28 Jan 2023
Options were limited to say exactly what we did with Socheat (John). We actually hired John for eight tours 1+7 consecutive days. I’ve reached out to several tour operators with a pulmonary itineraries and asked all of them what they would do to improve or suggest anything other than what I asked, for that might provide me with a better experience. Socheat (John) was the tour operator to not only answer every question I had, but also expounded upon my itineraries with some very good suggestions. I knew right away he was the guide for us. We started out on a Friday full day tour around Phnom Penh. Saturday was an off day for my husband and I to do our own thing. and then the main tour, around eastern and northern Cambodia began on Sunday. He picked us up from our hotel in Phnom Penh, and toured Oudong mountain as well as spider village on the way to the river side, town of Chhlong, where we overnighted 2 nights.
Our first full day there he took us to see the Irrawaddy dolphins, as well as for a trip to an island in the middle of the Mekong river, where we rented Mopeds and motored round that eco-island for several hours. The Island visit was not planned, but rather off-the-cuff - one of his many awesome suggestions. following day on our way to our next destination Koh Ker, another one of his off the top suggestions, the Mekong, bird resort… OMG, you must do this place! Your taken out on a motorboat in that part of the Mekong river, where there’s a lot of islands you motor around the island for a couple of hours you stop, and in our case, we went swimming though you can also do kayaking another outdoor sports. After you’re finished with the activities, they have this awesome alfresco lunch on a raft in the middle of the river. it’s unbelievable.
The next day, an incredible visit to Preah Vihear temple on the Thai Cambodian border. If you’re into temples at all, and you have more than a day or two to spend in the Siem Reap area, this is an absolute must! Just the location, and the border dispute between the two countries and then to go up to see this incredible huge , very intricate temple on the top of the Dangrek mountain range is a once in a lifetime experience that so very few people get to enjoy. From there the next day spent visiting the temples in the Koh ker area. if you have done the grand circuit tour, Angkor Wat, Thom, Ta Phrom,etc.… There are so many more temples to see throughout Cambodia you really over to your self to see just how-intense this country‘s history is! Socheat (John) can show you all that, and then some!
And we are not even done with our chores yet today we did the Roulos group, not too far from Siem Reap, the day before the incredible ruin ofBeng Melea. Socheat (John) will show you a side of Cambodia. You never knew existed. So if you’re into same places were most people will never go to see, having experiences that very few people ever enjoy. Then Socheat(John) is your man. And I cannot sing. His praise is highly enough!
As much as anything, at this point in our relationship, we consider Socheat (John) a good friend, and that speaks volumes of this individual. BYW… he’ll introduced himself with an English name of John, but his Khmer name is Socheat.