"Chill out in Siem Reap" Khett Siem Reab by Hewer

Like everybody else, I was in Siem Reap in order to visit Angkor Wat. Has anyone ever visited Siem Reap without going to Angkor Wat? Probably not. This sleepy township is obviously quite a contrast from the ruins, but still has its own plus points. It has all of the conveniences you need and fewer of the pitfalls. I only stayed there for three days. You can walk from one end of town to the other in a couple of hours (or less) and everything becomes familiar after a day or so. The Star Mart, the bank, the woman sellling flowers, the taxi rank etc - all the ma and pa characters are here. The whole place has a familiar feel to it.

This quiet atmosphere might be temporary though - there is construction going on everywhere and now Siem Reap has an international airport and planeloads of arrivals coming in every day (one of those was me).

Tonle Sap lake, Siem Reap

I liked visiting some of the outskirts and other outlying areas. A lot of the locals living in the town seem to be out to make a quick buck and it was bit more laid back off the beaten tracka. There are hundreds of little villages scattered around Siem Reap, and some of the larger ones have a little store and market. This is really out in the sticksand I don't think they get very many out-of-towners, let alone international tourists.

I got a car and driver and headed off into the outlying areas. It was well worth it and I got to have some unusual, memorable experiences. Saw some cockfighting in one little village, got invited into the home of one family and also went for a swim in the lake.

I'm not sure if this sign says 'no swimming' . I certainly hope not! I was the only non-Cambodian taking a dip there, although it seemed very popular with the locals. When I told some of the townsfolk I'd been swimming in Tonle Sap, they thought I was nuts. No ill effects though.

• Pros:Laid back, good place to hang your hat
• Cons:Hawkers
• In a nutshell:Walk around the ruins, rest at Siem Reap