– Phnom Penh:
– Performing Arts Revival, Places to Stay and Eat
– Cambodian Crafts – Fair Trade and artisans with different abilities

– Kampot – Epic Arts Cafe  and Kep by the Sea

Phnom Penh:

This bustling city was once known as the Pearl of Asia- the loveliest of the French-built cities of Indochine during the 1920s.  Located where the Mekong and Bassac rivers meet,
Phnom Penh was founded by Lady Penh who found four bronze Buddha statues floating in the river. She brought these statues up to a small hill ( phnom) to protect them and where  Wat Phnom is dedicated to her today. Life along the waterfront continues to thrive today. Early morning or late afternoon is best time to be with locals coming out to exercise and socialize.
The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda are stunning to visit along with the impressive National Museum showcasing glorious sculpture of the Angkor period.

Life under Khmer Rouge:
Recognizing the dark period of Cambodia under Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge following the Vietnam War from 1975-79 is also very important to understand the trauma the country has been through.  Many visitors venture out to The Killing Fields outside of town  after watching the powerful film produced in 1984,  or to  S-21 Genocide Museum, the school in the city which turned into a death camp known as Tuol Sleng:  A Place to Visit in order to Honor those Killed and to Never Forget:
https://www.tuolsleng.com/

Performing Arts Revival:

Today you will see Cambodia thriving to move forward in every sector and a great part of honoring Cambodia’s heritage is in the revival of the performing arts.
Below are links to organizations and projects contributing so much to the renaissance of Cambodia.

Amrita Performing Arts: preserving cultural heritage and promoting inspiring contemporary creations:
https://www.amritaperformingarts.org/

Cambodian Living Arts  (CLA)  founded by Arn Chorn Pond working to revive traditional Cambodian music. The story of Arn’s life was documented in the film The Flute Player – a powerful and emotional story dealing with devastating effects of war and the former Khmer Rouge campaign when nearly all the country’s artists and musicians were killed.
Learn more:    https://www.cambodianlivingarts.org/en/

Cambodian Crafts

Support Fair Trade providing skills and livelihood while producing some gorgeous products!

Tabitha Crafts and Foundation:  https://tabitha-cambodia.org/

Peace Handicrafts by landmine and polio victim artisans.
Just up from the Russian Market- #39 Street 155 in Phnom Penh.
https://www.peacehandicraft.com/

Accommodations in Phnom Penh:

The Plantation: new urban resort with art exhibits. Walking distance to the Royal Palace and National Museum. www.theplantation.asia

Frangipani Hotels with newest property opposite Royal Palace:
https://frangipaniroyalpalace.com/

Places to Eat:

Mith Samlanh – Friends Restaurant – a great project working to train youth since 1994.
Mith Samlanh is just off the National Museum.
Another Mith Samlanh restaurant called Romdeng is at #74 Street 174.
https://www.mithsamlanh.org/
https://friends-international.org/

FCC Foreign Correspondant’s Club:  overlooking the Mekong in Phnom Penh
https://www.fcccollection.com/

Java Arts Cafe   supporting local artists: 
https://www.javacafeandgallery.com/

Kampot:
The new up and coming destination south of Phnom Penh.
Riverside town with French colonial architecture surrounded by natural beauty. Explore the old Bokor Hill Station and scenic pepper plantations.
Check to see if the restored train line from Phnom Penh is operating!

Epic Arts Cafe supporting the deaf and disabled

https://epicarts.org.uk/pages/epic-arts-cafe

Nearby at the Coast:
Kep Beach and Rabbit Island

Kep Lodge:  30 min from Kampot on a hill overlooking the sea
https://keplodge.com/