| Cambodia is a land on the mend. From 1977 through | | | | Sihanoukville is a small, sleepy village on the |
| 1980, the Khmer Rouge ruled the country, fanatics | | | | Southwest edge of Cambodia. Fairly undeveloped, |
| bent on genocide. Millions were killed and the period | | | | the area is an oasis similar to the beaches of Thailand. |
| was put to film in the movie, "The Killing Fields." | | | | The difference, however, is the lack of tourists. |
| Fortunately, those days are over and the country is | | | | Depending on the time of year, the beaches can be |
| becoming a tourist destination. | | | | more or less empty and privacy assured. Rooms run |
| Cambodia is a land of incredible contrast. Thick forest, | | | | between $5 and $15 a night and come with private |
| mountains and pristine rivers compliment amazing | | | | bathrooms. If you are looking to lounge |
| white beaches. When you get down to it, however, | | | | professionally, Sihanoukville is a very good place to |
| travelers know Cambodia for two things, Angkor | | | | do it. |
| Wat and the nastiest roads around. But, let's not get | | | | Angkor Wat |
| ahead of ourselves. | | | | Stunning. There is no other word for the temples of |
| Phnom Penh | | | | Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a temple surrounded by |
| Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia. The city is a | | | | hundreds of others. Each is unique and worth a look. |
| combination of old French beauty and modern | | | | The most famous are Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta |
| condominiums. The city is full of amazing Wats | | | | Phrom. Angkor Wat is in the best shape as well as |
| [Buddist monasteries], including Wat Ounalom, Wat | | | | the most known. The Bayon is impressive, but the |
| Phnom and Wat Moha Montrei. Modern buildings | | | | constant mob of tourist makes it a pain to visit. Ta |
| surround these monasteries and it's difficult to avoid | | | | Phrom is amazing because it has been left to the |
| a feeling that the old ways are being lost. | | | | jungle, which is to say trees and the structure have |
| Still, the vibrancy of the city is impressive considering | | | | become one in many areas. If you have seen Tomb |
| the fact that it was completely abandoned for three | | | | Raider with Angelina Jolie, you have seen Ta Phrom. |
| years in the last 70s. During this period, the Khmer | | | | Personally, I prefer Angkor Wat to the Pyramids in |
| Rouge tried to return the Cambodian people to their | | | | Egypt. |
| agricultural heritage and evacuated all cities. The only | | | | Roads From Hell |
| exception, of course, is Tuol Sleng, a high school | | | | Cambodian roads are evil. There is simply no other |
| used to torture and kill "enemies of the state." Just | | | | way to put it. The country is hit by monsoons every |
| beyond the city, one will also find the infamous killing | | | | year and is still recovering from the Khmer Rouge. |
| fields where thousands upon thousands were put to | | | | This combination has resulted in roads with huge |
| death. | | | | potholes, missing bridges and pretty much the worst |
| Sihanoukville | | | | elements of Dante's Hell. Avoid them if at all possible! |