Vietnam & Cambodia – Mekong River Cruise “Exclusive Charter”

Mekong

Phil Hoffmann Travel and Indochina Pandaw River Expeditions present a unique 12 day Asian adventure that is exotic, informal and tranquil – there can be no tapestry of life as fascinating and varied as the River Mekong.  Indeed there can be no more striking a cultural contrast as that between the bustling Vietnam Delta and the tranquility of Cambodia.

Cambodia Northeast Loop - 08 Days

Summary
Learn firsthand about the ancient history of the Angkor Empire and the Angkorian kings. Take a trip to Kratie to see the endangered Irrawadi Dolphin. Then venture to Ratanakiri , and visit the hill tribe people at Banlung, see waterfalls, and explore Vansai and Ta Veng. In Phnom Penh visit the Tuol Sleng Museum and explore the dark history of the Khmer Rouge Regime, also see the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda, and much more.....

National Museum

National Museum of Phnom Penh is instantly recognizable, with its warm red terracotta and its gracefully curved roof topped by dozens of guardian nagas. Located just north of the Royal Palace, off the street of Artists (178 Street), it was designed in 1917 by famed French architct George Groslier and the Ecole des Arts Cambodgiens, who made the most of traditional Khmer style. It was inaugurated by king Sisowath in 1920.

Wat Phnom

 










Wat Phnom is located a short distance from the Royal Palace, the heartof the capital Wat Phnom is poular with Cambodians and tourists alike. It is the center of Phnom Penh that gives the city its name. At 27 meters above sea level, it is the hghest point in the area, and , as a town gradually grew up around it , the settlement became known as Phnom Phen, the hill of Penh. It is zero point of the city.

Legend has it that a wealthy widow named Yeay Penh was walking by the Mekong River one day when she spied a KoKi tree log floating near the bank.

She found some locals to help her pull it to shore, and inside she found four statues of the Buddha. In AD 1372, she built a hill, or Phnom, and placed a shrine on top to house the precious artifacts.
In AD 1434, King Ponhea Yat came and constructed a city and gave the name Phnom Penh.

Today, the original shrine has been rebuilt many times- in AD1434, 1806, 1894, and 1926-- and each incarnation has seemed more beautiful than the one before.
On the hill there is a large stupa that holds the cremains of King Ponhea Yat and his royal family. Inside the stup, there is a Buddhastatue from the Angkorean era, from the 9th to 13th ecenturies.

At the base of the hill, on the southern side, a huge clock, illuminated at night, has become one of traffic roundabout, a cluster of European restaurants line the beginning of French Street, purveying fine wine with French and Italian cuisines.

The Splendid Royal Palace Complex in Cambodia Offered Our Editor A Magnificent Tour

The first Royal Palace to be built at the present location was designed by architect Neak Okhna Tepnimith Mak and constructed by the French Protectorate in 1866. That same year, King Norodom moved the Royal court to the new Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and the city became the official capital of Cambodia. Over the next decade several buildings and houses were added, many of which have since been demolished and replaced, The Royal court was installed permanently at the new Royal Palace in 1871 and the walls surrounding the grounds were raised in 1873. Many of the buildings of the Royal Palace, particularly of this period, were constructed using traditional Khmer architectural and artistic style but also incorporating significant European features and design as well. One of the most unique surviving structures from this period is the Napoleon Pavilion which was a gift from France in 1876. The magnificent Throne Hall is where the king's confidants, generals and royal officials once carried out their duties. It is still in use today as a place for religious and royal ceremonies as well as a meeting place for guests of the King. The cross-shaped building is crowned with three spires. The central, 59 meter spire is topped with the white, four-faced head of Brahma. As with all buildings and structure at the Palace, the Throne Hall faces east and has beautiful ceiling frescoes.The Silver Pagoda is a compound located on palace complex. Its main building houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Most notable is a small 17th century baccarat crystal Buddha (the "Emerald Buddha" of Cambodia) and a near-life-size, Maitreya Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds dressed in royal regalia commissioned by King Sisowath. The Silver Pagoda is inlaid with more than 5,000 real silver tiles.

Most buildings were completed before World War I, with involvement by French administrators and Thai designers and architects. French influence can be seen in the formal gardens which enhance the palace, and there are some European-style buildings on the grounds.The "Moonlight Pavilion"is an open-air pavilion that serves as stage for Khmer classical dance in the past and present. It is one of the most notable buildings of the palace as it easily seen from the outside as it was built alongside a section of the palace walls. The Chan Chhaya Pavilion has a balcony that was used as a platform for viewing parades. The Chanchhaya Pavilion serves as a venue for the Royal Dancers, as a tribune for the King to address the crowds and as a place to hold state and Royal banquets. Most recently, the Pavilion was used for a banquet and a tribune for the new King at the 2004 coronation of King Norodom Sihamoni. The Royal Palace complex is adorned with various well maintained gardens with tropical flowers, rare plants, and sculptures of various materials and themes in every direction on a walking tour. In addition the complex holds examples of several arts and crafts of Cambodia, including most unique Ramayana masks, shadow puppets, and several collections of priceless Buddhist and historical objects. Inside the Palace grounds, street sounds are silenced by the high walls and the various Royal buildings sit like ornate islands rising from the tranquil, manicured tropical gardens. Except for the area of the actual Royal residence, the Khemarin Palace, most of the Palace grounds and Silver Pagoda are open to the public.

