouble at all, with daily ferries taking you out on day-trips to the islands that are just a short journey away from the mainland. One-day trips include snorkelling, fishing, lunch and a light breakfast that can be booked from as low as $12 at various places.

2. Scuba DivingMany of the islands boast coral and fish

sanctuaries that are great for diving expeditions. There are a number of PADI authorised Dive Centres in Sihanoukville that provide a range of diving and snorkelling services. The main scuba diving areas are at Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Tang, and the best diving on offer is the overnight trip to Koh Tang, home to explosion reef. There are fields of staghorn corals that act as a nursery and explode with the dazzling colours of juvenile fish and marine life. All-inclusive day trips cost $59-85 while overnight trips cost $185-325.

3. Otres Night MarketA little off the beaten track you find the

Otres Night Market, which opens only on Saturday evenings. Organised by a small community of expats the market has become quite popular in the tourist scene. All the residents come out of the woodwork to

display their crafts, sell their homemade food and have a good time. From jewelery makers, locals artists to people selling clothes and pastries there is definitely enough there to make it interesting. After dark live gigs start, and its not just your normal rock band playing ladder balancing and blind juggling, anyone?

4. Koh Rong Island With 23 white beaches to choose from Koh Rong has plenty to see and do. The best attraction is the phosphorescent water, which sparkles like stars when disturbed. Diving and snorkelling is excellent both off the beach and at sites nearby. For the adventurous, theres plenty of trekking to be done through the relatively untouched jungle. You can also go from the depth of the ocean to the heights of the tallest trees on the island with High Point Adventure Park. This newest attraction in Koh Rong has over 25 stations ranging from a 120-metre zip line to rope bridges. High Point has the best views of the whole island and is a must do while on Koh Rong.

5. Ream National ParkThe park is located 18km from down town

Sihanoukville. One of seven national parks in Cambodia, Ream, covers 15,000 hectares of land and 6,000 hectares of marine habitat. There over 155 species of birds in the park, including a few threatened species.

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The park offers walking tours of the mountain, safari tours of the smaller mammals and birds and waterfalls. Hotels and guesthouses have $15 or $20 tickets for a day tour to Ream.

Flight FrequencyDaily flights are available at Cambodia Angkor Air from Sihanoukville Siem Reap.Direct flights from Phnom Penh will also be available starting on July 1 - see page 109 for details of our special promotial fares.

Website: www.cambodiaangkorair.com


Always a sunset


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Southern Crusades

Destination KAMPOT & KEP

Things to see and do in Kampot and Kep

1. Bokor MountainKampot sits close to Bokor Mountains

base and the 35km motorbike ride to its peak makes a great day out. The scenery, adrenaline and fresh mountain breeze on the way up, combined with the stunning views across the Gulf of Thailand while exploring abandoned Bokor Hill Station, make this a must.

The mountain was once a retreat for the rich but is now home to a mega-casino and remnants of a lost age. Derelict hill stations, churches and mansions litter its slopes. The road is probably one of the best in the country.

3. Kep National ParkGo trekking and explore the stunning scenery

of Kep National Park (entry $1). An 8km trek leads around Kep Mountain and offers views across to Kampot, the islands and across to Vietnam. The main entrance is behind Veranda Resort and most of the treks are easy. For more challenging hikes, guides can be hired at the gates. Remember to wear appropriate foot-wear as the terrain can get rugged in places.

3. Rabbit IslandA 20-minute boat ride away from Kep sits

peaceful Koh Tonsay, or Rabbit Island. Spend the day snorkelling and swimming in the clear blue waters or relaxing on the white sands. Six basic guesthouses provide

refreshments and fresh seafood and just seven families live on the serene 2 kilometre island.

If you plan on staying overnight, bring a torch as the generators are turned at about 9pm and there is no electricity. This makes for great star-gazing and taking a dip in the ocean to see the phosphorescence and their amazing underwater light show.

4. Kompong Trach cavesOn the outskirts of Kampot lies a set of

limestone caves. Inside sit a series of statues and pagodas waiting to be explored. Kids are on hand to give you a tour for about $1. Ask them to take you to the small lake inside for a swim.

The nearby Caves of Phnom Chnugk are a 10 minute drive away and may be smaller but date back more than 1,300 years. They are also home to an old Buddhist shrine, which sits within the caves.

5. Kampot PepperThe region is renowned for producing

pepper so why not take a trip to Starling Farm in Kampot Province to see how the award-winning, four types of Kampot pepper are planted, cultivated and harvested.

