The Soul of Siem Reap
CAMBODIA
10th January 2016
Siem Reap is a city wrapped in ancient architectural history and blanketed in an abundance of colourful culture, located in the North Western region of Cambodia. The city is most popular for the timeworn Angkor Temples located just outside the main city limits, making Siem Reap the gateway to the ancient world.
Besides the antiquated city temples, there are many other things to do in this humble city. Popular Pub Street is where many bars and restaurants reside. Also close by are the lively vibrant and aroma filled markets to wander through. Or immerse yourself into the culture by taking a cooking class, learning the local cuisines or cool off at a waterfall by taking a trip out to the countryside.
If you’re looking for a currency exchange booth don’t bother, you can withdraw cash out of a cash machine and it will dispense US currency, which is what most, if not all of the city deals in. Which makes it so much easier, don’t you think! Just make sure you have enough small notes in US currency to avoid being given change in the Cambodian Riel (៛).
Getting around in Siem Reap is simple, as there are tuk tuk’s everywhere and they are very reasonably priced. Just for US$2 the tuk tuk’s will take you anywhere within the main city limits! You really can’t argue with prices like that. You can also hire a tuk tuk for the day to visit the Angkor Temples for as little as US$15 a day.
Although Siem Reap may not the largest city you would have visited, it is built with hotels to cater for people across the board. Whether you are looking for a hotel priced on the lighter side of the money bag or a resort to indulge yourself at, there’s no short of them here. This is mainly due to the flocks of tourist who come here to tour and gaze at the Angkor ancient land.
In for some indulgence? The Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa is located across the street from Royal Park. You can reach Pub Street by taking a tuk tuk ride (why not for only US$2) or take about a 12 minute walk. This hotel boosts an old French provincial style with pale yellow and dark wooden exterior. The rooms are comfortable and most rooms overlook the main pool with luscious greenery. A lavish contrast to the dirt dust filled streets of Siem Reap, you can definitely enjoy yourself here.
The Angkor temples is probably on your list of high priority sites to see while in Siem Reap. And it’s not hard to see why. You will instantly recognise when you’ve approached the distinctively impressive structures, as the magnificence of them speaks for themselves. Mammoth stone constructions with protruding towers and hand carved symbolic images emanate through each of the temples. The most popular temples are Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm. The latter temple, many may recognise from the movie Tomb Raider. With your tickets you are free to roam the sights. However, if you would like a detailed tour of the temples background and history, tour guides can be hired at the front of each temple.
There are a couple of fun ways to get to the ancient city and that’s by tuk tuk or if you’re adventurous and have a strong internal compass, hire a bike and ride your way through the villages and around the temple sites. Make sure you grab your entry tickets at the ticketing center before going on your way.
The heartbeat of Siem Reap starts at Pub Street and stretches out from there. This street is filled with an abundance of restaurants and bars. Calm during the day and pumping with adrenaline at night when everything comes alive. Expect to see more food street vendors and quirky bars on wheels come into existence as the sun sets for the day.
Not far from Pub Street are two markets. The Old Market (Psar Chaa) and the Art Center Night Market. The Old Market is a multi-coloured aromatic affair with locals buying and selling fresh produce, dried meats and ready to eat food. If you have a tough stomach take a plunge, get into all the action and try some of the local food!
Photo Credit: Si Creative Photography
If you’re not much of a chef or even if you are, immerse yourself fully into the culture and take a Cambodian cooking class guided by a friendly local. Even if you’re not an avid cook this class can be a lot of fun, especially when you get to the part of making the Cambodian coconut cocktail, which tastes amazing! Prior to the cooking class, the adventure starts with a short walking tour through the village. You’ll get a chance to stop by village gardens, walk past scenic rice paddies and learn about the ingredients you’ll be using as well as meet some of the smiling neighbourly little locals. The cooking lesson takes place outside undercover and runs for about 4 hours. It also includes a sit down dinner at the end to enjoy the three course meal you’ve made yourself! http://www.urbanadventures.com/siem-reap-tour-cambodian-cook-out
To escape the city heat and for something to do out in the countryside, Phnom Kulen National Park is about an hour drive from the main city of Siem Reap. Entry tickets into the park for foreign visitors are US$20 per person and you’ll need to hire a driver for the trip, which your hotel can organise. The driver will make a couple brief stops to sites within the park, leaving the best for last, the waterfall. There is a wealth of history in this park, however, many people who journey out this way are here for one thing, and that’s to take a dip in the cool waters of the rushing waterfall.
It’s easy to love Siem Reap. It might have something to do with the friendly nature of the people and their constant smiling faces. Hugely kind souls living with the minimal things in life or the strikingly awe-inspiring ancient monuments of Angkor, which survived war and still stand hundreds of years later for people to savour. Whatever it is, Siem Reap is a humble collective parcel, offering the best for those who come and see.