Southeast Asia Photo Tour: Cambodia, A Thousand Smiles

A few years back, during an interview I was asked why I like Cambodia so much. My response was something like this… “When traveling to Cambodia one quickly realizes that material possessions have no correlation to one’s happiness. If wealth were measured by the smiles on people’s faces, rather than by dollars and cents, Cambodia would rank as the world’s richest nation”.

And so, as our tour group touched down in Siem Reap, after our flight from Luang Prabang Laos, some, for the first time, experienced the magic of the final country that we would visit as part of our 2012 Southeast Asia Photo Tour.

All in all, we spent 3 nights in Siem Reap and another 2 in Phnom Penh which was just enough for a quick sample as to what Cambodia offers for travelers. Of course, we visited the ancient Khmer temples of Angkor but there is so much more to see here.

This first set of images is from our first afternoon and the following day, when we visit some major attractions like Angkor Thom, Bayon, Prea Khan and Angkor Wat as well as some off the beaten track sights which offer a completely different experience. One common thread throughout all the Cambodia images is the wonderfully contageous, Cambodian smile!

A palm water vendor along the walkway to Angkor Wat, smiles broadly as we photograph him.

A child with a kite runs past the reflecting pool at Angkor Wat as the sun sets.

More wonderful Khmer smiles, this one near a small monastery where a well known monk performs ceremonial cleansing baths.

Fine art photographer Nina Hauser explores the inner chambers of Angkor Wat

The above (and following shots are from our “model shoot” in the western most gallery of Angkor Wat just before sunset. We hired the colorfully dressed “apsara” for one hour and posed her in different locations. I’ve known these dancers for years and always arrange for a private shoot with them. It’s a good deal for them and for us, because we can take the time necessary to get wonderful light and striking poses.

Tour participant (and my right-hand man) Widd Schmidt, allowed me to borrow his Nikon 14mm f/2.8 AF-D ultra-ultrawide rectilinear lens for a few shots. Wow, it’s fun to play with such a wide view!

Our day trip to Kompong Kleang, a small village on the Tonle Sap where foreigners are few and smiles are plentiful. I always bring photos from prior trips to share with the locals.

Cambodia truly is the land of a thousand smiles!

These last two images are from one of my favorite temples, Beng Melea, which lies over an hours drive from Angkor wat, which makes it just inconvenient enough for less adventurous travelers to be discouraged from coming, and gives us the place to ourselves. Beng Melea is a wonderful un-excavated, jungle clad ruin which gives oneself the feeling of “discovery” as you explore the site.

Tour participants Widd and Lisa negotiate their way through the ruins as Dave Perkes, our local guide, follows behind.