After more than one year in Cambodia, I finally got the chance to visit THE most important place in the country. Phnom Penh pales into insignificance – especially when you realise how westernised (with a SE Asian twist) the local town Siem Reap is. I was surprised that prices are still very low – at 75 cents a beer in some of the more western-style bars juxtaposed with Hotel Le Meridien Angkor who charges about $200 a night (not that bad considering their brand).
It was an impressive site, but I don’t think it was worth going all the way here if coming from a western country and spend a week (yes there are other temples, but in my opinions once you’ve seen a few, you’ve seen them all) unless you really like this sort of thing.
Far too many people come to Cambodia this way and not really seeing what Cambodia is like – for that, Battambang and the surrounding area (which have some old temples too) would make a good trip – but it is a good day’s ride each way by bumpy roads – so a day in Battambang from Siem Reap mean setting aside 3 days.
Siem Reap means Defeat of Siam – that is, Defeat of Thailand. Nice.
Oh, no problems with the beggars at the car park – I wonder if I’m getting better at my “No means no and fuck off” expression…? Or is it because I’ve spent so long in Cambodia, I know what they are like? Not that I’ve seen many beggars elsewhere in Cambodia.
Angkor Wat during a thunderstorm
Angkor Wat Moat
Angkor Wat during a thunderstorm
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat and apparently important visitors
Inside one of the Angkor Wat buildings
Angkor Wat main temple