Siem Reap itself isn't a particularly remarkable city, but there are some things about it that are really great and there are some things you should know to help you enjoy everything properly.My Siem Reap Top Five . . . .1. Angkor TemplesNo doubt if…Read More

Siem Reap itself isn't a particularly remarkable city, but there are some things about it that are really great and there are some things you should know to help you enjoy everything properly.

My Siem Reap Top Five . . . .

1. Angkor Temples

No doubt if you are considering a trip to Siem Reap, this is the thing that will be drawing you there and the Temples of Angkor really do live up to the hype. Made famous by the Tombraider films featuring Angelina Jolie, they are every bit the adventurer's dream. We absolutely loved wandering around the many varied temples. Be sure to include at the very least, Angkor, Ta Phrom and Angkor Thom in your visit.

2. Floating Village

This is a fascinating place about 11 kilometres from the centre of Siem Reap. It is great fun going out there because it is a traditional floating village where all the buildings are on stilts. The people there are really lovely and everyone says hi as you go past.

3. Have a Khmer Barbecue

This is like a meal that you cook yourself at your table after you have chosen what food you want to put in it. You get a barbecue that looks like one of those old silver lemon juices and you cook the meat on the top part and then cook the noodle soup in the moat bit around the side. It is a lot of fun and you can make it as spicy or as mild as you like because you put your own ingredients in.

4. Wander Around the Markets

There are lots of markets around the city of Siem Reap and they sell all kinds of things and it is worth having a wander around them. You can pick up all your souvenirs at super bargain prices. They do have quite a few replica stalls in them if that's your bag and there are lots of clothes shops. The stuff isn't fantastic quality, but it's not bad.

5. Visit Pub Street

It's loud, brash and in your face, but there is plenty of nightlife going on and loads of restaurants. It's quite a happening place actually and it is a great place to pass a few hours people watching if nothing else. Be sure to grab a cake or ice cream from one of the fantastic parlous there too!

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Tips to help enjoy your stay . . .

Getting a taxi or tuk tuk from the airport is easy and it only takes about twenty minutes to the centre of Siem Reap. Make sure you negotiate a price before you get in.

Hire a tuk tuk for the day to visit the temples of Angkor because it's far too much to do on foot or even by cycle. When you go to Angkor, plan where you want to go first so you don't waste any time whilst you are there. Try and be there at sunrise or sunset for fabulous photos.

Hire a bike and cycle out of the city to one of the local villages. Bikes are only a dollar a day and they are a great way to explore a little bit. Siem Reap itself is a bit touristy, but you don't have to go far to find authentic Cambodia. Make sure you take sun cream though!

Enjoy the hotels. They have fantastic facilities, but make sure you get one with a pool because it's a great place to relax after a day visiting temples. It gets really hot in Cambodia obviously and you really need a place to chill out afterwards.

The local currency is Cambodian Reap, but it is a closed currency and US dollars are more widely used. If you are buying something that is particularly cheap though it is worth having some Cambodian currency because they tend to round up with US dollars and you end up paying more for things. Cash machines dispense dollars and Reap.

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Siem Reap is a city that has been built on tourism and it shows, but there are some great things to do and great places to see, but most of all, enjoy it for what it is!Close

===Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Visit===*Remember Angkor is a massively religious building so give consideration to your clothing. When you are inside a temple, you must have your knees and shoulders covered at all times. I took a thin cardigan to wear…Read More

===Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Visit===

*Remember Angkor is a massively religious building so give consideration to your clothing. When you are inside a temple, you must have your knees and shoulders covered at all times. I took a thin cardigan to wear over my vest top, which you are allowed to wear between temples. I’d recommend loose fitting trousers rather than a skirt because it’ll be more comfortable for climbing up and down things and you can’t go to the summit of Angkor what with a skirt on. Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.

*There are literally hundreds of food stalls and gift shops outside all of the major temples, so you don’t need to bother bringing food in with you. With it being Cambodia, it is all cheap too.

*Make sure you bring plenty of water and sun tan lotion with you because it gets very hot. There is no wind in the temples either because they are all sheltered and open air, so a hat and sunglasses wouldn’t go a miss either. It is easy to forget you are outside when you are lost in the temples so don’t risk getting burned.

