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For decades, Cambodia has been fettered by political strife, poverty, deforestation, unexploded munitions and desperate reliance on food aid.
Tourism along with the export of clothing helps this south-eastern Asian country, which borders on the Gulf of Thailand between Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, generate its foreign exchange. Cambodia is still affected by its dark past, but is making positive efforts for its future.
It is often not the first choice for those travelling to the Southeast. Yet there are a few who decide to stay for more than just a holiday. Evan Davis, a Melbourne-based firefighter, lived in Cambodia for a year.
Here are his favourite experiences:
Angkor. Practically every tourist visits this sprawling temple complex, but many overlook some of the smaller, less famous sites. My personal favourite is Preah Khan, one of the more remote temples – in ruins – at Angkor.
Sunset on the boulevard along the Mekong River (see picture) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. It is a great place to watch tourists and locals unwind. Elephants wander past, kids leap into the river as onlookers while away their time at cafés and restaurants.
The only way to get from Angkor to Phnom Penh is by river. High-speed boats do the trip in about four or five hours. I will never forget sitting on the roof of a boat with the wind in my face as I watched the paddy fields whisk by.
In Phnom Penh, visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. There is a two-storey house Napoleon III gave to the Cambodian Royal family. It is reassembled on the grounds of the Palace, and is quite a contrast to its ornate surroundings.
Go to Kratie in Northeastern Cambodia to see freshwater or Irrawaddy dolphins.
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