Siem Reap
One of the biggest cities in Cambodia is Siem Reap and has enough to offer cultural and entertainment. There are many nice places to stay and also for shopping, relaxing and enjoying you can eat your heart out here.
New dream of Cambodian children organization
Volunteering at a school for children who come from poor families, contact New Dream of Cambodian children organization through Facebook. It is a really nice way to get in contact with the locals and at the same time you can really help them. The school has two types of classes, English and computer class. If the children are good in just one of these classes they are able to change their life and the life of their families. Cambodia is experiencing more tourism every year and with English the children can work when they graduate within tourism at hotels, tourist attractions and so on. Because of this organization the children will have a chance of a better life and they love learning and going to school. For them this is a way to learn not only within the classes but also from all the different teachers from around the world. A safe place where they can play, get some extra food and where they can make many new friends. If you decide to do the volunteering you can choose how many days you would like to help, which can start with just one day or maybe even a few weeks. You don't pay anything except that you will pay 10 USD for your uniform that you will get from the de director.
The volunteering is also great for your own personal development so I would see this as a win win situation and a beautiful way to give something back to the local community while you are traveling through their country.
Pub street
In case you like fun and entertaining nights, check out Pub street on street 8 in the centre of Siem Reap. This street has many bars, restaurants and clubs to get you entertaint from the afternoon until 1 am. Around 1 am all the clubs and bars close so you better start early. Every pub and club has it's own kind of music so I'm sure you will find your right taste of music somewhere to have the best night of your life. If you go to the Red Piano Bar, they are very nice in pouring a little bit more alcohol in your cocktail, but you have to ask for it.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat is the biggest temple in the area of Siem Reap. Also one of the most beautiful ones. Angkor Wat is also the area where multiple other temples are located, so best thing to do is buy a day or multiple day ticket and explore the many different temples in this area. A day ticket is 37 USD per person and a three day ticket will cost you 62 USD. So it is up to you how many temples you would like to see and if you would like to do this with sunrise, during day time or with sunset. Hiring a private tuk tuk will cost you 17 USD for the whole day and the driver will explain you something about the temples and brings you from the first to your last temple and back to you hotel/hostel. Angkor Wat is definitely the biggest sightseeing place in Siem Reap and I suggest don't miss it because you will be mesmerized. My personal favorite is the Tomb Raider temple. Just check them out when you are there and let me know which one is your favorite.
Nice places to eat
During my stay in Siem Reap I had time to discover a few nice places for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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For breakfast you can go to:
Eric Kayser Siem Reap bakery
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For lunch and dinner you can go to:
Pou Restaurant and bar which is creative khmer cuisine.
Elia Greek kitchen with of course Greek cuisine.
Palate Angkor Restaurant and Bar with Western and local food and live music every Saturday evening from 18.30h till 21.30h
Chilled Backpackers hostel
One of my cheapest hostels and had a nice location just outside the city centre. Chilled backpackers hostel has a nice big swimming pool to cool down from the heat, a big social area and has multiple dorms and private rooms. At the reception desk you can order different tours for Angkor Wat, this can be in a small group or private with a tuk tuk. You can also arrange your bustickets to your next destination from here. The dorms are big with the maximum of 12 people and all mixed rooms. Each dorm has it's own bathroom with two showers and toilets and the beds are comfy and clean. For each night we paid €2,75 and this is not including breakfast.
