(Un)Reap(ed) : Un(defeat)ed

Siem Reap is hot : boiling over with tourists each month despite her searing heat.

My equally travel addict of a husband, M, was (thankfully) game for a quick whirlwind romance with the city. Now, it may not count for a lot but for someone who breaks out in violent itchy rashes when exposed too long in the sun, it's a sacrifice.

Like I said, Siem Reap is hot. I mean seriously folks. We went in the cooler period in early February this year and I wish I had portable a/c with me. So first tip of the day, avoid the Northen Hemisphere's spring if you can, unless your idea of a vacation is being burnt to a crisp and bringing in your back-pack, bottles of sunblock with the highest SPF protection.

Right. Back to our whirlwind romance with the city.

Siem Reap is the gateway to the magnificent temples of Angkor.

We were hit by the magnificent padi fields in the background immediately upon landing at the modern international airport. Smiling faces greeted us. We were immediately taken in.

So, I had dreams of exploring the ruins, prancing about in my overweight frame reminiscent of Lara Croft. I also day-dreamed that I had the kind of moolah Lara Croft amassed so, the best we could afford on our day jobs, is FCC Angkor - a refurbished French Governor's mansion. A boutique 20-odd-room hotel embracing the art deco style whilst retaining its refined quiet elegance. Sipping cocktails on the verandah overlooking the Siem Reap river is a nice relaxing way to chill after a hard day exploring the temple ruins in Angkor.

The temples at Angkor are every bit I imagined. Colossal. Beautiful. Awe-inspiring.



In seeing these magnificent architecture, you are forced to learn the history of how the Khmer civilisation built the temples in the 12th century. The steep and small steps up to the top of the temples are meant to be climbed up and down on all fours, with your back towards the ground, as a sign of respect for the kings who may be sitting at the top of the steep steps in the temples.

Before I forget, please please please ensure you wear good walking shoes. I cannot stress that enough. I have seen a few tourists in the name of vanity, wear platforms (!!) --> huh? I hate to think how badly twisted their ankles got climbing all that steps. And oh, bring as many pairs of socks as you can (you will need to change them everyday, trust me on this).

Whizzing by in Siem Reap is easy and quick in a Tuk-Tuk though be prepared to get dirty and choked by the dust and debris from the booming construction. Lesson learnt : white T-shirt at 8am turned muddy red by 5pm.

Eat local food. Please. No point going to a foreign country and eat burger and fries, is there? Cambodian cuisine is much like Thai food. But for those who cry at the mere sight of a chilli pod, fret not, Cambodian cuisine is far less spicy.

M and I had our meals mostly included in our room stay in FCC Angkor. So for our last night in Siem Reap, we hit Viroth's Restaurant - a semi-alfresco restaurant serving authentic Khmer cuisine. Mention Viroth's to any Tuk-tuk driver and they'll know it immediately. Be prepared to wait a while if you haven't made reservations though!

All in all, I love Siem Reap - I love the laid back city, fighting to get back on her feet after the genocidal Khmer rule in the 70s. Her people captured my heart, smiling.