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The Red Piano in Siem Reaps Pub Street is closed

Siem Reap is under construction

Written by André Ruys on 06/23/2021. Posted in eat in Siem Reap, Kambodscha, News and Updates, Siem Reap.

The Covid 19 pandemic has turned Siem Reap into a ghost town. On Pub Street, almost all bars and restaurants are closed, and the road to the airport is lined with hotels with a “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign on the drawn bars at the entrance gates. The number of foreign tourists has dropped by over 90 percent. Small stores that once sold cold coconuts and fried bananas at Angkor Wat now offer face masks.

At the same time, a gigantic construction project has begun. In 2020, the central government in Phnom Penh had decided to renovate 38 roads in Siem Reap. A budget of $150 million has been set aside for this – most of the money comes from the sale of state-owned land.

Workers replaced the tourists in Siem Reap

For several months now, excavators have replaced the tourist buses, construction workers with helmets and high-visibility vests stand where Chinese visitor groups once ran after their guides. Sivutha Road in the heart of Siem Reap is also being renovated, as is Airport Road. New sewage pipes are being laid in Pub Street. Where once Angelina Jolie drank a cocktail, the shutters are now down. The Red Piano has opened a second branch on Sok San Road, which is already completed.

The road between Pub street and Sivutha Road in Siem Reap

There were protests here and there because some houses were built into the street or stalls took up a few meters of public space. But the otherwise so good relations did not help, some hotels had to rebuild their driveways or even lost their reception.
The new streets will not only get a new surface. The project includes laying most of the cables in the ground. At the same time, the roads will be widened to their original width, and many will even get a sidewalk.

The once famous Elephant Hotel gets an overhaul

Currently, around June 2021, most water and sewage pipes have been laid, and the trenches and holes have been filled in again. At Jajavarman Hospital, the first sections are already finished. Likewise, the Airport Road is already getting its asphalt in some areas.

A new city will emerge

When tourists return to Siem Reap in 2022, they will certainly see a different picture than before. In a video, City Hall painted the picture of magnificent boulevards and boats on the Siem Reap River. Even if some doubt, in any case, Siem Reap will look different.

But tourists are still a long way off. The numbers with new infections are nationwide in the middle three-digit range, in Siem Reap between 20 and 30 daily. There is a ban on alcohol sales; also a ban on gatherings, and a curfew between 10 pm and 4 am. Vaccination is currently underway in the main city of Phnom Penh and the worst affected provinces. The rate is 20 percent, and most of the vaccines come from China, SinoPham, and SinoVac. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced plans to have all citizens vaccinated by 2022.

Street food in Siem Reap you should not miss

Written by André Ruys on 09/26/2020. Posted in Food adventure, Kambodscha, Siem Reap, Siem Reap Höhepunkte.

Everyone is talking about street food in Siem Reap, but only few actually know where to get the best dishes. As food lovers our team went out for dinner to our favorite places in Siem Reap, and some of them are not on the usual bucket list for tourists.

The riverside stalls in Siem Reap

Beside the stalls on road 60 the riverside from Wat Preah Rath all the way down to the roundabout opposite the cinema provides a large selection of street food. You get grilled chicken and pork, squid and other seafood as well as classics like fried rice and fish amok. The stalls south of the police post at the bridge are usually more touristy, while locals eat at the stalls north of the old market. One of our favorites is nearly at the end of the line and run bu a couple, who worked here for four years. This stall has probably the best pork rips and chicken legs, but serves also a rare delicacy: steamed cow brain with mushrooms. The soup is quite famous in Cambodia, but only few stalls actually serve it.

Street food at Road 60

Opposite the Angkor Wat ticket counter is another street food in Siem Reap paradise, although not the best place for vegetarians. In the early afternoon this part of road 60 starts to fill with vendors pushing their carts and unfolding tables and stands. Within an hour the first grills are up and running. at some places you van buy take away, others have some plastic chairs and tables when you can sit and enjoy grilled chicken, fish, meatballs and of course lots of fried insects. The area is popular with locals, and most vendors don’t speak English. Best is to just point on something and ask how much (“Bon man”) They will usually tell you the price in dollar.

Street food in Siem Reap by Ms. Hong Ginlai

One of our most booked food experiences was making street food in the morning at the restaurant of Ms. Hong Ginlai. She moved her stall in 2020 from the behind the provincial hospital to the street where the high school is located. And she got so busy, that unfortunately she can’t cook with tourists anymore. However, you can still watch her making lots dishes and of corse try them.

