Siem Reap, Cambodia

Where: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Who: Mr & Mrs. Wanderlust with Mr & Mrs. Alex & Abby Gedang
When: Oct 2012
What: to do in Siem Reap? Click Read More!

Siem Reap 
In a city full of history and culture there is no way you can miss its famous Angkor Wat Temples. But theres more to Siem Reap than Angkor Wat.

How to get there:

From Bangkok, you can do what we did, which was to hire a driver (for a 4-5 hour drive) to bring us to the border town Aranyaprathet. From the border town, you can walk to Cambodia's border where you have to line up for immigration. 

There is also the easy way which is flight to Siem Reap International Airport. But due to few companies monopolies, costs for flights are controlled making it a bit higher than usual.

Where to stay:

Siem Reap, like many other developing cities in Asia has accommodations of all kind, from luxury hotels to B&B, inns, resorts depending on your budget, and objectives. 

We decided to check in a guesthouse near the temples but still in the area where we can go to markets, and other places the city has to offer.

Mr & Mrs Wanderlust's Rating

Rosy Guest House


The guest house was low priced and good for budget travelers, the rooms are small but nice and clean with toilet and shower, and even has a small tv and a/c. 

The only thing that was a minor annoyance was that the walls were thin that loud conversations outside our room (the hallway) are heard inside the room in the middle of the night.

But the location was good, the food was great, and the bar was also great. They have free pool table and football jersey's hanging over the bar with the TV always on football matches where guests can hangout at the lounge or even have a cold beer. The owners were friendly, a couple are who as they look like from UK or EU (i might be wrong) and looks like long time Siem Reap residents that also have their 2 cute children always hanging around the lobby (of course with their local nannies).


***Rating:

Price:  $ - ($5 or 300PHP rooms to $20 1,000PHP / night)
Service: 4.5 star
Facilities & Amenities: 4 star
Restaurant (foods): 4.5 star
Bar: 4.8 star
________________________________
Overall: 4.4 / 5

What to do:

1. Visit Angkor Temples 
This is what everyone actually came to see, whether you are a shutterbug or just ordinary traveler, it will never disappoint. The best time for photos is sunrise -- go in April to see the sun crest the horizon immediately behind the main shrine's dome and to maximize your chances of a haze-free day.


2. Visit Other Temples 
There are more temples in Siem Reap, and just ask local guides for more info.

3. Hire a local guide / driver
Getting around town is hard and getting lost is harder, so you know the benefit of having a service car or tuktuk and a guide-driver all in one. Rates are pretty cheap and you can always try to haggle.

4. Eat bugs at the local market
At Phsar Chas, the Old Market, you can get a feel for a real Cambodian market. Baskets of spices, multicolored arrays of fresh produce, crispy fried tarantulas and meats from octopus to chicken feet create a bizarre foodie circus.

5. Try the famous Khmer "Happy" Pizza
”Happy Pizza” is really unique to Cambodia', it's a pizza garnish with cannabis!  And for the herb lovers, it is a must try! Just make sure to do your research so you can experience authentic happy pizza. 

6. Experience Authentic Khmer Massage
We all heard of Thai massage and such, but its neighboring country Cambodia has something to offer that is must try. It is A dry massage partly focused on pressure points whilst increasing blood circulation. Without the stretching and pulling of Thai massage, you’ll find yourself drifting away into a state of total relaxation. And if you ask Mr & Mrs Wanderlust? 10/10! Will try again!

7. Find the perfect souvenir
The kingdom being rich in culture, history and tradition, there are a lot of items to choose from in Night Markets you can find a lot for a bargain price.

~and of course.. Like what Mr & Mrs Wanderlust always does, 


8. Try the local beer (Angkor Beer & Cambodia Lager) Cheers!