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Cambodia
  • Phillip Clark
  • Phillip Clark

Cambodia

A 19-day adventure by Phillip Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 30, 2025
    Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Birmingham Airport

    October 30, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Checked in. They won’t let me fly with my powerbank - they were going to throw it away so EasyJet management are looking after it for me. Watched the dnata strip and loaders - they have a lot more to do than they do for EasyJet! Boarding took ages! I’ve got a short time to connect in Dubai, hope I make it!Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Dubai

    October 31, 2025 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Boarding took a long time and there was overhead locker space issues and passengers sitting in the wrong seats - even Emirates have these problems! Comfy aisle seat - 49C near the front of the plane - can see the flight deck door and the FAP - was tempted to increase the temperature as it felt a little chilly! At easyJet we get a snapshot of we do anything wrong! The cabin manager would be dishing them out left, right and centre here! No guard of the door when going into the flight deck! Trolley left unaccompanied in the aisle! No trolley service for the first drink - just order from the crew as they pass, had a wine! Dinner was tasty - potato salad, fish cake, strawberry cheesecake. Also ate the bread roll and cheese and biscuits - just like we get on late flights and a chocolate with another wine and a 7-Up. Watched lots of episodes of Friends. They were very keen with the seatbelt sign with mild turbulence. Arrived in Dubai. Long walk from concourse B to concourse C - massive airport. Ready for the next 11 hours!Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Stop in Singapore

    October 31, 2025 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Not much to note. Had a pizza and piece of cake, watched the remaining episodes of Friends. Had a sleep and then mushroom omelette for breakfast. The seatbelt sign is put on at the slightest amount of turbulence. Landed in Singapore to drop some passengers off and pick some more up and a crew change. Gate C20.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Phnom Penh

    October 31, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Arrived at last, 24 hours after checking at Birmingham Airport! There was air traffic control slot delay on the last leg, - will try and make up the time in flight. Same plane same seat. TV screens malfunctioned so manual safety demonstration. TV programmes worked fine, watched Absolutely Fabulous. Dinner served, chicken curry, very tasty. Finally arrived in Cambodia. Very efficient, passport scanned, photo taken, fingerprints scanned - no queue. Tracy and Lilly both at arrivals to greet me. Walked to the bus stop, locals translating what the driver was saying. Bus fare $1.50! Needed a tuc-tuc for the final part of the journey. They weave in and out of the traffic really well. Lots of motor bikes, the roads of crazy! The cats weren’t overly impressed that I’m here - a few snarls!Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Orientation

    November 1, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Had a walk around the local area, past the Royal Palace and along the river. Got back in time, it lashed it down for 2 hours. Went to lunch in a tuc-tuc. Had an all day breakfast burger and a piña colada. Walked around a market, anything you need was there, piled up high, from shoes to motorbike spares. In the evening we went along Walk Street - on Saturdays and Sundays it’s lined with street vendors. All sorts of things - fried insects, snakes and spiders, cheese in the centre of a thick pancake - delicious and lots of dubious looking meat on sticks.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Udong

    November 2, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    Got a tuc-tuc to Udong. It took about an hour to do 40km, Almost all the way had shops opening onto the road. Udong was the capital of Cambodia between 1618 and 1866. Had a chocolate and banana pancake. Walked the 509 steps (I didn’t count them, the guide book said!) of the main, monkey. lined north stairway. The monkeys were begging for bottles of water! The steps changed from stone to marble - time to take shoes and socks off. Rain started, marble - slippery when wet! Large market, had a walk through and a tasty treat. Tuc-tuc back took a different route - more rural - more potholes, more hazards - cow, goats and dogs on the road.
    Went for a late lunch at Wild - a specialty spring roll restaurant. Had Wild West - minced beef and for dessert had Oreo Cookies in a spring roll.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler
    11

