Location: Phnom Penh
Day 1 - 23 Mar 2019
Phnom Penh International Airport
Content: Took a Cathay Pacific flight from home airport SFO to PNH via Hongkong. Flight was very comfortable and service by airline staff was flawless. Had some coffee and sandwich at Apron Cafe which was good enough.
Rosewood Hotel
Content: Took a cab from airport to hotel which was 20 mins away. Without a doubt, Rosewood Hotel is the most spectacular 5 star hotel experience we ever had. Room was spacious and comfortable.
Cambo cruise
Content: After relaxing for couple of hours we spend the rest of the evening on cruise while enjoying beautiful sunset along with tasty on board BBQ dinner and cocktails. Hotel pickup and drop off facility was provided which is more comfortable. The ambience was perfected with good local music. So don't miss a boat ride on the Mekong river aboard a distinctly Cambodian vessel.
Location: Phnom Penh
Day 2 - 24 Mar 2019
Wat Phnom
Content: Enjoyed wide spread breakfast early at Hotel and left for Wat Phnom which was 10 mins walking only. Wat Phnom is one of the famous Buddhist temple. Prepare yourself for a somewhat chaotic scene when you arrive and begin the walk to the top of the hill. Pushy vendors and beggars vie for your attention, just hold on to your wallet. Also avoid people selling birds in the cage as birds are trained to return back.
Wat Ounalom
Content: Took a local transport named Tuktuk for Wat Ounalom which was 5 mins away. Experience in tuktuk was just mind blowing. Wat Ounalom is important pagoda in Phnom Penh and has 44 structures including a stupa thought it contain an eyebrow hair of Buddha. It is advisable to visit this place in early morning to avoid bustle of busy surrounding city. In this peaceful atmosphere visitors can hear monks chanting while they wander the pagoda, and even visit with them after morning Prayer.
Happy Paradise Pizza
Content: This place was 2 mins from Wat Ounalom and what to say about Pizza's they served, it was indeed a feel of paradise. Amazing food and also try shakes along with pizza.
National Musuem of Cambodia
Content: The National Museum of Cambodia is home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. It is Cambodia's largest museum. Unless you are really into artifacts, spending a few hours at most would be sufficient to see some wonderful sculptures and to experience the highlights of this huge collection. We got tired walking for 2 hours and exploring museum.
Bodia Spa riverside
Content: After walking and exploring Phnom Penh city attractions we head towards Bodia Spa riverside which was 3 mins walk from National museum. At the Bodia Spa you will be able to choose from a variety of massages. This is a welcome treat for visitors who have spent all day walking around Phnom Penh.
Phsar Thmei Central Market
Content: This place is very crowded from one end to another and gateway to central market is lined with hawkers who sell different types of titbits. Phsar Thmei market stocks everything right from food items to clothes, silver-works and jewellery. Even if you don't feel like shopping just head inside to appreciate the impressive golden dome straight above you. Here, you might have to bargain for certain items.
Iza Restuarant Rosewood Hotel
Content: Dinner we had in our own hotel at Iza Restaurant which was very much recommanded by a friend. This Japanese restaurant provides beautiful view of the river and meal was just exceptionally tasty.
Location: Phnom Penh
Day 3 - 25 Mar 2019
The Royal Palace
Content: Visiting Palace early is advisable as it gets very crowded and hot after mid-morning. It took us 2 hours to fully explore this Palace. All visitors need to wear shorts that reach to the knees and a T-shirt that reaches to the elbows. The main attraction in the Palace compound is the Throne Hall.
Silver Pagoda
Content: The Silver Pagoda is located on the south side of the Royal Palace. Staircase leading to Silver Pagoda were of Italian marbles, and the huge Buddha is covered in 2086 diamonds.
Toul sleng genocide museum
Content: This place was very interesting and also harrowing but you cannot miss it. Try and avoid heat of the day rather visit early morning or later evening. This place is example of Human Brutality and Greed for Power. We were lucky to see 2 gentleman who were among the only 5-7 survivors found from this place. Knowing through them about there experience put us in tears. And we bought there book hope that might genuinely be helpful to them.
Elephant Bar
Content: Visit to Cambodia is incomplete without a visit to famouse elephant bar. This bar has full range of wines, beers and Asia's largest selection of Gin. We tried there signature cocktail "Femme Fatale". Would suggest to visit in happy hours to enjoy drinks at half price.
Independence Monument
Content: Independence Monument stands tall in sight in the middle of the road, surrounding by no longer sense of forcing while sun shines warmly on the monument. When crossing the streets we should pay attention to safety as there are many motorcycles. You can also smell coffee and popcorn on the street near which has to be tried.
Eleven One Kitchen
Content: This is an authentic restaurant which is nice to enjoy the atmosphere of garden. The restaurant offered authentic local dishes. The Fish Amok is a must to try, you cannot claim visiting Cambodia without eating this dish. Brilliant cocktails and good music adds to the atmosphere. But advisable to carry a mosquito spray.
Location: Kampot
Day 4 - 26 Mar 2019
Kampot river residence
Content: It was 3.5 hours journey from Phnom penh to Kampot by road. This property was on the edge of the river which gave wonderful experience of nature and farm landscape surrounding the areas. But not all staff was helpful and caring.
Kampot river residence
Content: We hired bike for 1$ each. Kampot is a very small place so it will take only a few hours to scope out the place. I ended up at a large market where no one spoke a word of English but I grabbed some lovely food there: rice with cucumber, lettuce and picked carrots with lashings of soy sauce.
