Cambodia Suprise

Halfway Through Cambodia: A Journey of Culture, Adventure & Unexpected Surprises My familiarisation trip to Cambodia has been nothing short of incredible so far. From jungle bike rides to luxury hotels, candlelit ceremonies to Marmite at sunrise, every day has brought something new. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to so far. ? Touchdown in Siem Reap The journey started in style—with generous legroom, excellent service, and surprisingly good in-flight dining making the long-haul flight fly by (literally). A stopover in Singapore Changi Airport gave me the chance to see the stunning Rain Vortex waterfall and explore the Butterfly Garden and Canopy Park. Easily the best airport I’ve ever been to. A short hop to Siem Reap’s new airport, followed by a 45-minute transfer, brought me to the Park Hyatt Siem Reap—perfectly located in the heart of the city. From the moment I arrived, the warm Cambodian welcome set the tone for what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable stay. The evening ended with a candle-lighting ceremony and one of the most surreal dining experiences I’ve ever had—Le Petit Chef. A 3D projection storytelling dinner that takes you on a journey with a tiny French chef, combining entertainment with a multi-course gourmet meal. A brilliant start to the trip. ? Exploring Angkor Differently ????? Rather than the usual temple tour, I opted for the Hidden Trail of Angkor mountain bike tour, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Cycling through jungle paths, past rice fields, and stopping at Ta Nei (a beautiful hidden ruin) and Ta Prohm Temple, we got to experience the magic of Angkor without the usual crowds. We also passed the Cambodia Wall, an ancient stone structure stretching for miles through the jungle—no one really knows why it was built, which makes it even more fascinating. After hours of cycling, lunch at Sala Kdei—an open-air Khmer house overlooking Srah Srang—was exactly what we needed. The food? A proper feast. Fried frog (surprisingly good!), chicken, prawn, and fresh stir-fried veggies, all packed with flavor. Finished off with a Khmer foot massage—which my legs were very grateful for. If you’re ever in Siem Reap and want to see Angkor differently, this tour is 100% worth it. ? Hotel Visits & Market Wandering After a busy morning, we freshened up and spent the afternoon visiting some of Siem Reap’s top hotels: • Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – A classic beauty with a lot of history. • Sokhalay Angkor Residence & Spa – A peaceful retreat with spacious villas. • Mantra Nivesha Residence – A charming boutique hotel with a warm and welcoming feel. (I’ll be sharing more on each hotel soon.) In the evening, we joined the Cambodian Tourism Board to meet local hoteliers and tour operators—a great chance to explore how we can work together for my customers in the future. Wrapped up the day with a visit to the Siem Reap Night Market—because no trip is complete without picking up a few souvenirs! The hospitality from the Cambodia Tourism Board has honestly blown me away. Even though it’s only been a few days, I can’t wait to discuss and send my customers here. ? Marmite in Cambodia & The Road to Phnom Penh An early start on Koh Rong’s Royal Sands, but totally worth it. A 05:45 sunrise walk, followed by breakfast at 06:30—and yes, they had Marmite! Who would’ve thought? After a quick hotel tour (checking out everything from one-bed villas to three-bed options), it was time for the 09:00 boat transfer back to the mainland. The 45-minute speedboat ride was the perfect way to soak up those final island views before arriving at KOS Pier. Then, a three-hour drive to Phnom Penh, with changing scenery and glimpses of local life making it an interesting journey. A lunch stop at Kravanh gave us another taste of authentic Cambodian flavors, before heading to our hotel for check-in and a much-needed short break. By 15:30, we were off again—this time to Raffles Phnom Penh for a hotel inspection and cocktails. Classic, elegant, and a great spot to unwind. The evening was all about networking, with a two-hour event meeting the tourism board, local hotels, and tour operators—even the UK ambassador to Cambodia made an appearance! A fantastic opportunity to connect and see how the industry is evolving. ? Now, it’s on to Singapore for the next part of the journey. So far, this trip has been a mix of adventure, culture, and incredible hospitality. Cambodia has truly surprised me in the best way, and I can’t wait to share even more in the next update.