The Royal Palace

The complex is divided by walls into three main compounds, on the north side is the Silver Pagoda, to the south side is the Khemarin Palace and the central compound contains the Throne Hall. The buildings of the palace were built gradually overtime, and some were dismantled and rebuilt as late as the 1960s. But some old buildings dates back to the 14th century.

King Sisowath (1904–1927) made several major contributions to the current Royal Palace, adding the Phochani Hall in 1907 (inaugurated in 1912), and from 1913-1919 demolishing several old buildings, and replacing and expanding the old Chanchhaya Pavilion and the Throne Hall with the current structures. These buildings employ traditional Khmer artistic style and Angkorian inspired design, particularly in the Throne Hall, though some European elements remain. The next major construction came in the 1930s under King Monivong with the addition of the Royal Chapel, Vihear Suor (1930), and the demolition and replacement of the old Royal residence with the Khemarin Palace (1931), which serves as the Royal residence to this day. The only other significant additions since have been the 1956 addition of the Villa Kantha Bopha to accommodate foreign guests and the 1953 construction of the Damnak Chan originally installed to house the High Council of the Throne.

AMBODIA CULTURE

 

The culture of Cambodia has had a rich and varied history dating back many centuries and has been heavily influenced by India. In turn, Cambodia greatly influenced Thailand, Laos and vice versa. Throughout Cambodia's long history, a major source of inspiration was from religion.

Throughout nearly two millennium, a Cambodians developed a unique Khmer belief from the syncretistic of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Indian culture and civilization, including its language and arts reached mainland Southeast Asia around the 1st century A.D.

Its is generally believed that seafaring merchants brought Indian customs and culture to ports along the gulf of Thailand and the Pacific while trading with China. The first state to benefit from this was Funan. At various times, Cambodia culture also absorbed elements from Javanese, Chinese, Lao, and Thai cultures.

The majority of Cambodians (nearly 90%) are of Khmer heritage, and an even greater proportion speaks Khmer the official language of Cambodia. Other languages spoken include French, Chinese, Vietnamese and English (which has become increasingly common).

26 The architectural masterpiece Angkor Wat temple made by Khmer civilization

Angkor Wat is an architectural masterpiece. It was constructed in the jungle in the early 12th century, then – two centuries later – was mysteriously abandoned by the Khmer civilization. It was built for king Suryavarman II as his state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre—first Hindu, then Buddhist—since its foundation.

The Temple was constructed over a period of 30 years, and illustrates some of the most beautiful examples of Khmer and Hindu art. Covering an area of about 81 hectares, the complex consists of five towers, which are presently shown on the Cambodian national flag. These towers are believed to represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, the Home of Gods and Center of the Hindu Universe. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls, narrating stories from Hindu Mythology.

Conventional theories presume the lands where Angkor stands were chosen as a settlement site because of their strategic military position and agricultural potential. Alternative scholars, however, believe the geographical location of the Angkor complex and the arrangement of its temples was based on a planet-spanning sacred geography from archaic times. Using computer simulations it has been shown that the ground plan of the Angkor complex – the terrestrial placement of its principal temples – mirrors the stars in the constellation of Draco at the time of spring

Grand Hotel D’Angkor, Cambodia

Grand Hotel d’Angkor is in eight kilometres from the famed Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The hotel is within five minutes drive of the town and 8 km from Siem Reap International Airport. The hotel was housed in 1932 and reopened in 1997 surrounded by beautiful landscaped garden. The place has colonial-style with cambodian furniture and decor, extremely tasteful.

Another Cambodia

I have written many times about the miraculous country called Cambodia. But this time I will present a really different look of the country. To many tourists Cambodia means only two things: the majestic temples of Angkor Wat and the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh. But the southern coast of the country is ”Another Cambodia” and during the recent years emerged as an alternative to the heavily trafficked beaches of Thailand.

La Residence d’Angkor in Cambodia

This is a private Orient-Express hotel on the banks of Siem Reap river in Cmabodia.La Residence d’Angkor is made of natural woods in the local Khmer style.Situated close by Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renown as one of the wonders of the world, it is perfectly situated to explore this amazing complex of temples.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor

The Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Cambodia is situated just eight kilometres away from the renown Angkor Temples, on the edge of the town of Siem Reap.It’s existed since 1931 and have provided accommodation for the visitors of the Angkor Temples.It is a great destination and famous historical hotel.

