Music and dance in Sihanoukville, is like everywhere in Cambodia as many of the hill border tribes have each their own dance though the ethnic Cham community of Cambodia is no longer an active tradition of performing arts. In Sihanoukville, several Chinese community associations have the lion dance teams which perform during the lunar New Year and other Chinese festivals.

Like the rest of Cambodia, Sihanoukville residents have their own unique music and dance tradition, a production of art objects to propitiate the spirits and celebrate the many social milestones in the lives of members of the community.
Music instruments are crafted with great ingenuity from natural material such as stone, wood, gourd, bamboo, animal horn. They are always ready to accompany a wide range of solo and group songs and dances.

Most of the Cambodia’s hill tribes have their own dances, which originated largely as a celebration of everyday events and past times and in Sihanoukville, the nearby hill tribes, do perform this music and dances from time to time.

Many of these have been adapted for theatre presentations over 50 years. The best known ethnic minority dances are the skori (bamboo), dance of the stieng, the warrior dance of the kui, the buffalo sacrifice and hot (bamboo pipe), dances of the jarai, plus a range of dances by the pearic people which include the wild ox dance, the sen ploy, spirit possession dance and the peacock of the pear, the ritual and drum dances of the suoy and the port chor rung dance of the Samre.

Today, there are many modern nightclubs which provide western music and dance which have completely taken the old ethnic music and dance practices though they are still performed by the local natives while a tourist can still have fun to any kind of music in Sihanoukville.

Siem Reap is comparatively a small town and the main local cuisine is the Khmer food which can be found at the restaurants across town, but the European and other Asian cuisines are also well presented including Italian, Thai, Germany, Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and of course French, given Cambodia’s long relationship with France’s gastronomical traditions and it is no surprise that some of the town’s most finest venues offer French cuisine.

In the most recent years, some of Siem Reap’s finest restaurants offer Khmer fusion and contemporary cuisines, which are diverse and unique to Cambodia.

And for economical food prices, there are many restaurants scattered across town and none is more than 5 minute tuk-tuk ride away or you can just go to the old market area, there, there are many reasonably priced eating areas which all offer Khmer cuisine and other western or Asian foods, especially around “pub street”, listings in dark blue, offer a bar / night life venue in addition to being a restaurant and listings in maroon also offer traditional performance.

The most recommended places are, Abacus, Aha, Alliance Café, Baca Villa, Blue Pumpkin, Bopha Angkor Hotel and Restaurant, Butterflies Garden to name a few.
There is also a free pocket magazine which is available in all hotels, guest houses and other places of accommodation, it gives you all the information you need about the times, menus, locations and offers.

In a land with thousands of years of history, Sihanoukville has a colourful but checkered past. Fifty years ago, a French-Cambodian construction carved a camp out of the jungle and started building the first deep-sea port of a newly independent Cambodia bypassing Vietnam for cargo ships. Named Sihanoukville in 1964 after then ruling king, the booming port and its golden beaches soon drew Cambodia’s richer travelers. This gave birth to the first Angkor Beer brewery and the seven story modern Independence Hotel playing host to Jacqueline Kennedy on her tour of Cambodia in 1967.

But in 1970 this prosperity and notoriety when Sihanouk was deposed in a coup and Cambodia descended into civil war. The town – renamed Kompong Som – became a ghost town: the victorious Khmer Rouge using The Independence Hotel for target practice and, making the tragic mistake of hijacking an American container ship. The port was bombed by the U.S. Air Force despite Pol Pot’s regime being driven from power. The ragged highway to the capital became infamous for banditry and the beaches always renowned for their seclusion became deserted.

In 1997 peace thankfully returned and Sihanoukville has been rebuilding its tourist industry ever since.
The first visitors where adventurous backpackers prepared to overlook the war ravages of the city.

Any signs of war have almost vanished from modern Sihanoukville, and investment continues to flood in. The independence Hotel is once more and many expats are now retiring in this white sanded modern Asian city.

Bokator is a Khmer martial art which dates back to a form of combat that the armies of Angkor used. The ancient use of Bokator can be seen depicted in carvings on the walls of the Angkor Wat Temple. It therefore differs from other marshal arts in the fact that it was designed to be used in battle. Translated to English Bokator means pounding a lion and the legend goes that the tradition started from a brave warrior protecting his town from a man eating lion.

This type of fighting is diverse as it uses a variety of body parts and weapons as well as fighting on the ground. The knees, hands, shins, jaw, shoulder, elbows and head are all used while fighting. Warriors can fight on their knees, sitting or lying down. Traditional Khmer outfits are worn while fighting and ceremonies are performed to bless the warriors and give them strength.

Bokatar roots itself in nature and the different moves and techniques are named after animals such as the duck. There are more than 10 000 techniques in Bokator and after a student has mastered a certain level they a awarded different colored kramas. Kramas are colorful scarves that are a part of traditional Cambodian life. A gold Krama is a great honor and is only given to grandmasters who have greatly contributed to the practice of Bokator and have dedicated their life to the techniques.

