It all started with Nadia sending me a Whatsapp message which sounded like 'Ticket to Siem Reap on Airasia murah, RM 298 je'. At that particular time I was running errands outside so once I reached home, I immediately checked the Airasia website and booked the tickets for both of us. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from this trip because I do not know much about the country except for the fact that it is home to many ancient temples such as Angkor Wat and also the Tonle Sap lake. I would normally plan my trips way in advance but this time round I decided to just go with the flow. I did check up the 'must visit places' on Tripadvisor and a few other backpacking sites for ideas of what to do when we are there.
While waiting to board the flight
Arrived at the Siem Reap International Airport after a two hour long flight at 4pm local time (Cambodia is GMT +7). We were greeted by our tuk tuk driver, Radi who brought us to The Siem Reap Hostel which was a 20 minute ride from the airport. This is a complimentary service for guests at the hostel (please remember to email them to request for pick up service). Checked in and was brought to the 6 bed Deluxe Dorm that we booked. The rates are USD 10 per night and I would highly recommend this hostel for those of you planning to go to Siem Reap on a budget. Comfy mattress and pillow, spacious room, air cond & ceiling fan, reading light, lots of power outlets and the most important thing for me : clean toilet, bathroom, water heater and good water pressure! #win We didn't spend much time at the hostel anyway, it was just for sleeping at night, there was no point booking a hotel for this trip.
We were the first two occupants of this room, later joined by others from US and Scotland
We unpacked and went downstairs to get some leaflets to decide on what temple tours to take the next day and also to ask for directions to the nearest restaurants as we were very hungry! We kind of got lost and walked into a quiet street with guys offering us to get on tuk tuks to go to nearby makan places which we declined and turned back the opposite way and continued walking until we managed to get directions from a stranger to get to Pub Street. Thank god! I was quiet worried at one point because it was only two girls wandering around a place we have never been to but alhamdulilah all was good.
Pub Street, Siem Reap
Our first meal in Siem Reap was vegetable soup with noodles, a bowl of rice and fried eggs because we couldn't find a Halal restaurant and this place we went to served things like frog and pork so tutup mata and order je lah while keeping fingers crossed. Gobbled down the food because we were too hungry! After that we walked around the area and found many shops offering manicure, pedicure and massage services and it was dead cheap! To top it all, they had free wifi! We walked in and sat down to enjoy a mani pedi session and Nadia did a foot massage while waiting for my nails to be painted. Yes, I have that girly side of me at times hehe...
Thank God for Instagram! Immediately after posting a photo of Pub Street, we received comments suggesting where to go and what's good in Siem Reap. Dina Zaman, who goes by @cikdina on Instagram suggested cool cafés such as The Blue Pumpkin and Kaya Café. Yes, this is THE Dina Zaman, award winning writer whose articles I've been reading since I was 11. Thank you for the suggestions, Kak Dina! We were in need of good ice cream to cool down on a hot day. Right after our pampering session, we went hunting for the cafés suggested and managed to find Blue Pumpkin.
We later found out that this is the smaller branch of Blue Pumpkin. They only serve ice cream and a limited selection of bread and pastries. A single scoop ice cream costs USD 1.50 and we decided to try the coconut ice cream, it was so sedap! The ice cream cone wasn't as good as I expected, though.
Beautiful pop up cards with many different designs going for USD 2
Abang Baki also suggested two different restaurants which we didn't have time to go check out, maybe during my next trip
We later walked over to the Angkor Night Market nearby and shopped a little bit. At 9pm, we made our way back and nearly lost our way in the dark but luckily we managed to get our bearings right and made it back to the hostel in one piece! Phewww....survived the first few hours in Siem Reap. Alhamdulilah
One of the shops which sells 100% cotton and silk products hand made in Cambodia
Arrived at the Siem Reap International Airport after a two hour long flight at 4pm local time (Cambodia is GMT +7). We were greeted by our tuk tuk driver, Radi who brought us to The Siem Reap Hostel which was a 20 minute ride from the airport. This is a complimentary service for guests at the hostel (please remember to email them to request for pick up service). Checked in and was brought to the 6 bed Deluxe Dorm that we booked. The rates are USD 10 per night and I would highly recommend this hostel for those of you planning to go to Siem Reap on a budget. Comfy mattress and pillow, spacious room, air cond & ceiling fan, reading light, lots of power outlets and the most important thing for me : clean toilet, bathroom, water heater and good water pressure! #win We didn't spend much time at the hostel anyway, it was just for sleeping at night, there was no point booking a hotel for this trip.
We unpacked and went downstairs to get some leaflets to decide on what temple tours to take the next day and also to ask for directions to the nearest restaurants as we were very hungry! We kind of got lost and walked into a quiet street with guys offering us to get on tuk tuks to go to nearby makan places which we declined and turned back the opposite way and continued walking until we managed to get directions from a stranger to get to Pub Street. Thank god! I was quiet worried at one point because it was only two girls wandering around a place we have never been to but alhamdulilah all was good.
Our first meal in Siem Reap was vegetable soup with noodles, a bowl of rice and fried eggs because we couldn't find a Halal restaurant and this place we went to served things like frog and pork so tutup mata and order je lah while keeping fingers crossed. Gobbled down the food because we were too hungry! After that we walked around the area and found many shops offering manicure, pedicure and massage services and it was dead cheap! To top it all, they had free wifi! We walked in and sat down to enjoy a mani pedi session and Nadia did a foot massage while waiting for my nails to be painted. Yes, I have that girly side of me at times hehe...
Thank God for Instagram! Immediately after posting a photo of Pub Street, we received comments suggesting where to go and what's good in Siem Reap. Dina Zaman, who goes by @cikdina on Instagram suggested cool cafés such as The Blue Pumpkin and Kaya Café. Yes, this is THE Dina Zaman, award winning writer whose articles I've been reading since I was 11. Thank you for the suggestions, Kak Dina! We were in need of good ice cream to cool down on a hot day. Right after our pampering session, we went hunting for the cafés suggested and managed to find Blue Pumpkin.
I have made it a habit to bring a book along during my travels. Finishing up the Ampun Tuanku book
We later walked over to the Angkor Night Market nearby and shopped a little bit. At 9pm, we made our way back and nearly lost our way in the dark but luckily we managed to get our bearings right and made it back to the hostel in one piece! Phewww....survived the first few hours in Siem Reap. Alhamdulilah
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