Almost all backpackers and NGO volunteers and Interns that i have met and some of them are now my friends always said that Cambodia is a really beautiful country. Yes, having heard such thing made me so happy. On the other hand, i felt like Cambodia doesn't deserve this. Cambodia is a really dirty country. Not to mention, In Phnom Penn, rubbishes are everywhere. It smells so bad. The traffic is terrible. No sidewalk and etc. As a local, i really can't see Cambodia is a beautiful. i think they didn't want to upset me, therefore they said so.

Parts of Cambodia are strikingly beautiful, especially once you get away form the heavily populated areas. As is the case in many places, the natural beauty is being eroded by development or resource harvesting. We humans are plagued by short-term thinking and opportunism.

For me, i think that their countries are a lot more beautiful compare to Cambodia such as England, Sweden, Australia, Germany and Denmark. They have a lot of beautiful and high building, clean and good infrastructure. what i couldn't believe them was that they said Phnom Penh is really beautiful city.

prahkeitouj wrote:

Looks like the bots have learned to post smileys. How soon before they launch their attack on humanity?

skynet is real

Cambodia is a beautiful country. The countryside in the wet season, squared plots of light green rice to a watery horizon dotted by the distinctive Cambodian palm (distinguishing it from its treeless Vietnamese counterpart), giant black water buffalo mounted by white egrets standing reflected in the waters, waiting for a NatGeo photographer to happen along. And Phnom Penh, now 'development' stealing some of it's luster, was (and still is to a point) a beautiful low rise city on one of the most unique waterways in the world, a mix of classic southeast Asian architecture with colonial era and art deco gems, boulevard parks and distinctive landmarks, friendly people and a picturesque culture, really a wonderful city barely hidden under a thin layer of dirt. Kampot and Battambang like distilled versions of Phnom Penh, but Kampot having a bit more of a Chinese flavor to the look and Battambang Thai. OTOH, I'll give you Sihanoukville. Save a very few (maybe 3) buildings of architectural interest, Sihanoukville is a blocky white functionopolis, the beaches, waters and views very average, nothing really distinctive about it.

LTO wrote:Cambodia is a beautiful country. The countryside in the wet season, squared plots of light green rice to a watery horizon dotted by the distinctive Cambodian palm (distinguishing it from its treeless Vietnamese counterpart), giant black water buffalo mounted by white egrets standing reflected in the waters, waiting for a NatGeo photographer to happen along. And Phnom Penh, now 'development' stealing some of it's luster, was (and still is to a point) a beautiful low rise city on one of the most unique waterways in the world, a mix of classic southeast Asian architecture with colonial era and art deco gems, boulevard parks and distinctive landmarks, friendly people and a picturesque culture, really a wonderful city barely hidden under a thin layer of dirt. Kampot and Battambang like distilled versions of Phnom Penh, but Kampot having a bit more of a Chinese flavor to the look and Battambang Thai. OTOH, I'll give you Sihanoukville. Save a very few (maybe 3) buildings of architectural interest, Sihanoukville is a blocky white functionopolis, the beaches, waters and views very average, nothing really distinctive about it.

I grew up at the outskirt of Sihanoukville. So i have seen all what you have described. That's why i am not so fascinated by the view of the rural area. Thanks for sharing and let me know the beauty of my country. Honestly i have never expected that many people find rural areas the interesting and beautiful places. Right now, i feel like i take my country for granted.

I like Cambodia the best of the lot, but based just on beauty - it comes in last place in SE Asia. She's the plain girl that you fall in love with because of her personality.

Samouth wrote:

LTO wrote:Cambodia is a beautiful country. The countryside in the wet season, squared plots of light green rice to a watery horizon dotted by the distinctive Cambodian palm (distinguishing it from its treeless Vietnamese counterpart), giant black water buffalo mounted by white egrets standing reflected in the waters, waiting for a NatGeo photographer to happen along. And Phnom Penh, now 'development' stealing some of it's luster, was (and still is to a point) a beautiful low rise city on one of the most unique waterways in the world, a mix of classic southeast Asian architecture with colonial era and art deco gems, boulevard parks and distinctive landmarks, friendly people and a picturesque culture, really a wonderful city barely hidden under a thin layer of dirt. Kampot and Battambang like distilled versions of Phnom Penh, but Kampot having a bit more of a Chinese flavor to the look and Battambang Thai. OTOH, I'll give you Sihanoukville. Save a very few (maybe 3) buildings of architectural interest, Sihanoukville is a blocky white functionopolis, the beaches, waters and views very average, nothing really distinctive about it.

I grew up at the outskirt of Sihanoukville. So i have seen all what you have described. That's why i am not so fascinated by the view of the rural area. Thanks for sharing and let me know the beauty of my country. Honestly i have never expected that many people find rural areas the interesting and beautiful places. Right now, i feel like i take my country for granted.

I think it may be that some (you?) have a strong desire to see the rest of the world and having seen their own country their whole lives, they view it as nothing special . It is probably doesn't help that every major international organization presents your country as a steaming pile of shit.

I agree that Phnom Penh is not a beautiful city, though it is charming, but the nature in your rural parts is truly amazing.

I come from the Pacfic Northwest in the United States. I do find the rural parts attractive, but I am constantly told how beautiful it is and how I must go out to the mountains all the time. The truth is I never do because I'm used to it; large pine trees, open skylines, and giant mountains are just part of what I grew up with. I don't see it, but whole guidebooks are written telling me otherwise.

Outsider's perspective, I guess.