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. 

Cambodia, one temple at a time

If you plan to check Cambodian temples, my advise is first to get Siem Reap visitor guide books once you landed. We get our books from a colleague who was once working there, ask your hotel for a copy and usually this book is distributed to those who advertised with them. So ask around and you will find one. The guide is publish by www.canbypublications.com

Siem Reap have many temples. If you don't have much time to check everything, this book will help you on which temples worth a visit. I find out temples which  label with 3 stars in this book are good as its claim and 2 stars are average. Most 2 and 1 stars temples are usually smaller or miniature version of larger temples. They also stated which era and style for each temple. 

I see people do their sight seeing around the temples wearing sandals or flip flop. Nothing wrong with that, but its so much safer if you wear shoes. The stone block can be very slippery and we even saw one guy who falls and hurt his head. Bring hat and water if you go during dry season(Oct-Apr) like me since its tend to be really hot. The air seems to be still and no breeze at all. Its feel like you live in a room with no ventilation.

Passes to see Angkor Archaeological Park cost USD20 for a day. USD40 for 3 days and USD60 for 7days. This passes will allow you to visit all temples in the park area. All visitor are required to take picture which will be printed on the passes during purchase. You need tuk-tuk to go around since it is a big park and impossible to walk. We get tuk-tuk from our hotel which cost USD15 per/day. Sunrise start at 5.30am and the sun set at 5.30pm, so plan your day and your temple wisely.

(Angkor archaelogical park)

(tuk-tuk ride)

Significant style of Angkor consist of steep stairs. Its really tiring to climb on this big and steep block and scary when you go down. People often come to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise but when we went there it wasn't as good as we expect. Its really a big crowd and people mostly arrived at 5 to get a good spot. 

(sunrise at Angkor Wat)

(morning crowd)

 (Love this picture of Patricia)

 (see the stairs?)

(dedication, hard work will lead you to heaven. On why they build steep stairs)

(Angkor Wat reflection on the lake)

Our 2nd temple was Banteay Kdei which is Ta Phrom style. Ta Phrom style involve those big trees you saw in Lara Croft-Tomb Raider movie. Its also mean, the temples are single layer but huge complex. No steep stairs to climb here.  Banteay Kdei is more on the second definition, which is huge and no big tree. 

(entrance)

 (owh yeah..the window)

 (almost fall, its scary to imagine all the block fall on ur head)

(huge complex)

Ta Phrom without doubt is my favorite temple. Those big trees really give a dramatic effect to the ruin. I think im more excited with the tree instead of the temple itself. 

 (Patricia,Nico, Gildas & me)

(Big huh?)

 (extra support for the big guy)

Since we follow map provided, our 4th stop was Ta Keo. This temple is an angkor style temple. By the time we get here its already noon, hot and we so damn tired. Me, Patricia and Gildas didn't feel like climbing on those stairs anymore and only Nico make it to the top. 

(Ta Keo)

 (Nico climbing up)

(view from top and see how they go down on the stairs?)

I was torn between Ta Phrom and Bayon on which one is my favorite. I end up choosing both since Bayon  is as magnificent as Ta Phrom. Those god faces are definitely something different.

 (Black & white version of Bayon)

In front of Bayon, you also can do an elephant ride if you never experience it before. It cost USD15 per person for one round around bayon(expensive isnt it?). You also can feed them pineapple for USD1 and take picture with the elephant. Just make sure you are there between 9-11am in the morning. 

Picture below are a picture from North gate entrance (if im not mistaken), since we leaving Bayon and heading to Preah Khan. Love the grand entrance to Angkor Thom area and the bridge are line up with big stone statues. This are picture from 2nd day since we went to Bayon temple twice. 

 (driver suggest we stop and look around)

 (Love this one)

(One grumpy statue)

We continue our 2nd day at Bayon. With Patricia and Gildas on the elephant, while me n Nico running back to Bayon temple for more picture. I didn't feel enough from our first visit and that's why we went back. After Bayon, we take a walk on the elephant terrace an leper king terrace. Nothing much here except terrace, monkey and souvenir stalls. 

Preah Khan is Ta Phrom style of temple because of the trees. The ruin is more and was scary to see so many stone block on the ground. Most area under restoration and some area was close for safety. At the end of the  temple there's a very nice lake for you to relax before continue on the next temple. 

 (Stone block ceiling/roof)

Neak Pean was my least favorite temple. Maybe because i was tired and already feel like seeing too much temple. To get there you have to go through a bridge across mangrove river. The view was lovely here but sadly nothing special on the temple. You not allowed to go inside and the area been fenced all around. 

Our last temple in cambodia was Phnom Bakheng. Situated on a top of hill, its a good 10-15 walk to the top before you have to climb another stairs up to the temple. Its tiring for someone like me who never exercise. You can also take an elephant ride here which start maybe around 2pm to 4pm for USD20. The elphant will go up the hill and take you to the temple. Phnom Bakheng usually busy around sunset since its famous as one of the place to watch sunset. From this temple also, you can see Angkot wat from the distance. 

(Only 300 people allow)

(Angkor Wat from Phnom Bakheng)