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| CAMBODIA |
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| For all the hearty noise and bustle of its cities, Cambodia has pockets of aged serenity that have an uncanny effect on all those who visit her. Though by no means without visitors, one often gets the feeling that men haven’t set foot on these sites for centuries. Tree roots embrace enigmatic stone edifices. Carved visages of Avalokitevara smile down from ancient gateposts. And the ruins of the Khmer empire still stand proud, apparently isolated from the modern world. Cambodia is one of those rare places that leave you feeling much edified. |
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Phnom Penh:
It is said that in 1372, an old nun named Penh built a temple for five Buddha statues she had found at the river. This humble genesis was followed by a turbulent history. But while vestiges of Khmer Rouge still remain, Phnom Penh is an eternally optimistic and highly hyperactive city, as the constant sounds of chatter, speeding motorcycles and urging vendors will attest. It takes but a little observation to see that Phnom Penh is not a city in mourning. And as sobering as a visit to its memorial sites may be, its lively streets make it impossible to be anything but cheerful. |
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Siem Reap:
After over three decades of deep slumber, Siem Reap has reawakened and reopened its doors to the world. And the world couldn’t be happier to accept the invitation. Once a sleepy little corner with few people and little traffic, Siem Reap is now a booming tourist hub, thanks in no small part to Angkor Wat. At heart it’s still a most idyllic spot, with languid water buffaloes, sedate monks and rice paddy fields lending even the imposing temples of Angkor an air of majestic serenity. |
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