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Name	Peter
Area Covered	Siem Reap
Interests	Food, Photography, Conservation, Adventure sports, Volunteering, History, Local traditions, Music, Ecotourism, Markets, Nature & wildlife, Dance, Canoeing, Cycling, Day trips, Family, Off the beaten track, Trekking & hiking, Accessible travel, Festivals & holidays, Mountain biking, Road trips

Introducing Peter - your Friend at the other End!

My Video

About Me

I instantly fell in love with Cambodia and its people when I first came to Cambodia in 2003. The history and culture are charming and magical. As a 'destination' Cambodia is able to offer the traveller a completely different experience depending on which area of the country you are exploring, from Temples, Beaches, the Jungle or the Capital.

Now I run a Cambodian travel company called 'See Cambodia Differently'. We offer tailor made and packaged Cambodian holidays, allowing visitors to experience the true Cambodia. I work out of Siem Reap as pretty much all of our holiday maker's end up here at some point during their trip to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. However we would love at some point to acquire some land in the beautiful coastal town of Kep and to be able to enjoy everything that the coast has to offer.

I have explored most parts of the world, but on arriving in Cambodia I instantly fell in love with the beautiful country and its people. I was amazed of how much there was to see and do but realised that the vast majority of visitors did not experience the 'real' Cambodia. Most people only visit Angkor Wat before moving on, missing out on the experiences that the rest of the country has to offer. There are relaxing beaches, fantastic wildlife, remote retreats, city treats and exciting adventures not to be missed.

Cambodia is an extraordinary captivating country and offers its visitors a wealth of experiences and diversity that no other South East Asian country can offer. It has something for everyone, from the adventurer, the beach lover or the 'tomb raider' and is also a fabulous family holiday destination.

I will be able to help plan out your holiday, by giving suggestions of what to see and to do and what part of the country to visit when, all depending on your interests, making sure you get the most out of your time.

Some unique local experiences I can help you to plan are:
- Elephant Treking
- Local Home Stays
- Mine Field Visit
- Phnom Penh Cyclo City Tours
- Charity & Volunteer programmes

It would also be good to meet you for a drink when you visit, so see you in Cambodia!

My Links

http://www.cmac.gov.kh/

CMAC does an extremely important job in Cambodia and works in four main areas of Mine Awareness, Mine Verification, Mine Training and the clearance of mines. CMAC's has an ongoing commitment to Cambodia and its people by "Saving Lives and Supporting Development for Cambodia" through mine action and social development activities. CMAC's continues to set high standards for itself and challenging goals in the pursuit of realizing its ambitious objectives of ZERO victims by 2012 and impact free by 2020. To achieve these targets CMAC requires material, technical and financial support, amounting to $12.95 million which is required to clear a minefield area of 33,700,000m2 (the current monetary shortfall in this assistance stands at $1.4 million). 'See Cambodia Differently' are proud to work alongside CMAC and are able to offer a half day visit to see this important work put in to action.

See Cambodia Differently

If you are looking for a complete holiday solution for Cambodia then visit us at www.SeeCambodiaDifferently.com however if you are looking to backpack or travel around the country on your own steam then I will be able to give you any advice that you are looking for as well as being able to suggest a whole host of activities and ideas for your trip. We create holidays that enable you to have a fantastic adventure; you choose the places you wish to visit, the activities that reflect your interests and your budget. We then assist you in building your dream holiday. We use friendly local guides to enable you to see the real Cambodia so that they may tell you about their country, their past and their hopes for their future.

Introduction to Cambodia

Friendly Cambodian standing in a rural rice field / paddy, Siem Reap, near Angkor.
Photographer: Jamie Marshall
Copyright: Jamie Marshall

Though much less visited than neighbouring Thailand or Vietnam, Cambodia is fast establishing itself on the Southeast Asian tourist trail. The stunning temples of Angkor are the obvious draw for most visitors, but the country has much else to offer: a smattering of undeveloped golden beaches, unspoilt forests, a balmy climate, and a relaxed atmosphere that's refreshingly low on hassle.

For a small country, Cambodia encompasses a surprisingly diverse range of terrain and scenery. Rice fields are the quintessential feature of this predominantly flat and agricultural land, though there are also significant highland areas, as well as the massive Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, which dominates the heart of the country. In the east of the country the mighty Mekong River forms a natural divide, beyond which rise the mountainous, heavily forested hills of the far northeast. The southwest is likewise hilly and remains covered in jungle, while parts of the southeast are regularly inundated, as the Mekong and its sister river the Bassac overflow their banks.

For all its natural beauty and rich heritage, Cambodia has suffered a tragic recent past at the hands of the fanatical Khmer Rouge - the population had first to endure mass killings when the Khmer Rouge came to power in the 1970s, followed by a protracted guerrilla war which only ended in 1998. The whole country is now finally at peace, though the lack of infrastructure and skills is sorely evident in the potholed streets, the damaged buildings and the sometimes truly appalling roads. Much has still to be done before the country is properly back on its feet, and before most of the population see a tangible improvement in their standard of living. There are positive signs, however: thronging markets testify to renewed private enterprise, and in Phnom Penh, at least, a modest middle class has re-emerged. This recovery is in no small way down to one of the country's greatest assets, the Cambodians themselves, eternally optimistic, tenacious and, to visitors, endlessly welcoming.

Despite the dereliction of the Khmer Rouge years, visiting Cambodia doesn't have to be a hard slog. The country offers a decent range of places to stay, and Cambodian food, influenced by the cuisines of both China and Thailand, surprises the uninitiated with its depth and piquancy. Cambodian crafts make for intriguing mementoes, and the appearance of numerous craft shops is evidence of the revival in traditional artisanship. The majority of the country's towns still retain some old-world charm, and the gentility of the former French colonial period can still be glimpsed in the quaint shophouse terraces and colonial architecture - though the most tangible legacy of French rule is the piles of crusty baguettes heaped up in baskets and hawked around the streets in the early morning.

The stunning temples of Angkor are the obvious draw for most visitors, but the country has much else to offer.

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