Prae Rup and the southern gate at Angkor Wat (and the bridge crossing the moat) are perhaps not as interesting as some of Siem Reap’sother temples, but still well worth stopping at if you’re going past.

Prae Rup

Angkor Wat Southern Gate

Perhaps the best of the Siem Reap temples is Bayon, with it’s fascinating collection of carved faces.

Don’t missing the opportunity to get up early for sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Take a packed breakfast and buy some hot coffee.

Beyond Unique Escapes Cooking Classes in Siem Reap are excellent and highly recommended for a hands on, delicious experience in a gorgeous rural setting.

The teachers are patient, knowledgeable and helpful. The equipment and resources are excellent.

But the real highlights are the sunset and dining together, with wine!!! on what you have prepared yourself.

 

Good wine for $5 a glass US         Khmer mango salad

Some classes operate in town, but try to book into the classes with a rural setting in Kamphem Village.

Fish Amok                                                          Sticky Rice Flour Balls with Palm Sugar topped with Grated Young Coconut Flesh

The Claremont Hotel in Siem Reap has good sized rooms, a nice pool, a good breakfast buffet with plenty of hot and cold options in the roof top restaurant and a convenient central location in Wat Bo.

Balcony area at the end of corridor and view towards river.

It also has some very quirky art !!!

However, it’s also worth also worth investigating the Frangipani Villa nearby.

 

Pub street in Siem Reap is near the Old Market is a great spot to head to find lots of great restaurant options in the one place like Cambodian BBQ, Red Piano, Amok, Khmer Kitchen Restaurant, Chamkar, and Blue Pumpkin for icecream.

Red Piano

Khmer Kitchen Restaurant

Fireworks for the Water Festival                  Blue pumpkin coconut, durian and black sesame and ginger (yum) ice-cream

Sister Srey Cafe is a bit further away, but also worth checking out.

The Cambodian Circus/ Phare in Siem Reap is well presented with an upmarket theatre/creative arts feel. It’s a mix of impressive acrobatics, clowning and traditional story telling and supports training for disadvantaged youth in these creative arts.

There’s Blue Pumpkin icecream, alcoholic drinks and some good meal choices available at the entrance.

It’s fun and well worth a visit ($18 US per ticket).