Every day she prepares up to 15 dishes, from sour soup to Koh Kor, fried fish cakes and her signature dish, prahok ktis. She is open from 8 am until everything is sold out, usually around 5pm. While she doesn’t speak English, ordering dishes is simpel: just point on the dish you want to eat. One of the most authentic street food in Siem Reap experiences.

The best Num Pang (Banh Mi) in Siem Reap

This Num Pang Saik Ko ang street food in Siem Reap shop is here since 30 years — This Num Pang Saik Ko ang shop is here since 30 years

The marinade recipe was developed by the grandmother

If you haven been to Vietnam, you most likely had a banh mi, the sandwich with pate and beef or chicken and some pickeled vegetables. Cambodia has its own version called Num Pang pate, but there is also a sandwich with grilled beef which is then Num Pang Saik Ko Ang. One place near wat Damnak is famous for it grilled beef sandwiches, it on the corner where Rabutan Lane starts and where the Khmer Grill was once. This small restaurant sells the sandwiches since 30 years. What makes it so special is the marinade. Its the old recipe developed by the grandmother. The stall opens late afternoon, around 5pm and you cannot miss it, just stop where all the motobikes are parked.

Khmer waffles made by Ms. Laum, best street food in Siem Reap

Another of our hosts, Ms. Laum, is also a street food seller, but for the sweet tooth. She makes some of the best Khmer waffles, Num Pom, in Siem Reap. She uses not only coconut milk, but als fresh grated coconut flesh, and prepares the batter every morning in her home, You can find her on Sivutha road, where the pub street starts, from 8am until she sold out. In case she isn’t there, another alternative is the stall under the big tree opposite Amazon cafe on the river side.

The barkeepers at Bar 43, one of the best five bars in Siem Reap 2020

The five best bars in Siem Reap 2020

Written by André Ruys on 08/18/2020. Posted in eat in Siem Reap, Experience Cambodia, Kambodscha, Siem Reap, Siem Reap Höhepunkte.

In Siem Reap, cocktails are served on every street corner. Since the beer was reduced to 50 cents a few years ago, cocktail prices went down as well. But the venue operators could only do that because they used cheap spirits. Those who drink a Pina Colada for 2 dollars hardly get a good rum in it. Additionally, as it is so often usual in Asia, every bar and restaurant has the same offers on the menu. The standards and the shooters. But there is light on the horizon. We found the top five bars in Siem Reap 2020 that make more than just gin tonic and margarita. We went out to look for quality and style, and we found some real gems!

Bar 43: The creative bar

Midnight monk cocktail at Bar 43 in Siem Reap

You can tell how good the drinks are just by looking at the bottles on the shelf of a bar (https://web.facebook.com/Bar43REP). In the new Bar 43 you will not find any of the usual suspects like Jameson or Gordon’s Gin. Instead, premium ingredients are used here. There you can eve have a Japanese whiskey in a cocktail. The menu is small but very creative. There’s also very fancy gin, rum and whiskey for those who like a neat drink. Standards are also offered. The ambience somehow takes the visitor into a French road movie of the 70s, also because the two owners look like they just jumped out of this movie.
Recommended cocktail: Midnight monk
Location: West Alley 43, a small side street near the Pubstreet

Miss Wong – the classic bar in Siem Reap 2020

Miss Wong is something like an institution. She definitely belongs to the five best bars in Siem Reap 2020, if only because of the decoration. The bar has just moved to 26nd Street, and has become even more beautiful. The interior reminds of a middle-class Chinese house and is a colorful mixture of decoration and design. The cocktails have it all, the ingredients are exclusively premium spirits. For the small hunger there is Dimsum.
Recommended cocktail: Rose & Lemongrass Martini
Location: Street 26

Menaka Lounge the quietest of the five best bars in Siem Reap 2020

Menaka Lounge is the only Speakeasy place in Siem Reap — Menaka Lounge is the only Speak-easy place in Siem Reap

Finest Japanese whisky is on the shelf at Menaka lounge

The only real speakeasy bar in Siem Reap is not easy to find. Opposite the Old market you have to walk through the Menaka Bistro and then climb up the stairs, but the climb is worth it: Old leather sofas in English club style invite you to stay. In the Menaka one has his quietness, even if it is only a few meters away from the party mile Pubstreet. On the menu there are own creations of cocktails that are sorted according to the different eras of Angkor Wat. Accordingly, ingredients such as Jackfruit and Kampot pepper are found. There are also some rare Japanese whiskeys and excellent rum.
Recommended cocktail: Don’t Miss Me Baby
Location: 2 Thnou Street, Old Market Area

