Ten Days in Cambodia, A Lifetime of Memories

We are a group of six friends who have been together through thick and thin. The kind of friends who show up for birthdays, crises, random chai meets, and everything in between. So one day, in the middle of our usual chatter, someone said, “Let’s plan a trip.”

And somehow, after a lot of back and forth, we landed on Cambodia.

Why Cambodia? Honestly, don’t ask. There were debates, dramatic arguments, strong opinions, rejected destinations, and at least three almost-final decisions before this one. But in the end, Cambodia just felt right.

Once the destination was locked, the real fun began. We went into full planning mode. Who will book flights? Who will research hotels? What are the visa rules? What about local transport? Responsibilities were divided like a mini project team. But if I’m being honest, while we proudly claimed that everything was “evenly distributed,” one among us quietly ended up being the most diligent and somehow carried a little more than their fair share. Every group has that one person, right? And we were very grateful for ours. And of course, the most passionate discussions were about food. Especially vegetarian food. That’s how our Cambodia adventure began — with laughter, spreadsheets, and a lot of excitement.

It was going to be a 10-day trip to Cambodia; and our first international trip with all six of us together. There was a lot to wrap up before leaving, so we finished work late in the afternoon. By early evening, bags packed and minds still buzzing from the day, we finally started our journey…

We reached quite early, which was a relief. Since we had already done web check-in, we only needed to drop off our bags.

While standing in the bag drop queue, something unexpected caught our attention. A man was traveling with five cats, all placed in special cages. He was carefully feeding them and making sure they were comfortable. We later learned that the cats would be traveling in the cargo section and that it had cost him around 3,00,000 INR to transport them to Singapore. It was interesting and a little touching to see how much care he was taking. It also made me reflect on how differently people spend and value money, especially when so many struggle to afford basic needs.

When we dropped off our bags, we were told they were tagged as “hot transit.” It was the first time I’d heard of this, and we learned it meant our bags would be transferred quickly during our layover. We were flying with Malaysian Airlines, and everything felt smooth and well organized.

After that, we grabbed a quick snack and then boarded our flight. We landed at Kuala Lumpur Airport at around 7:30 in the morning on January 1st, 2026; a quiet, calm start to the new year and the beginning of our journey.

January 1, 2026 | Journey Begins

We took our next flight with Malaysian Airlines from Kuala Lumpur International Airport at around 8 in the morning and landed in Phnom Penh at about 11:30 a.m. local time. It felt good to finally arrive in Cambodia.

For the first time, I bought an eSIM for this trip. It was quite inexpensive and worked really well. It was a small but new experience for me, and I quickly realized that Google Translate was going to be our biggest help during this journey.

From the airport, we took a taxi into the city. It was a Toyota Alphard, and it was my first time riding in this kind of vehicle. It was very comfortable and easily fit all six of us along with our luggage, which made the ride even more relaxing.

We reached our first hotel in Phnom Penh, called Frangipani, situated on the junction of Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong river and settled in for a bit. Soon after, we stepped out for food and had lunch at a pizza restaurant near the Sisowath Quay promenade. After traveling all morning, it felt nice to sit down and enjoy a familiar meal.

Later in the afternoon, we visited the National Museum of Cambodia, located right in the heart of the city. The museum felt like a quiet escape from the busy streets outside. The red building, with its traditional Cambodian design, was beautiful and instantly set the mood.

Inside, the museum houses thousands of artifacts, including ancient statues, ceramics, and bronze pieces. What caught my attention most were the stone inscriptions, known as stelae, written in Sanskrit and old Khmer script. One inscription talked about what is believed to be the world’s earliest recorded use of the number zero, dating back to 683 AD. It was fascinating to think about how old and deep this history really is.

The museum gently walks you through Cambodia’s past, from prehistoric times to the Angkorian era. The central courtyard, with its lotus ponds, made the place feel calm and peaceful. One thing that surprised me was seeing Lord Ganesha idols there, which felt unexpectedly familiar.

