One of the most wonderful things about living in Singapore is accessibility to numerous destinations for short vacations.
There are so many places which are merely 2 hours away by flight, that there needn’t be a dull weekend during your tenure in the island country. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, the world is literally your oyster.
For history buffs and those fascinated with ancient cultures, Angkor Wat lies high on the bucket list. It finds itself on the suggested list of the seven wonders of the modern world, though dating back to the 11th century, it can barely be termed modern. It is also the largest temple complex in the world, in fact, the largest religious structure ever built by man, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. And Siem Reap (the town that houses Angkor Wat) being a quick 2-hour flight away, it is the perfect destination for your next long weekend.
After years of travel, I have realised that the difference between just another trip and a trip of a lifetime is insider info and local tips. Here are 5 tips for your next trip to Siem Reap that will help you get the most out of your vacation:
Angkor Wat at Sunrise
Waking up at 4am may not be your idea of a relaxing vacation. It definitely isn’t mine. But as much as I grumbled about it all the way to the temple at 4:30am, one look at the temples at sunrise made it worth the effort. Light creeps up behind the massive stone structures, igniting the skies until the temples seem to be on fire. A sight that cameras will rarely be able to capture, a moment that you need to witness for yourself.
As the temple complex is in the outskirts of the city, it will take you anywhere between 20-40 minutes to get here, depending on where your hotel is located. Also note that you will need to purchase tickets from the ticket office before you can enter the compound. The ticket office is 10 minutes away from the temples and the queue can be long as everyone wants to catch the sunrise. Keep 30 minutes for your ticket collection. You can purchase passes for 1/3/7 days and each person needs to be present at the ticket counter for their photograph to be clicked.
Local dishes you must try
Despite my interest in food, I had never heard of Khmer cuisine until I went to Cambodia. And now I feel that my life has been incomplete without it. The 2 dishes that you MUST have when you visit Cambodia are Fish Amok and Chicken Curry. The coconut milk-based curry reminds one of Thai flavours but is devoid of chilli and delightful on the palate. It is seriously addictive and best had at local hawker stalls.
Night Market
With temples taking up the first half of your day, the perfect way to unwind in the evening is to visit the night market. Fabulous for shopping, here is where you can pick up t-shirts, home décor items and an array of wonderful gifts to take back home. The one tip to keep in mind here – bargain, bargain and bargain some more. The prices quoted are often ‘tourist prices’ and playful bargaining can be a great way to start conversations with locals too.
Dust allergies
If you or someone in your family is susceptible to dust allergies, you may want to exercise caution here. Carry a N95 mask (like Vogmask) and wear it while visiting the temples (especially Ta Prohm). Roaming around in tuk-tuks can be fun but also exposes you to the elements. A little bit of care can ensure your trip is not marred by illness and allergy-attacks.
Hand-crafted infused rum
And finally, if you carry one thing back from Siem Reap, let it be this. A hidden treasure I discovered, Chef Georges Rhumerie and his son create handcrafted infused dark rums which they retail at their (excellent) French Creole restaurant named after the chef. My favourites are coffee and cinnamon, but there are various options you can choose from. The restaurant is quite the find and the food is exceptional too. Reserve a table in advance to avoid disappointment.
