Siem Reap

I just got back from Siem Reap trip yesterday, after a 5 days, 4 nights endurance trip. It was a solo trip this time around, and I always wanted try this since young.

Day 1 

Siem Reap is about 1 hour 5 mins behind Malaysian time. There would be normally one flight in ( 8 am arrival - Siem Reap time) and one flight out daily (6 am departure - Siem Reap time) via Air Asia. 

Joleen went to Siem Reap before ( thank god I have a mini dictionary in my life), and knowing that she only stays in good hotels, I decided to follow her recommendation. The price is quite affordable, about RM100++ per night. 

 Royal Empire Hotel is about 5 years old (est. 2008) and is located along the main road to/from airport.

 Frontage

The hotel provided free pick up services from the airport, but due to pathetic tiny name plaque (name hand- written in pencil on a crumpled A4 paper), I could not see my name and waited almost half hour for the hotel staff to approach me. Apparently he was shy to ask around until it became apparent that there is not much female traveler except me.

Anyway, he is not to be blamed as I read in Tripadvisor.com.my that this hotel does forget to pick its customers up from airport before. I am considered 'lucky' to have him arrive on time but you know the rest...

Upon arrival, things start to feel better. The reception was warm and friendly, and I found out that many fellow Malaysian stayed here before, including my friends.

At this moment as well, I found out Cambodian love to have their drinks extremely sweet and thick. It's welcome drink, a cup of orange juice tasted just like it poured out directly from the cordial bottle.

Welcoming area for guest

The room is impressive...

 For the rates I am paying, it's pretty awesome 

Pool view

I waste no time to have a quick rest and off to Old Market Road. 

The tuk-tuk in Siem Reap is quite cute- a motorcycle pulling a carriage :) Oh, the tuk-tuk driver name is Yoeung- as written on the carriage.

The ride to Old Market Road is about 5-10mins from the hotel, and Siem Reap people seems to drive real slow compared to Malaysia. Thus the journey feels longer. Because it is the dry season in May, the road is really dusty. It is advisable to wear your sunnies to keep the dust coming into your eyes (include a mask if you have sensitive nose).

Before reaching the old market, I saw a nice river and got off near a Buddist temple called Wat Bo Temple. Along the river, there is a few bridges connecting to the other side of the town. One of the bridge is called Wat Bo Bridge (can't remember the rest as this is near the temple)

 Cafes across Wat Bo Bridge

 The street across the river

 Wat Bo Bridge

 Wat Bo Temple

Children swimming in the river

I had my lunch at the cafe along the river. The food is not that delicious but most food in Siem Reap is quite affordable. As I walk further down the river, I finally reached the old market.

 Looks similarly like Thailand and Vietnam. Not surprisingly most of the goods comes from Thailand and Vietnam.

 Mostly Thailand wood handicraft. Cambodia is famous for stone works actually

 More Thailand goods

 Many years ago, my cousin brought back salted sting ray from Cambodia. I did not see any of those here, but the curly stuff hanging up is actually a type of salted fish, sliced into 5-6 openings. Its quite skilful actually, but the smell is stinkier than Malaysian's salted fish or belacan! Yes, they do have Chinese Sausages @ Lap Cheong but it doesn't look authentic.

 View of old market street

 Near Pub Street. The children in Siem Reap makes a living selling all kinds of souvenirs. As much as I pity them, my friends advised not to indulge into one as more will follow.

 Around the market, there is a few book shops. Interestingly, there is quite a number of French books for sale.

 Some art work. I saw this is Chiangmai, but here the books is pricier.

 Restaurants between the alleys

There is quite a number of ice-cream/gelato stalls at old market, but there is a famous chain called The Blue Pumpkin.  

 As night was approaching, the view gets more nice. Well sort off... if the lights were fixed :p

 Along the river, lanterns decorated the night

 Across the old market, there is this place called The Night Market selling more high class souvenirs. But being Malaysian, if there is no bargain - there is no fun to it! 

I didn't stay up late on my first day, had a quick dinner at pub street and got a tuk-tuk back to the hotel around 9 pm as I need to met my tour guide the next day around 8am at the hotel lobby. More pictures to come in the next post :)