Siem Reap - A taste of Southeast Asia
- Macadamia Nut
- Apr 30, 2021
- 4 min read
A resilient country, recovering from a dark past, Cambodia is now a popular tourist destination for both luxury travellers and backpackers alike. With stunning landscapes and exotic temples, ten lovely days in Cambodia, allows you ample time to cover Siem Reap, the charming gateway to Angkor temples, Phnom Penh; the scenic riverside city and Battambang ; known for its bamboo train rides.
Our home for the next few days was the beautiful Golden Temple Retreat. I was scrolling through TripAdvisor reviews and this particular place not only looked quite relaxed, but the convenience factor and the five star ratings convinced me to go for it. The pool is lengthy and perfect for an evening dip while the rooms are spacious and brightly furnished. The balcony doors open out to the view of the pool and the bathrooms have no doors! Equipped with a study area and plenty of space for your luggage (and shopping), I really cannot fault this accommodation.
We were greeted at the airport by “May” the Guest relations officer with cold towels and king coconut water, along with a few traditional sweets like milk rice and jak fruit wrapped in betel leaves. The hotel is small, snug and the staff extremely friendly. Genuinely friendly. They go out of their way and are very obliging and this gives you that instant "homely" vibe.
Trying out various kinds of food is always interesting and the possibilities are endless. During lunch, we sampled a few dishes like the Khmer chicken curry and beef along with lime pickle rice. (We washed it down with Angkor beer, a must try when you are on holiday!) The food, quite similar in taste to our local cuisine, more a mix of Thai and Sri Lanka. Mild spices and lots of coconut milk.
We hopped into one of the local Tuks and headed over to the Phare, Cambodian circus. If it’s your first time in Cambodia, this is certainly a must watch. Pre book your tickets via get your guide or Viator to avoid the queues and disappointment. It was rather crowded with around 350 people and the circus was unique and entertaining with feats of storytelling and captivatingly choreographed acrobats.
The circus consisted of street kids passionate about arts and theatre and they are gifted with an amazing talent. The performance lasts around one hour and well worth the money. If you are unable to follow the story, you do have giant TV screens with English and French translations but I bet you really wouldn’t care when you’re fixating on these well-built boys somersaulting and juggling ten oranges all at once!
If you want to know more about the Phare experience, you can visit their website via https://pharecircus.org/ .
Our temple hopping adventures took place during day 2, 3 and 4 and it really was one heck of an awesome experience.
This ancient city boasts 292 temples, our trusty tour guide mentioned that 37 were actually accessible. (No, we did not visit 37 temples…) Siem Reap is not only famous for its temples, but also the amazing food, night markets and cultural experiences.
No doubt, Angkor Wat took our breath away. Originally built and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the intricate Apsara carvings are unique and beautiful. One of the most well preserved temples, Angkor Wat requires at least 2-3 hours to take in the awe-inspiring details. It’s the heart and soul of Cambodia and a source of fierce national pride.
Don’t forget to climb the steep stairs leading to the upper level. The view is worth every aching step. (Nothing a fantastic massage can’t solve later on!).
Our next stop was the “Tomb raider temple” Ta Prohm; A battle between architecture and nature in Cambodia. Swallowed by jungles, Ta Prohm is a buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman the seventh. Bound by massive roots of humongous trees, this is certainly a must visit.
Similar to Ta Prohm, but on a lesser scale lies Ta Nei, in much rougher shape than the rest.
You can also take a walk to the Elephant Terrace where the Angkor rulers viewed their returning armies. Pay a visit to the Bayon Temple, built to represent Mount Meru and known for the mysterious faces on its many towers and drink some more Angkor Beer to beat the heat.
Don’t forget to include an Apsara dance along with your dinner during your visit to Cambodia. As depicted on the Angkor walls, these women with shimmering silk tunics and coy smiles will perform a graceful ancient art of the apsara dance.
All in all, Siem Reap is a city filled with fun, adventure, culture, history and some amazing food and hospitality. The best part - It's affordable! Affordable luxury in Cambodia.
A few reasons you should opt for a few nights at the Golden Temple Retreat:
Easy access and centrally located
Free airport pick up and drop off option included
The rooms are spacious with large balconies. (Bathrooms have no doors so if you are traveling with a friend; this might be… Well… interesting to say the least
The staff: Icing on the cake. Helpful, always with a smile and absolutely amazing
The Spa is excellent, clean and quite affordable
Cocktails: generous
They even have an Apsara show with dinner and a cooking class in the morning with a certificate for participation
If you want to find out more, you can visit their website: https://www.goldentempleretreat.com/home/
Opmerkingen