Siem Reap, Cambodia
Funny, I was leaving Thailand to a place called Siem Reap, Cambodia. I had to leave Thailand because I was only allowed to stay 30 days, and they're pretty strict. I could pay for an over stay, but I am considering retiring there, and I don't want them to see I overstayed my welcome. I'd flown over Siem Reap on the way to Thailand.
The funny thing is that Siem Reap means Siam's Defeat in Cambodian. I did learn to say thank you, which is Ah kuhn. They seemed pleased that I said it (as happens in most countries if you try to speak their language). It's just that they don't speak it anywhere else.
The reason most people come to Siem Reap is to see Angkor Wat, and Angkor Thom, the ancient ruined temples found in the 1800's, mostly covered by roots of trees. Much has been excavated, some need to be repaired. They hd pushy sales people at the site as well. It was VERY hot that day, and with all the stairs at Angkor Wat, it was taxing to me. I don't think I will do it again, because it was so taxing, but it was well worth the experience, and the view. I got templed out by the end. I always had water with me, but the chill wore off fast.
I made a mistake in the last post. The floating market should have been for here, not Thailand. See the previous post about the market I spoke of, which should have been here
They also had a cultural evening and dinner. As I paid at the hotel, it cost me $ US 12, as opposed to $ US 18 at the door. The dinner was fit for a king. They had several stations of all kinds of food, and each was different. They made a wonderful pumpkin soup, some soft fish things wrapped in leaves like a boat, pate (harder than expected), noodles, some strange looking desserts, and lots of other stuff. Each thing I tried was delicious.
The place I stayed in was very nice. It was in a poor section of town. If you look 1 way, you see a slum, on the pool side (my view) it was an oasis, with a pool. The staff was very friendly, and helpful. It was a bit out of the way so you need a tuk tuk, or a taxi to get places, but if you do tours, they pick you up, and bring you back. It could get pretty stinky along the way as they need proper drainage, but it's fine at the hotel.
The museum was very good as well, and you can really take a lot of time to get all the information. If you don't have as much time, don't use the English headsets. They do add more info, but you can get a basic idea, enough to understand if you read the placards. They had some nice, not too expensive items there.
I really like Cambodia a lot. People were nice, parts were like the Thailand I knew 40 years ago, or perhaps India in parts too. The heat that one day at the temples were hard on me, but it's because of all the stair climbing and walking so much.
The funny thing is that Siem Reap means Siam's Defeat in Cambodian. I did learn to say thank you, which is Ah kuhn. They seemed pleased that I said it (as happens in most countries if you try to speak their language). It's just that they don't speak it anywhere else.
The reason most people come to Siem Reap is to see Angkor Wat, and Angkor Thom, the ancient ruined temples found in the 1800's, mostly covered by roots of trees. Much has been excavated, some need to be repaired. They hd pushy sales people at the site as well. It was VERY hot that day, and with all the stairs at Angkor Wat, it was taxing to me. I don't think I will do it again, because it was so taxing, but it was well worth the experience, and the view. I got templed out by the end. I always had water with me, but the chill wore off fast.
I made a mistake in the last post. The floating market should have been for here, not Thailand. See the previous post about the market I spoke of, which should have been here
They also had a cultural evening and dinner. As I paid at the hotel, it cost me $ US 12, as opposed to $ US 18 at the door. The dinner was fit for a king. They had several stations of all kinds of food, and each was different. They made a wonderful pumpkin soup, some soft fish things wrapped in leaves like a boat, pate (harder than expected), noodles, some strange looking desserts, and lots of other stuff. Each thing I tried was delicious.
The place I stayed in was very nice. It was in a poor section of town. If you look 1 way, you see a slum, on the pool side (my view) it was an oasis, with a pool. The staff was very friendly, and helpful. It was a bit out of the way so you need a tuk tuk, or a taxi to get places, but if you do tours, they pick you up, and bring you back. It could get pretty stinky along the way as they need proper drainage, but it's fine at the hotel.
The museum was very good as well, and you can really take a lot of time to get all the information. If you don't have as much time, don't use the English headsets. They do add more info, but you can get a basic idea, enough to understand if you read the placards. They had some nice, not too expensive items there.
I really like Cambodia a lot. People were nice, parts were like the Thailand I knew 40 years ago, or perhaps India in parts too. The heat that one day at the temples were hard on me, but it's because of all the stair climbing and walking so much.
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