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Cambodia – Why Not? The Story Behind Our Book
Cambodia – Why Not? The Story Behind Our Book
After more than twenty years of exploring Cambodia, we decided to create something different. Not another travel guide, but a personal invitation to discover a country that continues to surprise us.
It All Started with Two Simple Words: Why Not?
When I first arrived in Cambodia more than twenty years ago, I had no idea how much this country would change my life. Back then, travelling around Cambodia was very different from today. Roads were often in poor condition, reliable information was difficult to find, and many places were considered too remote or challenging to visit. Whenever I mentioned plans to explore somewhere unfamiliar, people would often tell me it was impossible, too difficult or simply not worth the effort.
My response was usually the same. Why not?
Those two words became something of a personal philosophy.
Why not take the road less travelled? Why not visit a village that rarely sees foreign visitors? Why not spend an extra day somewhere simply because the people are welcoming and the atmosphere feels right? Some of my most memorable experiences in Cambodia began with exactly that question.
And more than twenty years later, that curiosity hasn’t disappeared.
Cambodia Is So Much More Than Angkor Wat
Don’t get me wrong. Angkor Wat is extraordinary. Even after countless visits, I still find something magical about watching the first sunlight illuminate its ancient towers. But Cambodia has so much more to offer.
There are the quiet countryside roads around Battambang, the remote forests of the Cardamom Mountains, the mighty Mekong River, the rolling hills of Mondulkiri and the beautiful islands along the southern coast. There are small villages where traditional ways of life continue, local markets full of colour and energy, and remarkable people with fascinating stories to tell. Yet many international visitors still associate Cambodia almost exclusively with Angkor Wat and the country’s difficult history.
We wanted to change that perception. Not by ignoring Cambodia’s past, but by showing the extraordinary country it has become and the experiences waiting to be discovered.
Why We Decided to Write This Book
Over the years, Lily and I have welcomed thousands of travellers through our company, Cambodian Travel Partner. We’ve organised journeys across the country, explored remote destinations, discovered beautiful places to stay and developed friendships with people from all walks of life. But we’ve also noticed something.
Many visitors arrive with limited expectations of Cambodia. They might plan to spend two or three days exploring Angkor before continuing to Thailand or Vietnam. Then something unexpected happens. They discover the warmth of the Cambodian people, the beauty of the countryside and the incredible diversity of experiences available. And suddenly, they wish they had planned more time.
That gave us an idea.
What if we could inspire people to discover Cambodia before they even started planning their journey?
What if we could create something that encourages first-time visitors to stay longer and inspires returning travellers to explore places they have never considered? That was the beginning of Cambodia – Why Not?
Not Another Travel Guide
From the very beginning, we knew what we didn’t want to create. We didn’t want another guidebook filled with endless lists of attractions, opening hours and practical information. There are already plenty of excellent travel guides available. Instead, we wanted to create something more personal. A beautifully illustrated book that combines photography, stories, memorable encounters, hidden gems and our own experiences of living and travelling in Cambodia. The result is a 258-page journey through the Kingdom, divided into ten inspiring journeys.
From the lively streets of Phnom Penh and the ancient temples of Angkor to remote northeastern provinces, traditional villages, tropical islands and destinations far beyond the usual tourist routes. Along the way, we share places we love, experiences we recommend and stories that have stayed with us over the years. Some are adventurous. Others are humorous, emotional or simply unexpected. Together, they reveal the Cambodia we know.
The People Behind the Places
If there is one thing we’ve learned after all these years, it’s that Cambodia’s greatest attraction is its people. Of course, the temples, landscapes and beaches are beautiful. But what makes a journey truly memorable is often something much simpler.
Sharing a meal with a Cambodian family. Meeting a local entrepreneur who is making a difference in the community. Listening to someone’s personal story. Or being welcomed into a village where hospitality comes naturally. Through experiences such as our Dine with the Locals programme, we’ve seen how meaningful these encounters can be. They create connections that go far beyond sightseeing. That’s why people play such an important role throughout our book. We wanted readers to discover not only where to go, but also the people who make these places special.
A Book We Want to Share with the World
One of the first decisions we made was to make the digital book available for free. You might wonder why. The answer is simple.
We didn’t create this book primarily to sell books. We created it to promote Cambodia.
We want more people to discover what this remarkable country has to offer. Whether you’re planning your first visit, returning for another adventure or working as a travel professional, we hope the book gives you fresh ideas and a different perspective. That’s also why we encourage travel agents, tour operators and anyone passionate about Cambodia to share it with others.
The more people who discover Cambodia beyond its famous landmarks, the better.
Readers can enjoy the complete book online free for 14 days. A downloadable PDF is also available for those who would like to keep a personal copy. And we’re currently working on something else: a premium printed hardcover edition that we hope to make available through Amazon.
Our Invitation to You
After more than twenty years, Cambodia still surprises us. There are still roads we haven’t travelled, villages we haven’t visited and stories waiting to be discovered. Perhaps that’s what makes this country so special. No matter how well you think you know Cambodia, there is always something new around the corner. And that’s exactly the feeling we hope to share through this book.
So whether you’ve never visited Cambodia or have already fallen in love with the Kingdom, we invite you to open the book, follow your curiosity and see where the journey takes you. You never know what you might discover.
Cambodia – Why Not?
Discover the book and start reading for free →
Warm greetings from Cambodia,
André & Lily
Cambodian Travel Partner