Visiting floating villages on the way to Siem Reap lured us into Battambang. With population of 130,000 it is the second largest city in Cambodia and one with the best preserved French colonial architecture in the country. Relaxed way of life kept us wandering the streets, sipping coffee at family run cafes for hours at a time and lingering outside temples in hopes of catching orange clad monks passing by. Initially we planned on exploring nearby hill temples, but our first day was entirely drenched in pouring rain, anomaly of the dry season, and the first downpour we’ve had since our travels in Asia begun eight weeks ago. Very refreshing. Despite the weather, or perhaps because of it, the town charmed us right away.
To our pleasant surprise Cambodia has proven to be very easy on traveler’s spirit and pocket. Bus transportations in super cheap and well organized, with the convenience of booking tickets through guest houses and hotels. Great budget accommodations start at just $5, street food is everywhere, and amazing restaurant meals can be enjoyed for barely $3. Tuk tuk hassling is on the lowest we’ve witnessed so far and the people are simply amazing, very warm, and hospitable.
Also, there’s many volunteering opportunities to be grabbed, the only drawback is minimum one month’s commitment. Bummer.
girl power
these shutter-like garage doors open up to reveal shops, cars, and living rooms - sometimes all in one room
mini temples on every single balcony
Amok, baked fish with coconut and lemon grass, Cambodia's national dish.
vegetable samlor
delicious ginger chicken with shallots and bok choy
We waited...
...and waited outside the temple across the street...
...for monks to start collecting their evening alms.
Wat Damrey Sar
Outside gated grounds of the temple were rows of miniature temples resembling burial gravestones. Very unexpected.
guards flanking gates to the Wat
Lychee fruit, our daily addiction.
They're the size of chestnuts with texture and taste of a plum dipped in sweetened lime.
