In January we spontaneously decided to come explore Cambodia, Jacks 3rd time here and my first! We flew to Singapore & were planning to head to some Islands on the east coast of Malaysia, but after a quick last minute research we found that it was the worst time of year to visit, and there was actually no ferries or any resorts even open- oops! So then we had a few options in the air on places to visit in January and Cambodia took the win!
We arrived to Siem Reap via Bangkok & spent 3 days visiting the Temples of Angkor although we didn’t have the best weather for the first few days with unseasonal rain, but this gave us more time to sit in our hideout – Vibe Cafe, a vegan cafe hidden in the streets of Siem Reap. If you’re like me & always on the hunt for good quality healthy eating when travelling than this place is for you! Travelling so often I really have to do my best to eat as well as possible, I love to try local foods, and if I was on just a 2 week holiday of course I would indulge a little more on local foods!
The menu at Vibe cafe has a great range of options; acai bowls, Avo toast, salad & Tempe bowls etc, the smoothies are SO good & also have cold pressed juice. One of the owners met with us and explained how his sister was a nutritionist so therefore all meals were a balanced portion, the food is super filling & makes you feel amazinggg!ย
We also found a local gym- Angkor muscle gym! Costs $1 to enter, and is a fully equipped gym, it’s very local and a bit old and sweaty in there but hey that’s half the fun of it! Also something I’ve never seen was paying per 10 minutes on the treadmill, it was 50c per 10 min, I did notice I was the only one using the treadmills!!
We spent only the early mornings exploring Angkor Wat and surrounding temples, as soon as the sun rises the crowds of tourists flock.
Next stop was Battambang, we took a private taxi here, there is also the option for a bus which is around $6USD, Private taxi costs us $25USD. We mainly went to Battambang to check out some small villages and get footage of children for the video we are making. The locals in the villages were so friendly and welcoming, even if the only words understood were hello.
A visit to battambang isn’t complete without going to see the thousands of bats that pour out of the cave at sunset everyday.
Also as many of you know, I’m always on the hunt for good vegetarian food- and I found an absolute gem in Battambang, Jaan Bai! We got to visit twice, I was so obsessed!! The mushroom dumplings…. mmm.
Always booking with Skyscanner!
Next up on our trip was a little stop in luxury- Song Saa Resort.
We flew from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville & were transferred to the private island of the island of Koh Rong. We spent 2 nights here in an over water villa, although it’s a 5 star luxury resort they have some incredible projects that we learnt about, and pride themselves on their sustainability. It really is a unique property!
We got to visit the local village where majority of the staff are from which is pictured below along with the resort;
Last stop- Koh Rong
The next two nights we spent on Koh Rong Island, on long beach.
The whitest sand I’ve seen in south east asia, and beautiful clear, clean water.
Absolutely fantastic photos as always! The one with the little kid with the little dog is so touching. You definitely captured the perfect moment…
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Vibe Cafe looks so gorgeous, I always struggle to find vegan eateries! Thatโs so funny about the treadmills, Iโve never heard of that! I visited Cambodia late last year but only explored Siem Reap. Cannot wait to go back!
http://www.thegingerpassports.com
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Hi Lauren! I’m planning a trip to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia and I’m wondering in wich hotels dos you stay in Siem Rap and Battambang.
Thanks, best wiches guys๐
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did* sorry
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Hey, we didn’t stay anywhere nice in particular. Just looked up good ratings on booking.com ๐
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You inspire me ๐๐ป
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๐
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You look stunning as always!
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๐
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Great pics guys! Loved Koh Rong especially Sok San beach my paradise. Got star struck when I saw you guys on the pier ๐
Keep up the good work you guys are my inspo xx
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Hey! was great to meet you! hope you enjoyed Koh long ๐
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Looks spectacular!! Looking forward to visiting Cambodia soon xo
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Looking at these photos makes me incredibly miss this place! Sok San is def the best beach I’ve ever visited in my entire life and I literally can’t wait to go back. I’m glad you enjoyed it as well xxx
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Thank you! such a beautiful place!
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Lauren, you have to post the sailboat photo it’s soooo awesome!
Also, I looooooove your pants top outfit, I really hope you’ll be sharing more fashion because I really love your style.
I remember running into your account when you were visiting my native Poland and Cracow ages ago and now you’ve grown so much (as a photographer and as an account).
Huge congrats! Keeping my fingers crossed for more photos to come!
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Thanks so much! that’s so lovely, and such nice feedback! ๐
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The pictures you took of the locals are so precious. Love them all!
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Thanks!!
