Books
Most books about Cambodia concentrate either on Angkor or the Khmer Rouge atrocities - travelogues and fiction are virtually non-existent. If you can't find the following books before you leave home, you should be able to get them in Bangkok or Cambodia itself. Where a book is published in the UK and the US, the UK publisher is given first, followed by the US one. The abbreviation o/p means "out of print". David Chandler , A History of Cambodia; Brother Number One (both Westview Press). In A History of Cambodia Chandler, the acknowledged authority on Cambodian history, examines the changing fortunes of the country during the two thousand years of its existence. His considered biography, Brother Number One, serves to shed some light on the enigma of Pol Pot, a man with mild manners, but a genocidal bent. Amit Gilboa , Off the Rails in Phnom Penh - Into the Dark Heart of Guns, Girls and Ganja (Asia Books, Bangkok). A shallow, seedy, sensational account of expat life in Phnom Penh. Gilboa sets out to shock rather than to create a literary masterpiece. Claude Jacques , Angkor (Konemann). One for the library rather than the suitcase, this generous volume tracks the rise and fall of the great Khmer civilization. Bright, readable history and thorough technical descriptions of the temples are interspersed with stunning photographs and detailed temple plans. Henry Kamm , Cambodia - Report from a Stricken Land (Arcade, US). The truth of contemporary Cambodian history laid bare - an informed and authoritative narrative of the complex international manoeuvres which destroyed Cambodia's chances of an early recovery. Norman Lewis , A Dragon Apparent (Picador/Transatlantic-Pubns Inc). Now only available as part of the Norman Lewis Omnibus: A Dragon Apparent; Golden Earth; A Goddess in the Stones, Lewis's colourful travelogue describes his journey through Indochina during the last years of French rule. Dith Pran , Children of Cambodia's Killing Fields (Yale University Press). A moving compilation of memoirs from those who experienced the Cambodian holocaust first-hand. Dawn Rooney , Angkor (Odyssey, Hong Kong). A comprehensive introduction to the temples of Angkor, with the benefit of detailed plans and a monument-by-monument guide to the main temples. Vittorio Roveda , Khmer Mythology (Thames and Hudson/Weatherhill). Roveda explains the legends and histories behind Angkor's incredible carvings, bringing numerous reliefs to life. David Smyth , Colloquial Cambodian (Routledge). An easy-to-use introduction to written and spoken Cambodian. Chou Ta-Kuan , The Customs of Cambodia (Siam Society, Bangkok). A translation of the intriguing accounts of thirteenth-century Chinese Mandarin Chou Ta-Kuan. His detailed chronicles offer an amazing insight into daily life at Angkor, at the peak of the Khmer Empire. Usha Welaratna , Beyond the Killing Fields (Stanford University Press, US). As fearful Cambodians fled the country in 1979, thousands of refugees were left without homes. Welaratna's perceptive book examines the experiences of nine Cambodian refugees who settled in the United States to rebuild their lives. Ray Zepp , The Cambodia Less Traveled (o/p). Part travelogue, part dated guide book, this rare edition is worthy of a read if a copy can be found. Reveals the wonders, limitations and frustrations of travelling through Cambodia in the mid-1990s.
jars of clayyi says "a must go place in Phonm Penh if you like great English food.
Waitresses speak gently in sweet English." siem reap wondersFistri Abdul Rahim says "its not just Angkor that's amazing, check out the Old Markets and the wonderfully friendly shopowners, Shop no 35 especially! Me and friend came back a second time and she offered us a great Siem Reap snack that is so tastefully sweet we just got to grab a few pieces to bring home.
Also, go around in the Tuk-tuks rather than the mini vans or cars, that way you could see the sights first hand and feel the breeze (and dust! hahah).
Oh and when you just want to chill and see the world go by, sit by the verandah on the ground floor or get a seat next to the balcony at the great, Grand Cafe. The profiterolles were great and so is the fresh orange juice!" Explore South-East Asia On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My film "Ho Asked Me to Go” presents an exciting trip to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos. It features Bangkok, Angkor Wat, Cambodian court dancing, both north and south Vietnam, including Hanoi’s water puppet theater, the Great Sacred Stupa of Laos, and Luang Prabang with its dazzling Buddhist temples, plus much more.
The video can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I still sell absolutely nothing.
With any modem you can view the gallery of still pictures from this trip.
There are 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line including trips to China, Russia, Antarctica, Italy, the UK, Australia, Bali, Japan, Africa, Greece, and Turkey; see lions, whales, elephants, or penguins.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures.
To watch the videos or view the stills, ask a search engine for: Intrepid Berkeley Explorer"
Your Tip for Cambodia
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