*There are guides everywhere at the entrances to the temples and it costs only a few dollars to use their services. We didn’t bother, but we spoke to a few of them on the way round our visit and they are all super knowledgeable and friendly and are happy to explain small things to you, even if you aren’t a paying customer.

*Plan your trip before you go, because you won’t want to waste time planning it when you are there. There is so much to see and it is worth picking a general route out so that you see the key parts and then have the freedom to see what you stumble across on the way.

===Recommended?===

Absolutely. It is a phenomenal place and has to be seen to be believed. We loved every minute of our trip there and it felt like a real adventure. There are some fascinating things to see and the place has an amazing history. We loved the fact that it is the kind of place where you can take as much as you need or want from it. We aren’t big into temples as a rule, but we spent enough time there that we could appreciate the brilliance of the place without overdoing it. If you are a fan of this kind of thing, you could easily spend a week there and still not see even half of it. Unmissable.
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Now getting up at 3.30 a.m. is not my idea of fun and the concept of dragging myself out of a deep sleep to go and watch the sunrise doesn’t really hit the spot. Unless of course you link sunrise with the mystical Angkor Wat…Read More

Now getting up at 3.30 a.m. is not my idea of fun and the concept of dragging myself out of a deep sleep to go and watch the sunrise doesn’t really hit the spot. Unless of course you link sunrise with the mystical Angkor Wat and then it becomes a more attractive proposition. We managed to get up and ready in good time and made our way to the hotel’s small car-park where we found our driver but no guide. It seems that if anyone had over-slept it was our guide, but after several phone calls the driver, who had limited English, indicated that we should get into the vehicle.

We assumed that he would guide us but as we progressed down the road and he continued to gabble on the phone we got the feeling that things were not quite right. Then we saw a person frantically waving to us – it was our guide – and he jumped into the vehicle full of apologies. Apparently his motor-cycle had broken down and he’d had to cadge a lift from a friend and then run to meet us on route to Angkor Wat.

Nothing had been lost as it was still almost pitch black outside and Angkor Wat was only a short distance away. Soon we were in sight of the complex, disembarked the mini-bus and headed to the entrance. Our guide knew exactly where he wanted us to be to enjoy the "best view" of the sunrise and he led us off the main tourist trail (there were a number of early risers on the sun-rise trail) and onto a narrow ledge. Negotiating our way around the edge of this ancient building with a 6 foot drop on one side, a building’s wall on the other and hardly any light was difficult but we managed it and settled down to wait for the guaranteed sunrise.

Whilst waiting our guide gave us some background about Angkor Wat. It was built for King Suriyavarman II in the 12th Century. It was to be the Capital City of his domain and as importantly his state temple. Throughout its life it has continued to be a significant religious centre starting off as Hindu and dedicated to Vishnu and then Buddhist. It is believed that it survived the days of Pol Pot untouched because of his trading links with China and their strong connection with Buddhism.

We had an unimpeded view of the main domes of Angkor Wat and we hadn’t been there long when the sun started its steady rising over the distant Wat. Initially a light orange hue formed and then the silhouetted building took on its iconic form against the ever brighter backcloth. There was a stage when the skyline was just perfect and then all was lost as the sun gained momentum and then there was daylight and all the magical colours in the sky had gone. The viewing of the spectacular sunrise had a "limited window" and now we set off to explore the building in detail, pausing to enjoy its reflection in the lake. A reflection that was only interrupted by the water lilies that stood proudly in its waters.

As we moved on and saw a group of monks brushing out their temple. Their orange robes were resplendent in the half light, but as we tarried our guide hurried us along as he was anxious that we beat the crowd that would form when the first bus loads arrived at Angkor Wat.

He was certainly right because as we were vacating the site having seen the sunrise and toured the building the previously empty car-park was choc-a-bloc full with tour buses. My tip get their early and enjoy the peace and serenity that this site can still offer.

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Within the Angkor complex, there are a few sheds under which are several food shops. After visiting my third temple, I started to feel a bit hungry so I asked my driver where would be a good place to grab a bite to eat. He…Read More

Within the Angkor complex, there are a few sheds under which are several food shops. After visiting my third temple, I started to feel a bit hungry so I asked my driver where would be a good place to grab a bite to eat. He replied that he was ready to eat as well, and suggested a particular booth.