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The lives of the elite are so lovely.. to live like gods .. with not a care in the world
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Thank you so much for visiting us at Vibe Cafe . We loved having you there with us and thank you for your amazing review.
Would love to see you again soon when you visit Siem Reap again.
Stay healthy
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Thanks! hope to return one day soon!
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What camera do you use? and where do you edit your photos? ๐
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5d mk3 lightroom!
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โคโคโค
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What amazing photos and I really loved reading about your trip! So inspiring and refreshing!
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thanks!
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Hi Lauren, I just wanted to know where you stayed in Koh Rong?
Cambodia looks amazing X
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Hey, a beach Resort on the long beach, Sok san!
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Amazing !!! Definetly a place on my bucket list !! โค
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You go to some really inspiring places! I love the landscapes but it’s the portraits that really stick in my mind ๐
http://www.wethelostgirls.com/blog/2017/2/the-10-best-day-trips-from-auckland
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๐
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Hi Lauren,
Loving these snap shots ๐
I recall seeing the ginormous fruit bats flying from those huge trees in Battambang like it was yesterday….and it was 2012 LOL. Also, seeing the Angelina Jolie foundation building along with all the stories from local drivers who adore the woman. She is like the Queen of Cambodia, for all the love she has shown to the country and for the love the Cambodian people show to her.
Thanks for sharing!
Ryan
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Oh Thanks!
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Take me ther lol. I wanna go everywhere… how you make it?
I invited you to come to Costa Rica paradise…
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๐
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I am thinking about going to Siem Reap pretty soon so this was very informative! Thank you!
With love,
Brianna
http://www.globalfashiongal.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/briannadeg
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Oh thanks so much! enjoy!
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Love your pictures! You are one of my favorite bloggers!!!โคโคโค I’ve recently started a blog tooโบ๏ธ
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Oh thanks so much! appreciate the support!
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Your photos are absolutely beautiful! I have been following you for some time now and am always obsessed with your posts.
http://www.pennyanddash.com
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Oh thanks so much!!
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Hi, OMG, a magic travel… A dream for me, to visite Cambodia โค
Kiss from France,
http://lesmatinscotons.fr
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xx
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I’m so glad I found you on Instagram that led me to your blog. I’m Cambodian American and will be going to visit Cambodia in two weeks for two weeks and trying to cram everything I want to do in that short time with also visiting the many families that we still have living in Cambodia. This will be my third trip there. The first was one was only 18, second when I was 22 (my parents wanted me to have a traditional wedding experience in Cambodia with my now husband). Fast forward 12 years later a lot has changed. Now 34 and a mother of 4 young children my whole perspective has changed. My dad recently passed away and he built a school in Battambang (our first trip we attended the grand opening) & )3 started another school in Svay Rieng so we plan on going there to volunteer our time with the students. So on this trip I’m digging deeper into my family history and capturing photos for my children and my many nieces and nephews that were all born in the United States like myself. All while doing this I want to squeeze some r&r with my husband. I’ve been dying to go to Song Saa Private Island since I’ve heard about it, but after seeing your blog about Koh Rong- I sorta kinda want to go there! Which would you prefer? I’m trying to map out my crazy schedule while there and boy am I exhausted thinking about making everything happen. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
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Love your photos! Amazing work. I’m curious who takes your photos when you are both together?! Is it a tripod?
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Hi Lauren!
You have such a beautiful style. Where did you get the white top and green wrap pants you were wearing in Angkor Wat?
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Lauren this is such a fab post xx I will be in Malaysia in 1 week and am hoping to take a weekend trip over to Cambodia ASAP, so it is so helpful reading about your faves over the few days that you were there!! ๐
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Oh so glad to hear! enjoy your trip! ๐
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This is making us so excited to go to Cambodia! Your photos of Angkor Wat are incredible. Also definitely going to check out Vibe Cafe when we go!
Chrissie x
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Hi Lauren! I absolutely love your pictures! I wanted to know in which hotel did you stay in Long Island in Koh Rong. I am planingn a trip next April and by the pictures, that is a must!
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Hello Lauren, beautiful pictures. I am currently in Thailand teaching English, and I plan to go to Cambodia soon. How early exactly did you get to Ankgor Wat?
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Where did you get those green pants?! I must get some!!!
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Hey lauren! Big fan of your blog and journeys! I want to do a backpacking trip in Asia in august/september with 3 others but we canโt go to bali or thailand because some of us have already been there but those wouldโve been perfect… what island/place do you recommend the most? Cambodia looks amazing but is it also good for backpacking? Love from Antwerp! X
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