In the evening, we took a tuk tuk that could seat all six of us and headed out to a sky bar. Communicating and finding vegetarian food was a bit challenging, but we managed with patience and smiles.

On the way back to the hotel, we tried something new called a Color Crepe. It was like a waffle loaded with toppings, and it tasted really good.

After a long but fulfilling day, it was finally time to get a good night’s sleep and get ready for the sightseeing planned for the next day.

2 Jan 2026: Wat Phnom Penh

We had hired a tuk tuk the previous day, and the driver’s name was Fien. We had made friends with him, and he agreed to take us to Wat Phnom Daun Penh and then to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center for 22 USD. We decided to meet him in the morning at 9:30.

Before leaving, we had breakfast at our hotel, Frangipani. The vegetarian spread was good. I had fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and dragon fruit, along with toast and baked beans, and some nice coffee. Every new place I visit, I learn something new. There always seems to be a different way of operating coffee machines and toasters. 😀 I learned a new one this time too.

We met Fien at the decided time, and he took us first to Wat Phnom Daun Penh. The temple sits on a man-made hill and felt very serene and beautiful. We noticed a different way of offering prayers there. I believe the statue was of Daun Penh, and as a mark of respect, people were spraying perfume and even applying lipstick to the statue. There were incense sticks, similar to our Hindu temples, but offerings also included fruits and lotus flowers.

Next, we visited the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center. We listened to the audio guide as we walked around the site. It was heartbreaking to learn about the brutality the victims were subjected to. I honestly have no words to describe how it felt.

In the afternoon, we relaxed for a while and then headed out for some lighter moments on a cruise on the Mekong River. Our cruise was on the Mekong Magic boat. There were many beautifully decorated boats around us. We enjoyed good food and drinks, and the whole experience felt calm and peaceful.

After the cruise, we went to an Indian restaurant for dinner. We retired early that night since we had to leave for Kampot the next day.

January 4, 2026 | Phnom Penh to Kampot

Our tuk tuk driver arrived at the hotel sharp at 5:45 in the morning. I was honestly surprised by how punctual people in Cambodia are. This was something I noticed throughout our trip. Even at our hotel, Frangipani, they had neatly packed breakfast boxes ready for us before we left.

We reached Phnom Penh Railway Station to board the Royal Railway of Cambodia. The station was small and cute, almost toy-like, with just two platforms. It reminded me of the charming railway stations you see in hill towns like Kalka or Shimla. The trains themselves were modern, clean, and comfortable, very much like trains in Japan.

The main idea behind taking the train was to experience the Cambodian countryside, and it turned out to be a great decision. The views along the way were peaceful and picturesque, with open fields and quiet villages passing by slowly.

We arrived in Kampot and spent some time at a coffee shop near the French Quarter. I found the place very charming. The atmosphere felt laid-back and relaxed, perfect for slowing down after the journey.

Later, we visited the Phnom Chhnork Caves. These limestone caves house a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The climb up was not very difficult, and from the top we could even see the Bokor Mountains. Inside the caves, there were many rock formations that locals say resemble elephants, eagles, and other mythical creatures. The caves are also home to thousands of bats and some snakes, which made the experience quite different and memorable.

After our meal, I took a leisurely walk along the promenade. It was lined with lovely boutique hotels, beautiful cafés, and a few government buildings that offered glimpses of Cambodia’s French colonial past.

We did a bit of shopping and then visited Kampot’s famous traffic circle, the Durian Roundabout. It is best known for its large durian sculpture at the center, celebrating the region’s most famous fruit. Around the base of the monument, there were sculptures of other local fruits as well.

From there, we boarded a bus back to Phnom Penh. The journey was long but comfortable. We reached our hotel quite late, grabbed a quick meal, and finally called it a day.