After driving for about four to five minutes from Angkor Thom, he pulled into a parking lot of sorts and killed the engine of our tuk tuk. He led the way to one of the sheds and we had a seat at one of the 'restaurants'. I was given a rather thick menu with the different dishes available, complete with a price list.

Now, I am willing to support the Khmer society by buying from the locals, however I draw the line at being ripped off, or treated as a walking wallet! The prices for the meals were beyond ridiculous, and I explained to the owner that I was aware of the extreme cost inflation. She was about to be unreasonable, so I announced that I wouldn't mind waiting until I've finished with the temples to eat downtown for half the price.

Only then, did the price fall to a less insulting price. I ordered a plate of rice with chicken for US $4, when the original asking price was $6. The cost of this very dish at any restaurant outside of the Angkor complex would range from US$2.50 to US$3. This is just to inform future tourists that there is a special surcharge apparently for the luxury of eating within the temple grounds.

After my meal was served, a waitress came over and placed a bowl of soup and a dish with bread rolls in front of my driver. I'm guessing that this is their way of thanking him for bringing me to their establishment. I ordered us some soft drinks at US$1 each, to go with the meal which was quite enjoyable.

Given the fact that it was the rainy season, inside of the sheds were rather damp. There was a considerably large pool of water near to our table, which meant that I had to be careful when maneouvering away from the table. Hammocks were tied up closeby, hanging from the rafters and locals slept the day away.

It was rather strange to eat lunch at a table, with strangers sleeping in their hammocks only a few feet away, but it didn't really bother me. My driver and I spoke quite a bit while we ate. He told me about his family and life in Cambodia and asked me about my country in return. The waitress hovered within close proximity, and was quick to remove glasses and dishes as soon as we were finished with them.

The overall dining experience was quite an adventure. Once you have an open mind and you're not easily offended, you'll be fine with eating a meal in one of the sheds. Be prepared to negotiate the price of the meal to prevent being grossly overcharged, as we the tourists are their 'catch of the day'.Close

UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Ruins of Angkor, are usually sites which are definitely worth seeing. However, I've come to realize that there are a few things which the famous ones have in common. Apart from the large crowds and expensive fees... there…Read More

UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Ruins of Angkor, are usually sites which are definitely worth seeing. However, I've come to realize that there are a few things which the famous ones have in common. Apart from the large crowds and expensive fees... there are usually many touts and hawkers selling everything from bracelets to souvenirs.

My experience at the Angkor temples was no different. They were honestly everywhere! There were small armies of people with postcards and magnets situated outside of each temple, and they would all come to you at once, which is actually a tactic. Most tourists would feel uncomfortable and nervous and would eventually end up buying a few of the articles, in order to escape.

I bought a few magnets, but only because I collect them. I'm not the type of person to be influenced or badgered into buying stuff that I don't need. However, what bothered me most, was the age of some of these vendors. Parents would send their young children, about aged 5 to 7, into the temple grounds with wares to sell, in hopes that their innocent faces would pressure the tourists into giving in. These children should be in school, not working throughout their childhood!

One of these young children approached me as I was heading into the Jungle Temple. She asked me to buy a bracelet from her for a dollar, because she needed to pay for school. I've done a lot of research about Cambodia before going there, and one of the things that I learned, was that this was only a 'line' to guilt you into paying for things. Education is free within the country, but most visitors are not aware.

I told the young girl, that I was aware that she didn't really need to pay for school. I then asked her why she wasn't at school, and I was told that she didn't want to go. Visitors who buy their products are unknowingly encouraging truancy, and this problem seems quite wide scale.

The numbers of children and older vendors who sell their products around the temples are staggering. I've counted over twenty in front of Angkor Wat at one point! They are also quite persistent, and a simple no is apparently not sufficient. They will actually argue with you over your refusal to buy something.

