Angkor - Recommendations

Wow! We spent the last 2 days exploring some of the temples of Angkor and they are truly breathtaking. Since I have some friends coming here shortly, I'll make this post more of a recommendation/review post.

Sunset at Angkor: So, all the guidebooks say to watch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng, and imply that the sun will be setting right behind Angkor Wat. Unfortunately, this isn't the case, Phnom Bakheng is really cool - up on a hill with a magnificent view of the area, but unless you're really into sunsets, I would say, check this out at another time. The crowds get nuts, when the sun sets all you hear is a ton of cameras clicking away around you, and they limit the amount of people who can climb up there, so you might journey out there only to be disappointed.

Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat: Can definitely be covered by bicycle. Here's a link to our bike route. It's nice to move at your own pace and see the area by bike. There are some fancy mountain bike rentals in Siem Reap, but we decided they weren't work the extra expense ($4/day vs. $1-2/day) especially since they were more likely to be stolen. There are tons of places in Siem Reap that sent them, and we found a particularly lovely family who rents them at the old market bridge (on the east side of the river) right where street 28 starts. They are right on the corner, they give you a free water with your rental, and they are soooooo nice! We visited Bayon (a must see!), Baphuon (pretty cool and not many people make this a nice place to stop), and Angkor Wat today.

Faraway temples: We got a tuk tuk driver to take us to the faraway spots (including Banteay Srey, Ta Phrom, and the landmine museum) for $25. Not sure if this was a good deal or not! Banteay Srey was 37 km from town, so it was a good 1+ hour drive there.

Hotel: We stayed at the New Riverside Hotel for $16/night. It was a little bit further away from town, but they have free tuk tuk service into town, breakfast included, and a swimming pool which was nice to cool off in after a hot day out visiting the temples!

Food: We found an amazing looking restaurant called Chamkar on our last night here so we didn't get to eat here. Organic Rice, totally vegetarian takes on Khmer cuisine. Some people eating there said the food was delish. Keri & Michael - eat here and tell us about it! It's on Pub Street Alley.