Memories of an island paradise

This week: the best of the Indian Ocean, artistic expression in Kandy, beyond Angkor Wat and a Croatian gem

Gothic: the huge double bed had a black-lace canopy in place of a mosquito net.

By day, the hotel looks in need of a good dust, but at night, with low lights and candles, it’s magical: frogs croak outside and bats fly in and out. After supper, we had coffee on the balcony; the air was heavy with jasmine and we watched fireflies at eye-level winking in the tree tops. ELIZABETH LAMPARD

Temples, tuk-tuks and water fights

Michelle Jana Chan’s article on Cambodia (“Ultimate Itinerary”, April 15) came on the first anniversary of our own trip there, and helped us relive the rewarding experience.

The star is Angkor Wat, but our favourite temple was Ta Prohm, the backdrop for Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

We enjoyed our nights in Siem Riep and now realise that the minibus journey from Phnom Penh was essential to appreciate the contrast between the countryside, where people just about get by, and the city, full of beautiful temples and palaces. At Tuol Sleng, we were humbled to spend a short time with Chum Mey, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge crimes against humanity.

For light relief, we took a tour to Battambang, with its bamboo railway, and a tuktuk ride to see one million bats leave their caves at

Tantalising Trogir

I enjoyed the article on Split by Linda Cookson (Weekend in Split, April 8) as I have visited this magnificent city. May I also recommend that your readers visit nearby Trogir, above, (30 minutes by bus/boat trip, dusk. On our return, we engaged in water fights with the locals, celebrating the Khmer New Year. BOB AND ANN MOORE

Moving insight into Cambodia’s past

One extra delight of our tour of the Angkor temples was an add-on in the vicinity of Banteay Srei (45 minutes when in season), which lies on a small island 25km north of Split. It is also close to Split airport.

Trogir’s centre, included in the World Heritage Sites list, is noted for its Venetian architecture. Its historic atmosphere goes back centuries and is a draw by tuk-tuk from Siem Reap) to the Cambodian Landmine Museum, which was established by the Cambodian mine disarmer and former child soldier Aki Ra.

You’ll get a better understanding of the warring factions within Cambodia and the hardships experienced by so many Cambodians, and see the for culture seekers and coffee aficionados. The sites include the superb St Lawrence Cathedral – climbing the stairs to the belfry allowed me to feast my eyes on the fabulous views. GABRIEL JOHN GUCKIAN WINS A £250 RAILBOOKERS VOUCHER variety of bombs used. The $5 entrance fee, possibly more now, goes toward helping disabled, orphaned children.

I can’t recommend a visit here enough – and it’s the ideal place to donate any school equipment you may have brought with you to give children on your travels. PENNY TURNBULL