Angkor Wat, Part 4/4 Siem Reap, Cambodia

Apart from the Angkor Wat (Angkor Temple) complex, there are others like the Bayon Temple complex seen here.

Look closely and you can see the faces of the god-kings.

Here is one of them.

The god-kings' presence is everywhere.

Buy some souvenirs and help a Cambodian family.

Angkor Wat Part 3, Siem Reap, Cambodia

More highlights from Angkor Wat:

Dancing ladies in their outlandish headgear.

When faced with a climbing opportunity, people never fail to respond. But climb at your own risk. Ask whether your athritic joints can take the journey down.

Others are more prudent to remain earth-bound.

Intricate patterns awaiting your admiration.

Wandering around, every corner of the vast temple complex had something interesting for me to enjoy.

Cycling to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cycling to Angkor Wat gave me the rare opportunity of observing the Cambodian way of life. I was quite nervous about taking this shot of these two Cambodian cops, fearing I might be sent to the killing fields. Here they were simply gazing at the river and gossiping.

Cambodian kids tried to sell bananas to passers-by on the road to Angkor Wat. No, not for you but for...

your long-lost cousins. At the sight of monkeys people always get excited. Perhaps, this has something to do with the fact that monkeys remind them of their ancestral roots. To demonstrate my empathy with them, the monkeys I mean, I bought a bunch of bananas. NO, not to feed them but to feed myself since after all that cycling I needed the carbo!

Road to Angkor Part 3, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cycling to Angkor Wat, I noticed harried parents with their kids hurrying to hospital. Initially I didn't know what was going on. Gradually I understood the reason for the commotion. There was a severe outbreak of dengue fever.

An appeal for blood donation.

The eye-catching children's hospital in Siem Reap

When you cycle, you see more and pay less and exercise more. LOLA. A win-win situation, don't you agree? No?

Road to Angkor Part 2,Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cycling to Angkor Wat gave me the wonderful opportunity of observing the Cambodian way of life, Here are some snapshots. I'd stop riding the moment I spotted anything interesting.

A no-frills barber shop.I almost wanted to have the experience.

A "shopping mall" by the dirt road. Dust is part and parcel of the shopping experience so don't fret.

A Siem Reap High School.

A busy Cambodian village outside town. Small businesses have mushroomed along the roadsides. A slice of Cambodian life not seen by those on packaged tours. No problem for me to pretend I was a Cambodian as I looked just as scruffy.

Road to Angkor Part 1, Siem Reap, Cambodia

I cycled on this lonely road to Angkor Wat, 5.5 km from town.

There are three ways to get to Angkor Wat  5.5 km from town.

Tuk-tuks in town

The most popular way is by tuk-tuk. I was the only crazy foreigner cycling to Angkor Wat. Westerners in tuk-tuks gave me pitiful looks as they roared past me, leaving me behind in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.#*!@

Barely 12 years old, and already a seasoned rider.

Or rent a motor-bike.

Hey, that's not me!

The best way in my view is to rent a bicycle for about US$3 a day. It was slow but it gave me the opportunity to observe the places and the Cambodians at close quarters. Besides, it was excellent exercise for me. Pay less, see more!

Eating in Siem Reap, Cambodia

One of the things that will either make or break your trip is food, and whether it's fit for your conmsumption. Food poisoning can be a nightmare, and can ruin your whole holiday. In Siem Reap, apart from Khmer food, there's also western food. You certainly won't starve in Siem Reap.

If you keep counting your riel (Cambodian money) every night, then you should eat at the market at rock bottom prices. The market is very close to "Shadow of Angkor Guesthouse" in Siem Reap. But make sure you've a strong stomach. Speak English here, and you'll be the star attraction.

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This is a Chinese restaurant where I  had my dinner a few times. Friendly staff. As bees to honey, Chinese people get excited whenever they see the word "Beijing".

Feeling rich, and want to splurge a bit? Cafe Indo Chine will lay the red carpet for you, especially if wads of US $ are sticking out from every part of you. This is one of the nicest cafes in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap - street life

Street Life of Siem Reap

The market area is near "Shadow of Angkor Guesthouse".

You name it, he has it. Hey, only household goods, OK?

Hawker with baskets slung on a pole. Her shoulder and leg muscles given a daily workout. But a tough life no doubt.

Monks also need daily neccessities. No meter, just hop onto the motor-bike taxi.

Mussels (hope I'm right) are obviously a local delicacy. If you like to crunch on them, then you'll go crazy over the dirt cheap price.

Shadow of Angkor Guesthouse in Siem Reap, Cambodia

People ask"What's your guesthouse in Siem Reap like?" Well, "The Shadow of Angkor" is very clean and safe, and recommended by LP.
Nice cosy place for that much needed drink after exploring the town.

Upstairs: Internet access (paid)

Balcony: great for catching up on your reading. Overlooks the river.

Scene from the balcony. Can you see the river? Overhead wires make for an ugly picture.

Siem Reap, Cambodia - accommodation

It says it all.

Tut-tut driver brought me to see two guesthouses but I finally settled on my original one: the weirdly named "Shadow of Angkor Guesthouse" for US$15. Everything here is richly "wooden". Housed in an old French building, it overlooks a sluggish river. Has paid internet access.

There's a nice restaurant below the Guesthouse, and with tempting prices like these my customary high tea was replaced by "high beer". US prices notwithstanding.

I rented a bike at US$3 and cycled around town and to Angkor Wat.

Looking down from my balcony I watched these Cambodian ladies laughing and gossiping. At this point all my fears about residual Khmer Rouge fighters still lurking in the shadows vanished. I breathed easy from then on.

Siem Reap, Cambodia - from airport to town

Mention about travelling to Cambodia, and most people are a bit nervous when they think of the atrocities during the Khmer Rouge regime when millions of Cambodians were murdered. And the clashes with Thailand over the ancient temple of Preah Vihar serve only to strengthen these fears. However, I think Siem Reap can serve as a gentle introduction to the country.



The quiet Siem Reap airport. I took my time to leave the airport as I was going around snapping pictures. All the passengers having left, the airport was deserted. I acted cool as if I had been here a hundred times.

When I finally got out of the airport, I spotted this tut-tut driver. He accepted US$2 for the 8km ride to town.

I sat at the back, and then I noticed his registration number. Good number for 4-D I thought.

Along the way to town, I became increasingly impressed as many luxurious hotels flashed past. I relaxed. Not bad at all. Nobody was going to put a bullet into my head!