| D Brackett |
03 December 2004 |
Stayed at Mysteres d' Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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No need to mention that the temples are fabulous - that's why anyone goes there. Hire a local guide and driver. Contribute to the local economy. Even in the "cold" season we found it very hot, so I would say that air con is not optional. A side trip to the Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve on Tonle Sap lake is well worth while both for a change from temples and for a view of the countryside, not to mention that it is a fabulous place for birders. The Cultural Village is also a nice change from temples - you need several hours there to catch a few of the cultural performances on the stages scattered around the site. Khmer food is delicious - similar to Thai but not so fiery.
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| S Taylor |
29 November 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Diamond Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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No matter how little time you have in Siem Reap try your hardest to get out to Beng Mealea. It is quite remote and takes over an hour to get to, but can be incorporated into a dy trip with Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean and a couple of other smaller sights. Being this far out over bad roads Beng Mealea is not swamped by package tours. So you don't have to share the ruins with hundreds of others - we had the place to ourselves. The temple ruin has been left untouched and is completely overrun with jungle - Ta Phrom may have big trees but this has real jungle and a simply wonderful atmosphere. Miss it at your peril...
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| A Dickman |
29 November 2004 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Le Tigre des Papiers, Golden Temple Bar and The Red Piano plus the Ampor restaurant (try the chicken curry) all worth a visit.
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| Y Han |
27 November 2004 |
Stayed at Passaggio Boutique Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Angkor Wat is a place that everyone should go at least once in a life time. Highly recommend a guide his name is Saron Soeun. He has a website. The driver that he got for us named Hon Bon is also excellent. If you want an exclusive tour, they can arrange it for you.
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| C Hale |
26 November 2004 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Siem Reap is a great place. The temples are amazing but the town is also a nice place to wander round and relax.
Good restaurant/bars are the FCC and the Red Piano. Worth getting up early to get to the temples for sunrise (about 5.30am). Siem Reap is very dusty - it brought on my hayfever allergies so if you are allergic to dust/pollen bring medication - they didn't have any in the basic pharmacies.
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| R Lubrich |
19 November 2004 |
Stayed at Phnom Penh Hotel - Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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Phnom Penh is for sure worth to travel. Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom are place to be visited. But as well Cheung Ek (Killing fields) and Toul Sleng should not be left out to have an understanding of the actual situation of the country and its people after the horrible genocide of the Khmer Rouge during the '70th.
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| H Su |
18 November 2004 |
Stayed at Ta Prohm - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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No need to exchange currency at the airport. Local shops prefer US$ and they will give you small amount of US$ for changes. You can see all the important temples within 2 days.
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| J Stagg |
15 November 2004 |
Stayed at Mysteres d' Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Siem Reap is really the only base for a visit to Angkor, but has a bustling appeal in itslef. There are top end hotels with good (if not rather impersonal) facilities, and a good range of hostels and restaurants to suit all budgets. The massage centres run and operated by the blind are incredible value, and you can indulge in a couple of hours in expert hands for a good cause. The FCC bar is recommended for evening sundowners/poolside dining, and the Blue Pumpkin for great coffee and good quality pattisserie. Do not miss the old market for cheap and tasty street food.
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| C Gray |
15 November 2004 |
Stayed at Borei Angkor Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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The Foreign Correspondance Club (FCC) is a good place to go. It is not a cheap place to get around and every journey seems to cost $1 per person.
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| J Hamilton |
13 November 2004 |
Stayed at Angkor Village Hotel - Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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On our first visit to the temples we hired a car and guide through the hotel for $50, not being too sure of how things worked. It’s not necessary, and much cheaper and more comfortable to hire a tuk-tuk for maybe $6 for half day. Visit Angkor Wat in the morning, Bayon in the afternoon, Ta Phrom in the morning to miss the crush. Enter Angkor Wat and Ta Phrom from the east entrance to get even more peace and buy a copy of Dawn Rooney’s “Angkor” for $5,4, or 3 from the first kid who approaches you when you get out of the tuk-tuk. That’s all you need.
Soup Dragon near old market serves excellent food and cold beer at reasonable (for Siem Reap) prices. Old market is fun to wander round in and has some nice souvenirs. Interesting pictures can be taken in the meat and vegetable market section. Make sure you have a lot (say 50 for 3 days) of 1$ bills, and make your life easy. A visit to the land mine museum (ask the tuk-tuk driver) is a must, just don’t get so fascinated as I did and forget to take any pictures!
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Cambodia travel tales 
