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-   -   So excited - going to Siem Reap (https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/so-excited-going-to-siem-reap-1499176/)

Kay2 Oct 22nd, 2017 05:30 PM

So excited - going to Siem Reap
 
Angkor Wat is a place I've wanted to see for years. I thought I'd be able to add it on to a trip to Thailand, but it didn't work out on any of 3 trips. My husband has a week of vacation he has to use before March and has agreed to take a trip just to Cambodia, so I'm going to book!

I've read all the posts, ordered the book Kathie recommends from the library, looked at a travel guide, and I am excited. I'll be asking specific questions soon, but just wanted to share with people who enjoy traveling to new destinations as much as I.

Looks like we may use China Southern to get premium economy seats for the long flight over the Pacific.
I may choose a small hotel outside of the center like Green Empire Resort to find quiet.
We will probably hire an a/c car and driver, maybe a guide for temples.
I'm also looking at the Sam Veasna Center for a bird watching tour to Ang Trapaeng Thmor + Phnom Srok village or a combo bird + Koh Ker + Beng Mealea to get out of the Angkor Wat area for a day.
The Bambu Stage puppet show has caught my eye.

We won't be trying to see all the temples, large and small. I'm afraid much of our planning will be how to avoid getting squashed in crowds when trying to see the main temples. Still, I am excited!

thursdaysd Oct 22nd, 2017 05:41 PM

How exciting for you. Are you going anywhere else in Cambodia? Phnom Penh? Battambang?

Kathie Oct 22nd, 2017 06:06 PM

Congrats! I was also someone who had dreamed for years of going to Angkor. I'd been to Bangkok a dozen times before I finally got to Angkor in 2001. We spent a week there and loved it. I'm not sure I'd like staying outside of town - there are areas of Siem Reap that are noisy, but there are also quieter areas.

enjoy your trip!

Kay2 Oct 23rd, 2017 05:25 AM

With our short trip, no time for more than Siem Reap and environs. Once my husband decides on exact dates, we will have about 4.5 days on the ground.

I'll only book toward the north side of town if sufficient restaurants nearby, but we don't care to be in commercial central of shops, restaurants, and tuk-tuks.

Kay2 Oct 30th, 2017 01:02 PM

Slight delay--picking out flights when I saw "dentist" on the calendar. My husband is in the process of replacing a tooth with an implant. No way did I want to schedule a trip to Cambodia just after he had major dental work. But after a few calls he got it arranged so he just has a checkup after our preferred travel dates and no work beforehand. In the meantime, the preferred flights/airlines sold out discounted economy tickets (of course). So, we have booked acceptable if not optimal flights and locked in our dates.

We now arrive on Monday at 9am and depart Saturday at 7pm. So 4 full days and 2 partial days in country.

I'll now get serious about picking a hotel with arranging either early checkin or book for Sunday night to ensure we can go directly to hotel, clean up, and nap before heading out in the afternoon. (That works better for me than pushing on through the day sleep deprived.) I'm looking for a moderately priced place that is quiet and that either has a good dining option inhouse for evenings we are tired or restaurants nearby. Preferably a larger room designed with seating or common air conditioned lounge for when we want to relax inside during the week.

Now the serious reading begins....
Turns out my niece the archaeologist has a colleague who is a Cambodian expert, so I may end up with more technical knowledge than I can handle.

CounterClifton Oct 31st, 2017 08:33 PM

Fantastic place, Angkor. One of the top highlights of our travels. Better more knowledge than you need than too little, eh? Enjoy.

Kay2 Nov 8th, 2017 01:11 PM

I couldn't believe the number of hotels, hostels, residences, and villas in Siem Reap! I finally settled on Reveal Courtyard--formerly Angkor Tropic Hotel. It is on the north side near the Sofitel. I like the idea of being relatively close to Angkor Wat for returning to the hotel during the day. We probably won't be going to Pub Street or the night market, so location relative to them not a concern. We will need a tuktuk to get to Artisans Angkor, Bambu Stage, or restaurants not nearby.

Now I will contact the tour guides my niece's colleagues suggested. I wanted to read a little more before I communicated with them so I could intelligently discuss what we want to do.

Jackie Nov 9th, 2017 01:46 AM

I am in Siam Reap now and really enjoying it. We are staying within walking distance to the old market and like the location. We booked a guide and tuk tuk yesterday thru the hotel yesterday and went to the Group one (from the roony book) temples. Needed a relaxation day today after our 15,000 steps. Just back from a 2 hour massage that cost 15.50. Before that we went to Artisans Angkor and had lunch at Sala Bai, a hotel and restaurant school for underprivileged Cambodians. Food was excellent. Tomorrow more temples and the floating fishing village. There is a lot here to see and do.


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