In and around Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a tourist hub, and an enjoyable city to spend some time in.  There is plenty of bustle but it's also laid back and characterised by the warm and welcoming nature of the Cambodian people.

As luck would have it, our time in Siem Reap coincided with the annual Water festival, a major public holiday period for the Cambodian people with markets, picnics by the river and the spectacular sight of the boat races down the Mekong.

Here are some things we enjoyed in and around Siem Reap

Guided bike tour

We spent a morning on a guided bike tour with Grasshopper adventures.  This was a great way to see the country side up close and our tour included local markets, a crocodile farm, pagoda and local cafe.  This was really enjoyable and I would thoroughly recommend this if you have kids 10 years of age or older.

The bikes were good, the tour was well organised and we had attentive and knowledgeable tour guides.



Local Markets

There are some interesting markets in Siem Reap, including the Old Market and the Night Market. These are definitely worth checking out, and if your after some cheap or replica clothing then you are in the right place.  There is a hustle and bustle to the old market and still acts as a market for locals with some great sights and sounds.

There is also a small and upscale market behind the Hard Rock Cafe that sells and showcases some quality Cambodian products.  We got some wonderful handcrafted products from Kroma House, one of the vendors in the market.

War Museum

Cambodia's sad and tragic past and the impact of the Pol Pot regime is a sobering part of the travel experience.  One of these experiences is to visit the War Museum Cambodia, which is an outdoor museum displaying various armaments and history relevant to the war and regime.

The real experience here is to have one of the museum guides show you around.  We found this a heartfelt and insightful experience.  Our guide was in his mid 30's and was able to relay his experience and that of his family's.  The Cambodian people are optimistic and honest, and our guide was able to relay history and a story that you could not get otherwise.

We would recommend this, and it's appropriate to pay a small fee of a few dollars or more to your guide at the end.

Walking by the river

It is picturesque and interesting to walk along the riverfront.  Start at the Royal Gardens and stroll along until you get to the old markets. There are also a number of interesting streets to get sidetracked in and plenty of places to stop for a cold drink.

Part of the travel experience is to walk and explore, and whilst not a classic city, Siem Reap has plenty to offer if you just want to explore