0092 Street 22,
Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
… more pix n vid on Google Maps
Wat Bo is the oldest Buddhist temple in Siem Reap. The compound is very enjoyable because we went on a Monday mid morning and it was devoid of people.
Some halls are open to visit but only if you’re taking shoes off.
A lonesome nursing dog is playing around by herself.
Oum Khun St,
Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
… more pix & videos on Google Maps & TA
This is a little arty colony with many vendors, mostly outdoors. It’s next to Shinta Mani Angkor hotel. The only shop that’s with a/c is this silk place by the entrance, to the right. The young couple (not sure they’re a husband and wife team) are polite and personable. Their scarves are beautiful. I returned two more times, to buy a few more – even I already have too many scarves at home.
Cambodia has more than one thousand years of silk making history. Their Ikat weaving, which is a process that making a pattern from wrapping part of yarn before dying, and woven into fabric. The golden silk is unique to Cambodia, dating back to the Khmer Empire. The golden time for Cambodian silk was during 9th to 15th centuries.
No 20, Bakhend road, taphul village,
Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
… more pix n vid on Google Maps
As we walked around the neighborhood after lunch, checking out four restaurants we’d like to dine: Kroya, Malis, Embassy and Cafe Indochine, which are all in Svay Dankum – the old French Quarter with leafy streets, colonial buildings, and upscale hotels. Then after a small distance from it, we came up on a wine shop, amid rural settings. A first sign of change I reckon?
The decor is rustic. Wines are (or mostly?) from the West. We purchased an Australian cab.
#171, Taphul Road, Svay Dangkum
Siem Reap 17252 KH Cambodia
We picked this hotel for one night, prior to join the tour, for its proximity to Sokha Angkor. Yes, many business names include Angkor, especially hotels.
This basic hotel is conveniently located, with a restaurant, a small pool. It also offers laundry service: they don’t have wash machines but farms out, costing $1.5 per kilo. The close returns neatly folded overnight. Breakfast is included, ala carte – perhaps they don’t get enough guests to offer buffet?
Off the NR6 in the town center, this modern, informal hotel is a 14-minute walk from Angkor National Museum and a 15-minute walk from the Old Market Bridge.
Warm, casual rooms with fashionable accents feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars, plus separate soaking tubs. Some rooms have balconies offering pool views.
A breakfast buffet is served in a straightforward restaurant/bar, which also offers other meals. Amenities include a polished, wood-paneled lobby, plus a walled courtyard featuring a saltwater infinity pool with a swim-up bar. Parking and an airport shuttle are free. Sightseeing tours can be arranged.
89 7 Makes St.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
… more pix n vid on Google Maps
Our first meal in Cambodia. It’s a few steps away from our hotel.
老婆粉面馆 Chinese food restaurant (Wife’s Noodles) is a small eatery, with half a dozen tables, in the air conditioned room.
The young woman who’s eating and watching Chinese soap opera on her laptop, is from China and is happy to speak Chinese.
She was initially sent here to work. When that ventured ended, her boss returned to China (?) and she chose to stay.
Her menu is in English and in US$, and most items are $3.50. We’ve dumpling and beef flour noodles, Nanjing style: both are decent and authentic, better than the Cafe Indochine -:) which we would dine the following evening.
A local girl just appeared and she nudged her to do the cooking, who promptly went out, cooked out front, while the lady boss is continuously eating and watching.
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap 暹粒 is the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Cambodia 柬埔寨, after the capital Phnom Penh 金边 in the south. SR is the capital and largest city of Siem Reap Province in the north, and the home to the famous Angkor Wat temples.
We stayed at Sokha Angkor
On our way to the hotel from the airport, we ran into their PM’s motorcade; then in the afternoon, we ran into it again in the city center.
The royal garden
NR6, Krong Siem Reap,
Cambodia
… more pix and videos on Google Maps
A neat, clean and efficient airport. Bathroom has a kiddy sink.
We landed at 10:54am and out of the building by 11:07, after the customs and exchange money, for the ride to the hotel. It does seem our plane is the only one at the time.
Everywhere I looked, I see China: it was built by a Chinese company (Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd., under a 55-year build–operate–transfer agreement), opened Oct 2023. 25 miles to town, “takes about an hour” the driver said. Did I hear a little resignation – the old airport was closer … The two way traffic road looks brand new.
We used app Grab for the ride, and a car is immediately ready for us, according to the app. However, one man met us right outside, who has multiple phones, said, our car is coming from outside of the airport, “less expensive.” A suv did come quickly and a second man took two phones from the first man. Our driver is a young man whose command of English is better than little Irene. He has a relaxed manner; saying he forgot the phone, and u turn back to the airport, handed two phones to a man.
To town, 120k riels (about $30) in car and 60 riels on tuk.
On our way into town, prime minister’s entourage passed by us.