January 4, 2026 | Time in Phnom Penh

We were still staying at our hotel, Frangipani, and from our room we had a partial view of the Royal Palace. The palace building looked beautiful, and I was really looking forward to visiting it. I have always enjoyed visiting historical places and imagining how people might have lived in those times.

A large part of the palace complex was not open to visitors, but there was still plenty to see. We could spot the Bell Tower standing in one corner of the Silver Pagoda compound, where it has long been used to signal royal and religious events. There was also a model of the famous temple complex Angkor Wat, which felt like a small preview of what was still to come.

We saw King Norodom Stupa, a tall white monument that serves as a final resting place and is a beautiful example of Khmer funerary art. We also spent some time at the Dharmasala, a hall that still hosts important spiritual ceremonies and royal religious functions. The Exhibition Hall was equally interesting, displaying royal costumes and historical artifacts that tell the story of the Cambodian monarchy.

One of the highlights for me was seeing a small group of musicians playing traditional Khmer music. There were four musicians playing instruments we were not familiar with in India. Later, I read about them and learned their names. They were the Roneat Ek, Skor Toch, Kong Vong Toch, and Sampho. The Roneat Ek is a high-pitched bamboo xylophone shaped like a boat and leads the music with fast, detailed melodies. The Sampho is a small double-headed drum played with the hands and acts like a conductor, setting the rhythm for the group. The Kong Vong Toch is a circular frame of small gongs that surrounds the musician and adds a soft, ringing sound, while the Skor Toch is a smaller barrel drum that supports the beat. Listening to them felt calm and deeply rooted in tradition.

After visiting the palace, we headed to the Central Market, where we bought some original Khmer silk scarves and a few souvenirs to take home.

Later in the day, it was time to return to the hotel and pack our bags. We were heading to Siem Reap by a night bus, and another chapter of the trip was about to begin.

January 5, 2026 | Exploring Siem Reap and Kampong Phluk

Our journey to Siem Reap by night bus turned out to be the most comfortable bus ride I have ever had. The bus was clean and well maintained, and it even had a washroom. We were given blankets, water bottles, shoe holders, and dental kits. The ride was smooth, and we slept well through the night.

We arrived very early, around 5:00 in the morning, and checked into our hotel. To our surprise, the streets were already lively, with people moving around and shops open. Of course, I missed the chai tapris of Mumbai, but roadside cafés were already serving hot and cold coffee, which felt nice in its own way.

I am a crazy shopper, so I was delighted to see a night market right opposite our hotel. We were staying at Hotel Ta Prohm. The hotel was filled with carved wooden furniture and Khmer architectural details. It looked nice, but after a while it felt a little overwhelming.

Since check-in time was still quite far away, we stepped out to treat ourselves to some Khmer breakfast. We had soupy noodles with vegetables from a roadside food truck, followed by good coffee and croissants at a small French-style café by the road. It was really charming and felt like something straight out of a movie.

Later in the morning, we headed to Angkor Green Gardens Park. The park has miniature versions of famous Cambodian buildings and shows how different ethnic groups in Cambodia live. Since the park is quite large, we rented a golf cart, which made it much easier to get around without feeling tired. We spent a few hours exploring the 11 cultural villages, with replicas of traditional wooden houses and floating villages. One of our favorite stops was the wax museum, where lifelike figures showed scenes from royal history and local traditions. The lush gardens and lotus ponds added to the calm and peaceful feeling. Overall, it was a lovely mix of culture, nature, and a bit of fun.

By then, we were craving familiar food, so we found a good Indian restaurant near our hotel and ate heartily. After all, nothing beats Indian food when you really miss it.

In the afternoon, we went on a tour to Kampong Phluk, a floating village on the edge of the vast Tonlé Sap Lake. It was very different from anything we had seen before. We saw a whole community built around the lake’s seasonal changes, with houses, schools, and markets that either float on water or stand high on stilts. Children rowed small boats instead of walking, and the village felt like a complete little world of its own, with schools, shops, a hospital, and even a temple.

