Holiday in Cambodia

August 6-12, 2016

Cambodia, you’re wonderful. My whirlwind trip to Siem Reap lasted seven days, but I wish it had been seven longer. At the end of every day, my boyfriend and I were extremely tired from constant exploration (and maybe a bit of heat exhaustion), but we always wanted to see more. My trip felt ridiculously full, but I know there’s so much there that I didn’t get to see. I’ll use that as an excuse to go back someday. I’ll see ya again, Cambodia. I know it.

The first thing we crossed off our agenda was exploring Pub Street and the nearby night market. Both areas are tourist-friendly (or repelling– depends on your preferred travel style), and offered lots of western restaurants, souvenir shops, and pubs. We didn’t spend too much time in this area because we were more interested in the historical side of Siem Reap, but I see the appeal. Especially if you’re a recent college grad looking to “get turnt”. Is that how the kids say it?
I’m relevant.

We had lunch at Pub street, walked around a bit, and then decided to head to our hotel to relax by the pool. *Cut to a slick tuktuk driver who knows what’s up.* We hopped in the nearest tuktuk, requested to be taken to our hotel, but were quickly convinced that a river tour was what we really needed. We went with it because he was convincing and we were gullible.

Enter the most entertaining river guide and expert upseller in Cambodia.
We were toast.

The river tour was interesting for a lot of reasons, but our favorite part came at the end. How do you one-up a sketchy money exchange with assumed Cambodian mafia? A romantic float through mangroves? What about a floating rest stop with crocodiles? A colorful neighborhood of boat homes? The opportunity to drive a boat that you have no idea how to drive?

You one-up all of those things with a pair of custom commemorative plates.
Commemorative plates with a picture of your face and the face of your boyfriend mod podged to them. Pictures that you had no idea were taken as you walked down the dock to get on your boat. That’s how.

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Did I mention they’re borderline creepy? I’m glad Caleb bought them, though. There’s no other way I’d rather remember that day.

The next morning, we got up bright and early to get our tickets for the sunrise at Angkor Wat, and I’m so glad we did. Angkor Wat is a UNESCO World Heritage site ancient temple complex that was constructed in the 12th century by Hindu monks. The complex has undergone destruction and reconstruction due to wars and neglect, but still remains largely intact.

Walking to the complex in the early morning twilight was absolutely surreal. All we could see at first was a faint outline of towers, each growing a bit more detailed as the sun rose. As we walked a bit closer, everything became more illuminated, and the reflection on the pond in front of the complex turned into the perfect mirror for the whole scene. Even though there were tons of other tourists around, the experience still felt uniquely intimate. I’ll ever forget it.
For me, the relief sculptures were enough of a reason to visit, and the place is completely dripping in them. I regret not researching a bit more before going, because each wall told a different story in amazing detail about different Hindu gods. Caleb knew a bit about them, but the best I could do was guess. Shout out to my boyfriend for not complaining while I stared, mouth agape, at walls for a while.

“A++, would visit again.” –Caleb and Rachel.

After taking a stroll around the main complex and the woods surrounding, we traveled a bit farther down the road to see the grounds from a tethered balloon. The view from the balloon was pretty amazing, and I’d recommend doing it if you’re not completely terrified of heights. It can make some pretty interesting noises on ascent and descent, the trick is to just not think about it.

+2 Romance points.

After the main complex at Angkor Wat, we decided to move on to the other temples in the area. The temples we explored included Ta Prohm (“Tomb Raider Temple”), Bayon, and Baphuon. Pictured in that order. Each temple was unique in its own way, but I preferred Ta Prohm. The way the trees have almost completely reclaimed the temple walls is otherworldly. Warning: the number of tourists was also otherworldly, so try to research a good time to go so you can dodge the selfie sticks and bespeakered tour guides.

That night, we went to the night market opposite Pub Street, right across the river. I’m pretty sure that’s when Caleb decided he’d try to haggle (with no intent of buying) a huge piece of amber. If you’re in the market for amber, silver, souvenirs, or super hip elephant pants (see photos below),the night market is definitely your place to shop. Don’t harass the stall owners about their huge chunks of amber. Eventually they get annoyed.

The next day, we went to Happy Ranch where we went for a trail ride through the Cambodian countryside. Our guide, Kong (self-appointed “King Kong”), and our trusty steeds, Bonny and Mexico, were pretty awesome companions for the trip. The trail ride took us to residential areas, rice paddies, temples, ruins, a giant pig, and farmlands. If you’re at all interested in horseback riding tours, I definitely recommend going through Happy Ranch. I would also recommend that if you’re visiting in the summer to pick one of the shorter options, because it’s hot. As a Louisiana native who used to work summers on a ranch, I feel qualified to say so. You can book tours with them here. Ask for Kong, you won’t be disappointed.

After saying goodbye to Bonny, Mexico, and King Kong, we headed to the Landmine Museum and the War Museum so Caleb could stare, mouth agape, at old explosives. The landmine museum is unique in that it’s also a school for children directly affected by landmines. In the souvenir shop, you can donate money or buy small items made by the students there.
From their website:
“The Cambodian Landmine Museum and Relief Center serves to educate the public on the dangers of landmines, and in addition it supports and educates at-risk and landmine affected youth that reside in the Relief Center. This home was created so that it might serve as a place of healing for bodies, hearts and minds. We believe that lovesupport and education are the essential means to secure a better future for the children that live here and our visitors.”
My. Heart.

More information on the Landmine Museum here. Information about the War Museum here.

The next day, we made the long journey to Phnom Kulen National Park to see the reclining Buddha statue, accidentally see the Kbal Spean (“valley of 1000 lingas”-click here), and to take a dip in the river at the base of one of the waterfalls. To tackle the journey to the top, you have to rent a motorcycle or hire a car. We did the latter, which allowed for some much-needed nap time and foot recovery. Even though the journey was a bit longer, it was absolutely worth the trip, and was a highlight for me. On the way back, our driver bought us the most adorable bananas I’d ever seen. It’s the simple things that get me, I guess.

More information on Koulen Mountain here.

My trip to Cambodia was everything I’d hoped it would be, and I would love to be able to go back someday. If you’re ever given the opportunity to travel in South East Asia, don’t pass up the chance to slow down and explore what Cambodia has to offer. You won’t be disappointed, I promise.

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