Siem Reap Internatiopnal Airport
The 2 hour flight to Siem Reap was a breeze. Soon after landing, the Siem Reap International Airport greeted us with their smiling Asparas. Cambodian architecture was well evident on the main airport building giving visitors a warm welcome to this little town. Then took a 'moto' to my hostel, The Siem Reap Hostel for 2USD and decided to Hire him as well for this afternoon's sunset trip to Ankor Wat and for the whole day tomorrow. This little town of only 90,000 people may well be the most profitable of all the Cambodian towns. Everything here is in dollar rate so its a bit usless to have your money changed to the local currency, Riel. Everyones always got change for your US dollars, in dollars as well.
The Siem Reap Hostel is located close to Wat Dam Nak and is accessible by foot to the Old Market where all the souvineir shops are.
My 8USD a night dorm bed was way better than what i had hoped for. Thick matress and crisp white sheets all too ready for my much awaited nap. :) There was even a pool, a billiard table, a DVD room and a reading room in the hostel and breakfast was only at 1USD per head if youre staying at the dorm, and so I took my heap of muesli and orange juice berfore i headed to bed. At 3pm I took off and started to walk around the Old Market which was just a few hundred meters away. Restos and cafe's lined the French-style buildings and everything on the menu's were priced in dollars. Even the souveneir sidewalk shops all priced their goods in dollars. Yes, you may pay for it in their local currency, the Cambodian Riel, but would still turn out cheaper if paid in USD bills. Everyone too seemed to have change for Uncle Sam's currency, and of course in bucks too!
At 4:30 my moto driver Rikh picked me up and headed off to see the sunset at Ankor Wat, we were exchanging stories about his countries differences and mine.
He tels me that he's never been outside Siem Reap all his life. He lives with his parents since its customary to live with your folks if you arent married yet in Cambodia. As we approched the Ankor, I could see the familiar silhouette, barely visible behind the glistening moat and an outer wall. I kept my eyes open searching for the 4 symmetrical spires among the trees. We then stopped in front of a long walkway leading to the temple. : I am finally here! All too suddenly i was speechless. The structures right in front of me were a testimony of the overwhelming history of the Khmer Empire, after all this was Ankor Wat, the biggest religious structure in the world. Again, everywhere I looked was a great shot. The sun was setting opposite Ankor Wat, and the sky just highlighted the temple moreso. It was dark when I arrived at the hostel, and decided to settle with cup noodles for dinner as I had to sleep early to catch up with sunrise at the Ankor grounds in the morning.
The Siem Reap Hostel
I just got here today and I'd have to say that this is probably one of the best hostels Ive been to. It's a 4 storey high building with complete ameneties. Free computer use, and it even has a pool! Breakfast is at 1USD if youre staying in an 8USD dorm room. Yes, it may be a bit expensive for Cambodian accomodations (hostels) but it sure is worth the price. Just great, I'd highly recommend this place!
Available room rates:
Dorm rooms - 8USD/head/night the bunk beds are solid so there's no worry about noticing someone wiggling around on the bunk bed. Each bed is provided with a personal reading lamp and a lockable storage area.
Private rooms - Private Room $45 per night (Max 3 people), $30 per night (Max 2 people). These rooms have all the same features of the dorm rooms plus a TV.
To book a bed you can either you may email them or visit www.hostelworld.com / www.hostels.com
