Itenary for Sien Reap Cambodia
Jun 19th, 2012 | 05:35 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Buy a copy of Dawn Rooney's book "Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples" And study it before you go. It will help you decide how many days to spend at the temples and which temples you are most interested in.
If you'd like something different to augment your experience in Siem Reap, take a look at www.theplf.org
If you'd like something different to augment your experience in Siem Reap, take a look at www.theplf.org
Jun 19th, 2012 | 10:06 AM
#4
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
What kind of traveler/sightseer are you -- do you want an in-depth look at the temples or just the highlights, or something in-between? We were in Siem Reap a year ago and ended up spending two full days "templing", 1/2 a day poking around town, and one full day at the pool.
This is the Siem Reap portion of my trip report (again, this is not for everyone...for example, we loved using a tuk-tuk, others would like an air-conditioned car; we loved Kbaal Spean, others might not like the hike; we didn't feel the need to get up at the crack of dawn for sunrise....)
"Day 1 in Siem Reap. Arrived no pblm. A little confusing re visas. Lucky we had brought pictures. Had to use the ATM to get cash for visas. Lots of workers at Siem Reap airport - looks like a full employment policy. They are the nicest immigration people ever. Met by driver in Lexus SUV. DH had left his backpack inside at the visa counter. Went back to get it and they let him in and out without too much of an issue. Car service was too expensive through hotel, but worth it (and helps the local economy anyway). Hotel is fabulous. Took a walk to town. Lunch at Le Tigre Du Papier. Shopped, poked around (considering a fish pedicure), spent an hour at the gorgeous pool. Rested - watched a stupid movie on TV (Taken with Liam Neeson). After dinner, had a $1.00 foot massage at the night market. Every foot massage place at the night market was busy (why not, for $1.00?)
Day 2 in Siem Reap. Planned to grab a tuk-tuk to go to Angkor Wat. Not sure whether we would come back mmidday or not. Front desk was great - used their guy, Mr. Too - and hired him for the whole day for $17. Went to Angkor Wat (after getting tickets - $40 each) and Ta Prohm before lunch, then decided to go back for a few hours of sun and pool - gorgeous day, about 90 degrees. Had lunch at pool. Mr. Too picked us up at 3:00 to go out again - went to Angkor Thom, then to a mountain temple to see the sunset (his idea, us and about a million other people - very few Americans in evidence, loads of Japanese). Agreed he would pick us up in the a.m. at 8:30 to go to Banta Srei, River of a Thousand Lingas, and Beng Melea (which is 65 km in a tuk-tuk, so we'll see, but we loved it today). I had another $1.00 foot massage (waited for my girl, no. 56) and Michael had a shoulder massage -- mine was better than his. Total $4 with tips.
Next day, Mr. Too was right on time. He suggested going to Kbal Spean first, then Banta Srei. Done. Loved the hike at Kbal Spaen, but it's not so easy - first of all, it's uphill, second, there's a lot of scrambling over rocks and boulders. There are some great views, and you're mostly shaded. the full employment act was in evidence again, as there was a crew sweeping leaves from the path. Obviously had no idea what we were doing or looking at so took guidebook suggestion and "hired" a local guide to walk us around. Total time at Kbal Spean 1-3/4 hours. Drove to Banta Srei from there. Had a decent lunch - rice and shrimp for me, rice and stir fried chicken for M, two diet Cokes and "free" fresh fruit - bananas and mango. Very small - spent about 45 minutes or an hour there (as I've said before, we are not "in depth" people - we prefer to the short course to the PhD . 1-1/2 hours drive on bumpy dirt roads to Beng Melea. A little long, but traveling through rural areas was excellent adventure. Every single child, and plenty of adults, waved to us, and we waved back to everyone! In Beng Melea, we again hired a local guide -- we never would have gotten through the temple without him, since most of it is not restored and you have to scramble over broken-down rocks, tree roots, ledges, etc. Ride back to Siem Reap was also tiring, but again, it's a really great way to see the "countryside" (as Mr. Too, who speaks practically no English)called it. Whole day with Mr. Too was $40, plus $10 for entry to Beng Melea. After a much needed shower, and decision to have an R&R say tomorrow, had dinner at World Lounge.
Last day - R&R. Weather is gorgeous- humid, but temp hasn't gone above 85 and sun has been in and out. As usual, DH has been in the sun all day and I've been in the shade. Before dinner, walked over to Seven Candles Guest House to bring some things we had brought along to donate to the Ponheary Ly Foundation. It was drizzling when we left our hotel, and while we stood in the lobby of the guest house, the heavens opened -- a tropical rainstorm like I've never seen outside the Caribbean. We waited it out (chatting with Lori) for a few minutes, then put on our ponchos and got in a tuk-tuk (the driver had zipped up the sides). The poor driver got soaked, but he was laughing when we got to town. There was so much water, we had to roll up our pants to cross the street! After dinner at Picasso, had a fish pedicure (couldn't leave without one - very very weird, then mani/pedi at Dr. Feet."