Elephant Bar Raffles: For fine spirits

The Raffles Hotel in Siem Reap is one of the best addresses and since its renovation has been brought up to date without forgetting its colonial history as the Grand Angkor Hotel. State guests and royals stayed here. The Elephant Bar is accordingly legendary. The barkeepers are discreet enough to name names, but they can tell a story or two what happened here. Sitting in one of the leather armchairs, you feel like you’ve been transported back to the times when European business people discovered Asia. The assortment is top class, only the finest whiskies are available here as well as gins and other spirits.
Recommended Cocktail: Airavata
Location: Roya Garden, opposite Palace

Chi at the Anantara Hotel – best whiskies

T he Chi is actually the restaurant in the luxury Hotel Anantara, but it also has a bar where you can take a seat and enjoy excellent spirits. Most cocktails are standard, but with premium ingredients. Whisky lovers will get their money’s worth here, though, as there are a few rarities of single malt and Japanese drops on offer. It’s best to go straight to the bar and see what’s new in the range.
Recommended drink: Macallan 12 fine oak
Location: Airport road, next to ferris wheel

Summary:

Our favorite of the best five bars in Siem Reap 2020 is Bar 43, followed by Miss Wong and Menaka Lounge. All have excellent cocktails and an impressive selection of spirits. Also, the interior is inviting and relaxing, and prices are very reasonable.

5 best local coffeeshops in Siem Reap 2020

Written by André Ruys on 08/16/2020. Posted in Food adventure, Kambodscha, Siem Reap, Uncategorized.

You don’t have to walk around in Siem Reap for long to discover a small coffee stand on a street corner. Locals in Cambodia have discovered their love for coffee and many have opened their own coffee shops. Due to the Covid pandemic many cafes and restaurants have had to close, but a new one has opened. We have looked at the 5 best local coffeeshops in Siem Reap in 2020. They all belong to Cambodians as well.

Romsai Cafe

A little below the Sarai Hotel at the junction of Salakamreuk and Sombai Road is the Romsai Cafe. It is truly an oasis, as the owner has made a point of ensuring that the ambience here is dominated by many plants. You can get different kinds of coffee, but also local food. The coffee is roasted in Cambodia, the beans are from Asian farmers. Try the coconut coffee!

Romsai is one of the 5 best coffeeshops in Siem Reap

Order suggestions:

Coconut Coffee
Cafe Latte
Noodle soup with beef

Opening hours:
Daily from 7am to 6pm

Price: $

Noir Cafe is one of the 5 best local coffeeshops in Siem Reap 2020

Noir started with a small corner in a minimart of a hostel. Meanwhile there are three branches in Siem Reap and three in Phnom Penh. The charm lies in the decoration, all coffee shops have something of industrial design, the owner Sotheara Tit has put a lot of effort into the interior design. There is also food here and one speciality is egg noodles and wontons, which are made according to Sotheara’s grandmother’s recipe.

Noir is one of the 5 best local coffeeshops in Siem Reap 2020

Order suggestions:

Milk with egg
Cafe Latte
Noodle soup with wonton

Locations:
Diagonally opposite the Park Hyatt
Road 6/Tela petrol station Royal Garden
Road 6/Lokthaneuy Road

Opening hours:
Daily from 7am to 6pm

Price:
$

Biolab: One of the best coffeeshops in Siem Reap to work

The small café was founded in 2018 and has slowly but surely developed into a meeting place for digital nomads and one of the 5 best local coffeeshops in Siem Reap 2020. The owner Samnang dared something by setting up the cafe a bit like a laboratory. You still get some drinks served here in a glass flask. On the two floors you can work in peace on your laptop, you can also rent a meeting room and even a small office. Meanwhile the coffee is roasted by yourself. Biolab also has a branch at Sa Srang in the Angkor Wat complex.

Order suggestions:

Passionfruit soda
Espresso

Location
Wat Bo road/street 22
Opening hours: Daily 7am -9pm

Price: $$

Temple Coffee n Bakery: Most comfortable of the best coffeeshops in Siem Reap 2020

Temple Bakery is one of the most comfortable coffeeshops in Siem Reap

After Lee Kong Srin and Lee Kong Vong, the founders of the legendary club in the pub street in Siem Reap, became more and more successful, they started a new project right at the river. The Temple Bakery has three floors, from here you can enjoy the sunset from the roof. On the ground floor and the first floor there are super comfortable lounges where you can relax.

