If our lives are dominated by a search for happiness, then few activities reveal as much about the dynamics of this quest than our travels. Like many other young adults, I love to experience the visceral thrill of the unknown that inextricably comes with exploring the world. My studies in Psychology have increased my introspective awareness, allowing me to find meaning in the mundane. Back in 2009, I was bitten by wanderlust, heralding the start of a relationship with the Asian magic that is Cambodia, Siem Reap.
While the simmering heat was not the most welcoming of receptions to this alluring country, it was quickly forgotten as I began to delve into the timeless splendor of the temples. Hiring a tuktuk, it was a pleasant 20-minutes ride to the entrance. No photo or superlatives can capture the succession of intricately carved, priceless Khmer artwork – each providing a pictorial glimpse of the mighty Khmer empire. Nowhere is the appeal of the complex more concentrated than in Ta Phrom temple. Shrouded deep in the dense jungle, it possesses a clashing blend of ethereal beauty and poignancy. Stepping over the ruins, it is easy for one to feel lost in time; transported into a past when kings ruled the lands.
While it is true that the temples represent the essence of the country, Cambodia gives off its own allure from the quaint rhythm of its rural life too. Wooden houses, painted mint green and baby blue and shaded by towering palms, lined the main dirt road. I had the pleasure of riding the Quad Bike through the idyllic outskirts, certainly one of the most gratifying means of savoring the local flavor. Amidst a landscape of rice paddies and makeshift houses, cattle and elderly women wearing sarongs and checkered scarves ambled along the dusty road – a reminder of the remarkable resilience of the people. It is evident that this is a place still undisturbed by advances of tourism. Children still run around naked and many were absolutely fascinated to see their images on my camera. Furthermore, Cambodia also appeals to the epicurean in us. If your taste buds and cultural acumen begs you to distinguish between the many flavors and cooking styles of a vast region, Siem Reap is definitely the place for it! While not as celebrated as its Thai and Vietnamese neighbors, Khmer food captures the culinary traditions of the locals mixed with centuries of French colonialism. Restaurants and cafes are lined along Pub Street and the eclectic mixture of European-themed bars is a testament to the transformation of the town to increasing global attention.
No jaunt in Siem Reap can be completed without a boat trip at Tonle Sap Lake. I sought respite at the floating village of Kampong Phluk, an amazing oasis away from the tourist bustle of Angkor Wat. There was a smell of spices and gasoline, all of them blended together, as I clambered into a boat and headed off into the setting sun. As the boat approached the first house, I was awestruck. Bamboo stilts supported houses that stood above the waters, lending an air of ramshackle charm to the entire village. “Now, dry season. When wet season, the whole place is flooded”, the boatman explained the seasonal flooding. As the place is often overshadowed by Angkor Wat, tourists are still something of a novelty in Kampong Phluk. My presence elicited lots of enthusiastic hello’s and waves from the adults and squeals of delight from the children. I enjoyed the most magnificent sunset I’ve ever seen while floating in the middle of the lake on a fishing platform, surrounded by villagers and local fishermen bringing their catch in for the day.
From the bedazzling temples and rolling paddy fields to the radiant smiles on everyone I have met, Cambodia has a left an indelible mark on me. It is a place where the clutches of urbanization and ancient history live side by side in an almost harmonious existence. In many ways, it feels like the grandeur of Asia is all condensed into a bite-sized package that is Cambodia. Like a peephole, the various faces of Cambodia certainly offer travellers an enthralling glimpse into the mind-boggling diversity of Asia itself. While it might not boast the beaches and the turquoise lagoons of Thailand and the frenetic bustle of Tokyo, Cambodia offers something far more elusive: a spiritual place infused with an ancient past that is quickly and courageously emerging from a violent history into one of Asia’s finest destinations.
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