The Temple Town: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Are you fed up of the city´s smoke and noise? Do you want to run away from modern civilization and go back in time? Then you should definitely visit the town full of the Angkor´s ruins - Siem Reap.

The Kingdom of Cambodia is a small country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Thailand Laos, Vietnam. The capital is Phom Penh and the official language is Khmer. I would say that Siem Reap is more famous because of its atmosphere and history. Their currency is Cambodian Riel but you can pay with USA dollars or Thai bahts.

https://www.evisa.gov.kh/

Transportation:
I went to Cambodia directly from Bangkok. You can fly but you can go also by bus. I decided to go by bus because it is a cheaper way. I booked the tickets online from company Nattakan.
They gave us a snack and lunch during the trip.

I was surprised when the driver stopped on a red light and left his seat to give us food and drinks. When the light changed for green he jumped again to his place and we continued. He was a driver and a hostess at once. We even stopped on the street because he wanted to buy blueberries. The trip was long, about 10 hours, so this was a nice way to stay in a good mood during the way. At least the driver tried very hard to see smiles on our faces.

All companies that go from Bangkok to Siem Reap you can find here.

In Cambodia, transportation is also provided by a Tuk Tuk, like in Thailand. The roads are full of them and there are driving like crazy. But after overcoming the fears it is a really good experience. The wind in the hair and face, the noise of the traffic and the heat creates an unforgettable feeling.

The streets are full of Tuk Tuks waiting for some customers.

The view from the seat of Tuk Tuk.

Visa:
I am from the Czech Republic so I need a visa to enter Cambodia. I did my e-visa online (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/). After 3 days the visa came to my e-mail. I had to print it out twice, they helped me out with this in the hotel.
There are many types of visa. If you are going there just for a holiday you choose the visa with one entrance.
Be careful if you do not have a visa they will do it also in the bus before you enter Cambodia, but it is more expensive.

The bus takes you to the borders and you have to cross the border by your feed. It is not a long way and after you pass all the immigration offices the bus is waiting for you. To be honest, I was a little scare, in the beginning, to cross the border because of the many stories I have read. But if you keep with your group, do not buy anything and continue walking then everything is alright.

Accommodation:
Like always I booked the hotel on Booking.com.
I mostly book hotels on this website or through Airbnb.

I have to recommend the hotel we stayed in. It is run by a young woman and man from Australia. They are really nice and make you feel welcome. They come to you ask something about you and about your feedback. The hotel is really nice. The name is " Baby Elephant Boutique Hotel" (https://babyelephant.asia/). And the most important for me - I loved the food.

What to see in Siem Reap?

The Angor Wat

It is complex of ruins and temples from the Khmer kingdom. There are many things to see. The atmosphere makes you feel like you are back in time. It is a nice and calm walk around the ruins. I suggest you go with the sunrise and see the magic scenery that creates the temples and the sunshine.

We have been lucky because one day before we have met one driver of Tuk Tuk that offered us ride and tour to this huge complex of Angkor Wat. We were really happy, he was local so he knew many things and stories about the place. In one temple we got lost, do not be surprised the temples are really huge and it is not so hard to get lost. We were desperate but we just called our driver and he found us. I told you, we were lucky.