This is quite saddening, as it puts a damper on the actual experience. The joy of being around something so grand and ancient is slightly ruined by constant yells of sale pitches. I loved the Angkor ruins and I would return in a heartbeat. The large number of touts are not enough a deterrent, but first time visitors should be aware.Close

When we’d been on our City Tour (see separate journal) our guide had mentioned that at 4.00pm on 11th November the King of Cambodia and the Prime Minister would be turning off the flame in the independence monument. The Independence monument is a fantastic memorial…Read More

When we’d been on our City Tour (see separate journal) our guide had mentioned that at 4.00pm on 11th November the King of Cambodia and the Prime Minister would be turning off the flame in the independence monument.

The Independence monument is a fantastic memorial on the main road through the town close to the Royal Palace. It was erected to celebrate their independence, from almost 100 years of French Colonial rule, in 1953. This huge Stuppa shaped red stone monument reaches high into the sky proclaiming the joy of the people to the heavens above.

Around the square were huge photographs of the king, the previous king and his wife and banners confirming that the king was celebrating his 90th birthday alongside 20 years since the Kingdom had been restored after the downfall of the Kymher Rouge (but more about that in later journals).
We decided that we’d go along to watch the celebrations which were programmed to start at 4.30. We assumed that it would start on time as everything seemed to run on time in this country, so left from our hotel at about 4.20pm. It was only a short walk away and soon we were approaching the main road and could see a crowd encircling the Independence Monument. "Not to large" I thought to myself as we set off purposefully to join them. And then a guard, of which there were many stood around chatting, stopped our progress. I paused and saw a mobile metal detector frame (like you’d see at airports) which I momentarily assumed we had to step through. But no, we were not to proceed any further as only the chosen few with passes were allowed close to the Monument.

Not to be deterred we decided to "stick around" and check out what we could see from a distance. There was plenty of activity in the centre of the monument with local dignitaries, members of the armed forces and high ranking Buddhist Monks taking up their key positions to await the King’s arrival.

An excited commentator seemed to be whipping the selected crowd into an enthusiastic state and several false alarms, when the Cambodian National Anthem was played. With hindsight we reckon these were practice sessions for the crowd. Finally when the King arrived, in his state limousine (one of our guides had joked that this was the King’s new elephant – a reference to the days when the King would have travelled by that mighty beast). The crowd erupted in to frantic flag waving, the raising of photographs of the King and the singing of the Anthem.
Fifty eight year old King Norodom Sihamoni was nominated to be king after his father abdicated in 2004. It is strongly suggested that the former King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated so he could testify in court against the old Khmer Rouge regime (something he couldn’t do as constitutional monarch) and it is clear that the population still honor him. They refer to him as The King-Father of Cambodia and are proud that he has now been King twice (1941 -55 and then again from 1993 until his abdication) and I’m sure that he continues to be influential, despite his abdication.
It was interesting that whoever we spoke to about King Norodom Sihamoni was quick to mention that he was 58 and was not married. They would usually add something like "he was a dancer, you know" and then give a broad grin. One can only guess at their inference!

Anyway back to our experience of the ceremony! Things were happening in the monument but as everyone looked no taller than 7 or 8 cms it was difficult to discern. We saw the King bowing to the religious leaders and after a time the flame was extinguished. Then we could see little activity so we decided to return to our hotel room.

Back there we switched on the TV on the off chance that the ceremony was still ongoing and sure enough there it was. The King was systematically going around the square greeting the onlookers. This was an interesting ceremony to watch as the people’s knees were almost touching the floor as they bowed in front of the King. He too was greeting them almost apologetically with his head down. But he spoke to each and every member on the front row of the square and the whole greetings ceremony must have carried on for approaching the hour, before the King got back into his "elephant" to make the short journey back to his palace.

Did this make up for the cancellation of the Water Festival? Well not quite, but it was a great ceremony to be able to observe, albeit from a distance.
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We had a free day in Phnom Penh and decided that we’d spend the morning visiting the local sights that hadn’t been incorporated into our planned itinerary with the tour company. So having spoken with our guide about what "was left to see" he came…Read More

We had a free day in Phnom Penh and decided that we’d spend the morning visiting the local sights that hadn’t been incorporated into our planned itinerary with the tour company. So having spoken with our guide about what "was left to see" he came up with the suggestion that we could hire a Tuk-Tuk driver for the day and visit the Killing Fields 15 kilometres out of Phnom Penh as well as checking out some more of the sights in town.

