Siem Reap: Exploring Angkor Complex and Ecstatic Nightlife

From ancient temples and ruins to wild nightlife, Siem Reap has it all.

I can finally scratch Angkor Wat off my bucket list. I've always wanted to visit the #Angkor complex, because I have constant eagerness to explore unique #architecture across the globe, from ancient to modern architecture.

Cambodia wasn't part of my travel plans in 2018 at the beginning, there were only Java-Bali and Hong Kong. I remember when I accidentally found cheap flight tickets to Phnom Penh that night in mid-June. It was a week after I got back from Hong Kong. I was having dinner with one of my travel mates and we were talking about future travel plans. I had no travel plans after the Hong Kong trip. I was checking flight ticket price on one of the travel e-commerce app and found the cheap flight ticket to #Cambodia (side note: I usually check flight ticket price on Traveloka, but mostly purchase it on the airline app itself, because I often get better deals and it's way easier for me to manage my booking). Without thinking too much, we booked the tickets on Malaysia Airlines app (USD 91 for round trip per person, Jakarta - Phnom Penh, such a good deal, right ?). Initially, there were only two of us, but then our three other friends wanted to join the trip as well. Well, sometimes, the more the merrier.

We flew to Phnom Penh in early September 2018 (we had to spend a night in Kuala Lumpur for transit, while three of our friends have arrived in Phnom Penh the night before). The next day, the five of us went to Siem Reap. The journey took 6 hours by bus, it cost around USD 14 per person (free snacks and mineral water were included). The bus ride was quite comfortable. FYI, although Cambodia has its currency (Cambodian Riel), USD is widely accepted in this country. But, sometimes, they will give you change in Cambodian Riel, though you pay in USD.

The Angkor Complex: Travel Through Time with Wandering Around Enchanting Ruins and Temples

“Exploring the Kingdom of Wonder while surviving the heat is quite an experience.”

We decided to go to bed early once arrived in Siem Reap that night. It would be a big day ahead of us the next day since we planned to explore the huge Angkor complex. The hotel staff advised us to visit Angkor Wat at sunrise to get the best view, but we were too tired to wake up early that day. We rented a Tuktuk for 12 hours (this service was provided by the hotel, I will tell you more about the hotel later because staying here is such a great experience for me). It cost around USD 30 for one Tuktuk (cold towels and mineral water were included). The driver was accommodating. He barely spoke English, but he understood our needs and request.

This is how I describe the weather in Siem Reap that September: hot and dusty wind. Here is a tip for you folks, prepare a mask to protect yourself from the dusty wind. Oh and bring your sunnies as well! Sometimes, the wind is too strong and dusty, so you need to protect your face. Imagine this, wandering around ancient temples and ruins in steamy hot weather. You need to stay hydrated as well.

The Angkor complex is huge. The distance from one temple to another is quite far that's why we rented a Tuk-tuk. Before entering the temples, we need to buy an entrance pass at the ticket center. The ticket center opens from 5 AM until 5 PM. The entrance fee for a one-day pass is USD 37. There are other options: three-day pass (USD 62) and seven-day pass (USD 72). We chose the one-day pass since we only had three days in Siem Reap and we wanted to explore the town as well.

The Angkor complex is one of the magical places that I have visited. I have visited other ancient temples previously in Indonesia, Borobudur and Prambanan temple. Those are beautiful temples as well, but the beauty of the Angkor complex is ethereal. It felt like I was transported back in time. Some temples are located in the jungle. Every moment that I spent wandering around temples made me feel like I was in an adventure of finding a hidden treasure like in Indiana Jones movies.

Angkor Wat was the first temple that we visited that day. It is the biggest temple in the world. It's amazing that the temple was built over a thousand years ago, with limited knowledge of civil engineering. The whole building stands gloriously, exactly like what I saw from the pictures on magazines and the internet. However, we can't freely roam around the temple, because there are some restricted areas.

We managed to visit four temples that day. The other temples that we visited besides Angkor Wat are Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, and Bayon. Banteay Srei and Ta Phrom are located in the jungle, so these places will give you a different ambiance. Ta Prohm is way more touristy compared to Banteay Srei and Bayon. This temple was swarming with many tourists who wanted to take pictures in front of the iconic tree from the "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" movie. I remember more than 30 people queueing up to take pictures and everyone only got around 2 until 3 minutes to do it due to the long queue.

