Talk about awestruck! I took a van ride from Bangkok to the border with Cambodia. We arrived at the border at 2am and the border didn't open til morning. After making it across the border it was about a 7 hr drive into Siem Reap (we switched over to the back of a pick up truck going over some of the most distroyed roads you have seen). Siem Reap is the locale for the famous Angkor Wat temple system. The temples are everywhere and located in about a 50 square mile radius.
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| Favourite spots: |
Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bantei Suri (sp?), Ta Phrom. Just sitting in the middle of the temples and not moving or making a sound...if you can do that without all the tourists around you. Be sure to go to Bantei Suri; possible to get away from the crowd somewhat.
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| What's really great: |
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Remember, you are in one of the poorest nations on Earth. Do not be frivalous with your money, but don't be too tight either. The nice thing about Cambodia is the almighty dollar has not effected their attitude as much yet so it is still pure (in other words, what you see is what you get, as opposed to Thailand where they do anything for money). Give money to the man with one leg who lost it in a land mine (begging-it is the only way he can survive!), donate a dollar to buy an insense stick for a Buddha...my recom. anyhow!
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| Sights: |
All the obvious!
This is the Ta Prohm, or "jungle temple." It is located about a fifteen minute motor scooter ride. This is as impressive and the Ankgor Thom and Wat temples so it is a must.
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| Accommodations: |
Many inxpensive hostels. 5 USD a day.
A few expensive one's outside of town as well. Fairly nice homestay is for about five US dollars a day (they like, REALLY like US cash). Called Global Homestay.
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| Nightlife: |
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none
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| Hangouts: |
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few...but they are there.
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Published on Wednesday September 18th, 2002 by sven_ak
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19 votes
