Wonder of the World - Siem Reap, Cambodia

I've had some requests to share the itinerary of our trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I did not use a travel agent and instead spent months of researching and planning to make the most of our 17 day trip. After we spent two days in Bangkok, recovering from the jet leg, we flew to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The trip was an inexpensive 1 hr flight (I recommend air asia). We spent two nights there which worked out well if you are willing to put in a FULL day of sight seeing. Siem Reap is home to hundreds of ancient temples, some dating back to the 9th century. It was probably my favorite part of the trip and I recommend it for anyone's bucket list. Even though this incredible place is not on the 7 wonders of the world list, it should be. It was definitely more amazing than any other world wonder I have visited. (Also, if you are planning to visit, they are very strict about knees and shoulders showing around certain parts of the temples that are still used for worship, wear long shorts, a dress or skirt you can cover up with if it's too hot for pants.)

The temples are fairly close together, making a day trip convenient. There are plenty of tuk tuk tours but seeing as it was June and incredibly hot, we opted for an air conditioned van to travel between the sights. It is difficulty to put into words the charm of Siem Reap. The people are so kind and friendly. Because Siem Reap is a worldwide attraction, lots of internationals (primarily Europeans) have migrated here and English seemed to be the unofficial language of Siem Reap. Oddly enough, the dollar is the currency. But the most surprising thing about Siem Reap is the food! My husband and I love to travel but first and foremost we travel with our stomachs.  We love to eat our way through whatever country  or region we are in. It is not surprising that with all the walking, hiking, swimming we do on vacation, I still manage to gain a couple pounds, as it should be on vacation. Want an authentic Tuscan pizza? You'll find it in Cambodia, a french creperie? Even a tex mex restaurant! It is such a wonderful hodgepodge of people, culture, history, art and food. Before we could even return home, my sister already started researching how she could move there. Go visit and you will understand the allure.

At sunrise we started out at Angkor Wat, this is a must see at sunrise! Not only was it infinitely cooler but the views of the sun rising over this ancient temple is breathtaking.

We enjoyed breakfast outside the temple gates and then made our way to the reflection pool

I was very surprised to see monkeys all over the temple. I felt like I was in an Indiana Jones movie.

Our tour guide came well stocked with bananas.

 This is a site you definitely want to visit with a tour guide. Every inch of every wall is lined with beautiful carvings telling stories of ancient Hindu mythology. There are so many details I would have missed without a guide there to point them out.

View from the top.

Second stop was Bayon temple, or the temple of the smiling Buddhas in Angkor Thom.

Next door was Baphoun which I insisted we climb to the top of.

The view was worth it.

Then we visited Ta Prohm, or nowadays everyone refers to it as Tomb Raider, as it was the set for the movie. This ancient temple is overgrown by trees and seemed to be the star attraction of Siem Reap.

 The trees are very much damaging the integrity of the structure but it is just so beautiful.

You can see the face of a Buddah statue peeking through the tree roots.

We visited several more wats or temples but at this point we were "watted out". Either from heat exhaustion or just seeing so much in one day, I couldn't tell you anything about these last couple temples we visited, but I did manage to snap some more pics.

There were lots of chickens and cows grazing in the ruins.

Some other must do's in Siem Reap:

1. Visit Artisans d'Angkor: It's a social entrepreneurship business that trains locals in nearby rural areas to sculpt and make repairs to the ruins, you can buy their sculptures, carvings and hand made silks. You can even watch them at work. If you miss visiting one of their workshops, they also have a small store in the airport.

2. Stay at the Golden Temple Villa: for $20 a night, you will have 5 star service (truly the best service we have ever experienced at a hotel) And the price includes a free one hour massage and cold towels every time you return from the heat. Artisans d' Angkor is right across the street from the hotel.

3. Visit pub street, the night market is nearby and there are lots of great restaurants, shops and bars. 

I wasn't joking about the Tuscan pizza, we met the nice Italian owners of this great joint, il forno, on pub street.

4. Another amazing dining experience is at Haven Training Restaurant

A couple from Switzerland opened the restaurant after visiting Cambodia and volunteering at the orphanages. The restaurant is actually a training restaurant for young adults from orphanages, shelters and poor rural areas. They are trained in working, cooking and life skills workshops, the restaurant takes full financial responsibility by providing housing, meals, medical care and a monthly allowance. All the tips that the trainees receive are put into a savings account and given to the trainees upon graduation and are set up with a job and a new life. The trainees also learn English and computer skills. It is social entrepreneurship at it's best. And the food is INCREDIBLE. They have a great menu featuring authentic Cambodian dishes and plenty of German/Swiss menu items from the owner. Be sure to make a reservation because it is a very popular restaurant.

Breakfast on our last morning, banana mango pancakes, an omelette and fresh squeezed watermelon juice. Did I mention the food?