Fun things to do in Cambodia

Travelling past floating villages and local fishing boats sporting nets filled with snakes and fish, this is an unforgettable way to travel between towns. Beware though, if the water levels are low the trip takes hours longer than when the levels are high.

The Landmine Museum makes for a worthwhile detour while in Siem Reap - the museum is an interesting and moving reminder of the horrors of Cambodia's civil war. Created by Aki Ra, a former child soldier conscripted to the Khmer Rouge and later a landmine de-miner, the museum provides a real insight into the effects of land mining. Aki Ra also runs a school and accommodation for Cambodian children who have been affected by land mines, and there are several ways to contribute if you so wish.

Getting there from Siem Reap is easy - just hire a tuk tuk and driver. Entry to the museum is approximately $3 for foreigners.

There are plenty of places to hire bicycles from in Siem Reap - including most traveller hostels. It is a reasonably short and easy ride along flat roads to the Angkor Wat complex, and cycling means you can go at your own pace without having a driver waiting for you (it's cheaper, too!). The one downside is that some of the more far flung temples are a little too distant to get to this way.

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While it's been a few years ago that I visited the Killing Fields, it is something I will never forget.
I have long ago visited Dacau Concentration Camp in Germany, I found the killing fields to be even more disturbing.
It was more in your face, made more so by the fact that while walking around, we discovered human bones and clothing only partially buried. The temple that was built to house the human skulls and clothing of the victims makes to realize the inhumanity to man.

We made the trip out the the Killing Fields, Choeung Ek on the backs of motor scooters with our Cambodian guides. These two young men were terrific, guiding us night and day for three days.

That is a very long trip considering it is only about 15K, on the back of a little scooter over some unpaved roads.

The trip to the site I believe took us well over an hour and when we arrived we discovered what at first seemed like a tranquil little rest stop along side a slow moving river.
It is just once you begin to walk the fields and see the mass graves that you come across, that you realize the brutality that took place.
The temple built to house the remains was disturbing from the standpoint that they built this lovely temple only to house death and brutality. A vivid reminder to say the least.

You can sit at picnic tables along side the river and almost forget what transpired here....almost.
But believe me, the visit will stay with you for quite some time.

There are small cafees serving cold drinks and Cambodian foods in almost every temple entrance in Angkor .. (See my before and after eating coconut photos in my cambodia pages:) Although the merchants are very very insisting to serve a drink for you, ne ma problem..

it is always great experience to talk with Cambodian local people who are always helpful with a lot of things. and offcourse best opportunity to practise some Cambodian, Khmer language.

it is absouletly great to enjoy some leisure between the temple visits under the sun..

My travels to Angkor:

I have visited Angkor on a 4-day trip for my birthday, in October 2009. The amount of time I had was quite limited but I did manage to see the main sights. Still, a return is definitely being considered!

Things to do in Angkor:

The magnificent Angkor Wat - the showpiece of the area. Ta Prohm, left to the (now civilised) jungle with its 'Tomb Raider' associations. The Bayon with its multitide of faces said to represent the ancient Khmer kings. The Angkor Thom area. Other temples - the better known Preah Khan, East Mebon, Banteay Srei, Thomannon, Banteay Kdei and Pre Rup. The man-made lake of Sra Srang. And the lesser known temples - like Ta Som, Lolei, Chau Say Tevoda, and Neak Pean. Plan to watch at least a couple of the magnificent sunrises (unfortunately, very early!) and sunsets (thankfully, not too late!).

Choice of Hotel:

Le Medirien Angkor in Siem Reap

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CAMBODIA
Well, the most inexpensive and practical way to get about on my budget when in Cambodia was the "Moto" Remorque. This is a Motor-Cycle that pulls a very colourful and well fitted out trailer. These trailers can hold usually four. I hired my "Moto" for three days as that was the amount of time that I wanted to spend exploring Angkor Wat. The price I negotiated for the three day hire included pick-up, all waiting times and return to my Hotel. This was I found to be an exceptionally good deal over the three days . The driver being local is also very knowledgeable and can advise you on most things that are important. He was very reliable and was where he said he would be always.
Note:* The price you negotiate will depend on your bargaining skills and BEFORE you enter the vehicle to start your journey, MAKE SURE that you have agreed on a "complete price" for everything involved in your hire costs... Also , keeping in mind that these people don't make a lot of money, so don't be Too hard with your bargaining price.

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Angkor Thom is a ruined citadel several kilometres north of Angkor Wat. Built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries Angkor Thom encloses a rectangular area of nine square kilometers and at its peak may have held a population of over 100,000, living in tiled or thatched houses. The complex was bounded by walls and a moat. Bridge with Naga balustrades lead to each of the gates of the city and each gate is crowned with 4 giant faces. While Angkor Wat is Hindu in inspiration, Angkor Thom is a three-dimensional representation of Buddhist cosmology.
The Bayon Temple lies in the middle of Angkor Thom and is best known for the gigantic face sculptures that adorn its thirty-seven surviving towers. The structure is simply amazing. What at first appears to be a random pile of stone blocks actually consists of massive stones shaped into fluid sculptures, without apparent use of cement or mortar.
The faces are thought to represent a Buddhist deity that projected benevolence outward to the four directions of the kingdom or are they the face of King Jayavarman VII who built most of what you see in the Angkor Archeological Park.