Embarking on our first family travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, we were filled with a sense of excitement and curiosity and a little trepidation. Having previously seen quite a bit of South East Asia as a family we were eager to discover something new that felt a little more off of the path. Siem Reap seemed like it would be a great introduction to a land that has only emerged from bitter conflict and horror since the turn of the millennium. It proved to be an incredible destination, offering the perfect blend of cultural exploration, delectable cuisine, and unforgettable experiences. 8 nights in Siem Reap turns out to be only a taster and we will very soon be back. Here are our Siem Reap highlights.
Immersion in Cambodian Cuisine
One of the aspects we love most about travelling is experiencing the local cuisine. Siem Reap did not disappoint. From the vibrant markets to the bustling street food stalls, we indulged in a gastronomic adventure like no other. Siem Reap is super clean and friendly and there wasn’t a place we visited where we had anything but delights and yum.
The Cambodian barbecues were a true interactive delight. You get an array of meats, seafood, and vegetables served to the table, and a barbeque of real charcoal, and then grill as you see fit to get perfection. What a great thing to do together. All of us loved it, taking it in turns to be chef and cook up a storm. The aroma of spices and the sizzling sounds made the whole experience even more enjoyable. A great way to spend an evening – it’s food and entertainment all in one. This place was just amazing https://goo.gl/maps/4GAsCHfdNuBqf6728
Other local specialities we highly recommend trying are: Fish Amok, a traditional Cambodian dish, which combines tender fish cooked in a fragrant curry sauce, served with steamed rice. We had out first experience and the awesome Sambo restaurant – https://sambosiemreap.com/
Also, beef lok lak was a firm favourite; Ice cream rolls were a massive hit with the kids – you can find an array of them on Pub Street. For the best spring rolls try Wild – https://wild-restaurants.com/siem-reap/ and for the biggest, fresh Asian/Western fusion breakfasts try The Source Cafe – https://www.facebook.com/Anytimeiscoffeetime/
There’s also a lot of social enterprise restaurants, helping their local communities, and we found heaps of these throughout the city. Check out the Bayon Bakery, which offers free vocational training for 20 women per year that have come from challenging circumstances. Their croissants are literally amazing – https://www.bayoncoffeeshop.org/
Pub Street: A Vibrant Experience for All
Despite initially having reservations about exploring Pub Street with the kids, we were pleasantly surprised by the lively and family-friendly atmosphere. The street is brimming with an array of restaurants, cafes, and shops, catering to diverse tastes and ages. Pick your time of day of course as the later it gets the louder it gets. Our kids really enjoyed the vibrant street performances as well as the craziness of it all. We went there on New Year’s Eve when it was absolutely crazy packed.
On other nights when it wasn’t quite so intense there were tons of places to sit back, unwind and sample local craft beers or play some pool together – we played a lot of pool. Before 9pm or 10pm it was a great atmosphere but not too insane for a family.
For those seeking more information about the best places to eat, drink, and experience the lively ambiance, the website https://justsiemreap.com/things-to-do/attractions/pub-street/ offers great insights and recommendations.
Mesmerising Performances at the Circus
A highlight of our family travel to Siem Reap was attending a captivating performance at Phare, The Cambodian Circus. This talented troupe of performers showcased their skills through acrobatics, theatre, dance, and live music, all while conveying powerful narratives of Cambodian culture and history. The band leader of the live music is so amazing he was fully a part of the visual experience. The vibrant colours, dynamic choreography, and heartwarming stories kept us enthralled throughout the show.
www.pharecircus.org provides essential information about the performances, schedules, and ticket bookings, ensuring you don’t miss out on this extraordinary experience.
Exploring the Magnificent Temples
No trip to Siem Reap would be complete without visiting the awe-inspiring temples, particularly the iconic Angkor Wat. We dedicated three mornings to exploring the ancient wonders, immersing ourselves in the rich history and intricate architecture. Remember to dress respectfully and have your knees and shoulders covered.
A visit to Angkor Wat has been at the tipperty top of Lou’s bucket list for years. And we ended up watching the sunrise there on New Year’s Day. What an absolutely insane way to see in the New Year. On our trip which was close to ‘post Covid’ travel restrictions, the place was far from busy too. I can’t do it justice here or in the photos or video I don’t think. It’s massive, it’s awe inspiring, it’s a must see place. Our tuk tuk driver recommended that we walk all the way through the temple complex to the other side for pick up, where we were truly away from the crowds with the same incredible views.
Jarvis and Carmen were fascinated by the tales of ancient civilizations as well as tales of Tomb Raider, as we wandered through the temple complexes. The mornings are a great time to go. Nice and early to avoid the crowds and the heat. To plan our temple visits efficiently, we hooked up with a fantastic local tuk tuk driver who came highly recommended by a friend. Now we highly recommend him too. His insight is incredible. Just try to stop him from taking a million photos for you. You’ll find him here; https://www.facebook.com/kakada.morl
Comfortable Accommodation and Refreshing Afternoons
After an adventurous morning exploring temples, retreating to our cosy hotel was a welcome respite. We chose a smallish hotel that, very importantly, had its own pool. It’s a great way to cool off and relax in the afternoons. Our kids would be happy in the pool for hours so it’s entertainment and relaxation all in one. We’d go out and grab some delicious food from across the street at one of the many local restaurants and just head back and eat by the pool and cool down with a few cold beers. Perfection.
Our hotel was in a great spot with the added bonus of being within an easy walking distance of a fantastic gym as well as the centre of town, the local markets, great massage places, and more food options were within a few minutes on a tuk tuk than you could eat at in a year. For more accommodation ideas in Siem Reap, hop over to Booking.com or Agoda.com
Our place was great and you’ll find it here https://www.chateau-angkor.com
Angkor Zipline
Across the course of a long trip, you have to throw in some straight up, out and out entertainment options. And this is up at the top of the list. We spent several hours at Angkor Zipline doing their Gold Eco Tour. By Cambodian standards it’s not a cheap morning out but man it was a blast. A great way to see a little of the jungle and get an adrenaline hit at the same time. A perfect choice for family travel in Siem Reap.
You head out across 8 different ziplines and head across the walkways high high up in the canopy top. The easiest way to book is to jump on line and take the package where they organise your pick up and drop off too so you can get into the park without an additional temple ticket which you’d have to pay for. When we did this we were up in the canopy with a family doing the shorter tour and when that came to an end and we carried on, you knew they wished they were in for the long ride. Book the long one, you will love it;
https://angkorzipline.com/tours/gold-canopy-tour/
In summary, our family travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia exceeded our expectations in every possible way. From immersing ourselves in the tantalising flavours of Cambodian cuisine to exploring the captivating temples and meeting the extraordinarily friendly locals, every moment was filled with wonder and excitement. Siem Reap truly offered a perfect blend of cultural immersion, culinary delights and family-friendly experiences. We loved our first trip so much that we’ve booked to go back to Siem Reap and then go on to explore more of Cambodia for Christmas 2023. We can’t wait.
Click here for our video on our family trip to Siem Reap.
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