Siem Reap Cambodia

We have been in Siem Reap since Friday. The flight from Pakse here was uncomplicated, pleasant, and lasted just under an hour. The airport in Siem Reap is large, very clean, and modern. Relatives, taxi drivers, and hotel operators are waiting outside the airport for their guests. We quickly find a taxi driver named Wana who takes us to our hostel. He tells us about his family and his life here in Cambodia during the taxi ride. He has two daughters who both go to school. The schools are expensive and he doesn't earn much as a taxi driver. That's why he also offers private tours for $40 a day. He gives us a booklet with many contributions from guests from all over the world, which are supposed to testify that he is a good tour guide. But since we just arrived and want to get oriented in this new city, we ask him if it's possible to contact him by phone the next day. He vigorously shakes his head, stops in front of our hostel, unloads our suitcases, and drives away.

Our room for the next four nights is at the Top Sky Hostel on Samdech Tep Vong Street. We pay $9 per night. The rooms are simply furnished, but it's completely fine for us. According to pictures on the internet, there should be a swimming pool on the roof. Instead, we find artificial turf with tables and chairs and a bar. We learn that the pool is actually located in the hostel next door. So swimming is off the table for us. The Pub Street and the night market are nearby and we can reach the evening and nightlife on foot. There is a small supermarket opposite and cafes, restaurants, and small shops line the left and right sides.

On Saturday, we set out to find a tourist office as we want to book our onward journey to Phnom Penh. We find one in the Pub Street and book the Sleeping Bus for Tuesday night for $15 per person. Then we visit the Siem Reap War Museum. It is located about 15 minutes outside the city center and the tuk-tuk driver Hok takes us there. The museum is both shocking and impressive. Many tanks, war weapons, and photos are on display. After the visit, Hok tells us more interesting details about the Khmer Rouge war and offers to show us more of the city. He is 30 years old, married, and has three sons. His wife works as an English teacher in school, and he is currently a self-employed tuk-tuk driver and tour guide. He knows a lot about the city and the country, and he introduces us to locals while having coffee. We learn that he devotes his free time to a charity foundation for people in rural areas and for the welfare of his country. He gives us tips on how and where to get cheaper entry tickets, and in the evening, we enjoy the sunset in the Angkor Wat Park together with him. When he drops us off in the city later, we spontaneously book a tuk-tuk day tour with him for the next day. He is very happy about it and assures us that he will be punctual the next morning.

Sunday, 7:55 AM, we step outside our hostel and see Hok. He has dressed up nicely. He is wearing nice jeans and a matching shirt. He has also brought a cooler filled with water bottles. I am delighted. The joy of being reunited is great and we are excited for the day and the impressions to come. First, we head to Angkor Wat. The weather is a bit cloudy, so it's not too hot yet. Angkor Wat is huge and we are very impressed. It's something you simply have to see! We explore the old walls on our own and spend a total of an hour and a half in the temple complex. Afterwards, Hok drives us to the Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Banteya Kdei sites. It's already noon and the sun is once again scorching hot. Hok suggests that we have lunch at a local market outside the city and then he will show us the Floating Village. We agree and the food is very delicious and incredibly cheap (compared to the restaurants and stalls around Pub Street).

The entrance fee for the Floating Village is $19 (Hok organized the tickets for us, other tourists pay $25). We board a boat and cruise down the canal towards the lake. On both sides of the canal, stilt houses are tightly nestled together. Wooden boats are waiting at the riverbank, children are playing, and the fishermen are repairing their nets. We travel on the canal for about half an hour until we reach the lake. On the lake, there are three restaurants on floats that offer sunset dinners. We decide against it and head back to the dock. We are a little disappointed with the tour as we didn't find a floating village, but rather a stilt house village. However, Hok explains that the water level is simply too low. Normally, the stilt houses would "float" on the water. It's already 4:00 PM in the evening and we are all a bit exhausted from the heat and the long day. Hok takes us back to the hostel. We thank him sincerely for the time he spent with us and wish him all the best. So if anyone ever goes to Cambodia, contact Hok (can be found on Facebook with Hok Has or Hoks Tuk Tuk Siem Reap). He is a very knowledgeable and intellectual man.