Cambodia is known all over the world as the home of the sprawling and splendid Angkor Wat and Angkor temple complex that can effortlessly take your breath away at first sight. But aside from exploring the temples and basking under the hot Siem Reap sun, what else is there to do and try in this western part of Cambodia? Let me give you a glimpse.
Food Hunting and Munching
Awesome finds: Fresh coconut juice, glorious fried rice that’s to-die for, pork noodle soup (with many, many salivating variants), fried pork/beef noodle (that you can also order for breakfast—genius!), fresh seafood, and fresh fruit juices! Cambodian food is love that bursts in your mouth.
Try this nice restaurant, Rumduol Khmer Angkor Restaurant, inside the Angkor complex. With a view of the Angkor River while you eat. It’s too awesome.
Marvel at the beautiful Elephants.
But I wouldn't recommend riding them. Elephants are such amazing creatures. But some of them looked really tired.
Hit Pub Street
Every night you just have to do it, because truthfully that’s where the happening is in Siem Reap once the sun sets down. There’re lots and lots of choices for drinks, food and even souvenirs to take home. Watch out for the grilled spider and scorpion street food. *Shivers
Watch how silk is done in the silk farm.
From maggots to the finish product, you can see how silk clothing are made in this state-run, free of entrance farm. It was amazing and hypnotizing to see the workers weave the silk with intricate details and astounding intricacy.
Ride the Tuktuk around town
It’s the best (and cheapest way) to travel because you get to enjoy the fresh air and sceneries in Cambodia.
Shop at Night Market.
You'll find so many things and memorabilia to buy--from silk to oil scents to spices that only cost 1 dollar per pack. It’s near Pub Street so it all makes sense when you want to drink, eat and Shop.
Good Food restaurant in Pub Street offers the best seafood and beef fried rice! =) Plus they show football matches—suit me best! You can also get a fish spa on the adjacent massage establishment.
Visit the Angkor National Museum.
Do this first and foremost before you hit the Angkor Wat complex—a very good briefer for the culture thirsty you.
Try some local tea and coffee. They’re super good!
It's always a treat to try different tea and coffee from different places in Asia. It's a good way to cap off the tiring day.
Jog or bike around Siem Reap. For the more distant places like Angkor temples, it’s better to rent bikes (and get a tour guide) if you’re into physical torture. Or you can jog for an hour in the morning to see Siem Reap fresh from its sleep.
Just chill, enjoy nature’s beauty and give yourself a much needed break.
You can try doing yoga in some of their yoga centers or meditate on the rooftop of your hotel. Me, I settled on lounging by the pool and reading my book.
Siem Reap is a place to rejuvenate and slow down. My visit to Cambodia was squeezed in between Manila and Bangkok's stressful rush, so just staying still was probably one of my favorite moments during the trip. They said rest is for the weak; well, I’m not ashamed to say that my human body can only take so much.
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