Bokator was banned from1975 till 1979 and many of the grandmasters were persecuted. Bokator has recently been revived and is being taught again. Sam Kin Saen is a grand master who has contributed greatly to the growth of Bokator and he helped gather other teachers after the persecution and hardships they had faced. Foreign students are welcome to help promote international recognition of Bokatar and to take the knowledge of techniques back to their own countries.

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is part of the Mon-Khmer family of languages. Khmer has origins in both the Sanskrit and Pali languages of India and has been influenced by Thai and to a small extent, French since its adoption. Unlike, Thai and the language of Laos, Khmer is not a tonal language and the written form is derived from the South-Indian alphabet.

The majority of Cambodian’s speak Khmer although a small number of older citizens may also speak French as a result of the days of French colonisation of the country. Ethnic minorities (hill tribes) speak their own dialects, which may or may not bare some resemblance to Khmer depending on the tribe in question.

Despite decades of suffering, persecution and poverty, the people of Cambodia love to laugh and you are sure to receive a warm welcome wherever you wander through this charming country. The Kingdom of Cambodia covers 181,035 square kilometres and bordered by Thailand to the west, Laos in the north, Vietnam in the east and the Gulf of Thailand in the south.

Most people travel to Cambodia to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, located near the bustling town of Siem Reap. One of the seven wonders of the world, Angkor Wat is just one in a number of enchanting ancient temples in this area, while the capital city of Phnom Penh also has plenty to offer visitors.

Despite being bordered on virtually all sides, there are still some pretty islands and beaches to explore in Cambodia, such as the beach resort of Sihanoukville and the nearby islands in Ream National Park. The mighty Mekong River flows through Cambodia from Laos to Vietnam and is a great way to travel through the country.

Cambodia’s natural beauty makes it a great place for trekking and there are plenty of dense jungles, unspoilt forests and paddy fields to explore, while the Cardamom and Elephant Mountain Ranges provide a spectacular backdrop.

Subsistence farming is the main occupation of this impoverished nation, and most people live in stilted huts in small village communities. Although the majority of people (about 95%) are Khmer, there are also about twenty different hill tribes, each with their own unique culture, believes and style of dress.

The official language of Cambodia is Khmer and it is spoken by most people, while some people also speak French, Laos and Vietnamese, especially near the country borders.Although many people speak English in tourist areas and you will often be approached by people who want to practice their English, it is a good idea to learn a few basic phrases in Khmer.

Buddhism is the main religion in Cambodia, with about 90% of the population following either Therevada or Hinayana Buddhism. Worship is an important part of Khmer life and you will find a large number of temples scattered around Cambodia, although a large percentage were destroyed during the tyranny of the Khmer Rouge.

Cambodia really comes alive during the numerous festivals and public holidays, and it is idea to time your trip to coincide with one of these festivals as the streets are filled with singing and dancing and people put on their best clothes and biggest smiles

Unlike in many Asian countries, food in Cambodia isn’t very spicy and is flavoured with herbs such as lemon grass and coriander rather than liberal doses of chilli. Rice is the staple diet and is served with a range of rich curries, soups and stews.

Local food is cheap, tasty and easy to find, with small food stalls setting up all over Cambodia, especially in night markets. International food is widely available in tourist areas such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, where you will find everything from pizza to sushi.

Here is a selection of dishes that you will discover as you travel through Cambodia:

Amok trey – this creamy fish curry is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed and is also made with pork of chicken sometimes.

Lou – short, thick noodles with added egg and chicken.

Ban Hoaw – a Cambodian version of Chinese spring rolls, steamed Vermicelli noodles are mixed with mint, crushed peanuts, pickled vegetables and rolled together before being deep friend, cut into bite sized pieces and covered with sweet fish sauce.

Caw – this is a slightly sweet braised pork or chicken and egg stew flavoured with caramelized palm sugar.

Babar – particularly popular as a breakfast dish, this rice porridge is usually made with chicken or pork and served with fresh bean sprouts and spring onions. Bai cha – a tasty dish of fried rice with Chinese sausage.

Cha knyey – spicy chicken stir fry flavoured with julienne ginger root, black peppers and fresh peppers. There is also a beef version beef version with crushed peanuts and dried ground Thai peppers, which is rather spicy.

Kralan – for many travellers this traditional desert made from steamed rice mixed with beans or peas, grated coconut and coconut milk is an acquired taste as it combines sweet and savoury flavours.

Avoid drinking tap water and drinks with ice in Cambodian. Bottled water is cheap and easy to find. Green tea is popular in Cambodia and served free with most meals in restaurants.

Dtai grolab is a strong tea drink made by heaping tea leaves in the bottom of a glass and brewing them by turning the glass upside down with a saucer on top. Indian tea is sometimes available and coffee is available, although it is usually served iced and you need to specify if you want it hot by saying ot dak tuk kork.

Alcohol is generally cheap and widely available, especially in the Karaoke bars that grace every town. Beer is served in most restaurants and night market stalls, while most Khmers drink cheap, very sweet and incredibly strong rice wine. Drink with extreme caution!

Cambodia really comes alive during its festivals and public holidays, which usually last for several days and involve a lot of eating and drinking as well as traditional dance performances, singing and the wearing of colourful costumes. Khmer people love to get foreigners involved in the fun and it is a good idea to try and time your trip so that you can join in with at least one of them.