    To Siem Reap

    November 3, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Nearly a six hour drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Taxi arrived at 9am. Luckily it was an suv because there was a lot of luggage - mainly for the cats! I got the one working seatbelt, the driver is allergic to cats and the indicators didn’t work! Then it started raining, thank goodness the wipers functioned. I liked the red leather seats! I noticed that where there were lampposts every one of them had a Cambodian flag fixed to it. The cats were very well behaved and stayed in their carrying case. Most of the way there were houses opening onto the road, most with a shop or stall to sell stuff. As we got further away from the city the houses were on stilts and cows were tethered to them. The driver had more WhatsApp notifications than I get in a month - constant dinging! Finally got to Central Corner d’Angkor Hotel. Nice en-suite room. Went for a late lunch / early dinner - had steak and ale pie and chips! Lovely refreshing pool. The city looks like Blackpool illuminations at night and along the river like Matlock Bath! Had a blue Hawaii but it looked green at the hotel.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Angkor Wat and more

    November 4, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Breakfast at the Muffin Man - ham and cheese toastie - nothing like what we sell on the plane. Got a tuc-tuc - Tracy had pre-booked it with a lady driver - very few of them. She gave us both a scarf to wear. We also had a guide who gave us lots of interesting information. Incident - a car drove straight into the side of the tuc-tuc, no damage to the tuc-tuc but his bumper was dented. First stop Angkor Wat - a Hindu-Buddhist temple, the largest religious structure in the world, constructed in 1150 and took 35 years with 35,000 people working on it.
    It is surrounded by a moat more than 5 km long and 2 metres deep. It has Hindu motifs covering most of it - the story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk was explained - from the carvings in the sandstone. It was built as the king's state temple in the capital city but when the capital was moved to Phnom Penh the temple was abandoned. Had a good explore.
    Next stop was the Bayon temple 54 towers each decorated with smiling faces. There were many huge carved panels depicting scenes of war. Next was the Baphuon temple - dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. I climbed to the top to get the best views. We walked past Phimeanakas temple the king's private temple. The king’s house would have been near by but it was moved to Phnom Penh when that became capital. All that’s left are his fish ponds. We were then dropped off at a restaurant for lunch - I had sweet and sour chicken. Last stop was the Tomb Raider Temple - Ta Prohm - several scenes from the film were shot there. A lot of the temple is crumbling because it’s been taken over by the jungle and the roots of the trees are destroying it. The tuc-tuc driver was so kind, cold towels every time we returned, chilled bottled water, a coconut to drink and fresh mango and pineapple to eat. Tracy’s booked her again for our day out on Thursday.
    When we returned to the hotel I took advantage of the swimming pool and 3 for 2 cocktails. Walked into town - the Water Festival was in full flow! It was like Ibiza - banging music, heaving with people, lights and lasers.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    APOPO Visitor Center

    November 5, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Breakfast at The Muffin Man, we are their best customers - 3 visits in 24 hours! Best chocolate brownie ever - warm with a gooey centre. Ordered a tuc-tuc using the Grab app, like uber but for tuc-tucs. Arrived at the APOPO Visitor Centre to find out about the Landmine Rats which are also known as HeroRATs! The African Giant Pouched Rats are trained to detect landmines and unexploded bombs. This work keeps people safe by reclaiming land from the dangers of landmines and returning it to farmers and local communities. We saw the different types of mine - the rats can detect the explosive smell from a metre deep. Then we saw Poppy in action, scratching the ground when he could smell TNT. Finally, we got to hold the rats, Nino and Jordan.
    After a lunch of gelato ice cream we watched the boat races - Oxford v Cambridge it was not! But it was entertaining. Got back in time for cocktail happy hour! Dinner at New Leaf - chicken pie and chips - Cambodian style.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    More Temples

    November 6, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Same lady tuc-tuc driver as the other day. Doing the “the Big Circuit road”. Driver brought flowers and scarves for Lilly and Missy. First stop was at Preah Khan - a Buddhist temple - one of the largest complexes, a maze corridors and fine carvings on the stonework. Next stop was Ta Som, another Buddhist temple. Then a Hindu temple - Eastern Mebon, the brick shrines are dotted with neatly arranged holes, which attached the original plasterwork. The base of the temple is guarded at its corners by perfectly carved stone figures of elephants. We crossed a floating bridge to Neak Pean Temple, which was in the middle of an artificial island, another Buddhist temple on a circular island there was a walk way all around it.
    Got back in time for happy hour!
    Went out to the circus in the evening. Strange system bought $10 of tokens to spend on food and drink - exchanged the tokens for sweet and sour chicken, a beer and an ice cream! The circus was fun - acrobatics, dancing and stunts.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Destination Kratié

