"Cambodia" a Angkor Wat Travel Page by mpe514

I went to Siem Reap/Angkor for about 10 days in late December 2004/early January 2005. Temples are beautiful and BIG! Unlike the ones in the ancient capitals in Thailand (Ayuttaya, Sukkothai), you can climb all over them. My idea of a leisurely pace --a few temples a day --and my kind but rigorous driver's idea didn't match and I basically I saw EVERYTHING in 3 days (big circuit) and forced myself to revist favorites 2 more days. I got a week pass, which is too much--read temple overload. Recommend 3-4 days for temples and 1 or 2 for shopping and relaxing. Met lots of nice people and had a great time. Recommend if you are going to visit, you should go asap! It's amazing how developed Siem Reap is (new airport, huge chain hotels)--in future I fear it will be Disney Angkor Land). I stayed at the Palm Village (a hike from the town center, but a fabulous find at a bargain price--clean, spacious bungalows, beautiful pool and breakfast under pavillion $35) and the Angkor Village Hotel (gorgeous, more centrally located, but you are charged for EVERYTHING--and I mean everything). $150+ for deluxe room. Recommend staying at the Palm Village and going into town at night. I had a tuk tuk driver for the day for $10 and would pay an extra $4-5 for being taken into town for dinner and recreation.