Other than visiting the temples, there isn't much to do in Siem Reap. Two to three days are more than enough to explore the city.
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN SIEM REAP?
Angkor Temples
Despite Angkor Wat being the most well-known temple, there are around 45 temples scattered throughout the Angkor city area. Select the ones that interest you the most and get ready for a history immersion.
Attend the Water Festival
Coincidentally, the day I set aside to explore the city was a very important day for the Cambodian population, even a national holiday. They celebrate, among other things, the change of the water course, which is crucial for fishing activities and agriculture.
I loved getting up close to the water festival celebrations, where the whole city mobilizes to watch a boat race that lasts all afternoon.
Each boat carries over 30 crew members, each representing a neighborhood or entity of Siem Reap. The street dresses up accordingly, there's food for every taste, and the population gathers on the riverbanks to support their team.
This celebration usually takes place in November, but without a fixed date, so keep an eye on the calendar.
A massage or fish spa
Throughout the city, but with a greater offer near the outdoor market area, take the opportunity to relax without spending much money. Or do you think €5 for a 1-hour massage is too much?
Dance the night away on Pub Street
Pub Street is very easy to find. With its illuminated sign, this is the street for those seeking fun. I went to the Temple Club, a three-story club that besides being a nightclub also serves food and where the entertainment is guaranteed. If you just want to have a drink and dance in a more relaxed atmosphere, I recommend the Angkor What? bar.
Try a traditional Khmer barbecue
There are restaurants all over the city where you can eat traditional BBQ, and I recommend trying it, even if just for the experience. Vegetables and noodles accompany meats like snake, crocodile, kangaroo, frog legs, shrimp... The meats all tasted the same to me, and they seemed rubbery, but try them, if only for the novelty of being able to say you've eaten these strange meats.
Visit Wat Preach Prom Rath
In the city center, there's this temple worth visiting, even if just to take some photos.
Go shopping at the Market and haggle a lot!!!!!!!!
If I thought prices in Thailand were cheap, here they're even cheaper, so haggle for everything. Great for buying hippie-style clothing, including the "famous" pants with elephants.
Stop by Sister Srey Café for a healthy meal
This European-style café is very popular among foreigners, especially solo travelers. The food is healthy and tasty, and the atmosphere is very relaxed, so it's definitely worth it. Plus, it's connected to a charity project.
But if you want to try something more typical, you have to taste the Fish Amok
Fish Amok is the most well-known dish in Cambodia and consists of fish steamed in a coconut curry and served in a banana leaf. It's accompanied by rice. Most of the time, it's very spicy, so be careful.
Or if you want to indulge in something more exotic, go for insects as an appetizer
I confess that it's not one of my favorite snacks, but believe me, they eat them without any problem. Maybe that's why I didn't see cockroaches on the streets...
Try to witness a gratitude ritual
I saw many gratitude rituals, but the most curious one I witnessed was when I was walking through the temples. I passed by a house where a couple was being blessed with a water bath, as well as the house and the car. It's these experiences that make me love getting to know different cultures.
Avoid driving at all costs
It's chaos! Well, in Hanoi, Vietnam, the traffic can be even worse, but even so, I wouldn't risk it here either. Anything goes, from driving in the opposite direction to having 4 people on a motorcycle...
Consider a visit to Tonlé Sap Lake and the Floating Fishing Village
This was one of the tours I had planned, but after doing some research, I realized that excursions to this place are often involved in scams... They charge one price, then another, and when you get there, you end up having to pay whatever they want... Since I felt like I had already seen so many wonders, I didn't feel like this tour would add much more to my experience, especially since I hate feeling 'cheated.'
Rest in comfort at Villa Um Theara
This small hotel has no more than ten rooms and for the modest cost of €20 per night for a double room, it's more than good. Breakfast is included, the rooms have AC, and there's even a pool to cool off. All of this in the city center, but without feeling like you're in the middle of the hustle and bustle.
How to get there/depart
I arrived by plane with Vietnam Airlines from Da Nang. You get the visa upon entry at the airport, you just need a small photo. It costs $25 USD.
I departed by bus for Thailand, to experience the spirit of crossing the border on foot. It was an adventure, and I don't recommend it. Besides, you don't save that much compared to flying. It took me 10 hours to get to Bangkok in a van with 12 seats, where there were 15 people, on roads full of holes and bumps, with many stops along the way. It felt like a nightmare, which was only alleviated by the friendly conversation with the other tourists.
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