"Surfing high on the Angkor Wat wave " a Phumi Siem Reab Travel Page by CyrilHH

Siem Reab (this is an English transcription of the Khmer name, so an English speaker might come reasonably close to the true pronounciation) is doubly blessed (or cursed, depending on the viewpoint): The town is located about 7 km from the UNESCO world heritage archeological park of Angkor Wat, comprising the breathtaking ruins of the ancient Khmer capital city and royal sanctuaries.

Thus, while Cambodia as a whole may be one of the poorer countries on the face of the planet, thanks to its location Siem Reab is a boomtown combining the sleepy charme of old French Indochina with apparently thriving entrepreneurship. Everyone is making a business with the khmer-thirsting tourists, offering transportation to the ruins on all sorts of vehicules, running a huge array of surprisingly pleasant bars, restaurants and internet cafés, offering massages (traditional I like to assume) or selling fake North Face backpacks - the works. New hotels (sadly looking very much alike) are sprouting like mushrooms. Despite a general air of optimism and new beginning, one is also reminded of the downside of Cambodian history: you will see many land mine victims with limbs missing on the streets, many of them begging for money, a very touching sight. Others, however, work in projects producing quality handicrafts.

So, while the most obvious blessing is the limelight cast on the town by ancient royalty and kingdoms of the past, Siem Reab is also graced by today's royalty. At least until recently, King Sianouk resided here, and he is omnipresent in public and private places. In the picture u see him at the spot where thje road from town hits the Angkor Wat moat, effectively greeting tourists every day (or inviting their reverence) .