To be honest the thought of a 10 mile ride in a Tuk-Tuk wasn’t overly exciting and to contemplate the journey on some of the poorly maintained Cambodian roads wasn’t something we fancied. So, having sussed out that the cost by Tuk-Tuk would be around $20 we asked our guide what he thought it would cost to hire a taxi for the same kind of trip. He said he thought we’d probably get that for $25 and then had a chat with our driver. It turned out that our driver was busy the next day but our guide was happy to try and negotiate for another driver to take us on the trip. "Leave it with me" he said "and I’ll tell you later if I’ve been able to sort anything". I was already thinking that I had seen a number of drivers near to our hotel and I was sure that I could sort one of those to help us on our trip the next day. Now I had a price in mind I was feeling confident of sorting something out.

By lunch time our guide had managed to arrange for another driver to take over the duties of our current driver. By doing this, he explained, we could stick with a driver who could speak a little English and would ensure that the proposed itinerary was complied with. However, he became apologetic when he said that the price was $30 and not as he’d first suggested $25. We looked at each other and all agreed that it would be good to get the next day confirmed and as it was only going to be£5 each it hardly seemed worth the hassle of re-negotiating at the hotel. We agreed the price and the time of 8.00am as a sensible pick up time.

The following day our driver arrived promptly (indeed he was waiting for us when we arrived in the hotel foyer at 7.50) and we were soon off on the road with the plan to arrive at the Killing Fields by 8.30. This way we would beat the crowds and our driver hoped that it would be a "quiet visit" for us.
The journey was interesting as we passed through small villages, with people already working hard: some working in small rice fields, harvesting the morning glory, manning small market stalls, transporting heavy loads on the backs of motorbikes, working in tiny garages repairing bikes. All manner of cottage industry seemed to exist in the villages.

At one point we saw a larger factory which turned out to be a bakery and we were reminded of the information given to by our guide that bread in Cambodia was a luxury that was taken on visits to family members. It was certainly not seen as a staple diet and of course a bakery this size would be pandering to the needs of visiting tourists rather than satisfying a local demand.

We were certainly pleased that we hadn’t opted for the Tuk-Tuk journey as we’d have been bounced all over the place. It was bumpy enough in this large people carrier and by the time we reached the killing fields we were pleased to be able to put our feet onto terra firma.

After our visit to the Killing Fields (see separate review) and Wat Phnom (see separate review) our driver took us to the Central Market. This has a totally different feel to the more informal "Russian Market" and is all housed in a large building in, believe it or not, the centre of town.

Along the front of the building was a colourful flower market with stallholders working hard at assembling bouquets. This is well worth a wander through as the colour and smells are just a delight and the blooms were in such good condition.

There was a huge area dedicated to jewellery and lovers of "Bling" would be well at home here. Unfortunately for the tens of traders that hold stalls here, there didn’t seem to be a lot of buyers so everyone we walked past was anxious to sell. Now I know little about gem stones so I’d be reluctant to buy here, but I’m sure if you have a good knowledge of precious and semi-precious stones you’d be able to strike a good bargain.

Around the "bling" section it seemed as if the market was divided in to trading areas: clothes, fresh vegetables, meat, a very small spice section, wooden goods (including masks, Buddha statues, boxes).

It like many of the markets we’d visited was a bit of a maze but there was plenty of space between the stalls and for me it lacked the excitement – the hustle and bustle – that we’d experienced in other markets.

We spent a good 45 minutes wandering the aisles but by this stage of our holiday we’d made all the purchases that we wanted to make.

Still it was an interesting experience.
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Siem Reap is known as the Gateway to the Temples of Angkor. It's a small town located a short distance away from the magnificent Temples, which results in thousands of tourists flocking here every month. At first glance, it's easy to tell that the…Read More

Siem Reap is known as the Gateway to the Temples of Angkor. It's a small town located a short distance away from the magnificent Temples, which results in thousands of tourists flocking here every month.

At first glance, it's easy to tell that the town is a major traveller hub. Countless hotels, bed and breakfasts and hostels line the main streets, tuk tuk drivers anxiously wait for you to jump into their vehicle and Western luxuries such as KFC is definitley present.

