Prong

by Sorn Sreynech

Prong is a kind of popular soup among Khmer Leor people living in northeastern area of Cambodia. This soup is usually cooked as part of the main dish of people in tribe. Because of its delicious taste, Pront became popular to other neighboring provinces making it an everyday part of their menu.

            The main ingredient of the soup are beef, banana plant, sweet leafs (the mix of wild leaf and pepper leaf), citronella (not leaf), pea eggplant, green peppers, prohok (kind of Khmer cheese made from fishes), a kind of ginger used in soup, garlic and red garlic. The taste of soup is a bit spicy which makes it much more delicious. The soup is rich in vitamins and protein derived from vegetables and beef respectively. Its ingredient, the sweet leaf is rarely found in cities. This kind of vegetable g kind of these leafs mostly grow ionly in forest found in rural areas. This is another must-try in visiting Cambodia.

  

From Worms to Silk

by: Se Sothida

Khmer Silk is very popular in the world for many years. There are not many countries that can produce silk, considering the complexity of the process which requires several days to produce.

Silk is produced from different types of insects, but only the silk of moth has been used for textile industry. The female adult silkworm can produce approximately 400 eggs a time and as soon as it lays eggs, it will die instantly.   

To produce silk as a final or semi final product we have first the silkworm egg is laid on a flat large basket where they are placed under gauze with the intention of keeping larvae of the silkworm egg following it hatch. The incubation from silkworm egg to larvae takes around 10 days. About 6 weeks later the larvae will then be mature enough to spin a web of silk cocoon. The web of silk cocoon emerges with the fibrin secretion from the salivary glands of mature larvae. This rotation of silk cocoon which produces a thick silk thread will take about a week. At this time, it is called pupating. After that, the silk threads are separated from cocoons to make a single thread by using traditional tool. Sometimes, a single filament of thread is taken from many cocoons.

At the end of the process, the product is raw silk that is turned into varieties of different purposes for example, dress, shirt, tie, bed sheet, and other products. Besides, silk is designed by weaving into traditional fabric, sarong, and scarf that Cambodian people always wear in any special ceremonies such as Khmer New Year, Pchhom Ben Festival, wedding, and other events.      

The process of producing Khmer Silk is quite complicated and required deep attention compared to other production process. Khmer silk is famous for both foreign and local tourists as souvenir for their beloved as well.

         

Visiting Siem Reap

by: Sok Sopheaktra

Siem Reap has many places where tourists both domestic and international, can spend their holiday trip together with family, friends and co-workers. The Siem Reap province is the main tourist site in Cambodia According to Khmer History from 9th Century to 12th Century, a lot of temple complex  were built in Siem Reap province. The province is located in northwestern Cambodia, on the  shores of the Tonle Sap Lake which is the biggest lake in Cambodia. Its distance is 314km from Phnom Penh, and can be reached along the National Road No 6 via Kampong Cham Province and Kampong Thom Province.

         
Siem Reap has been popularly known for tourists because of these landmarks: Angkor Wat temple,Phnom, Bakheng  mountain, Banteay Srei Temple and many others. Angkor Wat has been regarded as the (7^th) World Heritage in the world.
 

            Angkor Wat  literally means “City Temple” It is a Temple Complex which has 65 meter height, 200 hectares land area and surface of temple 1,500 meters  built at the beginning of 12^th Century during the reign of the King Sorayak Varaman II (1113 – 1152) dedicated to Preah Vi Snouk who was named Prech Bo Me Vi Snouk Lok right after he died. This temple is a huge sacrifice of Sorayak Varaman II. His intention is to create the real haven on the earth. Angkor Wat Temple is the soul of Khmer people (90% of Cambodian population). It represents Khmer art, great civilization, spiritual heart, national identity and political power in the Angkorean era.

Angkor Wat is not only provided fresh air and cool environment, but also conveys visitor’s feeling to move into the ancient time, the golden age of Khmer empire.

