Hi,
I have just returned from Siem Riep, Cambodia and had an awesome time.
We had a great guide Dara Rann (+855 12 784 448)
who was wonderful with my family and my 2.5 year old daughter. Dara was flexible and accommodative of our changing of our schedules and our dates. He especially looked for and found an electric handheld fan for our sweating baby who loved it. He took us to some amazing restaurants for Cambodian food that only the locals go to. We tasted such mouth watering dishes that you don't usually get in restaurants, thanks to him. He saw us off with a lovely bottle of peanuts that he had roasted himself with lemongrass and fried garlic. He was also very knowledgeable about the temples that we went to and I can testify to that as I am a Hindu and a voluntary Museum Guide at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. So, seek him out if you are going to Siem Riep.
This was our itinerary:
Elephant sanctuary (a must do - we got to feed, bathe and walk with the elephants in the forest)
Apsara Theatre Dinner and Dance which was a lovely experience with the beautiful music and graceful and expressive dancers. My little daughter was dancing away uninhibitedly in the audience, following the dancers' every move. The food was heavenly...what an array of deserts!
(You can get a combined deal for the elephant sanctuary and the Apsara Theatre Dinner and Dance - 90 USD per person from the Apsara Theatre. You can contact them on Messenger from their Facebook page. The dinner dance is currently held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Dara organised this for us.)
Angkor Wat in the sunrise which is a sight to behold. Angkor Wat is the world's largest Hindu temple complex.
Ta Phrom
Bayon
The temples were magnificent and reminded me of the strong cultural ties that Cambodia has with India.
We wanted to do the tethered balloon ride but the weather was not good that day. Sunset over Angkor Wat is said to be amazing from the balloon.
Apopo volunteer centre where you get to watch and interact with the hero rats from Africa who can smell out mines and bombs and tuberculosis! It was an amazing experience. You need to call them and let them know that you are coming.
The National Museum with the beautiful sculpture of Cambodia is a must visit for anyone interested in Cambodia's history and culture.
Phare Circus with the incredibly flexible performers who performed impossible feats. What I liked best is the stories that they built into their performances and the beautiful accompanying music. The high energy performers energised the crowds. There is also a food Bazaar held in the circus premises where you can have a meal before the performance in the evening. (8 to 9 p.m.). You need to wear a mask here.
Khmer Ceramics - Pottery Class. We had fun learning to use the potter's wheel and made an array of ceramics.
We wanted to do the Khmer Cooking Class with Beyond Unique Escapes. But couldn't go that day. They are available on Trip Advisor too. They were very understanding and refunded us for it.
Kulen Mountain and waterfall and river of a thousand Lingas and the reclining Buddha. This was an amazing visit.
Banteay Srie Temple which is very pretty.
Kampong Kleang floating village where we took a 2 hour boat ride amongst the houses on the Tonle Sap lake where you can't see the horizon and it looks like you are on the sea.
Restaurants we liked -
Bongkong Dot Seafood Restaurant Riverside
Jomno - Modern Khmer Cuisine
Chanrey Tree
Sugar Palm Restaurant
The Hut
Romchong Restaurant
And especially the local restaurant without a name that Dara took us to.
Our hotel was a very comfortable but no frills hotel - Vihara Angkor. It is run by a Polish gentleman, Jerry, who was a wonderful host who entertained us with his guitar. The rooms were large and comfortable, it was well located in the city centre and the staff was very helpful and caring.
The Food Panda app works there.
Get a Cambodian sim card from just outside the airport. You can download the Passapp and give the Cambodian number and call Tuktuks or Remorques (the larger version) at the preset rate on the App.
Grab also works there to call Tuktuks or Remorques.
Carry US dollars with you in Small bills. Also get some Khmer Riel. You can pay the Tuktuk drivers with them. Don't fold the notes at all. They are rejected if they have the slightest crease.
The Angkor one day pass can be used twice within a period of 5 days to see the temples in and around Siem Riep.
You can try the night market for souvenirs.
We also went to a wholesale shop. Chum Theany Angkor Souvenir Shop.
But bargain in these shops- We usually paid around 60 percent of what was asked for.
Hope this information is helpful to people travelling to Siem Riep. The people there are very dependent on tourism and it is still nowhere near the pre pandemic levels, so you will not face crowds anywhere. They are very grateful to people from all over the world who are travelling there.