Having been grown in the Kampot and Kep region for centuries, Kampot Peppers demand peaked when it was recognised as one of the worlds best peppers after securing Geographical Indicator status in 2009.

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Flight FrequencyThere is currently no airport in operation.

This region can be reached by bus, minivan or car. Kampot is approximately 2.5 hours drive from Phnom Penh (148kms), however it can take longer depending on traffic conditions. Kep is a further 30 minutes from Kampot.

Alternatively Kampot can be reached by road from Sihanoukville. The scenic 100km journey usually takes around two hours.

Website: www.cambodiaangkorair.com


Quiet and quaint Kep


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The famous Red Bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake

Hanoi HorizonsHanoi is the capital of Vietnam and the countrys

second largest city. Although in recent years it has become a sophisticated metropolis with the high-rise buildings, sensational cuisine and world-class art that it boasts today, Hanoi still retains much of its older charm of bygone eras.

The streets are wonderfully atmospheric with well-preserved colonial and pre-colonial architecture. The city has an understated charm that is definitely

worth enjoying and, with countless transport options, its a perfect base for exploration of the North.

As you walk along the street, you may find that locals start talking to you. It is a cultural norm in Vietnam to make conversation with strangers. They might ask you where you are from and other general questions. It takes a while to get used to, however, there will be times when you might find

this friendliness extremely helpful.

Hanoi is a city of lakes and Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most popular with visitors. Superbly scenic and serene, the lake provides a habitat for soft-shell turtles and contains many picturesque pagodas and small bridges.

Tran Quoc is the most historic pagoda in all of Hanoi and is the foremost symbol of Buddhism in the country. These are just two of the many wonderful tourists attractions of the city. You can also take a trip down to the famous Ha Long Bay a two-hour drive from Hanoi.

Entry RegulationsCitizens from ASEAN countries get a 21-day

free visa pass while other nationalities will need to get a Vietnam visa prior to travel.

ClimateHanoi experiences relatively high humidity

all year and a rainy season from May to October. Winter months are cool and damp (rarely below 57F/14C), but the heat starts to pick up in April and makes for a hot, wet summer.

Time7 hours ahead of GMT.

LanguagesVietnamese is the national official language

of Vietnam and is used in Hanoi. English and French are also spoken.

CurrencyVietnamese Dong is the official currency

of Hanoi. US$1 is equivalent to 21,000 Viet-namese Dong.

Business HoursHanoi locals generally wake up very early

to take advantage of cooler weather and an early lunch. Most Hanoi shops and offices are closed for lunch and end the day at 5pm, and are closed on Sundays.

Flight FrequencyHanoi Siem Reap Tues - Thurs - Sat - SunHanoi Phnom Penh Mon - Wed - Fri - Sun

destination HANOI

Branch Office Hanoi:Blue Sky Travel Office, GSA in Hanoi, Vietnam79 Giang Van Minh, Ba Dinh, HanoiTel: +(84) 4 3747 2928Email: [email protected]: www.cambodiaangkorair.com

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destination HO CHI MINH CITY

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Vung Tau, a beach resort on the South China Sea. Right in the middle of the city is the Saigon Central Mosque and a Hindu temple.

ClimateTropical climate. Average temperature

is 21C to 31C. The rainy season from May to September while it is cool from October to December, the dry monsoon from November to April.

Business HoursMost government offices are open from

8-11.30am and from 2-5pm on weekdays. Most shops are open from 9-7pm.

Flight FrequencyDaily flights are available at Cambodia Angkor Air from Ho Chi Minh City Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

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Urban AdventuresHo Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it was

formerly called, is the largest city and the dynamic business centre of the country - economic changes sweeping the country are more evident here than anywhere else in Vietnam. There is much to see in this city - pagodas, ancient cathedrals, museums and central markets.

The oldest pagoda in the city is the Giac Lm Pagoda which has a distinctive architecture. The Giac Vien Pagoda which is in a more landscaped area setting, is about 200 years old. The Emperor of Jade Pagoda, built in 1909, is a colourful Chinese temple filled with statues of deities. Not to be missed is the Notre Dame Cathedral, a replica of its namesake in France.

To trace the history of Vietnam, head for the Museum of Vietnamese History which has artifacts dating from 3,300 B.C. You can also visit the War Remnants Museum, Museum of Revolution and the Reunification Hall, the former Presidential Palace of the South Vietnam. For nature lovers there is a Zoo and Botanical Gardens close by.

There are several places on the outskirts worth exploring - the tunnels of Cu Chi; the Caodai Great Temple where the architecture is an interesting

angkor apr 2015

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