The best gay bars in Phnom Penh

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

Phnom Penh has a happening gay scene that’s very inclusive. No matter how you identify, a night out at one of Phnom Penh’s gay and queer bars is a recipe for fun. Drag and cabaret shows are all the rage in Cambodia, and you’ll find them at many of the gay bars on the weekends. Some of the acts may leave you scratching your head in confusion, but others feature accomplished performers in outrageous gear. There are also a few gay-oriented clubs in town as well. Our favorites are below.

Space Hair Salon

Space Hair Salon is known for their flamboyant uniform and fancy dress parties.

Space Hair Salon and Bar is more than just the sum of its parts, it’s a unique combination of cool Cambodian hair salon and gay bar that attracts a mixed crowd of gays, straights, women, and adorable dogs (seriously). Owned by a Spanish-Cambodian couple, Space Bar is known for their relaxed vibe, handsome waiters, themed parties, and strict policy of no money-boys. You can also get your hair done while enjoying a drink and the tunes, which are a mix of fun dance tunes, Cambodian pop, and gay standards. Continue reading →

Eating vegan and vegetarian in Kampot

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Kat Koepnick

Herbivores visiting Kampot will find it a food-lover’s paradise. The sleepy city by the river embraces the veggie lifestyle with three vegetarian-only restaurants and most eateries offering enticing plant-based options. Vegans need not fear; Kampot has you covered too with plenty of purely plant dishes that let you enjoy your stay without worry. The following are my tips for the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Kampot. In addition, you can find general tips and menu cards in our all-Cambodia guide to eating vegetarian and vegan.

vegetarian vegan Kampot

Vegetarians and vegans visiting Kampot have nothing to fear when it comes to dining.


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Photo exhibition: “Cambodia Reawakening: One year after the Khmer Rouge”

Posted on May 2, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

In 1980, one year after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, American photographer John Burgess arrived in Phnom Penh, where he began a journey across Cambodia to document the country’s recovery process. Burgess, who worked as a journalist for the Washington Post and TIME, traveled by car from Phnom Penh to Battambang and Siem Reap, and around the Tonle Sap, capturing amazing images along the way.

This month his photographs from that time will be on display in Siem Reap at Footprints Cafe from May 3rd to May 17th. See below for more details.

Cambodia vintage photo

The Phnom Penh-Battambang train was running, with every square centimeter filled. (Captions by John Burgess)

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The best pizza in Battambang

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Megan Brake

Despite its small size and relatively quiet atmosphere, Battambang has a surprising amount of foreign food options. From Indian to American, French to Spanish, visitors and Khmer alike can get their fix of cuisines from around the world. Oddly enough, the food with the most variety in Battambang is pizza.

Because I adore pizza, I’ve made it my mission to check out all the options in Battambang and find my favorite. The results of my arduous search include more than a few nights stuffed with pizza, and a definite choice for the number one best pizza in Battambang.

Battambang pizza

The best pizza in Battambang? Gets my vote!

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Review: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap PSD Xpress bus

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

As of December 19, 2017 PSD will no longer be offering service between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. 

Now that the road between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is fully paved and the trip takes only six hours, there’s no better time to get a glimpse of the Cambodian countryside through a bus window. PSD Xpress is a new company running full-size buses twice a day. If you’re trying to decide which company to take for the bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, I’ve got a report from a recent trip (I’m actually writing this review on the bus right now).

PSD Xpress Cambodia

PSD Xpress is the latest luxury bus plying the Phnom Penh to Siem Reap route.

PSD Xpress is aimed at the tourist market, positioning themselves alongside Giant Ibis and Mekong Express. But how do they compare? Continue reading →

Kampot late-night eats

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Kat Koepnick

Kampot is a foodie town, and that holds true even after most restaurants close — usually around 10 p.m. But fewer options and your current state of inebriation should not deter you from venturing out to satisfy those midnight munchies — particularly if it’s earlier than 1 a.m. (After that hour your options become rather grim and you’ll find yourself stumbling around to the handful of bars still open begging for a packet of Kampot crisps.) If it’s nighttime and you’re hungry, I’ve put together a list of the best late-night eats in Kampot.

Open late Kampot

Late? Hungry? Never fear, Kampot has lots of options.

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How to get a visa for Vietnam in Cambodia

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

If you’re headed to Vietnam after Cambodia, you’ll need to arrange a visa in advance. The price of getting a Vietnam visa in Cambodia is far cheaper than in Western countries, so you can save a bundle by getting it here.

Vietnam visa

Heading to Vietnam and need a visa? Skip the embassy and head to a travel agent.

At the time of writing, the following countries are able to visit Vietnam without a visa:

  • 15 days: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Japan, South Korea
  • 21 days: Philippines
  • 30 days: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia

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Siem Reap: Tour the temples by bicycle

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Steven Halcrow

Time is a funny thing. Six weeks ago, waking up at 4 a.m. to cycle around the Angkor Wat temple complex seemed like such a good idea. Now, at 4 a.m. on the day of the tour, I am significantly less enamored by the idea. It’s still dark out on the way to the pickup, and on Sok San Road we passed last night’s stragglers who are refusing to admit that it’s morning. Exactly what you need to see before going on a 5 a.m. bicycle tour.

Grasshopper Adventures temple tour

Cycle your way through the temples.

Grasshopper Adventures is one of the biggest bike tour companies in Asia and has a great reputation and glowing reviews so I signed up for the Angkor Sunrise Discovery Tour. We were picked up by our guide, Som, and a nameless driver who laughed uncontrollably every time I said anything in Khmer. First stop was the ticket booth to buy our $37 temple passes, not included in the $85 tour price.

This may seem expensive, but you are fully catered for with bike and helmet, breakfast, lunch, snacks, pickup and drop-off, as well as a qualified Angkor temple guide to show you around. The Angkor Sunrise Discovery Tour is one of their more expensive day tours, others are significantly less. Continue reading →