May
Mystery of Cambodia Revealed!
Posted in Cambodia | No Comments »Siem Rep
Cambodia has always held a mystic for me. Wanted to explore this mysterious country for a long time, n finally have a week here.
We plan our trip from north down south. Landing on Siem Rep, a simple airport with no fancy runway, jus a open field.
Once out from the airport, loads of tuk tuk drivers there available for you to choose. Our’s was pre-arranged and has been waiting for us patiently. Greeted by a warm smile, our dear driver for the next 2 days.
Once you leave the airport, the mystic gradually reveals.
Wat’s the best time to visit Cambodia?
The best months to be here are from Sept to Feb where is weather is cool in the range of 15-20 degree. June – Aug is rainy. Mar to May is the hot season (30-34degree).
Never did we check, so wish us luck. Now is the midst of the hot season. Surely overwhelm by the heat and dusty road. But the good thing is there is little tourists around, so we do enjoy the place to ourselves. But the heat do slow us …
Siem Rep Hotel/Guesthouse
Checking in to a new 3 star hotel just open in Jan. Interesting family run hotel – a blend of Khmer tradition and modern hotel comfort. The hotel is very well kept, clean n very helpful staff.
One amazing thing about all the hotels / guesthouse in Cambodia is that they have a great selection of cable TV. They offer at least 40channels for us to choose from. From HBO, CNBC, CNN, Hong Kong TVB, Taiwan Korean, Japanese, even Singapore. Definitely more than any Asia hotels have provide! Thot is only for this hotel, but in all the hotel, even guest house that we have gone later has such a wide selection.
Language
They can speak English, so communication is no problem. In fact, the locals on the street can speak simple English, helpful n warm to assist us round the city.
Shopping and food at Siem Rep
These 2 essentials can’t be missed on trips – shop n food.
A basic town, so don’t expect fancy shopping or malls here. None at all… But there are markets n little shops around.
Main shopping will be at the Phsar Chas(Old Market) n Phsar Leu Thom Thrney(Upper Market). Well basically, they are wet markets on one side (that sells local produces like vegetables, fruits, meat etc) and dry mart on the other sides ( where art n souverniers are sold). Very similar to the Central market in Vietnam. Silver, silk, pashmina are some stuff the you will like to pick up as gifts for those at home. These markets closed by about 5 or 6pm.
But in the nite, the Noon night market opens. Souvenirs n silk avail store after store. You can also find lots of restaurant here. Dinner, pub n nite life is all here.
Food
Wat food choice do we have?
We enjoy the local food, very favaStreet food – local do eat a lot of noodle, curry and porridge.
Some Khmer food that we order:
Amok (is Curry) – cook with coconut – choice of fish, pork, chicken n beef
LoLak - Stir fried beef (chicken or pork if u wish) cook with tomato n onion – nice n sourish
Their noodle soup is also very tasty.
Bagaette is readily available as staple – with meat or with butter n onion, lettue n tomato. V tasty with the sauces. Cambodia has strong french influence as it used to be a french colony.
Western food is also widely available.
Food is cheap yet expensive!! Irony…
Yes. They charge all in US$. Food from street store cost about US0.80 to US1.50. Meals in cafe is about US2.50 to US4. Cheap for us on the whole! But for a population that earns only about US100-300 per month, I jus wonder how they can afford!
Ang Kor Wat
The must visit when you are there! Best visit during sunrise. Try… Try to wake up at 4.30am. Make your way there to catch the sunrise at about 5-5.30am. Cool n majestic. Really a lot of temples there for you to visit. Me not really a temple goer, so after one of 2 key ones… the rest looks similar. so half a day for me is enough!! But for those that really into the history and archi, many spend up to 3 days! There are 1 to 3 days pass for you to choose from. So see who u r, choose your pass accordingly.
