Things to do in Mondulkiri (waterfalls and trekking edition)

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Jen Green

Sen Monorom, the capital of Mondulkiri province in the north east of Cambodia, is the perfect off-the-beaten-track destination. Sen Monorom has something for everyone: families, tourists looking for an outdoors experience, animal lovers, adventure types, and hobbyists interested in gemstones and traditional textiles. Oh, and did we mention the waterfalls?

Elephants are clearly the must-see attraction, but Mondulkiri’s beautiful rolling hills with dry and wet sub-tropical forests, and plethora of gushing waterfalls are also worth a visit. Here’s some things you can do and see, using Sen Monorom as a base for exploring Mondulkiri:

Mondulkiri waterfalls

Chasing waterfalls in Mondulkiri.

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Phnom Penh’s best vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Alyssa Casey

I often get asked if it’s easy to be vegetarian in Cambodia. In Phnom Penh, the answer is yes! The city feels like a foodie paradise as so many different restaurants and cuisines have popped up in recent years. Here’s a roundup of the best vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in Phnom Penh. This list is by no means comprehensive, and I’m always discovering new favorites. So feel free to comment below with your favorite veg spot, and I’ll add it to the list!

I’ve organized the list by neighborhood: BKK area; Riverside; and Russian Market (Read more about how to eat vegetarian and vegan in Cambodia).

Phnom Penh vegetarian

Don’t worry, there are a plethora of vegetarian and vegan options in Phnom Penh

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The low-down on Bangkok to Siem Reap flights

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

Gone is the longstanding Bangkok Airways monopoly, and today there are four airlines that fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap: AirAsia, Thai Smile, Cambodia Angkor Air, and Bangkok Airways. We give you all of details so you can decide which Bangkok to Siem Reap flights suits you best.

Bangkok Airways Bangkok to Siem Reap

Long the dominant player on the Bangkok to Siem Reap route, Bangkok Airways has recently dropped their prices.

Bangkok Airways used to have a monopoly on this route, and consequently their Bangkok to Siem Reap flights were ridiculously expensive considering the distance. I suspect the execs at Bangkok Airways cry themselves to sleep at night thinking of the Bangkok to Siem Reap route, because today one-way tickets start at $88 and round-trip tickets start at $168. Tickets are more expensive on Tuesdays and Thursdays (when Thai Smile often don’t fly). Bangkok Airways has codeshare and interline agreements with many other airlines, so don’t be worried if this is the last leg of a longer journey as long as all of your flights are on the same ticket. They offer a 20kg baggage allowance for economy class flights, but be aware that they fly ATR72 propeller planes so there are smaller overhead luggage compartments. Continue reading →

How to get from Kampot to Kep (and vice-versa)

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

If you’re visiting Kampot and are itching to see Kep, or are sick of eating crab in Kep and are ready to see sleepy Kampot, never fear, there are several options to go back and forth between Kep and Kampot. The trip is only 25km (15 miles) and takes between thirty minutes to an hour depending on which type of transport you choose. None of these requires advance reservation and all can be booked while in Kampot or Kep.

The road from Kep to Kampot

The road between Kampot and Kep is finally sealed, and a tuk tuk ride is a great way to see the Cambodian countryside.

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Review: Spoons restaurant, Siem Reap

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Lina Goldberg

In a town that seems to have no shortage of training restaurants, Spoons has been open for less that two months but is already setting itself apart. The menu is tightly constructed, with just a handful of appetizers, mains, and desserts. The chef, Mengly Mork, draws inspiration from Cambodian street food, incorporating popular favorites in an upscale, fusion style.

Spoons Siem Reap

Num krok, a sweet and savory green onion and coconut crispy dumpling, at Spoons.

Siem Reap has at least a dozen training restaurants that aim to give disadvantaged Cambodia students skills that will allow them to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. The restaurants are generally run by NGOs that offer students English lessons plus employment and life-skills training before letting them work in the NGO’s restaurant. This model has had varying degrees of success around town, with the most effective restaurants, including Haven and Sister Srey and to a lesser degree, Marum, offering excellent food and service. Other training cafes offer same-same dishes at inflated prices with abominable service. Continue reading →

Lock’n’load in Kampot: Paintballing at Potshots

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Rob Payne

In Kampot’s glorious backyard, with serene Bokor Mountain looming in the distance, you won’t hear much but the faint sounds of ducks quacking in the distance. That is until you begin firing off a hundred shots, run for cover, and engage the enemy… Well, they used to be your friends until they were set loose with a top-of-the-line paintball gun. I sat down in the weapons locker with Ant, the mastermind behind the guns, the glory, and the games to learn more about Kampot’s next biggest attraction: Potshots paintball.

Kampot paintball

Fortune favors the bold.

About 3 km out of town, surrounded by the lush nature of the laid-back Kampot countryside, Ant has created an adrenaline junkie’s paradise. To get there, cross the new bridge and take the road to Sihanoukville with Wat Kampot on your left-hand side. Once you pass the petrol station, the road curves slightly and you’ll see a right turn onto a small dirt road with a Potshots sign. Follow the road for 300 meters until you see the next sign, turn left and you will emerge upon your battlefield. A tuk tuk from town costs $3 or $4. Potshots has flexible hours and so it’s best to give Ant a call and organize your havoc-filled day prior to arriving. Continue reading →

The best coffee in Battambang

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Megan Brake

Battambang is a quiet town, a far cry from the noise and congestion of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. But tucked away on these quiet streets are cafes serving up some of the best coffee in Cambodia. Here are the five best coffee places in Battambang to grab a terrific cup of joe for when you’re tired of street coffee and condensed milk.

Battambang coffee

The best coffee in Battambang? It’s definitely in the top five.

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Getting potted in Siem Reap: Khmer Ceramics Center review

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Tessa

When the temples start to all look alike and souvenir shopping palls, consider spending an hour or two sinking your hands into some genuine Cambodian clay. A pottery class at the Khmer Ceramics and Art Cente is hardly an in-depth encounter with traditional Khmer craft, but it’s an entertaining couple of hours that will leave you with a personal bit of handicraft and perhaps some appreciation for a real potter’s skill.

Khmer Ceramics Center Siem Reap

Looking for something to do besides temples? Spend an afternoon making ceramics.

Classes run a bit less than two hours and are given seven days a week throughout the day. You can choose to learn how to shape clay on the pottery wheel or try your hand at ceramic painting. Each class costs $20 and includes the firing of your finished piece, plus free pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Siem Reap. You can combine both classes for a four-hour experience. Continue reading →