8 Reasons Why My Siem Reap Trip is Memorable

It’s been a month since I left Siem Reap, Cambodia. For eight days, I considered it as my home and I had a hard time leaving.

Siem Reap exudes this unexplainable charm that makes almost every traveler stay for a few more days, weeks or even months. It is a simple town full of nice and hard working people. It is also perfect for those who wants to live in a laid-back setting during the day yet you are not deprived to enjoy a great nightlife. Siem Reap is full of cinematic angles that will definitely touch your heart. Most of the locals I met are nice conversationalists even if they can be very persistent especially when selling stuff or convincing you to avail their services.

This time, I would like to share Eight Reasons Why My Siem Reap Trip is Memorable:

 

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Angkor WAT… am I doing here?!

1. ANGKOR WAT and other temples – Like what I mentioned in some entries, I wanted to go to Cambodia because of the Angkor Wat. Even if I find the three-day pass expensive ($40), I know that the experience will definitely be a good one – and it did exceeded my expectations… like too much! I didn’t really read much about it and I got temple-d out on our second day. At least I managed to do the Angkor Wat Temple Hopping while I’m still young. I am still overwhelmed with the amount of pictures and videos I took and recorded that’s why I haven’t really arranged it up to this date LOL.

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Working @ NYDC – My favorite restaurant in Siem Reap

2. PUB STREET and THE ALLEY WAY – The Pub Street can be tagged as the Khao San Road of Siem Reap since you will see most travelers here at night. I have to be honest though that I prefer Pub Street since there’s a noisy side, but there is also the cozy part The AlleyWay, where my favorite restaurant NYDC is located.

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Tres Marias and their beloved pets – Wan Dollah per photo

 

3. TONLE SAP and the Floating Village – The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. We were able to take the Half Day Tour of Chong Khneas in Tonle Sap. It is an interesting place since we saw floating houses, markets, villages, schools – kids fighting in a banca, crocodiles that can be sold for $300 a piece and kids in planganas with their pet snake in their shoulders. Our tour guide speaks in Australian accent too!

 

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Paint Dyesebel and sell it to the MarianKnights!

4. CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCALS – When I travel, I make sure to talk to the locals especially if I want to know something about the place or if i’m bored. Here’s a picture of me talking to a painter and some souvenir vendors in Pre Rup. We talked about Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Katrina Halili, how the Filipino version of Marimar captured the hearts of the Khmers and the potential of earning more profit by painting Dyesebel.

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Practice your haggling skills here. How much are you willing to pay?

5. MARKETS – Cambodians are truly creative and I can say that their items are worth buying. I am not really a shopper, but I was able to buy a pair of scarf, three bohemian bags and a few clothing items. The best thing here is you can haggle and at some point, they will be the one to voluntarily ask you on how much you’re willing to pay. Cool, ain’t it? It is good to haggle, but also keep in mind that these vendors need to earn a living too. Don’t be to stingy!

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cheap food, comfy ambiance

If you want to dine like a local and eat cheap food, you can also spot the area with chairs and food stalls within the night market area. Most stalls are selling Khmer BBQ and a good selection of Khmer Cuisine. It is also a perfect place to get drunk with Angkor, Anchor and Cambodia Beer πŸ˜›

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Chicken Amok from Bamboo Restaurant

6. KHMER FOOD – The Amok is the most recognized Khmer dish that’s why I didn’t let the opportunity pass to try one. I also tried the Khmer BBQ and some dish that I cannot remember what the name is 0_0. At times, I am confused if I am really eating a Khmer food or if it is Chinese or Thai LOL. Same Same! πŸ˜›

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Room good for three in Victory Guesthouse

7. ACCOMMODATIONS – During my Siem Reap trip, I managed to stay in three different guesthouses – Bou Savy Guesthouse, Victory Guesthouse and Naga Guesthouse. Although I encountered minor problems in some of them (one guesthouse ran out of water supply the whole Wednesday afternoon 0_0) , the staff and crew were very sorry and most of them are really nice and sincere. If you’d ask me on which country did I experience the best accommodation in terms of the quality of service and how ‘homey’ I felt, I’d say Siem Reap! πŸ˜€


8. MEET UP WITH PTB MATES – Isn’t it funny on how seven Pinoy Travel Bloggers were in Siem Reap that time? It was my first time to meet Edgar of Eazy Traveler (of all places!) and we officially call our group the Toma Raiders. Figure out why LOL.

