First impressions of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
May 26, 2008
1) It's damn hot here.
2) Siem Reap is built up with fancy (and not-so-fancy) hotels and restaurants. I doubt it is representative of Cambodia as a whole ... this really is a tourist town.
3) That said, it's a cute and friendy little town.
4) The price of food is a shock here after Laos and Thailand, where eating was ridiculously cheap. Not so cheap here.
5) The tuk-tuk drivers seem friendly and polite. When you say "no, thank you" they smile and nod (rather than try to convince you that YES, you do want to ride, as they do in Chiang Mai).
6) There was no real need to convert money here. It appears that transactions in stores, hotels, restaurants, and with drivers, are all conducted in US dollars.
6) It's damn hot here.
2) Siem Reap is built up with fancy (and not-so-fancy) hotels and restaurants. I doubt it is representative of Cambodia as a whole ... this really is a tourist town.
3) That said, it's a cute and friendy little town.
4) The price of food is a shock here after Laos and Thailand, where eating was ridiculously cheap. Not so cheap here.
5) The tuk-tuk drivers seem friendly and polite. When you say "no, thank you" they smile and nod (rather than try to convince you that YES, you do want to ride, as they do in Chiang Mai).
6) There was no real need to convert money here. It appears that transactions in stores, hotels, restaurants, and with drivers, are all conducted in US dollars.
6) It's damn hot here.
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Cambodia from above. Lots of far…
Tonle Sap lake from above.
Siem Reap area, on final approach.
Siem Reap airport terminal. Nice…
Trying to track down our ride to…
Our hotel.
A pineapple juice welcome drink.…
Our room at Shinta Mani.
Bathroom at Shinta Mani.
View from our room!
Tuk-tuk to the Old Market.
In the tuk-tuk.
The happenin' Internet cafe in t…
The Blue Pumpkin Internet cafe.
Mmmmm, latte.
Steve's Big Ass Burger.
My tasty tuna sandwich.
Siem Reap street scene.
Siem Reap street scene.
Lady chopping off fish heads in …
Service with a really big smile.
The Shinta Mani is a hotel and an institute that trains "at risk youth" for work in the hospitality industry. So your dollars are going to a good cause as you selflessly luxuriate in your super comfy feather bed and gorgeous boutique hotel surroundings.
Our room was as one of three set right on the edge of the lovely pool area. A variety of spa treatments are available just over there (although we did not partake, for once). Service is extremely friendly, and the slightest inquiry will have three trainees tripping over themselves in an earnest attempt to deliver the best service possible.
This is a training center, and errors do occur. My husband was served severely undercooked bacon at breakfast, and the eggs were cold. But other than that, service and facilities have been exemplary (and a relative bargain...our poolside room was $110/night, lower than the luxury hotels and just as nice. I can recommend this place without hesitation.
Our room was as one of three set right on the edge of the lovely pool area. A variety of spa treatments are available just over there (although we did not partake, for once). Service is extremely friendly, and the slightest inquiry will have three trainees tripping over themselves in an earnest attempt to deliver the best service possible.
This is a training center, and errors do occur. My husband was served severely undercooked bacon at breakfast, and the eggs were cold. But other than that, service and facilities have been exemplary (and a relative bargain...our poolside room was $110/night, lower than the luxury hotels and just as nice. I can recommend this place without hesitation.
Shinta Mani boutique hotel, spa,…
Shinta Mani room. (photo taken f…
Shinta Mani's restaurant. (photo…
