An off-road vehicle takes us in the direction of Preah Vihear in the Damrek mountains in the early morning. Completed by the architect of Angkor Wat in 1150, Preah Vihear is situated directly on the border to Thailand. The site offers a magnificent view of the vast open spaces of Cambodia.
After our lunch break, we continue our excursion, heading south to the Tmatboey Bird Sanctuary, an eco-tourism project of WCS Cambodia which won Wild Asiaโs annual Responsible Tourism Award in 2007. Home to one of only two known nesting areas of the giant ibis, the nature reserve is also the habitat of other rare bird species, including the white-shouldered ibis and the sarus crane. Following a day of fascinating wildlife observations, we retreat to our homestay, a WCS project, where we are looked after by local families.