Siem Reap is an odd duck. Its tourism sector has grown quickly, and so in some ways, like its dense section of shops, bars and restaurants–including a “Pub Street”–it is a bit like Las Vegas, Southeast Asia-style. It isn’t until you get out of Siem Reap that you start to get a real feel for the culture. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and the nearby Angkor temple complex is spectacular, but the two do make very strange neighbors.
We spent five nights there in late Nov- early Dec 2014. I was glad to have the extra time because I was wrecked by a sinus infection so it allowed us to slow our “templing” pace (yes, it’s used as a verb there). I think our timing was perfect: temperatures start to climb in December, peaking in May, and I could not even imagine being out at the temples–which are far from all amenities, even toilets–during the most intense of Cambodia’s weather cycle. It was punishing enough as it was!
Here are a handful of snapshots from Siem Reap, the Angkor temples and the stilt-supported fishing villages that lie along the Tonlé Sap, a combined lake and river system that is the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia.
Hope you enjoyed these, and I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below! xo
Templing – what a great verb! Beats shopping any day!
I love the little man of mystery in the final pic too – like a tiny superhero of rubbish collecting.
Had to scroll rather speedily past the snake kebabs though – ugh! Snakes and crocodiles are two creatures I cannot abide, but I guess I’d rather see them dead than alive. If you ever see a crocodile kebab, let me know!
No crocodile kebabs, but there were some fried tarantula-type things on the plate next to the snakes! I love that little man, too. He took his work very seriously. I hope he makes some time for play in his day!
I’m reading and scrolling and thinking coolio. But then, BAM! Snake-kebabs and my eyes and stomach are like nope, nope, nope… I guess it’s more efficient to press them onto the stick that way, but it keeps their slithery form in mind as well 😉
Another snake hater! Not that I would eat them, either, but I was somewhat unaffected by seeing them like that. I’m a lizard sociopath, apparently. And you’re right, they look extra slithery the way they’re on the stick — good observation!
The snake kabobs didn’t faze me but fish massage? What’s that? Looks like a sensory-rich place. I told my brother just the other day that I’d go to Angkor Wat with him someday because his wife isn’t interested and it’s not on Jim’s bucket list either. Adding it to my oh-so-very-long list of places to visit. If only both time and money would line up simultaneously. S. Africa is definitely on the docket now for next July.
The fish massage is what they call the pedicure where the fish nibble all the dead skin off your feet. Yeah, seriously. NO.
I’m so glad to hear that South Africa is on! Did you know that July is cold there, though? I actually saw snow in Jo’burg in July when I lived there, and Cape Town can be really windy.
ewww…fish nibbling my skin–NO!
I had heard S Africa is cold, especially at night, in July–their winter. But, it’s also a good time to see a lot of birds and animals with leaves off trees. So, I’m prepared to pack for cold nights and (hopefully) warmer days.
Yes, there’s that! I’d rather have to wear an extra layer or three if it meant seeing more of those amazing, majestic creatures!
What did the snake kebabs taste like? Did you try them? Wow, what a place to visit! 🙂
I never thought everyone would be so fascinated by the snake-kebabs! And no, I did not try them. Even once I got over that they were snakes (and spiders and crickets on the other plates), I had no idea how long they’d been out on that plate in the blazing heat, so there was that, too.
Hi Laura! I’m glad you wrote this because Siem Reap is on our “list” and I’ve been wondering when the best time to go would be. It sounds like December is a good time to go so that would work for us. We’d also want to include Vietnam. How’s the weather there during that time? Is that what you did? And thanks for the warning about how paradoxical Cambodia is. The sites are amazing but I could do my entire life without one of those snake kabobs! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, yes, we did Vietnam first, spending two weeks there. It was still blistering hot in the south in November, then got cooler as we went north. Saigon was in the low 90s, midway (Hue and Hoi An) were in the low 80s, and Hanoi and Halong Bay were also in the low 80s, although Hanoi can get quite a bit colder than that. But I do highly recommend getting some Vietnam action in on your itinerary. It’s pretty fabulous. Of course, since we didn’t then have enough time in Cambodia to see the south there, we are going to have to go back! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!