Gay Travel: Time to adore Cambodia

Gay travelers to South East Asia have a great deal to tempt them, and Cambodia is aiming to make sure that gay and lesbian visitors to the region are tempted by the delights of the country.
Cambodia have launched a worldwide tourism campaign ‘Adore Cambodia’, in an attempt to make gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers aware that they will be more than welcome in Cambodia.
Tourism to Cambodia has been assisted by the introduction of cheap flights to the country.  Low cost flights are available from nearby countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, helping gay and lesbian travelers to explore more of the region.  Cambodia is fast becoming a haven for gay and lesbian tourists who are wowed by the heritage sights, the friendly locals and the culture on offer.

Tourist Guide Phnom Penh

Phnum Penh was founded in the 14 century and was made the Khymer capital after abandonment of Angkor in 1434. In 1867 it became the capital of Cambodia.
During the World War II the city was occupied by the Japanese.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the most famous ancient temple site in Cambodia, and visiting the ancient Angkorian temples is the reason most visitors come to Cambodia, and to Siem Reap. With its five lotus-like towers rising 65 meters into the sky, it is truly a monumental, and awe inspiring sight. This UNESCO World Heritage site was at one time the largest pre-industrial city in the world, and is considered one of the ancient wonders of the world. Angkor Wat is the crown jewel of any visit to the temples of Angkor.

The ruins of Angkor Wat are located in the Angkor Archaeological Park, and the entrance to the park is located about 3km north of modern-day Siem Reap. There are no hotels within the park grounds, and most visitors to the ancient temples stay in Siem Reap, using it as a base from which to make daily visits to the temples. The most significant temple ruins are found 6 to 25km north of town, with the closest major temple being Angkor Wat. The Roluos Group of temples are 13km east of Siem Reap.
It is best to arrange your tour of the Angkor Archaeological Park with a reputable tour agency and a knowledgeable tour guide. They can assist with purchasing the admission pass, and arrange the transportation you will need. There are also guidebooks available, which will help in understanding the history of the temples.

 

History of Angkor Wat

The magnificent temple ruins of the Angkorian-era from the 9th to the 13th centuries, including Angkor Wat, Bayon and many other ancient temple ruins of the Khmer Empire are located in the Angkor Archaeological Park. The Park, just north of the town of Siem Reap, is more than 400 square kilometers in size, and is a World Heritage Site.
The temple ruins within the Angkor Archaeological Park are what remains of the thousand year old Angkorian-era capitals and temples of the ancient Khmer Empire. The name ‘Angkor’ comes from the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire that encompassed much of Southeast Asia from 800 and 1400CE, and also refers to the capital cities of the Empire. The Khmer Empire held great wealth and power, and dominated the area of present day Cambodia, as well as much of Thailand, southern Vietnam and Laos militarily, economically, and culturally.
Most of the structures seen today were constructed between the 9th and 12th century CE., and represent the height of Khmer art, architecture, and culture. The Khmer kings constructed magnificent temples, and huge waterworks, and at its zenith, the capital city at Angkor was populated by more than a million people.
Angkor Wat was constructed from the early to mid 1100s by King Suryavarman II at the height of the Khmer Empire’s political and military power. It was built in the shape of an enormous temple-mountain, and reportedly took some 50,000 artisans, workers, and slaves to complete. It was dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, and is the world's largest religious building. King Suryavarman II built it as his state temple, although the temple has a west facing orientation, and some scholars have theorized that it was actually his funerary temple. Whatever its original purpose, Angkor Wat is one of the world's most awe-inspiring and breathtaking architectural accomplishments of all time.
When one first visits Angkor Wat, the impact is breathtaking, and just seeing photos do not prepare one for the reality of this majestic structure. Approaching along the causeway, at first the architecture and outline against the sky makes it appear almost two- dimensional, like a huge, real-life postcard. However, as one gets nearer, the detail and intricacy become increasingly apparent.
Other temples built in the same time period and in the same style, are Thommanon, Banteay Samre, Wat Atwea and Beng Melea. It is speculated that Beng Melea may have been a model for Angkor Wat.

Cambodia Grand tour 13dyas 12 nights

Imagine a country full of ancient and modern history, saturated with beautiful religious monuments, teeming with wildlife, and lush with rice fields, grasslands, and rivers. This is probably not how most people think of Cambodia, but after travelling through the country on this 13-day tour, your opinion is likely to change. Get off the tourist trail and let the travel experts of Cambodia Budget Tour show you the real heart of Cambodia.
The tour starts in the capital of Phnom Penh, where the former granduer of French Indochina shines through in glimpses amongst the modern buildings of this rapidly growing city. Although the city was the epicentre of the tragic Khmer Rouge regime of the late 1970s, Phnom Penh’s main sights remained relatively untouched. The splendour of the Royal Palace, graceful lines of the National Museum, and the tree lined river quay are just some of the highlights of the capital.

MORE ABOUT CAMBODIA

MORE ABOUT CAMBODIA

"I loved Cambodia, it felt like something you might have seen in adventure movie. They say Cambodia is about 20 years behind Thailand so not too swamped by tourists. There is certainly plenty to see and do. I found the people easy going, friendly and relaxed. Also Cambodia as a country is stunning. The Temples are like something out of The Jungle Book and the beaches are wonderful (even during the rainy season)."