Cambodia ~ Siem Reap

Cambodia is a poor and under development country. I never bother to get to know Cambodia before and quite shocked when i see the small town of Siem Reap. In my opinion, my hometown at Sg Besar is so much better.

Malaysian didn't need visa to go to Cambodia, so while the french filling in the form n get visa on arrival i just stand at the corner and look after luggage. :) http://embassyofcambodia-malaysia.org/consular-services. The application process was quite fast, just make sure you have all the document.

(Arrival & departure card)

(Visa on arrival application)

When we arrived in Siem Reap we've been picked up by hotel tuk-tuk. We stay at Boutique Cambo hotel (http://www.boutiquecambo.com/) for 5D4N. Its a small but a very nice hotel. Service was superb, food was good and they even have swimming pool for a cool dip after hot day outside. They also provide free wifi and there are 2 pc for you to use at the lobby. The staff are very friendly and they also provide free tuk-tuk ride anywhere you want to go in Siem Reap town.

Tuk-tuk can accommodate up to 4 person at one time. If you start your day walking but decide to end it taking a tuk-tuk, just make sure you didn't pay more than USD3.

Our first day in Siem Reap was more relax. No temples involve and we just walk around and checking the place. We went to Angkor national museum to get a kick start on the history and introduction to the temples. Please take not that you not allowed to take picture inside Cambodian museums, both in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. For what reason, i don't really know.

We went to night market right after sunset but didn't buy anything since we just arrived. Old market area are famous for souvenirs and there's also another night market which seems new across the river. Its called Siem Reap cultural night market. Things practically cheap but its all depends on how good your bargaining technique. 

(Old market area)

 (Siem reap art center)

(view from the river)

(row of shops)

Our hotel staff suggest we go for cultural dinner after shopping which start around 6.30pm to 8.30pm. We immediately agree since its a buffet dinner and only USD12 per person. When we arrived to Koulen Restaurant, that place already full with tourist. Food was varied from western, khmer, japanese and chinese food. 

Another thing that we did in Siem Reap was river cruise along Tonle Sap river to nearby floating village. I don't really recommend this trip since its expensive and im not sure if we actually see all. We pay USD20 each for one boat. Trip was schedule for 2 hours but i think we did less than that. We took a boat ride to the floating village which people actually live on a boat. they depends on the river for their everyday life. Clean water and electricity are not available. We've been told that everybody here have tv and they use battery as a power. On this trip they took us to crocodile farm and fish farm. They have quite a lot of crocodile but just one place for all the fish. But again, i didn't think our driver is really honest showing the places. You can also purchase crocodile leather bag in cambodia and it quite famous here. 

 (Floating house next to the main road)

 (Jetty)

 (our boat driver :D)

The rest of our night in Siem Reap was spent around night market and pub street. Nothing much you can do here except this 2 place. Food at pub street wasn't so bad. Famous khmer food including Amok and spring rolls. Amok taste similar to our masak lemak cili api and there's another version which taste similar to chicken rendang but both are not spicy. You can expect french food too and baguette can be found everywhere since Cambodia was once under french colonies.