Huge trees seem to tell visitors that those temple were abandon or forgotten for a very long time. So what did happen during that time? How did people live? What was really look like in that era? And how many mystery was hidden according to the time? Almost visitors ask themselves those questions above, when they take their time to visit Siem Reap Province. Besides, Siem Reap provides other services such as: Luxury hotels, quest house, souvenir’s shops, restaurants, night clubs and so on that can make tourists easy to stay, to live or buy the souvenirs for their relative or friends. 

Phnom Bakheng which has 45 meter height and 109 peaks located on the top of 65 meter height mountain of  Bak kheng where tourist usually climb up to get fresh air and take picture of sun set in the afternoon overlooking  Tonle Sap Lake and Angkor Wat set in dense Jungle.

Banteay Srei Temple was built in 10^th century which Cambodian uses this temple to pray to Hindu and Shiva. It is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The building themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by standard of Angkor construction. This temple was built with a very beautiful carving. Even this temple is a bit old, but it still can attract many tourist to visit its.

         
Angkor Wat as well as any Khmer ancient temple just a pile of stone, but in the eyes of scholars those ancient stones are not things, actually they have many ancient sculpture and poem on the wall presented about craftsmanship, architecture, believe, faith, living of People in ancient time.

TaTai Resort

by Sok Kahna

The most exciting resort  floating within four rivers is TaTai. Dveloped in November, 2009. TaTai is a among the top-ten tourist destinations along with Prasat Preah Vihear, Angkor Wat, Bokor National Park, Sihanoukville, Ratanakiri Province, Mondulkiri Province, Kratie, Phnom Penh, Kampot, and Koh Ker for its Best in Travel 2010 publication.

TaTai is one of small resorts in Koh Kong Province which is located in south-west Cambodia. Tourists can get there by National Route 4 which is linked to Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville. Instead of traveling by cars or buses, tourists can enjoy traveling by boat. Normally, it takes five hours to arrive at Tatai. During the 5 hours trip along the road, tourists will enjoy with the beautiful scenery of mountains, fresh fruit farms, the five bridges across attractive rivers, and the natural view of lush forests. 

Between the crossing of Sihanoukville and Koh Kong Province, don't forget to try tasty Durian sold along the way by the locals. After relaxing with the 4.5 hours journey, you'll reach Koh Kong Province. Spend another 30 minutes to catch TaTai Resort by boat. TaTai is a peaceful and quiet resort which is surrounded by Cardamom Mountains and section of Kirirom National Park. The Cardamom Mountains are one of  Asia's most pristine ecological areas and also one of its most inaccessible; a perfect hiding place for rare animals - indochinese tigers, asian elephant, and javan rhinoceros. 

What's more, TaTai is seated within the 4 rivers floating. You'll see many luxury tents completely floating platform. TaTai offers an absolute pleasure to tourists. With the floating eco-lodge, it's favorable to receive unsullied feeling and serene precious nature. For newly-wed couples, it's a unique resort that you would consider to have your honeymoon. Within its untouched environment, it's a truly haven on earth. Besides, it is not only a romantic place for new couple, but also a relaxing place for other tourists who want to find a quiet place for their holiday. They can enjoy many entertainment activities such as sunbathing, fishing, jointing barbecue, boating, and others. Furthermore, fresh seafood is the main cuisine that Tatai offers. Tourists will enjoy the taste  of seafood.

TaTai is a marvelous resort that will release your stress. I bet, you'll find a romantic feeling with the beautiful views of lush forested mountains, natural habitat, rare animals, floating eco-lodge.

           

         

Bamboo Sticky Rice

by Lim Seakthor

If we travel to northeastern extreme of Cambodia by national highway number 7, we will come across Kratie province pronounced as kracheh. Because of Kratie is once among other provinces that are located along the Mekong River, it becomes the exciting local capital province for national and international tourists.

Kratie Province is famous for the bamboo sticky rice locally known as krolan in khmer. All tourists that visit this province, they never forget to buy Bamboo Sticky Rice for their relatives because it is tastier. Krolan is made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and bean. They are mixed together, and packed in a small bamboo stick.

It is about 0.3meter long and 0.3g in weight. At the top of it, they put the skin of coconut. It is prepared in two parallel blocks and then they burn it. The secret of its taste lies in burning the bamboo while the rice is inside it. Once u peel the bark of the bamboo, you can smell its good taste and coconut filling. Its taste is sweet making it the people 's favorite snack.