    November 7, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Heavy rain this morning. Set off at 8.20am for the journey in the mini van. Arm chair style seat with a back massage function. Enough litter at the side of the road to keep the south Leicestershire wombles busy for years. Even though I’ve seen it for a week now, the number of shops and stalls which open straight onto the road amazes me. Selling everything. The raw meat is a worry, no refrigeration and it’s so hot and it’s just hung by the road side. Toilet stop - very good ventilation - see photo! Sights along the way - townships, jungle and rice paddies. Roads got narrower once we’d crossed the mighty Mekong river by bridge. More motorbike hazards, everyone must have one. Arrived at the guest house, aeroplane themed - double bed issue so they constructed a single bed in the room. Hired bikes for a ride around Kaoh Trong island - an odd shape, a 10km loop. Back for dinner - stir fried beef and a beer!Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler
    1

    Irrawaddy dolphins kayak

    November 8, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Early start for the dolphin briefing, just time for a toastie. Got on the truck for a 30 minute drive up river. The guide and driver unloaded the kayaks and we put on life jackets. Paddled across the mighty Mekong River, tough going against the flow. It’s the end of the rainy season so the river was 15-20 metres higher than in the dry season, the source is the Himalayan mountains. Kayaks joined together for information about the dolphins - adults are 2 to 2.8 metres long, resemblance to baby beluga whales, they have the ability to submerge underwater, holding their breath for up to 12 minutes, although their typical diving is usually under 1 minute. They are an endangered species with only 92 in the Mekong River. Then we paddled to the submerged forest, spent about an hour paddling around to spot the dolphins. Had a short break from the paddling on an island and was given snacks of a banana and a bamboo cane stuffed with sticky rice - quite a battle to get it out. The paddle back straight across the river was long and exhausting. I celebrated seeing the dolphins with a mimosa! A brilliant experience.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Onward to Mondulkiri

    November 9, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Independence Day of Cambodia - from France.

    Heavy rain overnight. Omelette for breakfast. Helped Tracy, Lilly and Mitsy pack - they’re going back to Phnom Penh. Went for a walk through the town and along the river. Got packed up for a noon checkout, $66 for the room for 2 nights, bike hire, kayak trip, a dinner and 2 breakfasts - bargain. Lunch in the guest house restaurant. Got to the bus stop early, no need, transport was 15 minutes late. Full mini bus. Stopped twice for the driver to have a cigarette, once for passengers to have a wee, once to move passengers to stop the knocking sound from the wheel arches and once to drop off a passenger. Watched the final episodes of Destination X - that series has been hard work. A road through the jungle with occasional clearings for small towns. The driver, Speedy Gonzales, went far too fast for a road full of potholes and no seat belts. Stopped again - tyre pressure check and a cigarette! Arrived on time at the bus station. Got a tuk-tuk to the hotel - Nature Lodge. It was down a long unpaved road. Checked in and was shown to my room - the furthest from the reception and restaurant. Had dinner - the mosquitoes were biting. A few fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Mondulkiri Project Cambodia Elephant San

    November 10, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Tour description - Observe and feed the elephants in the jungle with a swim and wash elephants at the waterfall.

    Reception ordered a tuc-tuc for me at 8am and it was on time. Got to the Project’s office, paid for the trip and waited for the rest of the group. Got into the back of a truck and drove to the starting point of the tour which offers views over the large area of forest which has been protected from logging by the Mondulkiri Project. After a talk about the Mondulkiri Project, it was time to meet the elephants. We were all given a bunch of bananas. After a walk down the muddy track we left half the bananas and then Happy the elephant appeared. We took turns to feed the bananas to the elephant. The elephant picked up a stick with its trunk and used it to scrape off the mud from its feet. Then we picked up the bananas we left and walked further into the jungle. Across a rope bridge. Suddenly, Princess appeared and were told not to get too close. The guide threw bananas on the ground for the elephant to find and pick up. It was ok to feed Comvine. The guide told us about why the elephants were rescued - worked for a logging company or being used give rides to people.
    We walked back to the jungle lodge and had lunch set out on mats on the floor, we all sat round. Chicken stir fry and tofu and bean sprouts. Melon and dragon fruit (bright purple) pieces for dessert. Then we enjoyed the views of the jungle from a hammock. After 90 minutes we returned to the bottom of the valley and saw Happy the elephant in the river, we all fed her a banana. Next we walked to the waterfall for a swim and help wash the elephants. Then we headed back to Sen Monorom in the back of the truck, it stopped twice to let the engine cool.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Waterfall and local area