Mica, Edgar and Andrew @NYDC
Meet up with Edgar and Drew @ NYDC (NYDC again?!)

I can also say that February is really a love month because Edcel is now officially evicted from the SSB group! Finally, he took the risk not only by quitting his job, but for taking a plunge to the pool of love! Yihee <3

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Bino, Drew, Mica, Jana and Edcel @ 6-11 Convenience Store (I swear that’s the name!)

I also dedicated numerous nights talking to good friends about things that concerns me the most. I also became an orphan for a few nights, ate home-cooked meals and inspired me to continue doing things on my own. I am thankful πŸ˜€

Shoutouts to Bino,Β Edgar, Drew, Edcel, Jana, Doi and Flip! Maraming Salamat! Sa susunod na biyahe!

I will try to blog about these highlights in the next few days. Siem Reap, you are missed! <3

Photo Credits: Drew, Edgar and Edcel

17 Comments

  1. Drew said:

    Buti nalang hindi yung photo with the Cambodian beers ang pinost mo nyahahaha!

    March 15, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Noooooo… hanggang Facebook lang yun LOL πŸ˜›

      March 16, 2012
      Reply
  2. tiara said:

    shopping in cambodia! Inggit ako mica!

    March 15, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Hindi ko nga na-maximize ang shopping experience hehe. Punta ka rin ng Siem Reap Tiara! πŸ˜€

      March 16, 2012
      Reply
  3. Mica super love your post! well written, lovely photos and may tsismis haha…ngayon ko lang nalaman about Edcel love story, kaya go ako sa link haha..i will keep tab of this post. i’ve been to Phnom Penh and loved it but didn’t have time to go to Siem Reap. you post is very helpful!

    March 15, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Thanks Tita Mheanne! πŸ˜€ I’m sure you’ll enjoy it in Siem Reap although patience is also a requirement in some situations hehe πŸ˜€ See you soon!

      March 16, 2012
      Reply
  4. rdsean said:

    woot.. i wanna see cambodia and the first place to visit and experience is angkor wat.. πŸ˜›

    March 15, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Punta na! Mas madali na ngayon kasi may direct flights na to Siem Reap πŸ˜€

      March 16, 2012
      Reply
  5. soloflightEd said:

    aba, naspecial mention pa ako dito. hahaha. ikaw rin soon Mica! hahaha. — eto na naman ako sa mga comment ko. hahaha

    @atty mheanne – elo! hahah πŸ˜€

    March 16, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Sana nga jumakpot haha πŸ˜€

      March 17, 2012
      Reply
  6. Rany said:

    Awesome post!!!!

    March 17, 2012
    Reply
  7. sino kaya ang pinakahuling magkakapag keep nung red na bracelet! hahaha ang kyot nyong tatlo. miss ko na kayo! at sana ma meet ko din si Bino at Flip! πŸ™‚

    March 18, 2012
    Reply
  8. You captured the charm of Siem Reap very well. It is definitely one unique place even without the temples.

    March 18, 2012
    Reply
  9. Hannah said:

    Thankzzz mica!!! I was thinking of 1 day temples. 1 day bike around city, balik sa hotel enjoy sauna kyeme kyeme, tapos pubstreet sa gabi.. the 3rd day kyeme kyeme rin and shop ng onti. ok na ba yon or you suggest 3 day temple pass? mahalya #budgetmode #poorlamode

    December 28, 2012
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Pwede rin na yung 1 day pass lang, pero choose three temples to visit. Nag-negotiate kami sa guesthouse namin for the tuktuk tapos siya na nag-ikot sa amin (pass not included pa). Mukhang ok naman yung balak mo hehe pero it depends pa rin sa mga kasama mo. Pubstreet and the night market is just in one place kaya madali lang πŸ˜€

      December 28, 2012
      Reply
  10. night market and pub street looks promising as i’m looking where to spend the nights in siem reap. how much ang floating village tour? was thinking of adding it in my upcoming trip sa feb (too short but hope mamaximize ko). thanks girl for this wonderful post πŸ™‚

    January 21, 2013
    Reply

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