If you’re looking for a retreat that’s both luxurious and packed with good food, then Cambodia’s a place you need to consider. Not only is it home to popular tourist attractions like the beautiful temple towns of Angkor and Kampot, but the country also boasts an abundance of delicious tropical fruits that can help you shed those extra pounds.
It’s well-known that Cambodia’s food is exceptionally delicious, but not many people know that the country is ripe with opportunities for those looking for a fitness sanctuary. There are a number of fitness centres in Phnom Penh that host professional-level trainers, who ensure you get the most out of every workout. You’ll find an extraordinary range of fitness classes, including ones that focus on weight loss, so you can find the training you need, whether you’re looking to shed those extra pounds for vacation or to prepare for an athletic competition.
Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a regular guy looking for an adventure, Cambodia is unquestionably beautiful and packed with luxuries, alongside serious weight-loss opportunities. So read on to discover exactly what makes Cambodia such a unique place to be in shape.
The Location
Located in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. The country actually extends beyond its mainland, encompassing a number of smaller islands, including Reunepost, where the 2010 World Elephanta Festival was held. Cambodia is somewhat isolated from the rest of the world, due to minimal transportation infrastructure and poor air quality caused by burning vegetation and plastic waste. However, the country is a popular travel destination for those who want to visit spectacular temples and enjoy a tropical climate.
The Land
Cambodia is one of the world’s most agriculturally productive countries. Thanks to bountiful rain showers that provide rich soil, the country is extremely lush and green. More than 95% of the territory is protected by forest reserves that provide homes for endangered species and, for those who visit, fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The climate is tropical, with temperatures that are a perfect match for the warm spring and summer months. However, the region is prone to flooding, especially during the rainy season, which runs from June to October. In fact, the country’s largest city, Phnom Penh, is actually an island city that was completely destroyed during the infamous rainy season in the late 1990s. Luckily, the situation has been improving since then, with Phnom Penh’s airport recently being upgraded to a third runway, and more and more people moving there. The city is now home to over 1.7 million people.
The People
Thanks to a combination of factors, including geography, history, and culture, Cambodia is a place where different races, ethnicities, and religions come together. The country has one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse populations in Southeast Asia, which means there are a number of interesting cultural quirks to discover. For example, while the country is mostly Buddhist, Hinduism is also widely practiced, with many traditional Hindu practices, like cremation, observing Shiva days, and worshipping specific deities, being carried out. Additionally, Angkorian architecture, which was built between the seventh and 13th centuries AD, can be found in every part of the country. The largest archeological site in the country is located in Kampot and features over 150 temples, as well as a medieval marketplace.
The Food
There are so many delights to be found in Cambodia, not the least of which is its array of food. Locals eat a lot of rice and noodles, which are served alongside lots of veggie options, such as vegetables and tofu, as well as meat, which tends to be fairly expensive. You’ll also find lots of interesting dishes, such as snake salad, which is a kind of pasta mixed with pork, peanuts, spices, and palm sugar. If you’re looking for something more traditional, then you should definitely try the country’s famous rice wine, known locally as raksi walli, which is often served with meals. It’s a rich, deep purple in colour and has a taste that’s somewhere between expensive dessert wine and cheap plonk! Finally, don’t forget about the country’s unique collection of tropical fruit, which ranges from musk melons and longans, to grapes, figs, and pineapple. You’ll find many different varieties of these fruits, both in local markets and at speciality stores, which are opened only during the season. The most coveted fruits, such as those from Thailand and Vietnam, can be hard to find. However, if you know where to look, you’ll be able to source them. Not only that, but you’ll be able to enjoy them fresh, when they’re at their best. After all, who wouldn’t like to eat a freshly-picked lemon, when it’s available?
The Amenities
If you’re looking for a really luxurious travel destination, then Cambodia should be on your radar. The luxury hotels in Phnom Penh have all the modern amenities you could want, from top-notch restaurants and bars to high-end boutiques and spas. There’s also a wonderful choice of international restaurants, with the city being a hotspot for culinary explorers and enthusiasts. There are lots of places to eat and drink, both at the hotel and in the city’s many eateries, meaning you’ll rarely go hungry or thirsty, regardless of whether you’re a fan of restaurants or prefer to cook your own food. Furthermore, thanks to Cambodia’s emerging entertainment scene, there are lots of places to catch a movie or visit a museum or gallery – all of which are likely to hold incredible value for those who have money to spend.
The Attractions
Angkor Wat is widely considered to be one of the greatest wonders of the world. Its distinctive steeple, which is over 200m high, compels you to stop and take a photo. It’s also a completely different experience to most other temples. Instead of the usual structured layout, you’ll find that most of the buildings are made up of round towers, which are common throughout Southeast Asia and reflect the region’s heritage of sustainable building design.
Why We Love It
It’s well-established that Cambodia is full of surprises, which is exactly why we love it – we never know what to expect when we visit a new place, but we’re always amazed by the things that surprise us the most. For example, did you know that you can buy a one-way ticket to anywhere in the world from a travel agency in Cambodia? We sure didn’t, but that’s what makes this country so interesting – it has all the makings of a paradise, yet there’s also a side to it that we didn’t see coming. It’s similar with the temples and castles that dot the countryside. We can only describe them as phenomenal, because they truly are. It’s a combination of beauty, history, and culture that is unparalleled.
How to Get There
Cambodia doesn’t have a single international airport, but two small, private ones – Sokolov and Pochentong – which are located within the city. There are also a number of local ones, including Phnom Penh’s military airport, which can be used for direct flights to China and nearby Southeast Asian countries. If you want to go to Kampot or the other parts of the country, then you’ll need to take a flight to Pochentong, followed by a 30-minute bus ride to Kampot. There are also minibuses that run between towns and Phnom Penh, which makes the journey a whole lot more comfortable. Traveling to other cities or towns usually takes a lot of planning and research – there’s rarely an option of traveling by bus or train, as the infrastructure is very limited. If you’re looking to visit more than one city or town, then you could do worse than to rent a car, as it will make your journey much more comfortable and let you see more in the area.