Aside from  being a tourist destination, Kratie province became popular because of its Bamboo Sticky Rice . Most of the tourists enjoy its taste which makes them crave for more.

Discovering the Mystery of Phreah Vihear

By Vongsen Pisey

Prasat Preah Vihear is an ancient Khmer temple in Cambodia situated at the top of 525 meters cliff in the Dangrek Mountains. Preah Vihear province is about 320 km from Phnom Penh.

This temple was constructed to dedicate to the Hindu God, Shiva and it is the first temple in the early 9(th) century. We can find inscription at the temple about sacred rituals, celebrations, religious festivals and making gifts of Suryavarman II.

Phreah Vihear temple was selected by UNESCO World Heritage as the world’s greatest landmark. The architecture of this temple was adapted to the natural environment and religious function. The design of buildings and their materials express well values of the property.

Preah Vihear temple is unique in its style of architecture with an overwhelming view of the province atop. This temple has four courtyards and levels comprising five Gopuras.

On the first level Gopura is Greek architecture style and each doorway adorned by stone lions. Moreover, Nagaraj Courtyard is made from a single solid stone that had seven headed snakes called Ngu Suang. The front stone stairway is a large stone located on the first and second steps with stone signa statue. Third level Gopuras was the place where the king prays to the God, and the two wings on its side were the shelters for the pilgrims.

The best time to see the beauty of Phreah Vihear is in the morning and evening. In the morning time, one can watch mountains bathed in sunlight while unwinding in fresh cool air from surrounding mountains and forests. Evening is also a great time, where clouds and thick fog spells cold ambiance. Picture taking is good at this moment as sun sets in.

Experience Mondulkiri: Elephant Trekking

by: Nou Pichdalice

An elephant ride is something that cannot be forgotten and will stay in the memory of tourists who have visited waterfalls and rain forests. One can find Elephant Trekking in different places across Cambodia specifically in Mondulkiri – Cambodia’s top trekking destination site.

Mondulkiri is located in the northeastern of Cambodia about 543km from Phnom Penh. One can reach Mondulkiri safely by bus. Mondulkiri is considered the biggest province in Cambodia; however the density is very low. It is full of natural resources; forests with huge trees, many of which have survived for more than a hundred years. Mineral such as gold and gems can also be found in this province.

Tourists consider the place as breathtakingly beautiful due to its the rich culture and natural beauty one can see and experience while traversing the land. One can still find indigenous people whose culture is still very much alive. These are the tribes who make Mondulkiri a unique province in Cambodia worth everyone’s visit. The place boasts of interesting activities like elephant ride, while trekking the rain forest where you can see and experience the green wild thick forest or unwind at Busra waterfall. Mondulkiri offers every visitor a chance to fully interact with nature with the locals as guide who will accompany you on the trek in an elephant ride. Since its inception, the trekking tour has helped local people earn extra income by acting as tour guides for tourists and is considered an environment-friendly transportation means. These tribe people pay a high respect for these elephants by praying to elephant gods as part of regular praying ritual and death ceremonies because domestic elephants are very important for them in their daily life. If you like adventurous trip do not lose this chance and join these fascinating activities.

Tourists can arrange from the travel agency or somewhere at the guesthouse, hotel, or communities. It is recommended to book the tour one day in advance so they will have enough time to arrange everything for you smoothly.

Nou Pichdalice is a fourth year student of Pannasastra University of Cambodia taking up English for Business.

Welcome Readers

Welcome to our blog. Discover Cambodia will provide you the information on places, food and lifestyle that defines Cambodian culture. The blog is a term project of Journalism students in PUC. Our pool of writers will offer you interesting information about living and visiting Cambodia beyond the famous Angkor Wat. The blog will also take a peek into Khmer beauty and fitness secret. You will find it interesting when you come to visit Cambodia. We will serve you a lot of information such as tourists sites in Cambodia, fashion, how to take care your health, and food. You will know which places you want to visit or hotel to stay or food you like. Moreover, you can give comments to our blog, see you guys around. Enjoy it!

Ly Piseth

Editor in chief