Siem Reap, Cambodia 

December 2016

Mid 80F (Sunny, Hot, Humid)

Visa required– you can get your visa in advance online or apply for it when you land at their airport.  However, what I saw, it was easier to have it completed prior to arriving.

Currency: Cambodian Riehl, but US Currency is preferred. They will give change in Riehl and USD. The ATMs allow you to choose between Riehl and USD.

For our trip to Cambodia we rented through AIRBNB.  They offered a $5 airport pick up and had a personal Tuktuk driver for our stay.  His name was “T” and he drove us everywhere.  We paid him in cash at the end of the day depending on how far we drove.  We were given a cell phone by the AIRBNB host and called T when we were ready for him to pick us up.  We didn’t think about it before the trip, but were unable to get a good English translated guide for the ruins.  This was something I we had to book ahead of time. Airbnb place: Suggested Siem Reap Airbnb

Smey was a wonderful host.  We needed some laundry done and she took it for us to the laundry mat.  Between the 3 of us it was a total of $8.  She provided us with safe drinking water and was always available if we needed something.

If it’s your first time using airbnb, you can get $35 off your first booking by clicking on my booking invite: Airbnb Discount Site

Prior to getting into the ruins, you will need to purchase a pass.  It was $40 USD for a three day pass.  They take your photo and it is examined multiple times before you are permitted to enter each ruin.

Angkor Wat

We left for the sunrise at 430am and arrived around 5am.  Be sure to bring a flashlight and bug repellent since the walk to the pond is both lit and there are a lot of mosquitoes.  This was one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed.

Bayon 

Ta Prohm (Lara Kroft: Tomb Raider)

Preah Khan

Neak Pean

The drive out to the Floating Village took about an hour, but it was really cool to see people working and daily life of suburbia Cambodia.  The boat tour itself was $20/person, but we had our own boat and guide.  When we were half way the road turned into a dirt road and T gave us masks so we didn’t inhale the dust.

Floating Village

We watched the sunset during the Floating Village tour and one of my friends jumped into the water with our guide.