Siem Reap

If you plan to visit Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples you will likely find yourself staying in or around Siem Reap. Whilst Siem Reap is relatively small, it has plenty to offer. There are a wide range of restaurants to choose from serving all kinds of cuisine (Khmer to Swiss to American and even insects!) and plenty of opportunities to grab some souvenirs or unwind with a full body massage or spa treatment.

Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea is a little off the beaten track. It is roughly an hour’s tuk tuk ride from Siem Reap but it is definitely worth the travel to get there. I paid $50 to ensure Braus, my driver, stayed with me for the entirety of the day and this included taking me to the temple complex and back and then to Siem Reap so I could grab a bit to eat. I probably could have haggled this price down but in the end I didn’t think it was worth it to save an extra $10 or so. Doing the journey to Beng Mealea by tuk tuk can be an experience in itself as you head down myriad uneven dirt roads which, at times, can have you hanging on for dear life!

Angkor Wat and Surrounding Temples

When people think of Cambodia they’ll probably think of Angkor Wat first and foremost. There are, however, a great deal of additional awe-inspiring ruins surrounding this most famous of temples which are likewise well worth a visit. The preservation of these sites varies wildly – some are in a state of utter disrepair, others are holding up amazingly well considering their age and long abandonment.

Siem Reap: Eat, Drink and Stay

Places to eat and drink

Bugs Cafe (Insects)

When I discovered the Bugs Cafe on TripAdvisor prior to my trip to Siem Reap I thought, well, just think of the photographs I can get from that place when I go to Cambodia! I set my mind on going. I told all my friends about it. I promised them I’d be telling them all the gory details once I’d eaten all those weird creepy crawlies.