    November 11, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    After another unusual ham and cheese toastie booked a tuc-tuc half day tour. The tuc-tuc driver was quite a character - singing as he drove, Bee Gees, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash - we played name that tune and guess the singer. He was surprised I got Jason Donovan. The 33km went by quickly. Past coffee plants, dragon fruit catcui, pepper corn, rice fields on the way to the Bou Sraa waterfall. Paid the entrance fee and walked past all the shops and stalls. Plunging into the dense jungle below, it was an impressive waterfall. The upper tier of some 10m and a spectacular lower tier with a thundering 25m drop. After a good walk around set off again, stopped an old picnic area with dinosaurs, could have swam in the river but I didn’t!
    Back to Sen Monorom for lunch at The Hangout. After lunch went to Wat Phnom Doh Kromom - a Buddhist Temple and panorama. The sign says I love Mondulkiri. 800 metres above sea level. Then there was a stop at the Sea Forest - in the rainy season there’s a mist above the trees that looks like the sea. Final stop was a place with giant trees. The journey back went through the market - usual dodgy smells! Nearly ran over a snake!    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Journey to Phnom Penh

    November 12, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Left Nature Lodge, enjoyed my stay. Tuc-tuc to the bus stop. Bus left early, only 5 passengers with space for 10. Spectacular scenery - dense jungle for the first hour. Then the shops at the side of the road started. Got to a section of red mud road but this was being replaced with tarmac. They didn’t use cones but laid branches on the sections which couldn’t be driven on. 2 hours into the drive stopped at a “service station”. Stopped again to pick up another passenger and another toilet stop. Stopped again to pick up passengers at Krong Kampong Cham, full bus now. Tarmac turned to red mud road, very dusty so spraying the road with water. Got to the bus station and ordered a tuc-tuc using the Grab app - like uber but for tuc-tucs. It took me straight to the apartment. Relaxed for a bit before going out to a Peruvian restaurant for dinner on the 28th floor. Magnificent views.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Royal Palace & Beach Club (no beach)

    November 13, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Walked to the Royal Palace, paid the $10 entrance fee. The King's living area, which actually takes up half of the total palace ground area is closed to the public. Saw the Throne Hall, magnificent building, was allowed to look in but not go in or take photos. So much gold and so many chandeliers. The hall is used for coronations and the presentation of diplomats. Walked through to the next area and saw the Ramayana Mural - over a thousand years old and goes around the perimeter of the area. Next was the Silver Pagoda, an extravagant temple AKA Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Called Silver Pagoda because of the 5 tonnes of silver which cover the floor - unfortunately no photos allowed. The gold Buddha weighs 90kg and has 2086 diamonds on it. Looked at artefacts and other buildings there.
    In the afternoon I went to DIB (Dara Independence Beach) Club which is a swimming pool. If you buy food or drink costing over $5 you can swim for free! Which I did!
    In the evening I went with Tracy to her Kun Khmer (kick boxing) lesson, had a go - it was fun but it’s not something I’ll take up.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    National Museum of Cambodia

    November 14, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Walked to the museum, paid the $10 entrance fee. Lots of artefacts from the temples at Siem Reap. The oldest was from the 7th century. Many of the statues have missing arms or heads either the Khmer Rouge destroyed them or looters took them. There has been a lot work to repatriate them with more than 1,000 objects stolen from the 1960s to the late 1990s returned. Walked back along the river.
    Went back to the beach club - no beach in the afternoon - swimming free if spend over $5!
    Went to the mall so Tracy could buy what she needed for a school science experiment. Then had a tuc-tuc with Friday night rave music to a Greek restaurant. Tracy complained about the service so we were moved to a better table and got a free rice pudding dessert! Walked along Bassac Street, loads of bars and restaurants, some as small as a front room.    Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    30 mile Bike Ride

