Siem Reap is a gateway to an Ancient World
Siem Reap has reinvented itself as the epicentre of chic Cambodia, with everything from backpacker party pads to hip hotels, world-class wining and dining across a range of cuisines, sumptuous spas, great shopping, local tours to suit both foodies and adventurers, and a creative cultural scene
Where to stay on a budget
I could tell straight away that I was going to fall in love with Siem Reap. The city is full of Khmer Eateries and food markets and is a food lovers heaven. The main reason why tourist visit this city though is to see the Ancient City known as Angkor Wat. The city is filled with Tuk- Tuks or locally known as “Rickshaws” and they are an easy mode of transportation.
As soon as we pulled up to the front of our hostel, The Funky Flash Packers we could already hear the sound of partying tourists and loud music. Funky Flashpacker is the largest party hostel in Cambodia and has the only 24-hour bar, restaurant, and reception for any hostel in Cambodia. They have three bars including two rooftop bars and one pool bar. We serve food and drinks 24 hours a day. Our extensive food menu includes Western, Cambodian, Mexican, and International cuisine
Funky Flashpackers is renowned to be one of the best party hostels in Siem Reap. Events are held everyday and on Saturdays they have the best pool party in town. The staff are great and the two managers, Jackson and Bobby are the funniest Poms you will meet. The hostel does offer there own tours including Angkor Wat tours and Floating Market tours. We paid about $30 a night for our own room and would definitely recommend here if you want to stay somewhere cheap with a great atmosphere. To book your accommodation online click HERE.
Visiting Angkor Wat Temples in Siem Reap
You must pay Angkor Wat’s entry fee of $37 USD for a day pass. You can also pay $62 for a three day pass and $72 for a seven day pass. We like to take photos and videos so we tend to get our own private driver if possible. The busiest time is when everyone goes to Angkor Wat for sunrise at 5am. We had organised our own Tuk Tuk driver to take us there in the morning the day before. We skipped the first temple “Angkor Wat Temple’ and instead headed straight to Ta Prohm, which was made famous from the 2001 movie Tomb Raider. Its most distinguishing features are the tress that probe walls and push terraces apart as their gigantic roots intertwine to form a roof over the stone structors. This is what makes it one of the best known and most photographed temple in the Angkor site.
From there our driver picked us up and took us through the Victory Gate. Here you will notice that all of the statues have their heads cut off. Apparently by artists from Thailand, back in the 1980’s and 90’s. The heads were thought to contain gems inside.
Angkor Wat is on of the ten man made wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its 5 lotus like towers rising 65 meters into the air, it is truly a monumental sight.
Bayon Temple
Bayon Temple, which is best known for the gigantic stone faces. These faces are one of the most iconic and recognisable features associated with the ancient Khmer Kingdom. The temple is located at the centre of the great walled city of Angkor Thom and is rich in decoration. Most of the great Angkor ruins have vast displays of various gods, goddesses, and other-worldly beings from the mythological stories and epic poems of ancient Hinduism (modified by centuries of Buddhism). Mingled with these images are actual known animals, like elephants, snakes, fish, and monkeys, in addition to dragon-like creatures that look like the stylized, elongated serpents (with feet and claws) found in Chinese art.
Pub Street
When you have finished exploring for the day, theres no better way to finish off then a night out on Pub Street. You can’t miss this street as you will see the bright neon sign that reads ‘PUB STREET”. Here you will find a vibrant street scattered with foot carts, pubs and restaurants. You can find all types of food including Italian, Cambodian and crispy bugs and snakes.
Here you can also do the famous pub crawl with a number of different companies. There will be staff standing in front of bars handing out flyers convincing you that their pub crawl is the best. We didn’t manage to do one, rather we just chose our own bars to go into. However I would recommend if you are a solo traveller doing the pub crawl is a great way to meet other tourist. Another bonus is at the end of the pub crawl you get a free singlet and a huge hangover the next day!