This is the Siem Reap portion of my trip report (again, this is not for everyone...for example, we loved using a tuk-tuk, others would like an air-conditioned car; we loved Kbaal Spean, others might not like the hike; we didn't feel the need to get up at the crack of dawn for sunrise....)
"Day 1 in Siem Reap. Arrived no pblm. A little confusing re visas. Lucky we had brought pictures. Had to use the ATM to get cash for visas. Lots of workers at Siem Reap airport - looks like a full employment policy. They are the nicest immigration people ever. Met by driver in Lexus SUV. DH had left his backpack inside at the visa counter. Went back to get it and they let him in and out without too much of an issue. Car service was too expensive through hotel, but worth it (and helps the local economy anyway). Hotel is fabulous. Took a walk to town. Lunch at Le Tigre Du Papier. Shopped, poked around (considering a fish pedicure), spent an hour at the gorgeous pool. Rested - watched a stupid movie on TV (Taken with Liam Neeson). After dinner, had a $1.00 foot massage at the night market. Every foot massage place at the night market was busy (why not, for $1.00?)
Day 2 in Siem Reap. Planned to grab a tuk-tuk to go to Angkor Wat. Not sure whether we would come back mmidday or not. Front desk was great - used their guy, Mr. Too - and hired him for the whole day for $17. Went to Angkor Wat (after getting tickets - $40 each) and Ta Prohm before lunch, then decided to go back for a few hours of sun and pool - gorgeous day, about 90 degrees. Had lunch at pool. Mr. Too picked us up at 3:00 to go out again - went to Angkor Thom, then to a mountain temple to see the sunset (his idea, us and about a million other people - very few Americans in evidence, loads of Japanese). Agreed he would pick us up in the a.m. at 8:30 to go to Banta Srei, River of a Thousand Lingas, and Beng Melea (which is 65 km in a tuk-tuk, so we'll see, but we loved it today). I had another $1.00 foot massage (waited for my girl, no. 56) and Michael had a shoulder massage -- mine was better than his. Total $4 with tips.
Next day, Mr. Too was right on time. He suggested going to Kbal Spean first, then Banta Srei. Done. Loved the hike at Kbal Spaen, but it's not so easy - first of all, it's uphill, second, there's a lot of scrambling over rocks and boulders. There are some great views, and you're mostly shaded. the full employment act was in evidence again, as there was a crew sweeping leaves from the path. Obviously had no idea what we were doing or looking at so took guidebook suggestion and "hired" a local guide to walk us around. Total time at Kbal Spean 1-3/4 hours. Drove to Banta Srei from there. Had a decent lunch - rice and shrimp for me, rice and stir fried chicken for M, two diet Cokes and "free" fresh fruit - bananas and mango. Very small - spent about 45 minutes or an hour there (as I've said before, we are not "in depth" people - we prefer to the short course to the PhD . 1-1/2 hours drive on bumpy dirt roads to Beng Melea. A little long, but traveling through rural areas was excellent adventure. Every single child, and plenty of adults, waved to us, and we waved back to everyone! In Beng Melea, we again hired a local guide -- we never would have gotten through the temple without him, since most of it is not restored and you have to scramble over broken-down rocks, tree roots, ledges, etc. Ride back to Siem Reap was also tiring, but again, it's a really great way to see the "countryside" (as Mr. Too, who speaks practically no English)called it. Whole day with Mr. Too was $40, plus $10 for entry to Beng Melea. After a much needed shower, and decision to have an R&R say tomorrow, had dinner at World Lounge.
Last day - R&R. Weather is gorgeous- humid, but temp hasn't gone above 85 and sun has been in and out. As usual, DH has been in the sun all day and I've been in the shade. Before dinner, walked over to Seven Candles Guest House to bring some things we had brought along to donate to the Ponheary Ly Foundation. It was drizzling when we left our hotel, and while we stood in the lobby of the guest house, the heavens opened -- a tropical rainstorm like I've never seen outside the Caribbean. We waited it out (chatting with Lori) for a few minutes, then put on our ponchos and got in a tuk-tuk (the driver had zipped up the sides). The poor driver got soaked, but he was laughing when we got to town. There was so much water, we had to roll up our pants to cross the street! After dinner at Picasso, had a fish pedicure (couldn't leave without one - very very weird, then mani/pedi at Dr. Feet."
Jun 20th, 2012 | 12:13 AM
#7
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Definitely get a driver. We did a combination of AC car ( for the longer routes) and tuk tuk around town and nearby.
Our driver even took us to Battambang where we spent an evening although I cold have stayed longer.
Here is my very long report,
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ang-and-pp.cfm
and here is our Siem Reap driver's email. He'll be having a second baby any day now so I am sure the extra work would be much appreciated!
Vuthy: [email protected]
Our driver even took us to Battambang where we spent an evening although I cold have stayed longer.
Here is my very long report,
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...ang-and-pp.cfm
and here is our Siem Reap driver's email. He'll be having a second baby any day now so I am sure the extra work would be much appreciated!
Vuthy: [email protected]
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