Time for another in our series of postcards from Asia in which Ann, our most adventurous lieutenant, has been taking a look at the accessibility out in the east. Today Ann has departed the Angkor Wat at Siem Reap and moved on towards Battambang in northwest Cambodia:
Battambang is 3 hours from Siem Reap and 5 hours from Phnom Penh. It’s the rice basket of Cambodia, with a turbulent history and an atmosphere as chilled as the muddy meandering river that threads its lazy way through the town. It’s possible to take the boat from Siem Reap to Battambang, across the huge Tonle Sap lake and through the narrow waterways (especially interesting for bird watchers) taking in tiny stilted fishing villages along the way. By limo, however, it’s quicker and easier. $45 USD (about £30) will buy you a luxury car and rapid transit.
The town has seen rule by the the Thais, the French and more recently was a stronghold of the Khmer Rouge…. all have left their mark.
Battambang
For a hotel recommendation I would go with the Bambu Hotel. A small boutique hotel arranged in a square around a central limpid blue pool: a lot of thought has gone into the layout to make it attractive AND functional. Once through reception, you go through to the dining and bar area right next to the pool surrounded by tropical plants. An intimate, attractively lit space, its not step free, but there are ramps and staff on hand to help. There’s the usual Far Eastern attentive and smiling service, and a really friendly feel to the whole place.
The rooms are workable (although some help is needed for wheelchairs users, e.g. the showers are massive wheel around spaces, but there’s a step to negotiate to get in there in the first place). However, they are used to Blue Badge guests…. check out the reviews from a recent wheelchair user who stayed. The food menu is limited, but has a reasonable mix of Khmer and European dishes, executed pretty well. The wine choice is pretty limited, but interestingly they stock an English pear cider at the bar. This place would be really good for a few days sunning and chilling, although if the chanting of the monks next door isn’t to your taste, be sure to ask for a room at the back.