Many people travel to the capital from the countryside to celebrate major festivals and Phnom Penh can get rather crowded during this time, although that is all part of the fun. This is a time for people to get together and forget their hardships for a while. Most festivals are based on Buddhist and Hindu traditions and feature colourful firework displays as well as a visit to the temple.

Here are some festivals to put in your diary:

National Day:
Held on January 7th, this holiday marks the end of the Khmer Rouge’s reign of terror.

Chinese New Year:
Celebrated in late January or early February, this festival is especially colourful and features parades through the street and fireworks.

Khmer New Year:
This festival takes place in the middle of April and marks the end of the harvest. Houses are decorated, family feasts are held and people take to the streets to dowse each other with water and shoot each other with water pistols as a way of blessing them.

Royal Ploughing Day:
This agricultural nation puts high value on the ox and this May festival celebrates the mighty animal. There is a cultural ceremony in the large park next to the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and also in front of the National Museum.

King Sihanouk’s birthday celebration:
The great king is honoured on October 31st when people gather by the Royal palace and also along by the river. People travel from all over Cambodia to be in the nation’s capital on this day.

Water Festival:
The perfect way to beat the heat, this festival in late October lasts for three days and features the racing of colourful boats on the Monkong River and Tonle Sap, fireworks and also water fights. Expect to get very wet during this festival and buy a water pistol to join in the fun. The best places to experience the full force of this vibrant festival are in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, near Angkor Wat.

Independence Day:
People travel to the Independence Monument at the junction of Norodom and Sihanouk Boulevards November 9th to celebrate Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953.

The Khmer people highly value manners and respect, especially regarding religion. They are warm and welcoming by nature and will generally forgive foreigners for their mistakes, but taking the time to learn the local customs will make a big difference to your travel experience.

Clothing:
Even though the weather is hot, people in Cambodia dress conservatively, especially around temples. Men should always wear a shirt in public and women should avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts around holy sites. Take off your shoes before entering temples or other religious monuments and place them neatly outside the doorway.

In the Temple:
Be careful in your treatment of Buddha images as they are extremely sacred. It is better to avoid touching them altogether but if you do have to touch them, handle with extreme care and never touch someone’s personal Buddha statue or amulet unless you are invited to. When sitting on the floor in a temple you must be careful not to point your feet at a Buddha image. Sit with your legs crossed or with your feet tucked to the side with the soles pointing backwards. There are certain parts of the temple that you may not be allowed into or cannot touch or sit on. Look for signs or follow the examples of others if you are unsure.

Monks:
Women must be careful not to touch monks as they are forbidden female contact. If a woman wants to give something to a monk it must first be given to another man or put on a piece of cloth. Monks have to be careful to observe this, even when interacting when their mothers and sisters.

At Home:
The people of Cambodia are famous for their hospitality and you will probably be invited to share a meal or even stay overnight with a Khmer family at some point during your journey. Make sure you remove your shoes before entering a home and do not point at things with your feet or rest them on furniture as this is considered to be an insult. You should also avoid touching people on the head.

Showing Affection:
Public displays of affection such as kissing and holding hands can be offensive to Khmer people as they don’t generally show affection in public to people of the opposite sex.

Located just outside the city of Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is a major symbol in Cambodia; it appears on the flag, on coins, posters and just about anything else you can name. The site was reopened in 1991 after nearly two decades of closure due to civil unrest. The best way to start a tour of Angkor is to visit Phnom Bakheng in time for sunset. Not only is admission free, but you can get your pass made, avoiding the crowds the next day.

Get up early the following day and hire a moto with a driver for the day so that you can travel in style. Head straight to Angkor Thom, which is surrounded by a vast moat, before moving on to the Terrace of the Elephants, which is over 300 metres long.

Next, follow a path deep into the jungle to Preah Khan, which is a very pretty ruined temple before travelling to Neak Pean, which symbolises the lake at the top of the universe.

It is impossible to view all of Angkor’s many wonders in one day, so be selective. Climb to the top of Preah Rup, then perhaps onwards to Ta Keo.

It is best to allow around four hours to see Angkor Wat properly, so perhaps devote the following day to exploring this magnificent temple. Angkor Wat took approximately thirty years to complete and is 65 metres tall, covering an area of 500 acres. The moat which surrounds the temple is an incredible 200 metres wide, while the causeway is 250 metres long.

The mighty Wat is built on several levels. The Gallery features 1,000 Buddhas where Buddha effigies of all descriptions line the corridors, while the temples picture galleries display scenes from Hindu epic texts the Ramayana, the Battle of Kurukshetra, and other epic scenes such as the Judgement of Heaven and Hell. 1,500 apsaras or ‘heavenly dancing girls’ wonderfully decorate the second level interior.

The top level was originally reserved for the King and High Priest. 480 steep steps lead up to the five towers, which lie waiting like the Holy Grail at the end of a virtuous quest. Ascend the 70 degree angled steps carefully and walk around the outer gallery, enjoying the magnificent view, which is incredible from all angles. Watch the sun set before slowly descending once more.