Cambodia
Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap
During the spring, my family and I chose to explore Cambodia, a country that has been on our bucket list for a long time! The people greeted us with warm smiles and were eager to show us around. A part of the time was for us to reconnect with a place where my grandfather grew up (we found his old house pre-Cambodia Genocide!), and another part of our trip was dedicated to educating ourselves on historical sites and events of the past. Throughout all of this, we also took the opportunity to be adventurous, explore different crafts, taste the flavorful local food, and embrace the landscape/views. Phnom Penh gave us a glimpse of history but also city life, Battambang gave us a more country-side experience, and Siem Reap was a more touristy area, full of exploration and fun.
The Historical Sites...
The highlight on our trip to Siem Reap was certainly Angkor Wat, a Hindu-Buddhist temple built around the 12th century. The structure was so huge and complex, and it took half of a day to explore just a region of it! The designs were also so intricate, and I admired how much detail and storytelling there was embedded on the walls. One thing I found interesting was the carving of a dinosaur on the wall: How did people at the time discover this? Our experience was so surreal!
During our stay in Phnom Penh, we visited the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and enhanced our knowledge on the Cambodian Genocide of 1975. I had an understanding of this difficult history before going to the museum, but stepping foot into the actual location felt different. Growing up, my family constantly retold the story of my great uncle and great grandmother who successfully escaped the genocide through the jungle during the Vietnam invasion of Cambodia in 1979. My sibo--great uncle--truly is the family hero, and his bravery and courage will always inspire me.
The area used to be a school until the Khmer Rouge Regime used the place as a detention center, turning the ground into a torture site. I was also grateful to meet three of the seven survivors of this specific torture cite (picture shown above), and I bought their books that they wrote to articulate their experiences. One of them was even a painter, and he would paint what he remembered to preserve history.
Throughout our trip, we visited many temples but also got the chance to visit the Royal Palace of Cambodia. This was not like the typical European palace that we just visited a few months back; rather, this was a palace covered in golden colors and topped with a gilded roof--it was a stunning sight!
The Adventure...
My absolute favorite ride in Cambodia was the bamboo train in Battambang! In the past, this platform on the railway was used to transport people and goods as the Cambodian Genocide destroyed the railway system. Now, the bamboo train can also be used as a tourist attraction. The bamboo train went at a very fast speed, and we were able to capture beautiful sights of the countryside during the ride!
Our next ride was in the tuk tuk cars in Siem Reap! This three-wheeled unique design was used all around Cambodia, so I was excited to ride in it as well. I was also glad to explore local markets on the way and get a sense of local life in Cambodia.
The Crafts...
On our drive from Battambang to Siem Reap, we were able to explore different crafts along the way. First, we went to a handmade silver shop and bought some bowls and jewelry.
Next, we stopped by a barn where we were given a pottery demonstration. I've always wanted to learn how to do pottery, and the lady who was demonstrating did it was patience and skill. At the end, we also bought many of their uniquely designed bowls and cups.
Our last stop in Siem Reap was a handmade scarf store. The artists would use natural dye from plants to create yellow and purple colors. They then used actual plant leaves to make printings on the scarves. This also took a lot of patience and dexterity! I greatly admired their work.
The Food...
The food we had in Cambodia was so rich and flavorful. We had lots of chicken, pork, stir-fried vegetables, and fish. We also stopped by a fruit market and got fresh durian! Aside from durian, there are also many other fruits commonly used in desserts like mango and coconut. We also had seafood and many pumpkin based foods including pumpkin soup.
The Views...
 Battambang |  Siem Reap |
|---|---|
 Phnom Penh |  Siem Reap |
We were able to capture gorgeous city views in Phnom Penh, sunrises & sunsets in Siem Reap, and tropical landscapes in Battambang! I definitely want to return to Cambodia some day!
