First report: A weekend in Siem Reap
May 20, 2015, 10:11 pm
#16
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Yes it's looking beautiful, and at this time of year blissfully quiet.
Formally it's the hot season moving to the rainy season, and the rains clear out the tour groups so we were unencumbered by large groups from certain large Asian countries.
On one of the tours we had the bus to ourself - perfect!
If it's been a few years since you were there I think there have probably even been some improvements. The Japanese and the Germans are working hard to correct years of water ingress due to jungle incursion stablising many structures. The jungle clearing has also helped you to see a little better on occasions.
Formally it's the hot season moving to the rainy season, and the rains clear out the tour groups so we were unencumbered by large groups from certain large Asian countries.
On one of the tours we had the bus to ourself - perfect!
If it's been a few years since you were there I think there have probably even been some improvements. The Japanese and the Germans are working hard to correct years of water ingress due to jungle incursion stablising many structures. The jungle clearing has also helped you to see a little better on occasions.
Jun 16, 2015, 11:06 pm
#17
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Don't kid yourself. All year is the hot season. We went in early Feb and about died of the heat. I had 2 to 3 showers a day as the only way I could cool down was with cool water over my head. My insane and antsy husband went out in the afternoon when everyone else was resting and taking cover, inc the guides.
We were there in 1991 when it first opened after the Vietnamese left. What I would like to know is whether the potentially wonderful museum in Phnom Penh has been renovated. It was like visiting a ruin when we were there. Much of it was open air, sometimes not by design so it was a hot slog to go through it.
We were there in 1991 when it first opened after the Vietnamese left. What I would like to know is whether the potentially wonderful museum in Phnom Penh has been renovated. It was like visiting a ruin when we were there. Much of it was open air, sometimes not by design so it was a hot slog to go through it.
Oct 26, 2015, 3:16 pm
#19
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Oh to both of you I'm so sorry. I didn't realise people still read my thread...
@Karen2
Sadly the museum in Phnom Penh is a bit of a disgrace. It's an open air ruin with a security guard. There is a little information here and there but nothing particularly that you can't glean from looking in from a tall building across the way.
The Genocide Museum outisde the city (at the killing fields) is much better, with an audio guide available in most major languages. Worth the ride out there.
Thanks for reading everybody, and Britinjapan I'm glad you enjoyed it, your kind words mean a lot!
MM
@Karen2
Sadly the museum in Phnom Penh is a bit of a disgrace. It's an open air ruin with a security guard. There is a little information here and there but nothing particularly that you can't glean from looking in from a tall building across the way.
The Genocide Museum outisde the city (at the killing fields) is much better, with an audio guide available in most major languages. Worth the ride out there.
Thanks for reading everybody, and Britinjapan I'm glad you enjoyed it, your kind words mean a lot!
MM
Oct 26, 2015, 3:24 pm
#21
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Oct 26, 2015, 3:38 pm
#22
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I think I remember them and they were really nice
Oct 27, 2015, 6:19 am
#24
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Thanks for reading too2early
Mar 6, 2016, 5:18 pm
#25
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I'm hoping you can now all see some pictures. Let me know if you can't and I'll try again. They are a bit small, but it's the best I can do for now.
I'm having laptop troubles and have misplaced the sun rise photos, but I'll post them asap!
I'm having laptop troubles and have misplaced the sun rise photos, but I'll post them asap!
Mar 6, 2016, 5:34 pm
#26
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We did Angkor last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Temples were out of this world and then Pub St was great fun. $1 beers during happy hours and there are plenty around. You definately need to book a guide to get the most out of the area. Fantastic place to go to experience what Asia was like decades ago.
Mar 7, 2016, 2:58 am
#27
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We did Angkor last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The Temples were out of this world and then Pub St was great fun. $1 beers during happy hours and there are plenty around. You definately need to book a guide to get the most out of the area. Fantastic place to go to experience what Asia was like decades ago.
I used a guide both days and you are right, they offer a lot, and if you get the right one will find you temples without hoardes of tourists blocking every view.
It's worth the hour's drive out to the more remote temples as well, the experience is totally different, and you can get yourself totally immersed in the jungle and the ruins. And it helps if they have an air conditioned minibus and an ice chest full of drinks after trekking through the 40 degree heat...
$1 is a huge bonus as well!
Thanks for reading expatsomchai, and thanks for commenting.
Mar 7, 2016, 7:46 am
#29
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