Well, the last day here, so I figure I'd go see what else Siem Reap has to offer. I tell you, it's hard to find! My hotel doesn't have the plethora of flyers as the Vancouver hotels do, so I had to try to find stuff from my guidebook.
I went to see the Royal Palace, which isn't grand, and you can't go into anyways. It is beside a small garden which I thought was for the King, but is actually upkept by a hotel, probably 5 star. There is also a Buddhist temple here, and the Khmer New Year is starting on the 14th, so people are starting their celebrations. Lots of flower offerings, a few groups of children and adults in traditional clothing go around the businesses for offerings and good luck? I really don't know, but am assuming that it's similar to the Chinese New Year.
We drove by the Wat Bo riverside. It's just an area of small houses/businesses, but I wanted to venture out a little bit and had lots of time today with my tuk tuk driver. I then went to Old Market. I had actually found it by accident last night, but went again in the daytime. I just love the fact that people are selling meat without refrigeration, reminds me of how they do it in Peru. I saw lots of veggie and fruit stands. I bought some rambutan, longan and lychee for my afternoon snack.
I got a ride home for lunchtime, but since I had a bowl of noodle soup, I wasn't hungry, so I wanted to write in my journal. I'm 2 days behind, but all the days are so full! I promptly fell asleep for 3 hours! That tells you how tired I am. Besides, it's a hot country and most people have siesta now, don't they?
Well, I went down to the lobby where they have some tables, usually for breakfast and decided to write. I ended talking to a Chris, a swiss guy who was roaming around the temples on his own. Too bad I didn't meet him any earlier, as we could've shared a tuk tuk or something. He's so brave to do it on his own with the lonely planet guide. Even with my tour guide, I don't feel that I can explain anything...
I went to Old Market for dinner and ate at Temple. It's recommended by Lonely Planet, but I didn't know that until I saw the sign. There is traditional Apsara dancing shows during dinner, so for me, it was a 2 in 1. I ate some fried fish with Cambodian spices, sure was tasty and served in a little palm leaf bowl!
This is such a great area for tourists to roam around. It's safe, concentrated, has souvenirs, massage places, bars, etc. Beer is 50 cents and dinner is less than $5. Your tuk tuk can take you back home for $2!
I went for a pedicure, my nail polish needed to be changed. I met a girl, Song Va and her English was pretty good for someone who works there. I had a foot massage yesterday and the guy, Thi, only knew a few phrases. The massages are so cheap, $5 to $10 for an hour, same as Thailand. If I could, I would have one everyday, but I have a sunburnt neck and shoulder so those areas are sensitive.
I picked up a tour guide from the restaurant and went through the pages, I am missing out on cooking classes and the silk farm! If only I knew, that's where I'd be right now.
So, the next morning, before the airport, I asked to squeeze in a trip to the silk farm at Atrisans d'Angkor. I just love silk and want to know how it's made. I saw the whole thing: silk worms being fed mulberry leaves, making cocoons, how the silk is extracted from the worm, spun into thread, dyed and weaved into a scarf! It's truly amazing and what a beautiful product. I really wanted to buy something, but I have already bought too many souvenirs and I have an extra 6kg in my luggage!
Aw darn, at the exit I saw a sign that I could've had a silk weaving class! I would've totally done that!!!
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