While it was fascinating, I had mixed feelings about the visit. We were there as tourists, and at times it felt uncomfortable, almost like watching people’s everyday lives as a spectacle. There was a quiet heaviness to the place, and it made me think about how hard life must be for the people there and the challenges they have learned to live with. It left me feeling thoughtful and a little heavy-hearted.

There was an option to take a short boat tour through the mangroves, but I did not feel like immersing myself further in the experience, so I chose not to go. Even though I felt a little low, the day ended on a peaceful note. We sat on the boat’s deck and watched the sunset over the lake. It was a beautiful and mesmerizing way to close the day.

January 6, 2026 | Preah Dak, Pub Street, and Siem Reap Nights

In the morning, we went to Preah Dak, a charming little village just a short drive from Siem Reap. It has become one of my favorite places to get a real feel of rural Cambodia. We tasted the village’s famous palm sugar and sweet palm cakes called Nom Akor, which were simple and delicious.

It felt very real walking past traditional stilt houses and stopping at small roadside stalls selling handmade baskets and souvenirs. The village had a calm, friendly feel and still seemed untouched by the main tourist crowds. Before leaving, we stopped at a small café by the road and spent some quiet moments sipping coffee while lying in hammocks. We made friends with the innkeeper girl named Nari. She was charming and sweet. It was one of those slow, peaceful moments that stay with you.

After that, it was time for some shopping, something I truly enjoy. I bought a few pieces of antique brass jewellery along with some souvenirs to take home.

In the evening, we went to the Angkor Eye. It is a large Ferris wheel that rises high above the city and offers a wide view of Siem Reap and the surrounding countryside. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Angkor Wat, but I later realized it is quite far away.

We ended the day with dinner at a hotel on Pub Street, enjoying good Khmer food along with a traditional Apsara dance show. The performance was so graceful that it really stayed with me.

I was not feeling very well by then and had to leave early, as we needed to wake up very early the next morning for the highlight of our trip, our visit to Angkor Wat.

January 7, 2026 | Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

This was the place I had been looking forward to the most during the entire trip. We finally made it to Angkor Wat, the most iconic and must-see site in Cambodia. It is the largest religious monument in the world and feels truly awe-inspiring when you stand in front of it. Built around 900 years ago, the temple was designed as a stone model of the universe. Its five famous towers rise like lotus buds, and a wide moat surrounds the entire complex, adding to its grandeur.

After spending time at Angkor Wat, we continued temple hopping. Our first stop was Ta Prohm, which fully lived up to its Tomb Raider fame. Walking through its crumbling corridors left us speechless. Massive trees have grown right over the stone walls, with giant roots wrapping around doorways and rooftops. It felt like nature and architecture were locked in a slow, silent struggle.

Next, we visited Ta Keo, which felt completely different from Ta Prohm. This temple is a huge structure made of plain sandstone and looks almost like an unfinished pyramid. Climbing its steep stairs was quite a workout, but once we reached the top, the view of the surrounding forest made it all worth the effort.

We returned from Angkor Wat late in the afternoon, tired but deeply satisfied. With this visit, our sightseeing journey in Cambodia came to an end. It felt like the perfect, unforgettable highlight to close this chapter of the trip.

Back to Phnom Penh and Home

The last two days of the trip were mostly about the journey back. We traveled from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and then continued on our way back to India. There was a quiet feeling of winding down, with fewer sights to see but many moments to reflect on.

As the trip slowly came to an end, I found myself replaying the highlights in my mind. The temples, the villages, the food, the people, and even the small everyday moments had all come together to make this journey special. Cambodia left a deep impression on me, not just for its history and beauty, but also for the warmth and resilience of its people.

By the time we finally reached home, we were tired but grateful. It felt good to return, carrying memories that would stay with us long after the journey ended.