Siem Reap, CAMBODIA

Day 1 (January 18, 2009)

Flying High Above Cambodia

We reached Siem Reap airport around 8 am. The temperature was like that of an air-conditioned room. Cool and pleasant. John, our driver was already waiting for us. We did not know that our hotel, Radius Angkor Star had arranged for pick up. It was a pleasant surprise.

Our Hotel

We came to know our hotel through someone from the embassy who introduced us to the General Manager, Allan Wee. He was there waiting for us. Allan was instrumental in making our stay in Siem Reap memorable. He came from Kepong and spent most of his time running hotels around South East Asia. The hotel is a mid-range deluxe hotel located on Sivatha Street, away from the touristy area near the Old Market. It was most convenient for our purposes. The foods served were halal. The rooms were clean and the prices were reasonable. Allan even arranged for our transport, a Toyota Camry to ferry us around during our stay.

Life Around Tonle Sap

Since it was still early, we decided to visit the floating village at the Tonle Sap Lake. We drove to Chong Khneas, about 15km from Seam Reap passing through villages and paddy fields. Chong Khneas is the floating village located at the edge of the lake closest and most accessible to Siem Reap. It is also where tourist boats dock. We boarded a boat arranged by John, manned by kids for a tour of Tonle Sap Lake and floating village. We rode past floating houses, schools, police station, and even a floating basketball court. There was also a mini floating pig farm where pigs were raised and kept.

Floating House

Floating Kitchen

Floating Basketball Court

From the look of the place I came to conclude that the people were really living with the barest of basic necessities. Their houses were makeshift huts. Water supply came from the murky Tonle Sap Lake. Kitchens were using fire woods which are rarities in most parts in Malaysia. Stacks of woods were left to dry on the rooftops.

To preserve or to conserve?

We stopped at a place, a floating crocodile and fish farm with a souvenir and snack shop. We had a drink before making our way back to the jetty. Somehow I believe taking a boat ride just before the sunset would be a better proposition.

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at the only Malaysian Restaurant called d’ Wau. The foods were just average. We had “amok” cooked inside young coconut and beef “loklak”.

d'Wau, the only Malaysian Restaurant in Siem Reap

In the evening we toured the Center Market (Psar Kandal). It is located on Sivatha Street opposite Hotel de la Paix. It is exclusively geared for tourists where the only local folks were the stallholders. It sells souvenirs, silks, jewelleries, locally produced handicrafts, Buddha figures and so forth. I bought a jade horse pendant to boost my luck at the mini casino later.

We spent most of our nights at Sokha Angkor Resort casino. It is a walking distance from Angkor Star Hotel. During the day time, we alternated between Sokha and Prince d’Angkor. Once, Allen took us to Soho Club near the old market. The owner came from Penang. We feel that Sokha was the best among the 7 or 8 mini casinos in Seam Reap. The bets started from US 20 cents.