South-East Asia Destination

By: Michael Ibbertson

Transport:How to get there

The modern Siem Reap International Airport which is located 6 kilometres from Siem Reap City is serviced by most of South East Asia's International Airlines. These airlines include Malaysia Airlines, Lao airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and China Airways.

In addition Cambodia's domestic airlines provide flights to on from Phnom Penh. Daily bus operators service the route from Phnom Penh with fleets of air conditioned buses. For the same travel time (5-6 hours) a river ferry service operates from Phnom Penh port along the Tonle Sap River and Lake to Chong Khneas, 11 kilometres south of Siem Reap City overload from Thailand the most direct route to Siem Reap is through the crossing at Poi pet. A large section of the road from Poi pet is still under construction so expect a bumpy ride.

How to get round:

The tuk-tuk is the most widely used form of transport around the city and surroundings. Taxis and small buses run tours to the temples and for the more energetic tourist, bicycles can be hired from accommodation sites. It is not possible to hire cars around the city.

Where to Stay:

No matter what your budget there is suitable, accommodation for everyone, from the $5 guesthouse to the $500 luxury hotel. The luxury, and in most cases new, hotels are mainly located along the road between the Siem Reap International Airport and the City centre. The cheaper hotel and guesthouse accommodation is located in the Tophel Village area or the east of the Siem Reap River over the Stone and Wat Bo Bridges in Wat Bo. In the Old Markets area there is also guesthouse accommodation on the other side of the river across the Old Market Bridge in Wat Damnke.

Where to Eat:

The area around the Old Market is the centre of the town's restaurant trade. There is a wide variety of cuisine available including traditional Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Indian and Italian Another choice is the Butterflies Garden Restaurant which is located over the Siem Reap River Bridge to the north of the Old Market. Besides its Khmer menu, the restaurant houses over 1500 tropical butterflies in a delightful garden setting.

What to see:

While the major attraction of this northern area of Cambodia is the Angkor Temples, the area has developed other sites for the tourist. Visit the modern Angkor National Museum, with its display of 1000 Buddha Images and galleries. This museum highlights the artefacts, history and culture of the Angkor. Further out of town the Cambodian landmine Museum gives an insight into Cambodia's landmine problem and the work of one man backing these issues. The Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary at the northern end of Tonle Sap Lake is a popular bird watching site and a habitat for over 100 variations of water birds.

Where to Shop:

To the casual observer the Old Market of Phsar Chase offers the traditional souvenir range to visitors and tourists. However the immediate area around the Old Market is dotted with art galleries and stylish boutiques offering genuine quality to shoppers.

Entertainment:

Daytime and sunset tours on the Tonle Sap Lake take in the floating villages. For a bit more adventure Balloon Flights and Helicopter rides offer aerial tours of the Angkor Wat temples from their base sited between the Angkor Wat Park and the airport.

Mike Ibbertson is a traveller through South East Asia and through his website http: http://www.thecambodianadventure.com you can share his adventure through Cambodia