Angkor Wat Experience
 

We just returned from a 4 day, 3 night trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat and surrounding temple complexes. The temple ruins are spectacularly awesome and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That being said, I would recommend that anyone who wants to visit Angkor Wat should go now. It is safe and Siem Reap (the city near the temples) can handle the present number of tourists. Add the hundreds of more people that Cambodia wants to visit the temples and the visitor comfort/satisfaction level will drop dramatically. Part of the beauty of some of the ruins is to explore sites with few others. The other part of the Angkor experience is to visit with the friendly Cambodians and see how they live and work. You can't do that by staying in a $400/night room at the Grand Hotel when most Cambodians don't make that much money in a year. For more specific information or questions, e-mail me.

I agree with Mike. We were also in Siem Reap and Angkor Wat in a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing and Cambodia was wonderful, but there are many large hotels under construction, more airlines are flying directly to Siem Reap and it won't be long before the place is overrun. Go now.

Mike & Julie, <BR> <BR>OK, we're planning to visit Angkor Wat in October ... but just do it in a very limited time. What's your opinion of a 1 day tour? Do one place in PM, stay overnight, see a bit more in AM and leave?

Hi Tom, <BR> <BR>Angkor is worth it, if only for one day, but I would really urge you to stay at least two if possible. There are several temples to explore in the complex/area (NOT within walking distance of each other) and each has its own beauty. We spent two full days, had a private driver to ferry us around everywhere, and we still didn't have enough time. But again, if you can only go for a day - do it! It is really quite spectacular.

mike - my wife and I will be in Hong Kong in December. We want to make the trip to Angkor. Can you tell me what tour operator you used. <BR> <BR>Thanks..... Howard

If you're looking for a good place to stay in Siem Reap, I'd recommend the European Guesthouse ([email protected]). A very kind and helpful Englishman and his Cambodian wife own the place and live there. You can eat family-style Cambodian meals with them, and they're very interesting to talk to about the country. The other great things about this place: it was very, very clean and it only cost $6 per night. I'd highly recommend staying with them. E-mail me if you'd like their address or phone number.