Sharing borders in the north with Laos and Thailand, in the east with Vietnam and in the south-west with the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia lies at the very heart of Southeast Asia.

Although slowly recovering from the horror of Pol Pot’s three-and-a-half-year reign, the country is once again attracting visitors from across the world; and despite unexploded land mines, the occasional bandit and poor transport, they journey in their thousands to the spectacular temples of Angkor’s ‘Lost City’ at Siem Reap, gritty Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

Such interest is not surprising. Cambodia, with its warm, welcoming people, lush green forests, dense jungles, abundant wildlife, banana plantations and mighty rivers is breathtaking.

Here is a world largely undiscovered – from Banlung’s hill tribes to Battemban’s colonial architecture and Sihanoukville’s beautiful sandy beaches.

Set against this, the country’s brutal past is both puzzling and disturbing – the reason so many visit the Killing Fields is to understand better the reason for the Khmer Rouge’s cold-blooded slaughter of two million people.

Thankfully, today, peace and tranquillity reign, making it possible for travelers to explore large areas of this wonderful country in relative comfort.

Cambodia’s currency is the Riel (CR), although US dollars are widely accepted along with credit cards. ATMs are available in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. Traveller’s cheques are not recommended.