Siem Reap, Cambodia

Clean! Cool! Efficient! These were the impressions as we stepped off the plane onto the manicured grounds of the uncommercialized, architecturally traditional Khmer airport terminal, into the welcoming, fresh, cool breeze and were whisked through the VOA process (no hassle visa-on-arrival; just have a passport photo and $20USD ready).

 

Siem Reap's airport: quaint, serene, manicured...not a speck of litter

Friendly, helpful money changers, cheap sim cards and calling  plans at $5USD for 60 real minutes talk or data, unlimited text, call  internationally from anywhere in Cambodia without roaming!

Why are our Canadian mobility providers overcharging us when the providers in this little 3rd world country can do it so cheaply?

Rasi, our "tuk tuk" driver with Mrs. Mundain

A pleasant ride through the town brought us to our accommodations, the Shadows of Angkor Wat Guesthouse...good, clean , simple but pleasantly appointed rooms with much needed a/c and wi-fi Internet for $25 USD per night.

Mr Mundain enjoying the balcony while Mrs Mundain  "day trades"

Famished, we dropped off our bags and wandered into the "old town" and market area to grab a bite to eat at this Vietnamese joint...

  

Vietnamese Iced Coffee with condensed milk, lemongrass juice, lime juice on ice and pho condiments

  

After a simple lunch of Cambodian styled pho, we browsed our way through "old town" with its many shops, restaurants, bars, massage parlors, hawkers, con men, tuk tuk drivers, street entertainers, and karaoke bars.

We were intrigued by the multitude of skin exfoliating live fish tanks (they cook the fish for you after the fish have eaten the dead skin and callouses off your feet...yummy... by the way have you tried Hai'amaso Galabo yet?).

We came across Angkor Palm aka the best Cambodian Restaurant in Siem Reap as rated by Lonely Planet! A MUST TRY THAT WE ARE SAVING  AND SAVORING FOR TOMORROW...AFTER ANGKOR WAT!!!