    November 15, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    6am alarm so we could set off on our bike ride titled: Ferries, Temples and Silk. Rode to the river and straight on to the first ferry. Rode along a busy road, negotiating a roundabout with traffic coming from all angles including the wrong direction! The first temple was absolutely amazing so gold and decorated walls and ceiling. The next ferry took us to Koh Dach island, a cycle loop stopping for a reclining Buddha and a waving Buddha. A bridge took us over to Silk Island. We paid the entrance fee to see how silk was made and then woven. Really peaceful location with hammocks and swings looking out over the river. The third ferry took us to Kandal Province where we cycled south to the ferry port. Tried to keep off the main road but a road closure due to a wedding diverted us back to the main road. Did battle with motorbikes, tuc-tucs, trucks and other cyclists but made it straight onto the fourth ferry. A bit of a wait due to congestion at the port so we waited in the sunshine for a space for our ferry. Ferries cost less than 25p. Road kill spotted - snakes, a toad and a rat. Walked the cats to the restaurant called Wild for lunch, delicious wraps and spring rolls. The rest of the afternoon involved recovering from the biking and lunch! No dinner needed. Headed out to the Russian market and the trainer shop - very good prices.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Garden City Water Park

    November 16, 2025 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

    45 minute steady motorbike ride to the Garden City Water Park. Wristband QR code needed to collect locker number. By the lockers wristband QR code scanned and allocated locker popped open. Most slides were closed until noon so we just went on the blue and white & the yellow and green. Liked the blue and white best. Decided to have an early lunch - fish and chips whilst we waited for the other slides to open. Enjoyed the lazy river and the wave pool. Then all slides were open, the pink and purple one became my favourite and we had lots of goes. First time I’ve felt cold since being in Cambodia, when at the top of the slide. Water felt warm. Had an ice cream. Watched some people have a go on the Flow Rider. Motor bike ride back was interesting since the roads were busy, goodness knows how we got round the roundabouts, so much traffic all seemingly going in different directions! Got packed up and ready for the airport. Arranged a tuc-tuc, driver put my case on the roof! Got the airport bus for the final part of the journey.Read more

  • Phillip ClarkCambodiaTraveler

    Journey Home

    November 17, 2025 in England ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Got to the airport with just over 3 hours before departure so time for a photo with the departures Buddha. The wait to check in wasn’t too long. Security was quick. Spent last of my Cambodian money on a chocolate croissant. Donated the change to charity. The gate was easy to find, the airport is really spacious. Boarded about an hour before departure. Late pushing back due to paperwork! A very nice prawn curry for dinner. A bit rushed due to the first flight being less than 2 hours to Singapore. Had to be security checked before being able to wait at the gate, wasn’t long before boarding the same plane and same seat! First service was a snack - a chicken rendang puff - a bit like a chicken spring roll and a white chocolate chip cookie. Had a bit of a sleep and then breakfast was served - scrambled eggs with pan-fried chicken sausage, rösti, baked beans and cherry tomatoes. Watched some Absolutely Fabulous episodes. Arrived in Dubai a little early, found my way through security, down a lift, onto a train, into Terminal A. Up 2 huge escalators. Security again. Down an escalator to the gate, passport scanned. Boarded early but had to wait for transfer passengers so left 15 minutes late. Sitting on the bottom deck, just a few rows from the front. Noticed a cupboard under the stairs. The cabin manager spent most of his time in there - came out to close the door and sit on his crew seat for take off and landing. Breakfast - toasted egg and pepper frittata sandwich with cheese and black bean salsa - it was ok. Some snow on the Turkish mountains. There’s a toilet up the steps to the flight deck - very executive! Lunch - slow braised beef with pearl onions and carrots, served with mashed potatoes and green beans. It’s been a long flight but helped along by Gavin and Stacey.

    Had a brilliant trip, Cambodia has been amazing, so different from anywhere I’ve ever been. I have really enjoyed exploring and finding out about the country. Superb hosts and tour guides, thank you Tracy and Lilly. Still plenty to do on my next visit.    Read more

    Trip end
    November 17, 2025
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