Cambodia Travel
This trip to Cambodia, our fourth as a family, was a week spent in Siem Reap before travelling onto Laos. My children love to explore the temples, each armed with their own camera - favourite temples include the “big 3” Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and the Bayon. But we also love Preah Khan for all its doorways and the more remote Beng Melea - both allow the kids to feel like ‘explorers’.
Aside from the temples - Siem Reap has so much to offer and is a great choice for any trip. Compared to my first visit in 2000, there are so many options of accommodation - from small boutique properties to deluxe 5 star resorts. Many have beautiful pools – a must after exploring the temples or town.
The restaurants, cafes and boutiques of Siem Reap have also come along way. The Alley is now full of great restaurants - “Khmer Kitchen “ is a favourite for local Cambodian cuisine and “Blue Pumpkin” serves great pastries and ice-cream - some yummy exotic flavours.
Shopping is a highlight for many visiting Siem Reap - apart from Phsar Chas Market during the day, there are numerous night markets in town, along with some great small boutiques and NGO run shops selling items made by street children and underprivileged.
Massage-sore feet from the temples, no worries, Siem Reap abounds with loads of places for foot or Khmer massage and other treatments. My boys’ personal favourite is the Fish Massage – I will leave that to them, I am too ticklish for that.
A half day trip to the floating village of Kampong Phluk with its stilted villages was also a highlight and very scenic for keen photographers amongst us. Many people rush a visit to Siem Reap merely scratching the surface seeing the major temples. I would definitely recommend a longer stay to experience the charm of the town, get out into the countryside or experience some lesser known temples.
Having travelled all over Cambodia in the past - there is so much to offer in Cambodia apart from Siem Reap. The capital of Phnom Penh, seaside village of Kep, riverside towns of Battambang, Kampot or Kratie, Cardamon Mountains or Ratankiri are all worth exploring. A River Cruise on the Mekong between Siem Reap and Saigon is also a great way to combine Cambodia & Vietnam.