Due to the large numbers of travellers, it is very easy to have a great time in Siem Reap. Accommodation prices range from US $4 to about $100. There are countless bars and restaurants, most quoting prices that seem to low to be true! Beers for under US $1, free appetizers with your meal, and seafood starting from US $2, are some of the things which you can expect to find on any given menu.

As hinted above, the currency of choice appears to be the US dollar. The locals actually seem to be annoyed at times, if you try to relieve yourself of the Cambodia Real which you've accumulated in your wallet, as they prefer their payment in dollars.

What made my stay here quite memorable was the flooding in the streets. Due to the monsoon season, everywhere was covered in water, and everyone, myself included, had to wade through the roads without shoes to get from point A to point B.

Most of the nightlife takes place on Pub Street. This was roughly a 15 minute walk from my hotel, and I waded through the streets to get there. I made this journey with two Irish backpackers who I'd befriended in the guesthouse common room only a few minutes before. We were all hungry, and all the good restaurants were a distance away.

We ate our fill at one of the many restaurants without causing too big a dent in our pockets. Afterwards, we simply crossed the street and headed to one of the major bars/clubs in the town, called The Temple Bar. The inside décor was fabulous and the crowd was quite lively. The nightlife in Siem Reap is something to go home boasting about.

During the day, there are several different things that you could do to occupy yourself, provided that you're not visiting the temples. There are countless internet cafes where you can surf the internet, and most also provide headsets so that the customers can utilize Skype. There are also small shops where you can browse, and maybe shop for an item or two.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can rent a bicycle for anything from $1 to $2. There are many interesting wats and shrines located all throughout the town, but most people simply do not take the time to notice them. The streets are well paved for the most part, and if you apply the regualar safety procedures, you shouldn't have a problem biking in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is a gateway city which is a destination all in itself, and provides good value for your money.Close

After visiting Phnom Penh, I was ready to head to Siem Reap, the town where travelllers stay when visiting the Temples of Angkor. According to my research, there were countless travel agents selling tickets for this popular route, on several different bus lines. The advertised…Read More

After visiting Phnom Penh, I was ready to head to Siem Reap, the town where travelllers stay when visiting the Temples of Angkor. According to my research, there were countless travel agents selling tickets for this popular route, on several different bus lines. The advertised price for the journey was anything from $7 to $10 USD, depending on the company being used.

Rather than trying to locate a reputable travel agent on my own, and also to prevent being scammed, I decided to ask for information at the check-in counter of my guesthouse. I was then recommended to use Sorya bus line, and I was quoted a special fare of $6. I thought this was quite a good deal, so I paid for the ticket, and pocketed my receipt which I would need to board the bus.

I woke early the next morning, seeing that my bus was to leave the station at 6:30am. When I arrived at the bus station, I noticed that there was already quite a crowd of people who were waiting to get on. Some like me, had minimum luggage, while others looked as if they were planning on staying forever! These people had to store their heavy bags in a compartment at the bottom of the bus. The rest of us were allowed to board, after being handed a seat number.

After everyone was seated, the driver's assistant came through the aisle, handing out bottled water and packets or disinfectant wipes. I'm still not quite sure what the wipes were for, but I accepted mine anyway. The moment the driver started the bus, the aircondition kicked in, and the bus became many degrees cooler. We pulled out of the station on time, and started our long bus ride, which we were told would take six hours.

The bus itself was in pretty good condition, although it was far from new. It had a very interesting colour scheme, with its blue seats and purple head rest covers. There were also curtains made from a light fabric that were hanging from the windows, which had a pretty design in the colours: blue, white, purple and green. These helped to give the bus a homey feel, which I guess is important, seeing that it's your mobile home for half a day.

There was a small flatscreen television which was at the front of the bus, and there was an Asian karate movie playing in the local language. Instead of trying to watch and guess what was going on in the movie, I was content to simply stare out of my window. The scenery of the Cambodian countryside was utterly fascinating.

