Cambodia Memories

Sights at Cambodia often came to my mind. I even dreamt about the face carvings in Siem Reap before I arrived there. Eerie, I thought at first, but I felt at ease when we reached.

Angkor Wat is clearly magnificient, with even more fascinating history to tell.
It's a pity such a country rich in culture and history has not developed as much as the other countries in South East Asia.

Our guide is Soeun Saron, which SL found over the internet. Saron is highly recommended at several sites, and true enough, he can speak good English and knows the background and the history of Siew Reap very well. We recommend him too. Attached link is his website with pictures of Angkor to share. Sorry, have not sorted our the pics we took, so did not upload them. We could not thank him and his driver enough for their warm hospitality and we wish them well.

The weather is very hot and dry in Siem Reap, too hot even for the people to work, especially when the sun is hottest from 12 noon to 3pm. During this period, the people like to have a short siesta after lunch and then work. Likewise, tours start again from 2.30pm until sunset.

Our itenary included mainly: Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Som, Neak Poan, Preah Khan & Banteay Srei.

I especially liked Angkor Wat & The Bayon with the magnificient four face carvings at every tower. Ta Prohm clearly shows an architecture that had been overtaken by nature, with trees growing into its rocks and structures. Without the APSARA's efforts, nature would have engulfed these architectures. APSARA is the Authority for Protection and Safeguarding of Angkor ruins.

One point to note that is that children would run to you asking you to buy postcards or scarves. They do this after school to supplement their family's income. They are so cute and we often wonder how they can appear and disappear without your knowing.

We stayed at the Auberge Mont Royal hotel which serves good breakfast with homemade pineapple jam. The waiter told us that they cooked 10 kg of pineapple into 1 kg of pineapple jam. Imagine the richness of pineapple flavour in the jam.

We originally booked a Standard room but the hotel staff was kind enough to upgrade us to a Deluxe room at no additional cost. Cable channels are available which is a plus point as we can catch up on some TV during our siesta hours.

I enjoyed dinner time at the old Market (Phsar Chas), where there are sprawling restaurants everywhere. I especially loved Khmer Kitchen for its Amok Fish & its lemon grass tea. Amok dishes come in either chicken, fish or pork. Mmm, I miss the Amok dishes. Amok dishes are cooked in coconut milk and are not spicy.

Another highly recommended restaurant is The Red Piano and Blue Pumpkin. The Red Piano serves a free drink with a main dish and it is a good relief from the warm weather. It also provides a good view from its 2nd floor balcony. It looks out into the streets of Siem Reap with the few street lights. Romantic view.

Blue pumpkin serves good ice-cream and sherbet, all home-made. It has a good ambience and again provides a good hiding place from the merciless sun during the afternoons.

Siem Reap - a country so full of history, culture and architectural knowledge - its no wonder its one of the man-made wonders of the world.