"Finding the Balance in Battambang " a Battambang Travel Page by richiecdisc

All major travel destinations have their namesake attractions. They couldn’t pack in the tourists if they didn’t. But often times it is the lesser known places that separate the more exotic locations from their more mainstream counterparts. These quiet backwaters resist the change that inevitably comes with the hordes of tourists and offer a glimpse into the country that initially drew the intrepid traveler there in the first place. Cambodia has grown heaps and bounds with the world’s discovery of World Heritage Site Angkor Wat. It is justifiably one of the great attractions in all of Southeast Asia, joining the world ranks of iconic sights such as the Pyramids, Great Wall of China, and Machu Picchu. Within the region, it is fast becoming the Eiffel Tower of the East. With this recognition however comes the danger of Cambodia losing some of its authenticity, but luckily this has had little effect away from the eye of the storm that surrounds the Khmer Kingdom ruins. A case in point is Battambang. This relic ode to French Colonialism offers not only one of the best preserved examples of that era, but also the small town feel you expect to encounter in Cambodia as a rule.The true bonus however is the village life that is a mere stone’s throw away, be it by motorcycle, jeep or boat. The combined effect makes Battambang well worth the slight detour it requires to visit. You have come halfway around the world to see Angkor Wat. Take the few extra steps to see Cambodia while you’re there.