Visa Run: Siem Reap

Everyone deserves a second chance, even a country. My first trip to Cambodia, while memorable, didn't give me the best first impression of the country. Don't get me wrong, that spontaneous trip was one of the most fun things I did last year. We got to see some amazing ruins, including the famous and unforgettable Angkor Wat at sunrise. We stayed in a hotel just outside of Siem Reap, and spent out three days in the Angkor Historical Park visiting the temple ruins. This turned out to be unexpectedly expensive; everything there caters towards western tourists, and this is reflected in the western prices. Small crowds of beggar children hounded the tourists at the historical sites begging for money and refusing to take "no" for an answer. Additionally, the monsoons had been very strong, and everything was partially flooded. It was stressful, exhausting, and admittedly we didn't plan as well as we should have. 

evening in Siem Reap

This year, I had made plans for the midterm holiday, but hadn't planned anything for New Year's Eve. I decided to do a "border run" to keep my visa valid rather than check in at the Chaengwatthana Building, because I had time and I would rather take a short trip anyway. I did things differently. I took a direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap, and avoided the majority of the land-border hassle. This time, I passed on the temples, and decided to stay in Siem Reap and have a relaxing holiday. This was a great decision.

Pub Stret, Siem Reap's old French Quarter, is home base for backpackers and foreign travelers coming through western Cambodia. Unlike Bangkok's Khao San Road, Pub Street is a lot nicer, a bit cleaner, and more family friendly in my opinion. My hotel, Molly Malone's Guesthouse, was located in a prime location within walking distance everywhere in the Pub Street area. I spent about half an hour in this area last time, searching for an ATM. I was pleasantly surprised by its charm.

Of course, Cambodia's temples aren't all ruins. Cambodia, like neighboring Thailand, is majorly Theravada Buddhist, and one of the big sites in Siem Reap is a quiet temple called Preah Promreath Pagoda, constructed in 1371. After I wandered through the pagoda on New Year's Eve morning, I headed to the impressive Angkor National Museum.

That evening, for my last meal of 2014, I booked a reservation at the Crystal Angkor restaurant, which has a nightly dinner show. Apsara Dance is the national dance of Cambodia. It is similar to, but different from Ram Khon in Thailand. The show follows a very specific dance, traditionally reserved for kings or other official royal guests. The cool night, delicious Khmer food, and wonderful entertainment made for a fun evening. Focusing on Siem Reap and Cambodian culture, and going slowly and relaxing for the majority of the holiday was a good choice. My second impression of Cambodia was a good one.