Welcome to Siem Reap
My next stop was to take care of one of my “Bucket List” items, to go to Angkor Wat. There is no lodging in Angkor Wat itself so you will stay in the nearby city of Siem Reap.
Arriving from Bangkok I was happy that I had done the research and followed the advice of others and got my Cambodia Visa online. It was a very simple process and will save you a lot of time at Customs and Immigration.
Once out of the airport I took a taxi to my lodging at Theray’s Luxury Villa on the outskirts of Siem Reap. I do my best not to stay in the towns themselves preferring to be close but away from the “tourist zone” as I enjoy peace and quiet.
Theray’s is a small boutique property with a half dozen rooms. The lobby is nice sized with a sitting area, dining table, a variety or books and guides for loan and a “honor” refrigerator with drinks. The rate when I was there in the high season was $34 per night.
Outdoors there is a pool surrounded by several comfortable lounge chairs and a table and chairs that one could sit and work which is usually my case editing my photographs and writing my blog.
My room was on the second floor and nicely appointed. It had a patio that overlooked the pool and the shaded grounds along with a table and chair. There was also a large window on the opposite side of the room overlooking a rice field. It was air-conditioned with a couch, small refrigerator, large flat screen television and a couple tables. The bed might be the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in and the large bathroom had a rainfall shower with great pressure.
The staff was very friendly but spoke no English. Luckily the young couple managing could translate and were very helpful. They had a few tuk tuk drivers that were ready within a few minutes notice. This was important as the location is not near any restaurants though there is a convenience store within walking distance and a nice air-conditioned coffee shop but it serves no food.
I always try to be completely truthful in my blog so I feel I must say that my only regret with Theary’s was the food. Breakfast on the morning I tried was adequate and cost $3 for rice and eggs. I tried the dinner one evening of rice, vegetables and chicken for $6 but I only took a few bites, it just was not good so I decided to take a tuk tuk to Pub Street instead. The next morning I informed the manager that I was not comfortable with paying for dinner, which was not a problem. Please do not let this stop you from staying here, it truly is a great place.
To get to restaurants it is a $5 tuk tuk ride roundtrip to Pub Street and the Siem Reap Night Market. Unlike Bangkok there are very few street food vendors other than those selling ice cream, fruit shakes and drinks.
There are however many restaurants that covers a several block area. As I was in Siem Reap for ten days I tried many of them but ended eating most of my meals at V Design Restaurant. Do not be fooled by the sign stating there is Japanese food, there is everything from sushi to pizza to the Cambodian staples. I found the food well prepared, delicious and the prices were fair. The V Design Restaurant is located on the left corner of the above photograph.
Another favorite of mine the Yellow Mango Café which is located on the street paralleling the canal a couple blocks from central Pub Street. It is on the second floor and overlooks the canal and the Artist Night Market on the opposite bank. There is a large menu and I found the food to be fresh and properly prepared. The costs were approximately the same as V Design.
There are many restaurants in the area and food ranges from Mexican to Cambodian and from burgers to steaks and crocodile. You can be assured that you will find something to your liking.
Most of my meals ranged from $6-$8 but could range higher depending on your selection. I typically ate fresh spring rolls, a selection from the variety of soups or curries offered and a beverage.
As a closing note I did not like Cambodia, or at least Siem Reap. It is a very dirty both in the city and in the surrounding areas with trash everywhere. I cannot speak for other places as I was only visited Siem Reap but other travelers told me of the same problem in the places they visited.
That is one of the many reasons I love Thailand, it is a very clean country. I have traveled to many regions and from small villages to towns to large cities. Everywhere I have gone it is very clean, almost pristine. You very seldom see any trash anywhere. It is as if the Thai people have a great respect for their homes, community and country. I like that.
PLEASE NOTE: Photographs were taken with a Panasonic /Lumix DMC-DS5 not my usual camera the Nikon D850… thus the difference in the usual quality but I wanted to give you something to see. Also I only use my photographs but was remiss on photographing Theary’s so I used their photographs with credit give. Credit given where credit is due…
thank you Larry
Larry Pannell Travel and photography 