Bayon was the last temple that we visited. Sadly, one of our friends couldn't get into the temple since she lost her pass. By the way, after you purchase the entrance pass, you need to keep it in a safe place (I even put it in my passport holder). You need to show the entrance pass every time you enter a temple.

We visited Bayon at around 4 pm. There were not too many people wandering around the temple, so I could enjoy my time there. If I had to pick a favorite, I would choose Bayon over other temples. I love the architecture, especially the relief sculpture.

That day, I wore an off-shoulder maxi dress, but I had to cover my bare shoulder with a scarf whenever I entered a sacred place.

Siem Reap's Nightlife: A Night To Remember

“Two things that describe nightlife in Siem Reap: cheap booze and vibrant parties.”

We woke up late that Saturday. It was our second day in Siem Reap and we decided to spend the morning resting at the hotel. Exploring the Angkor complex was fun but exhausting as well due to the steamy hot weather. After feeling more energized, later that day, we went out to the art market to buy some souvenirs (side note: don't forget to bargain when you want to buy something, the price can become two times cheaper). I bought Cambodian silk for my Mum and my sisters (the pattern is so pretty!). I wanted to visit the Angkor silk farm which is located near Siem Reap, but didn't have enough time to do that (well maybe next time!). I also bought some spices and dried pandan tea leaves for only USD 1.5 per package.

That night we decided to explore Pub Street, which is known as the center of nightlife in Siem Reap. This place reminded me of Gili Trawangan and its party scene at first. By the way, the price of alcohol in Cambodia is very cheap. Before we went to Pub Street, we went to a grocery store to buy wine and some Jack D's whiskey (we were a bit shocked because the prices were way cheaper compared to alcohol prices in Jakarta). After drinking and getting a little tipsy near the poolside of the hotel that sunset, we decided to continue the"party".

As one of the most happening party destinations in South East Asia, Pub Street offers distinctive and vibrant ambiance, and it is one of my favorite places for partying besides Bali and Gili T. Not too many locals in this area, it was swarming with people across the globe. Don't forget to try the local Angkor beer for only USD 0.5 per pint (it's crazy cheap, right ?). It tasted smooth like water, so we ended up buying more and two of our friends got wasted. I also ordered the cocktails, the gin tonic only cost USD 2 per glass. But, hey, don't get too wasted if you travel by yourself. You can party as wild as you can, but stay safe folks, especially when you travel overseas.

USD 0,5 for a pint of Angkor beer

You can enjoy all these great deals everyday!

One of the street food that you should try in Siem Reap is Amok, it is made of coconut milk. It tasted really good!

Roasted pork here tasted a bit bland to me because apparently people in Cambodia don't usually use salt when marinating the meat. I knew this after asking the seller about it.

Side Note: The Bunwin Residence

As I told you earlier, I will tell you more about the hotel where we stayed during our stay in Siem Reap. A little story about it. I booked this hotel through Booking.com for two pax, a couple of months before our arrival (because initially, it was only for the two of us, but later on, our three friends joined us for this trip). Then, I modified the booking through the platform due to the change in the total number of people. The price got beyond our budget and we decided to cancel our booking and book a cheaper hotel. Then, the hotel manager contacted me through e-mail and asked about the reason of the cancellation. I explained about the budget and the manager kindly asked "How much would you like to pay for a room (five pax) that can fit your budget? We do hope we have a chance to provide our service and meet at Bunwin."

Our budget for five pax (three nights) was USD 170. After telling him that, I got a prompt response and he agreed to the price I stated. We stayed at a beautifully designed family suite (I love the wooden ceiling) with en-suite bathroom and terrace. The room is also located near the poolside. Continental breakfast was also included. They also provided free Tuk-tuk rides to downtown, twice a day! It was such a great deal, right? They picked us up at the bus station without any additional charges. The manager and the staff were very accommodating. They even lent us a mobile phone whenever we went out, so we could call them when we needed a pickup. The service was excellent. I would recommend this place!

Welcome Drinks and Snacks

The continental breakfast was great!

The Beautiful Poolside.

For first time visitors, I think four days are enough to visit Siem Reap. But, if I had more time, I would explore the town more. Visiting the Angkor complex is a mandatory thing to do as well as experiencing the nightlife scene. However, there are some places I still want to visit, such as the art museum and the Angkor silk farm. I haven't even tried the Khmer massage.

I would love to go back next time.