Kampot river residence
Content: We had dinner at our hotel itself as day was tiring and wanted to relax. Food was just going with the lovely atmosphere.
Location: Kampot
Day 5 - 27 Mar 2019
Salt fields of Kampot
Content: We woke up very early in the morning just in time for the sunrise and make our way to salt field and for rising sun to reflect in the salt fields flooded by sea water.
Local restaurant
Content: A typical breakfast of Cambodia is fresh rice noodles with curry and chinese noodle soup which we had at local restaurant of Kampot.
Bokor National Park
Content: A must see destination of Kampot is Bokor National Park under any weather scenario. Be sure to carry lightweight coat and wear pant as it is very windy on Bokor mountain. Plan on spending atleast half a day viewing the sites on Bokor Mountain including an interesting Wat, a Catholic Church and one of the King’s former residences. Best of all are the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. We took a tuktuk from Kampot to view the sites. It is best to get there early in the day to avoid the crowds.
Kampot sunset cruise
Content: This was best experience at Kampot watching sunset from boat. Enjoying with music and 2 beers made our evening very light and interesting.
The Floating Garden
Content: The Floating Garden is one such boat and their menu is displayed proudly on the sidewalk. If you don’t have time to go for a ride, Floating Garden is a great spot to watch the sunset and enjoy dinner or drinks. Food served here were not that expensive but taste was just amazing.
Location: Koh Rong Sanloem
Day 6 - 28 Mar 2019
Sol Beach resort
Content: We arrived at Koh Rong Sanloem via van to Sihanoukville and from there via ferry. We had been given pick up facility by hotel. It was 3 star hotel but very clean property and friendly staff. It was right on the beach, water was clear and beautiful calm place.
Vietnamese Beach
Content: There are 28 beaches on the Koh Rong but the Vietnamese beach is a must see. It is known for the beautiful corralled starfish that flood the beach after high tide. It is good place to capture pictures for best memories.
Police Beach party zone
Content: They claim that this is nearest thing to Thailand's famous full moon party. Party are conducted twice a week here. But hardly 35-40 people are there and not even good music. Beer was very cheap 1$ but nothing exciting was happening.
Location: Koh Rong Sanloem
Day 7 - 29 Mar 2019
Sol Beach resort
Content: We enjoyed breakfast on the beach side, climate was superb in morning.
Lonely Beach
Content: We head to the Lonely Beach for walk and snorkeling. Water was so clear and beaches were clean. Our experience of snorkeling was mind blowing.
Sol Beach resort
Content: We came back to hotel to pick up our bags as we had to check out and leave for Sihanouk Airport for our next destination Siem Reap.
Location: Siem Reap
Day 7 - 29 Mar 2019
Anantara Angkor resort and spa
Content: We have 2 nights stay in this 5 star resort that is just so lovely with extraordinary location and amenities. Staff provided us excellent service.
Location: Siem Reap
Day 8 - 30 Mar 2019
Angkor Wat
Content: We left early for Angkor Wat just after breakfast. It was 15 mins from our resort. Morning roadside scenes were just exceptional. I was being entranced by the famed spiraled towers of Angkor Wat, and I stood there, completely in awe, with nothing to do but soak in the sun’s rays and the temple’s majesty. You’ll need to wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders. Must carry hat as sun is likely to be strong and also wear good quality walking shoes and carry raincoat.
Angkor Thom
Content: Angkor Thom known as the Bayon Temple, is also an absolute must. What makes it unique is the smiling faces which jut out of the rocks and greet you with their warm disposition. The distances between temples can be traveled via tuktuk to save time if you’ve only got a day.
Ta Prohm Temple
Content: What makes it truly famous is the way the jungle has grown into and straddled the structure. It’s an example of what happens when a man made structure is essentially given back to nature. To me this is the most unique spot to snap a photo.
Anantara Angkor resort and spa
Content: After a long day at Angkor Wat we pampered ourselves at resort's spa by traditional khmer massage. Felt so relaxed and fresh after that.
Anantara Angkor resort and spa
Content: We spend our evening at Dining by Design where an Apsara performs for two as you dine in the courtyard. It is a private dinner arranged on request. We were given our personal chef who cooked as we decided on the menu.
Location: Siem Reap
Day 9 - 31 Mar 2019
Cambodian Landmine Museum
Content: Landmine Museum is the best place in Siem Reap to educate yourself on the whos, whats, and whys regarding landmines in Cambodia. It also gives up to date briefing on landmine situation.
Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity
Content: It is one of the most vital wildlife conservation centres of Cambodia. The biodiversity centre offers two tours during the day: one at 9 am and one at 1 pm. On these tours the knowledgeable and passionate guides will explain how they rehabilitate otters, porcupines, birds and other animals so that they can be reintroduced into the wild.
Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre
Content: Here is an experience that you don't want to pass up while in Cambodia. This butterfly sanctuary and conservation centre is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with your favourite insects. We took an educational tour with a guide who showed us the various stages of the butterfly's life cycle. Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is open every day of the week from 9 am to 5 pm.
Wander Pub Street
Content: After so much culture, history and ancient architecture to take in during the day we just want to let off some mindless steam at night. For a relaxed evening of western food and a wild night of Angkor beers on tap head to Pub Street. You will find plenty of clubs and watering holes that are open late.
Location: Phnom Penh
Day 10 - 1 Apr 2019
Phnom Penh International Airport
Content: We check out from resort early morning to reach Phnom Penh airport which was 5.30 hours from Siem Reap to catch flight back to home. Our journey in Cambodia will be memorable. Had wonderful 10 days in different cities of Cambodia.