'Choum Reap Sur' Hello Cambodia! '
Wow! This is the first time in the past three months that we fully unpacked. We arrived in this second-largest city 'Siam Reap' at a new, but empty airport. It is the gateway to the 9th-century ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer Kingdom in the 9th-15th century. We were first off the plane and out of Customs in two minutes. Now that's a record! A tiny taxi 'Tuk Tuk' picked us up for our $9 ride into town. We drove past skinny cows in the surrounding rice fields. Our driver explained that cows have parasites and a poor diet which cause health problems here. Cows only cost $220 in Cambodia which is a low price. There are mostly working cows here that are not sold for meat.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at our next home away from home. We were greeted by the French owner of a large expat home. We met a British guest who works online here for months. We have a poolside room with a refrigerator and two burners for $15 nightly. Luxury! The top floor has a communal living room, kitchen, and a large-screen TV. Three straw baskets in the lobby area are for guests to sort their recycling and trash. I watched the maid empty all three baskets into one garbage bag and take it out to the curb. Oh well, I guess she doesn't understand recycling.
I woke up this morning to a guest doing Yoga by the swimming pool. There are also two tightropes across the pool and a trapeze contraption on our deck. I looked out the window this morning to see a man on rings above the ground. It was a little freaky! 😕
The last time in this historic city was seven months ago in January 2023. How has it changed? There are now more restaurants, stores, and city spots open. We can order 'Grab Food' delivered to our hostel. Nearby is a modern supermarket with international products at higher prices. The local restaurants and cafes have international low-cost menus. French food is popular here due to its past history. There is a feeling of the Wild West with motorbikes, food carts, and barefoot tourists in the streets. Today, my avocado salad had a quote from Clint Eastwood stuck to a toothpick, "I tried being responsible, but I didn't like it." 😏
Today we took a Tuk Tuk to the 100-acre Angkor Wat. We bought a 7-day ticket that can be used for over a month. The 900-year-old Buddhist Temple and the ancient city of Angkor used to draw millions of visitors yearly. However, the numbers are down now after the Pandemic. The UNESCO site has a freshwater lake connected to the Mekong River. Angkor Wat reached its peak as a megacity from 1010-1220 with many ancient stone temples still remaining. Monks still live there and can be seen roaming the grounds in orange robes. No photos are allowed unless you ask the monks first for permission. Also, women should not touch or stand close to monks.
We preferred to wander through the ruins rather than take a guided tour of the 402 acres. Over 750,000 people lived there almost a century ago.
It only costs a dollar to take a Tuk Tuk from our hostel into the city of Siam Reap. This driver in the photo is deaf and has a sign requesting us to use hand signals for directions. We tried it and within ten minutes, we arrived in the city center full of tiny restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and artsy shops beside the river. The restaurant menus have both Asian and Western dishes. The fresh spring rolls, noodle dishes, and coconuts are my favorites. Tiny sidewalk bars offer cheap drinks such as 'Alice in Wonderland', 'Hemingway Daiquiri' and the ''Gingerbread Martini.'
Cambodia is full of busy, happy children. Across the street from us is a small shop run by a 53-year-old woman. Her four grandsons under the age of eight help with the store. She practices her English by asking me how old I am, how many children I have, and where I went today. Cambodian public schools are free for students ages 5-15. They only attend school for half a day. One-third of the Cambodian population is under the age of 15. There is an emphasis on improving the education system. The government is also working on providing more access to safe water for everyone. The lack of these basic necessities is apparent as we drive around the countryside. It is dotted with rustic shacks and few modern facilities.
Angkor National Museum
The Angkor National Museum is also impressive in the center of the Siam Reap. It is full of historic statues from the Khmer Empire under the three Kings that led one of the greatest civilizations in the world. Only monks are allowed to live in the Temple of Angkor Wat. Religion has influenced their literature, sculptures, and architecture. Many myths and folk tales have survived over centuries. The Khmer Museum has over 1000 Buddhas in many gestures and poses. It is like taking a trip back in time to ancient civilization with air conditioning and a marble floor.
Angkor National Museum
Last night we took a Tuk Tuk ride out of the city to a local home turned into a garden restaurant. The French owner closed his city location during the Pandemic and reopened it in his own backyard. His Cambodian wife helped cook while his son practiced English with us. The menu changes daily and the price is affordable for an authentic French meal. The couple seated next to us works at UNESCO. It was a magical night to remember.
Siam Reap is still recovering from the Pandemic. Hopefully, more tourists will return to one of the 'Wonders of the World'. Cambodians are hard-working, patient people who have survived past wars and political strife. They continue to improve their country. Youth are bringing high-tech skills and energy to the economy. Cambodia carries on with its national motto, "Nation, Religion, King."
Temple Market Stall
French Outdoor Restaurant
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