The Battambang Resort and Lizard Chasing

Featured writer: Lynda Renhamcook

One of the places I was desperate to return to when I came back to Cambodia was ‘The Battambang Resort’ My memories of Battambang are full of affection. In July I came here alone. I was very nervous travelling to Asia on my own so I wanted to feel as safe as possible wherever I was staying. Residing with my stepson and daughter in law in Siem Reap always felt safe but I wanted to venture further out. I’d read about Battambang. How could I not be aware of it? It was in Cambodia where ‘Tomb Raider’ was filmed and in Battambang where Angelina Jolie adopted her son Maddox who was Previously living in an orphanage here. In 2003 it saw the inception at Battambang of the Maddox Jolie-Foundation,which has since been changed to Maddox Jolie-Pitt foundation. On discovering it would be a three to four-hour drive from Siem Reap to Battambang in a hired car with a Cambodian man who spoke no English was a bit daunting. However, my stepson James had told me of a great resort there and assured me the taxi journey would be safe. How glad I was that I visited Battambang and met Jan and Phary the owners of the resort. I was shown to my room and was amazed at the size and the comfort. To check out the rooms for yourself follow the Battambang Resort link above.

Jan and Phary

It was here six months ago that I went on the Bamboo train. You can read all about that here if you haven’t already. It was also in Battambang that I got caught in one of the worst monsoons ever. My Nikon camera was totally destroyed and I was quite distraught. Jan and Phary were excellent. They loaned me their camera so I could take photos of the resort and surrounding areas. They were also so supportive during my trip alone here. To be back here again is a pleasure. The rooms are beautiful and the surrounding area so relaxing that you never want to leave. I was very excited to introduce my husband to Jan and Phary who opened the resort in January 2012. I remember last July Phary struggling to remove a lizard from my room when I became quite afraid of it. I now realise it was totally irrational of me but she never made me feel silly but practically ripped the curtain from the rails to get it at. It was quite a farce. If I did not go down to dinner she would check I was okay. I felt so looked after. I relaxed in a way I never thought possible. There is everything you can wish for. Beautiful rooms, amazing showers, but the most awesome is the fantastic gardens. For me, the most important thing was the wonderful hospitality shown to me by the hosts. One night I missed the bus to the local circus and Jan, himself took me down in his jeep and stayed with me for the performance, bringing me back later. How often do you get that treatment in a hotel or resort? They informed me of everything that was happening so I wouldn’t miss anything interesting and the food here is out of this world. I want to share my experience of the resort with you so please enjoy the photos and check them out.