I've heard of friends visiting Siem Reap, Cambodia but to be honest, I didn't really know what it has to offer. Ornate Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat temple, the movie Tomb Raiders and UNESCO World Heritage Site seemed to ring a bell, but only faintly. I had barely overcome my jetlag after having travelled 24 hours to get from Leeds, UK to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia before I was swiftly boarded onto a plane headed for Siem Reap.We spent the next 3 days walking for miles in hot, humid and dusty conditions as we explored temple after temple after temple. For my father, the highlight of the tour was visiting Tonle Sap (the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia) and observing the lifestyle of the people living on its "floating islands". For me, I particularly enjoyed learning about Cambodian history and its people. I learnt that the word Khmer is no more complicated than merely referring to the people, language, culture and empire of the kingdom of Cambodia - otherwise known as Kampuchea in Khmer language. Khmer cuisine is very similar to Thai cuisine but with less spice.
I'm ashamed to say that prior to this trip, whilst I have vaguely heard of the name Pol Pot, I didn't really know about the Cambodian civil war that span a period of three decades. It all started in the 1970s when Prince Sinahouk was overthrown. This eventually led to a power struggle between 4 different parties and the deployment of landmines throughout the country as each party attempted to defend their area of stronghold. Even in the present day (2013), the Cambodian Mines Action Centre (CMAC) is actively working to demine land across the country and assist in the safe return of thousands of refugees to their homeland.Despite the steep entrance fees to the Angkor Complex, a large majority of the population in Cambodia are still living in poverty. Tourism is the main income into the country. In a country where a fully qualified secondary school teacher earns a mere USD150 a month, it is no surprise that many people live in dire conditions with no clean water supply. However, it is not all doom and gloom. There is endless evidence of world aid filtering through from various countries including Czech Republic and India - countries that one wouldn't perceive as being particularly wealthy themselves!
The filming of the movie Tomb Raiders at the Ta Prohm temple has certainly provided the boost in tourism that Cambodia so desperately needs. The little bit of celebrity news generated when Angelina Jolie adopted an abandoned Cambodian boy, Maddox did not do any harm either. Whilst Cambodia has a long way to go in economic development, I do hope that if I were to return in 20 years' time, I will see a new improved Cambodia.
