Siem Reap is a resort town, A kind of exotic Blackpool, in NW Cambodia. Its just four miles from the Angkor Archaeological park.

Its a great place to stay as everything is geared towards the tourists. The night market is the  place for souvenirs. You can also get a fish pedicure. This was bizarre but fun. We sat around a kind of garden swimming pool next to strangers getting our feet eaten by mini piranha fish. It just tickles and works a treat.

Pub Street is the place to eat, a whole street of restaurants with a huge choice. We had diced crocodile that we cooked ourselves at the table.

But of course the reason to stay in Siem Reap is to see the temples at Angkor.

Angkor Temples

These sandstones temples were built by Suryavarman the second in the twelfth century. They were dedicated to Vishnu but later converted to Buddhist temples.

Angkor Wat

This is the most famous and popular. Its the largest religious monument in the world.

 

Ta Phrom

This Bayon style temple was originally called Rajavihara. Now its often called the Lara Croft temple because  Angelina Jolie filmed Tomb Raider there. It’s covered in gigantic five hundred year old tree roots. The fig, banyan and kapok trees cover the floor and climb the walls.

 

Angkor Thom

Tonle Sap

 Tonle Sap is  the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia. During the rainy season it grows from twenty two to sixty five miles wide. It’s depth increases from ten to forty five feet.  There are several floating villages and even floating vegetable patches so we took a boat trip to have a look.

First we were taken to a crocodile farm. Then a silk making village where the scarves were dyed beautiful vibrant colours ( I only bought four). As usual just watching the locals away from the tourists places was the most fun.