Akim was raised in Angkor Wat. She was born during Pol Pot's regime, where schools were not available.During this time, her grandfather, Loung Sake, was the Grand Abbot of the Angkor complex, inside Angkor Wat and this is where she lived and was educated with monks which is unusual.
She went as far as to shave her head and pretend that she was a boy, since girls were not allowed to live in pagodas. Under her grandfather's guidance, the monks at Angkor Wat educated her in Sanskrit scriptures on palm leaves, practised prayers and rites.
Despite this difficult time period, Akim had a relatively enjoyable time. The statue of the Preserver God Vishnu, whom you can still see at the entrance of Angkor Wat, was a figure she could talk to and always rely on. When the rainy season commenced, the pools atop Angkor Wat were filled, where she spent most of her leisure time. After 5 years of living in the pagoda, suspicions were raised as she could no longer pretend to be a boy. Overtime, schools became available far away in town. She cycled many kilometres each day to get as much education as she could afford at the time.
I wanted to offer something different than the usual Angkor Wat tours and other things to do in Siem Reap. My mission became to introduce Cambodia as I know it and the heritage of which I am proud. I believe that it is important for people on holiday in Siem Reap to experience it in a way that is not only fun and fresh but also authentic, responsible, and with mutual respect.
Our motivation for developing tours is to help people discover and appreciate the beauty of our country.
I have created tours that are friendly and allow people to experience the area like a local. Our Siem Reap tours are designed to take visitors off the beaten path and show them the hidden gems of the area, from temples to countryside. We’ll take them to our favorite places, including local eateries and bars, in our evening tour. They experience the area like a local, we offer an amazing Khmer food tour that allows them to experience the local cuisine and culture. I believe that sharing food and moments is an important part of any travel experience, and I am excited to share our love of Siem Reap with you.
We’re proud to be a family business that’s committed to being a responsible player in our society. We believe in giving back to the local community positively and are thrilled that the opportunities we create are now shared by a growing number of staff and all our suppliers. Not only that, but we value our relationships with our staff and suppliers and believe that they’re best characterized as respectful win-win associations. We’re proud to be the catalyst for the results that all of us can enjoy.
