Cambodia is super accessible from Thailand and was near the top of our Southeast Asia travel bucket list. So when my parents offered to watch Jellybean for a few days so the hubby and I could go away, we happily accepted their offer. Quickly we decided Siem Reap would be the perfect place for our ‘toddler-free’ vacation.
Tip: If you don’t get a tourist visa prior to arrival (which isn’t necessary you can get one at the airport prior to customs), bring a passport photo with you. If you forget the photo, don’t fret they will make a copy of your passport photo for an additional fee.
We stayed at The Golden Temple Hotel and I would highly recommend it! The price point, location, great pool and friendly staff made for an excellent stay. Not to mention our room rate included daily buffet breakfast, one set dinner at the hotel restaurant, free 60 minutes massage, daily one hour cocktail reception at Sky Lounge, and pick-up/drop-off at Siem Reap Airport.
Delicious welcome drink & snack. The banana chips … gah, to die for!!
Breakfast buffet (above) & hotel entrance (below).
Day 1: Touring the Angkor Complex
We decided to splurge and hired a tour guide to take us through the Angkor complex. It was absolutely the right call. The tour included a driver, car with AC, water and a guide who spoke perfect English. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a ton about Cambodia, the temples as well as the unrest in the region.
Tip: Bring light weight pants with you or plan to buy the ‘elephant’ pants before making your way to the temples. Conservative wear is required.
Bayon temple {above} was probably our favorite of all the temples. Surprising, I know … everyone’s favorite seems to be Angkor Wat. Does the location in the picture below look familiar? It might if you’ve seen Lara Croft: Tomb Raider! Ta Prohm has so many trees growing over the temple.
The tuk tuks are definitely different in Cambodia than Thailand. Many of the tuk tuk drivers were chilling in their hammocks while their patrons toured the temples. Must admit the idea of hanging a hammock for a little nap was pretty nifty!
And, the grand finale of the day was this perfect view of Angkor Wat!
We had dinner at the Chanrey Tree restaurant. Although it was walkable from our hotel, we chose to take a $2 tuk tuk ride there instead {we were pooped from all the walking we did that day}. The food was really good and the restaurant ambience was cool.
Day 2: Touring Angkor Complex, Circus & Night Market
It was surprising to me the sheer number of temples in the complex. And, I would love to have seen how these large temples were built and decorated during a time when modern technologies weren’t available.
Banteay Srei temple is a bit of a drive from Angkor Wat, but worth the trip. The craftman’s ship is unbelievable!
When we hit our limit with the temples we headed back to the hotel to spend a few hours pool side.
The Phare Circus was fabulous and if you have time something worth seeing. Tickets can and should be purchased online ahead of time. We had the tuk tuk driver dropped us off at the night market on the way back from the circus. We purchased some baby and toddler-sized elephant pants, which I haven’t been able to locate in Bangkok for some strange reason. My favorite find of the night market was a canvas wrap painting of Angkor Wat, which is now hanging in our living room!
It took so much restraint not to inundate you with more pictures from our time in Siem Reap. We had an excellent vacation and Cambodia is absolutely worth the trip, especially if you are already in Southeast Asia. And, I must admit, I was glad we didn’t bring Jellybean along on this trip. Between the heat, steep steps, uneven footing and all the walking it was not a toddler friendly vacation.
Have you been to Cambodia? If so, what was your favorite part?
