Renovation of the Community Health Center with the contribution of our customers. Money raised in 2017 from the Khmer Ways Community Fund collected from our Countryside Adventure Tour (part of the profits are contributed) has been used to renovate and equip the community health center at Bakong commune. New coats of paint on the inside and outside of the building have been painted, two doors and four window frames replaced and new shelves for equipment have been purchased. Additionally, newer and brighter lights have been installed. Decision on what to spend the money on was made by the community tourism committee, which manages the funds. We would like to thank all our customers from the past and future to make this achievement and further projects possible to help the community.
An off-track motorbiking adventure to Beng Mealea, Cambodia
In the newest Issue of the UK Rider’s Digest, Ricardo Rodrigues, states that his Khmer Ways experience was one of his “Top 25 best rides ever”.
Read the original article on their web issue on page 116
or here below:
Having flown from Bangkok to Cambodia we were now in Siem Reap, a city on the outskirts of the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor temples and because of the high inflow of tourists (many of them more interested in more earthly pleasures than architecture) a place where foreigners are not allowed to rent motorbikes. Again, the internet came to the rescue in the form of Khmer Ways a company founded in 2009 by a German and a Cambodian that does guided day tours around the area using the ubiquitous Honda Dream 125. Even though you are riding the bike yourself because you are part of an organized group with a tour guide it’s not considered a rental. It’s the perfect loophole and it was one of the highlights of our trip. With 50% of its economy based on tourism associated with the temples, Siem Reap is not a pretty city. It has grown into an incongruent mix of massive resorts for wealthy foreigners, side by side with small houses and huts; big paved avenues and red clay streets; Range Rovers and BMWs alongside tiny 125cc bikes and Reur’moks (Cambodian style tuk-tuk). The temples of Angkor are worth a visit but after that call the guys at Khmer Ways and get yourself on a day tour of the real Cambodia, the countryside where people work in the rice fields and everything doesn’t cost a dollar. Catia decided to be brave and ride on her own, but we were assigned two Cambodian guides because the route included some challenging off-road sections, that way, whenever she needed to she could jump on the back of my bike and one of the guides would take hers. Leaving Siem Reap heading to Phnom Koulen Mountain the route included a mix of paved roads linking with narrower dirt tracks and running through small villages and rice fields. The small Honda Dream 125s proved to be the perfect tool for the job with crude suspension and spoked wheels that can take a real beating, an off-road rear tyre for extra grip on the looser stuff and a centrifugal clutch, which made one handed driving child’s play (perfect for narcissistic selfies!).
The 100km we covered while visiting the Reclining Buda, the waterfalls and the 1,000 Lingas was probably the slowest average speed tour I’ve ever done, but it’s definitely in my Top 25 best rides ever. The guides were a pair of super nice guys, the scenery is amazing and the small bikes are so much fun and so easy to ride off-road! To the point that Cátia, who rarely ever rides, did it all on her own except for the road up the mountain and then she only opted out because of the traffic (it was a national holiday and many families go to the National park for a day at the waterfalls and a picnic).
Siem Reap undoubtedly boasts one of the widest selections in all of Asia when it comes to restaurants. Delicacies from all over the world can be found within walking distance from almost every hotel, including local cuisine, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean and many more. This selected list reflects only a small percentage of what awaits visitors in Siem Reap.
Cambodian:
A highly recommended restaurant for local cuisine is Khmer Kitchen, right opposite the Old Market, with a second one in ‘Alley West’. It was one of the first restaurants in town and still very popular. Get there early, as it tends to get crowded in the evenings. Or, alternatively, just try out one of the many food stalls lining the streets.
Local/international:
Marum restaurant probably serves the most exotic fusion kitchen of local and international food. It is run by the NGO Friends International and all the staff are former street youth. The restaurant itself is set in a beautiful garden.
German/ Austrian:
If you are looking for some defty food, than Bavaria is the place to go. Portions are well sized (especially the schnitzels ) and come at fair prices.
Italian:
An excellent Italian restaurant is Il Forno, which serves original woodfire oven pizzas, all kinds of pastas, lasagnas, etc. Located in the ‘The Lane’ around the corner from Miss Wongs (settle in here for a drink afterwards).
Indian:
A great place (along with others ) is Little India, opposite the main Blue Pumpkin. It was the first Indian restaurant to open in Siem Reap and has been a favourite ever since.
Western/Asian/Local:
Jungle Burger offers the largest selection of (sometimes very experimental) burgers in town.
A small but good place if you fancy Japanese or western snacks is the Molopor Café located along the river. It also features a Jacuzzi and steam bath on the top floor.
Café Central, opposite the corner of the Old Market, offers some of the best international food in Siem Reap, ranging from potato lasagnas to fish and chips to tasty chicken wraps.
French:
Abacus – this elegant French restaurant with an attached garden bar serves undoubtedly some of the finest food in town. Just try the chicken breast in orange marinade or…
Bon Apetit!
Still off the beaten track, the mountainous provinces of Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri are slowly getting better known to travellers, who are looking for unspoiled places and can afford a few extra days visiting those sparcely populated areas. Though infrastructure is improving on a daily basis, there are still plenty of backroads and trails off the mainroads, which are perfectly suitable for Khmer Ways and its scooter tours.
Rattanakiri:
Rattanakiri lies in the northeastern part of Cambodia, bordering Laos and Vietnam. If you are a nature lover, than this is the place to go. Countless waterfalls, trekking in Virachey National Park or visiting ethnic minorities in their unique villages will give the traveller, who made the long way up there, plenty of rewards. And near Banlung, the provincial capital, you will find one of the most scenic and relaxing places in Southeast Asia, the famous Yaklom Lake. The crystal clear waters of this perfectly round volcanolake is asking for a swim. It is also a brilliant spot for bird watching. Availability for accomodation has significantly improved over the last years, whith plenty of guesthouses to even some luxery accomodation. The best way to get around is on a moto/scooter, as this gives you all the freedom you need to visit all the places you like.
Mondulkiri:
Another amazing place for nature, but more mountainous and easier accessible, is the province of Mondulkiri. Here lies Cambodias most famous and scenic waterfall, the Busra Falls, seen in countless karaoke videos. While it is a beautiful natural sight, there are many other waterfalls worth visiting. There are trekking tours available, ranging from 3 hours to 3 days, which will lead you through still unspoiled forests to isolated hilltribe minorities. Elephant riding is becoming a main leisure activity, enabling the Mahouts to give their animals a fine alternative away from the hard work the elephants otherways would do in the forests on illigal logging actions. The charming and hilly capital city of Mondulkiri, Sen Monorom, invites for a stroll or refreshing drink in one of it’s few bars and restaurants, where travellers can enjoy watching the slow pace of life in this remote province. Mondulkiri is also a paradise for motorbikers, be it for extrem offroad riding on dirtbikes, comfortable cruising on street bikes or on motos for those who just want to take it easy and enjoy the surrounding views and scenery. There are a few very nice options for accomodation, the best bet probably Nature Lodge 2 km outside of town.
For more information or tour inqueries to Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri, kindly contact Khmer Ways Adventure Moto Tours via e-mail.
On march 10th , Bakong commune, NGO Community Translation and Khmer Ways celebrated the opening of the Khmer Ways hut at the reservoir, which aims to improve the development of a wider eco-tourism iniative. The hut will be used on our Countryside Adventure tour for resting and lunch, aswell as a daybase for swimming/innertubing/resting and the BBQ on our Lazy Days tour. It was build over a period of four weeks, nicely tucked away in between trees away from the access road and will give our customers the opportunity to indulge with the surrounding nature and great views over the reservoir to Phnom Kulen.