Due to the rainy season, the rice paddies were a brilliant shade of green, and water buffaloes worked tirelessly in the fields. There were thousands of tall palm trees peppering the landscape, and they looked like a different species of palms which I've never seen before. Stilt houses were perched on wetlands, where young children leaped off their verandahs into pools of rain water below. I was hypnotized.

During the journey, the bus made several stops, letting off passengers and picking up new ones. I later realized that this was not a tourist 'express' bus, which would take a shorter time and cost a few dollars more. I was on the economy bus which the locals used as well. This was quite fine with me, as I made friends with the locals and even bounced an adorable toddler on my knee for over an hour. Friendly people will always make time fly.

The bus arrived into Siem Reap about an hour longer than the proposed time, but I was happy that we made it safely. We were dropped off near the main street, and I hired a tuk tuk to take me to my guesthouse for the evening. The journey was pleasant, and the views along the way were nothing short of stunning!
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I’d been threatening to have a massage sometime of this holiday but hadn’t quite got round to it until we landed in Siem Reap. Whilst in Phnom Phen we’d read in the newspaper that massages were readily available in town and so when we arrived…Read More

I’d been threatening to have a massage sometime of this holiday but hadn’t quite got round to it until we landed in Siem Reap. Whilst in Phnom Phen we’d read in the newspaper that massages were readily available in town and so when we arrived at our hotel we checked it out. The newspaper had suggested that out of hotel prices were around $10 so when we saw that they were $15 in the hotel it didn’t seem to be worth the effort to go seeking for them in town.

As this first day was the only time when we were going to have free time I went to reception and booked myself in for a one hour traditional Khmer Massage at 4.00pm. I mentioned that I didn’t want a hard massage and was assured that it wouldn’t be too hard and then was introduced to the young masseur. She smiled and giggled a little to her colleague when I confirmed that I didn’t want a severe massage.

So after a swim and a little relax I headed off for the massage treatment centre. Now that’s a bit of an over statement because it was actually a tent in the grounds of the hotel. On route I deliberated changing the treatment as I’d re-read the explanation in the hotel room. It had said, "experience this true ancestral massage which includes kneading, frictions, effleurage, stimulating cupping and hacking techniques ". Now I was getting less keen on the "hacking" and hadn’t a clue about "effleurage" until I checked it out on the internet and saw it meant "to skim or to touch lightly on in a series of massage strokes to warm up the muscle before deep tissue work". Well that didn’t sound too bad but I was still not sure about "hacking" and I wondered about "deep tissue work".

By the time I got to the tent I’d decided to go with it and risk the consequences. The standard welcome of praying hands and a slight bow were exchanged and then I was almost ceremonially led into the tent. A large pair of trousers and a blouse type top were presented to me and I stepped out of my shorts into these trousers. They were huge and they were looped around my back and then tied by the young masseur. Having put on the top I was invited to lay down on my back.

Now I’ve never had a "dry massage" before so this was going to be a fresh experience and soon the young woman was kneading my feet and applying thumb pressure to the soles, pushing my calves and pummelling my patella> She must have worked on the left leg for 10 minutes or so and then she turned her attention to the right hand side. Same process before moving to my left arm which was gripped, pulled and stretched and fingers pulled and cracked. My right arm was then attended to before I was asked to roll over on to my front whilts she pushed my buttocks and pressed heavily on my spice, twisted my neck and pulled my legs up as far as they’d go. I nearly shouted "I’m not double jointed, you know".

Just as I was relaxing I was told to sit up whilst she did further work on my next and then into a full head massage, giving particular attention my ears, nose and forehead. Then suddenly all was finished and I laid back down to relax.

I had been leant on, pushed, pulled, twisted, manoeuvred and stood on. She used her elbows, her feet, her finger, thumbs and arms. At the end I’d been pummelled and felt that I was going to be well bruised in the morning but I was refreshed, relaxed and glowing and some of the accumulated aches and pains from the last few weeks of sightseeing had all but disappeared.

The next day I actually felt fine, no bruising, no new aches but unfortunately some of the "sightseeing aches" had persisted. Well the massage didn’t claim to be a miracle cure for all aches. I enjoyed the new experience, but in truth I much prefer a more gentle oil based massage aimed at relaxing the tired body.

Not sure I’d opt for this type again.
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