Review: The InterContinental Gym, Phnom Penh

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

You’ve requested more Phnom Penh gym reviews, and I’m here to deliver. When I first moved to Phnom Penh I joined the gym at the Great Duke (formerly the Intercontinental Hotel). The Great Duke gym is seriously underrated and probably Phnom Penh’s best value, high-end gym.

Fredrik is happy to show you how to get muscles as big as his.

The gym was set up by Fredrik Carlswärd and Maria Ahlberg, married Swedish bodybuilders and fitness freaks. They are no longer there, but are the reason that the Great Duke gym is so great–it’s was put together by people that actually work out! So while the gym is small, it has everything you need to get fit. Continue reading →

How to get from Phnom Penh to Kampot (and vice-versa)

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Not too long ago, getting from Phnom Penh to Kampot by bus was a complete headache. Buses detoured to stop in Kep on their way to Kampot, making the trip closer to five hours long. Now, though, there are direct mini-buses from Phnom Penh to Kampot that make the trip in around three hours, and taxis are even faster.

Going from Phnom Penh to Kampot? Here’s how to get there.

Taxi

You can get a taxi from Phnom Penh to Kampot for between $35 and $50, although the prices can rise during public holidays (and that not so public holiday, Chinese New Year). Taxis are generally very clean Toyota Camrys that can seat four passengers. However, most have very little room for baggage, so if you have a lot of baggage, you may want to look into getting a van. Taxi drivers like to affirm their existence by driving as fast as possible and you’ll be able to make the trip in less than three hours. You can book a taxi online in advance, or at any travel agent or guesthouse in Phnom Penh or Kampot, although they will add a surcharge. Larger CRV or SUV taxis cost around $60. They seat four passengers more comfortably than the regular taxis. Continue reading →

How to get to Kep

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Wondering how to get to Kep? Check our handy guide to getting to Kep from Phnom Penh, Kampot, Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap. We’ll cover all of your options for how to get to Kep, including taxis, tuk tuks, mini-buses, and even a riverboat.

Kep is within reach. Here’s how to get there.

How to get to Kep from Phnom Penh

Bus: Phnom Penh Sorya runs four buses a day to Kep, at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. Tickets cost $7 and while they claim that the trip takes 3.5 hours, Sorya buses are known for usually taking at least an hour more than their estimated time, and sometimes several hours more. Sorya is not one of our favorite bus companies in Cambodia — all of their buses are quite old — but this is the only full-size bus that goes from Phnom Penh to Kep and tickets can be purchased online.

Continue reading →

Visit the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, aka the ECCC

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Pete Ford

Occupying swampy land about an hour outside of Phnom Penh, behind the National Army Headquarters on National Road 4 beyond Phnom Penh International Airport, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)—more commonly known at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT)—continue to quietly try those accused of being responsible for alleged crimes of the Khmer Rouge, whose four year reign saw the loss of up to 2 million lives and widespread destruction of culture, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The grounds of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. Photo courtesy of the ECCC.

In the 11 years since the first judges were sworn in, the United Nations-supported hybrid court has had three successful prosecutions, seen two defendants pass away, and heard the testimonies of thousands of survivors, perpetrators and experts on what happened in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979 when the Khmer Rouge controlled the country. Continue reading →

How to get to and from Sihanoukville Airport

Posted on February 20, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

Showing up at a strange airport in a strange country is, for most people, a stressful experience. Luckily, Sihanoukville Airport is so small that there’s almost nothing to worry about. There are limited options for getting from Sihanoukville Airport into town, but it’s best to have an idea in advance of what your plan is.

The Sihanoukville Airport is small but perfectly formed.

The Sihanoukville Airport is located approximately 12 miles (20km) north of Sihanoukville, on Route 4. Only four planes per week that land there, all of them Cambodia Angkor Air’s Siem Reap to Sihanoukville flights. Continue reading →

Visiting Koh Dach, Cambodia’s ‘Silk Island’

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Pete Ford

Phnom Penh might not have the star draw of Angkor Wat to attract tourists, and the modest attractions of the Royal Palace, National Museum, and Khmer Rouge sites see only a fraction of the visitors that flood to Siem Reap. But a short trip to Koh Dach by bicycle, tuk-tuk or public bus offers a fantastic experience to witness rural Cambodia and avoid the city’s traffic and noise.

A young weaver at her family loom on Koh Dach.

Silk Island—Koh Dach in Khmer—gained its name from the island’s primary occupation, silk weaving. A decade ago nearly every household on this island in the middle of the Mekong had their own loom, but as the cost of silk production has increased, more and more of the island’s young weavers have left to look for work in nearby garment factories. Traditional weaving still takes place today, albeit on a more modest scale, and the sound of looms can still be heard as one travels along the narrow lanes that criss-cross the palm tree-dotted landscape. Continue reading →

Why Otres Village is Sihanoukville’s new foodie hotspot

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Cassie Wilkins

Once a peaceful river retreat between rice paddies, Sihanoukville’s Otres Village has quickly evolved into one of Cambodia’s coolest and most vibrant destinations. A short walk from Otres Beach, the village is home to locals, expats and tourists alike, offering a wide array of quirky and comfortable accommodation options and a myriad of cafes, restaurants, bars, and teahouses featuring dishes from all across the world. From Japanese to Czech, Lebanese to Indian, and American diner to traditional British fish and chips, Otres Village has become a true foodie’s paradise. Here’s our rundown of the best of the best!

Where to eat on Otres.

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How to get from the airport into Phnom Penh

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Lina Goldberg

If you’re looking for a great introduction to Cambodia, there’s no better way to do it than to negotiate your transfer to Phnom Penh from Phnom Penh International Airport (nee Pochentong). Be aware that the taxi situation can border on scammy, so it’s good to know what to expect before you go.

As in many cities, you’ll probably have a group of men shouting at you and trying to rope you into various transport options the minute you leave the arrivals hall. Take a deep breath and ignore them. You have three transportation options for Phnom Penh Airport transfers: taxi, tuk tuk, and moto.

Phnom Penh international airport arrivals

Welcome to Phnom Penh International Airport. Here’s how to leave.

Taking a taxi from Phnom Penh Airport

Taxis are the fastest, safest way to get from the airport into Phnom Penh, especially if you’re carrying lots of expensive equipment on you. You can either get an airport taxi or a private taxi.
Continue reading →

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