Where to go after Siem Reap?
 

I am going for a week-long teaching mission in the Siem Reap area. Any recommendations what to do with the the rest of my time (another week)? I have already seen the touristy parts of SR. I have also seen a bit of SE Asia as well (Luang Prabang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hanoi, HCM, Singapore, HK). Ideally I had wanted to go to Australia or New Zealand but logistically, it looks like I would lose too much time with flights.

There are lots of options. It depends on your interests. Of the top of my head, here are a few ideas:

Penang, Malaysia: stay in the historic Georgetown area, lots to see there, and the hawker food is really amazing.

Malaysian Borneo: Either Sabah or Sarawak would be wonderful one-week trips.

Indonesia: consider Bali or Java or Lombok as easy options, each with very different things to offer.

Nepal is a bit farther, but an easy non-stop from Bangkok.

I've written trip reports about a number of these places. You can find them by clicking on my name. You can also see photos at www.marlandc.com

how about yangon myanmar??

if it were me i would go back to bangkok./....where do you fly in and out of?? that might determine where to go...

Since you only have a week why not just see other parts of Cambodia. Depending on the water level take a boat to Battambang from SR (or taxi if boat is out). From there bus or taxi to the capital Phnom Penh and then to laidback Kep/Kampot or maybe some beachtime in Sihanoukville (depending on time of year). Lots to see and do that will keep you busy for a week.

I'd also suggest seeing more of Cambodia. In addition to Scotters advice (which I thoroughly agree with) you could also head up to Kratie and look round there. Depending on how brave you are, they have recently opened up eco touring in the Cardamon Mountains.

A large percentage of tourists only go to Siem Reap. There is a lot more of the country to see.

Alternatively what about southern Laos?

Another vote for staying in Cambodia. PP is definitely worth a few days. Kratie is a delighful riverside town and a great place for crossing into Laos and spending a few days maybe on Don Khong in the 4000 islands areas. You can book a bus/boat combo in Kratie easily and it takes 7 hours or so. Great trip if you dont mind being crammed into a minibus for a few hours.

Sihanoukville is great for the beach and there are a number of islands where you can get a boat to take you out with provisions for a night or two of the desert island experience

Malaysia (both peninsular and Borneo) is an underrated destination imho and I believe there are now direct flights from SR to KL. Once there you can take advantage of the very good value domestic flights offered by Malaysian Air and (I expect) the budget carriers that didn't exist when I was last there.
Or go to Battambang, as already suggested - but perhaps only if the river is high enough to go by boat. The getting there is half the attraction and it is a fascinating journey. I had six days I think after SR when I travelled that way - not long enough but it allowed me to see Battambang, then return to Thailand via Poipet, pass through Chanthaburi, and end up on Ko Samet for a few days' beach time. Ko Chang would be an alternative.

But, as always, I guess it depends on what you enjoy doing.

Cheers,