wackyjacky wrote: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.

MekongMouse wrote:

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.