‘How a trip to Cambodia completely changed how I holiday’

- By Amanda Champion

I’ve always been interested in exploring Asia however a combination of timing, work and family commitments and the dreaded pandemic prevented the opportunity from coming to fruition.

That is until my husband and I signed up for a charity bike ride in Cambodia in January 2022 with REACH Siem Reap, which provides holistic support to Cambodian families in order to keep them together and break the poverty cycle.

Given that I had always wanted to travel the region, my husband and I decided to extend our time spent in the country to include a short holiday. 

We arrived in Phnom Penh in the middle of January and were immediately blown away by the history and vibrant culture; from food to the people, the architecture and the abundance of temples. 

Cambodia has an incredibly rich culture, shaped by its troubled past. When I first arrived in the country, I wasn’t familiar with the Cambodian story. However as you walk around the city, and slowly immerse yourself in its customs and traditions, you start to sense the enormity of its tragic past, which undoubtedly has shaped both the people and the place that exists today. 

There is no shortage of things to do in Phnom Penh. In the three days we spent there prior to the ride, we visited The Royal Palace, Central Market and Wat Phnom Temple, wandered in and out of the many laneways exploring stalls and food offerings to name only a few.

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One of my favourite experiences however involved making friends with a tuk-tuk driver when he dropped us off for dinner one night and offered to collect us afterwards.

On his return, he brought his wife and two young children and proceeded to take us for a tour of Phnom Penh. Seeing the city lights in the evening with a local guide was 

We also visited The Killing Fields and the Genocide Museum, which provided an uncomfortable but necessary insight into the atrocious suffering of the Cambodian people under Khmer Rouge Regime.

As confronting as it was to hear from a local guide about the brutality the Cambodian people experienced, as well as seeing the cells prisoners were kept in, it was something I recommend to anyone visiting Cambodia. To be able to understand the present, you need to appreciate its past. 

Cambodian Countryside

In stark contrast to the vibrancy of Phnom Penh but equally as beautiful is the Cambodian countryside. As part of the RIDE to REACH challenge, I cycled 650km over nine days across the Kingdom of Cambodia (eight days of riding with one day of rest) and I was blown away by the landscape.

The route takes you through areas you wouldn’t see as a tourist. You get to ride past and through the pagodas, temples, local schools and villages all of which are untouched by western society.

We crossed the river by ferry in Phnom Penh where the Tonle Sap meets the Mekong – known as “where the river meets the sea”. We then cycled along the riverside before crossing over the Mekong again on the “Kampong Cham Bamboo Bridge” – the longest seasonally built bamboo bridge in the world. 

The most poignant moments however came from the interactions I had with the local community. The warmth and authenticity offered by locals really offered a profound perspective on the country. Something I truly cherished as part of my experience on the ride. 

Cambodia’s lasting impact

Visiting Cambodia has had a lasting impact on both my ‘holiday’ and general mindset. The trip served as a reminder that often the things we need the most, and get the most out of, are not material things but are experiences.

Extra outfits may be ‘nice to have’ but they will not determine if a trip is good or bad, focusing and prioritising incredible experiences will. 

So if you’re thinking of visiting Cambodia – take this as a sign to do it! You won’t regret it.

It was one of the best trips I’ve ever had, making memories that will serve a lifetime.