Siem Reap and the Holy City

We spent 6 nights in Siem Reap and could have easily stayed longer. A hotel or guesthouse with a swimming pool (which we had) is a prerequisite however.

For the uninitiated the main reason for coming to Siem Reap is to visit the Angkor Archaelogical Park. Angkor means Capital or Holy City. The park is vast and comprises  ruins of temples built, destroyed, rebuilt and added to between 800 and 1200AD.  The face to the left is a classic Bayon Head from the 12th century. At a guess this one was about 8 metres tall.

We spent 3 hot  and humid days exploring the temples with the aid our faithful and stoic Khmer tuk tuk driver Bud. We followed approximately a suggested 3 day itinerary visting Angkor Thom (which includes Bayon and others) and Angkor Wat the first day and finishing up on the third day tuk tuking 50kms up to Banteay Srey and Kbal Spean. Kbal Spean involved a 45 minute walk up a hill track to see carvings, 1000 lingas(Hindu) and Bhuddist images,  under water in a river. There were also 2 waterfalls to see. By the end of the walk my shirt resembled another waterfall. Sue only gently perspired of course. Bottled water never tasted so sweet....

For us three days was a Goldilocks amount of time for temple exploring. Not too long, not too short, just right.

Siem Reap has been a foreign tourist town for over 100 years and the park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. This reflects in the experience. Whilst there is major development going on  and many large hotels, the park and how it is visited is managed very efficiently. The town too has a lot to offer. Whilst the  big star 5 hotels with their golf courses and spas have moved in develoment has been kept relatively low rise and the centre of town has retained some character. The town offers a lively night life with an abundance of bars, restaurants, bakeries, spas and massage...

If you haven't been,  put it on the bucket list.....