Order suggestions:

Prahok Ktis
Coffee latte
Cocktails

Price: $

Opening hours:
7am-11pm

Location:

Street 25 at the river

Madame Cafe

Actually, it’s just a little shack with a coffee machine in it. But the Madama Cafe on the river has become so popular with locals that sometimes there can even be traffic problems. You are sitting here directly at the Siem Reap River, among flowers and trees. The coffee is cheap, and you can also buy smoothies and even baked goods.

Order suggestion

Iced coffee
Cinnamon Rolls

Opening hours:
7am-9pm
Price: $

Location: Riverside street, corner street 27

Brown Coffee

The most successful Cambodian coffeeshop company is Brown

When the Chang Bunleang and the other young founders of Brown Coffee opened their first shop in Phnom Penh in 2009, nobody believed that they would one day become the largest chain in Cambodia. The entrepreneurs started with 10 employees, today 700 people work in 21 stores. In Siem Reap there is a cafe next to the Treeline Hotel on the river and a larger one at the end of Tapul Road. At Brown, the coffee is roasted by themselves and there is also very tasty food. It is for sure one of the 5 best local coffeeshops in Siem Reap 2020.

Order suggestion

Coffee latte
Chocolate frappe
English Breakfast sandwich

Price: $$

Opening hours: 6.30am -10pm

Location: Treeline Hotel and Tapul road/Road6

10 false tourist assumptions about Cambodia

Written by André Ruys on 07/28/2020. Posted in eat in Siem Reap, food in Cambodia, Kambodscha, Khmer culture, Siem Reap.

When you travel to Cambodia, you will certainly look for information in travel guides and on the website of the Foreign Office. What diseases are there, how to behave, what is allowed and what not. But many assumptions about Cambodia are outdated today and therefore we want to help you to get a realistic picture.

1. No ice cubes in the drink

Today the ice for drinks comes from a specialized production and is made from filtered drinking water. You can put ice in your drink today without hesitation. Furthermore, beer is often drunk with ice instead of being cooled.

2. Drinking water cannot be used for brushing your teeth

That too is outdated today. Phnom Penh has an excellent drinking water supply, and the water is constantly being tested. This is also the case in Siem Reap. In the countryside, water often comes from a groundwater pump. When brushing your teeth or taking a shower, this is no problem.

3. You must help Cambodians

Even though Cambodia is a poor country and the majority of the people here live from one day to the next, they also have their pride. Distributing books and pens to children is no longer appropriate today. It is better to finance a child’s education through an organization (Green Gecko), or to go to local restaurants run by locals. You can always leave a tip.

4. There is a tuktuk on every corner

Since about 2018, Cambodia has had Passapp, and now Grab. With this apps you can call a rickshaw (motor tricycle) or a tuktuk. This is cheaper, faster and you get a fixed price. Many tuktuk drivers have taken advantage of tourists again and again and charged far too high prices. You are free to tip here as well.

5. A restaurant is good if there are many guests

Many cafes and restaurants with high ratings are run by foreigners who are more familiar with social media. But that does not mean that you get better food. The rule that a restaurant is good because there are many people there is only true to a limited extent. Tourists go where they see tourists, without this having anything to do with price and quality. In case of local restaurants it is different, there, a visit is worthwhile.

6. The Khmer Rouge trauma

Although the time of the Khmer Rouge was a traumatic event for the Khmer living at that time, most young people today know little about it. It is part of history, but Cambodia is more than just the few years of reign of terror.

7. Cambodia is a combination destination

Die New Cambodian Arrists — Die New Cambodian Artists

Many combine Cambodia with a trip to Thailand, Vietnam or Laos. You can also spend two or three weeks in Cambodia. There is more to see here than just Angkor Wat. Siem Reap alone has many other destinations, and then there are the beaches, the city of Battambang and the great forests.

8. Siem Reap is Angkor Wat

Of course, Siem Reap is known by Angkor Wat, and you just have to have seen it. After all, it is the largest temple complex in the world. But there is much more to see and experience. For example a meal with locals, or a bike tour through the rice fields. You can explore the temples in the outskirts or spend the night in the forest. There are great yoga classes and you can meditate with monks.

9. Cambodian food is simple

When you come to Cambodia, you will of course try Fish Amok and Beef Lok Lak. But there are many other dishes. Especially when it comes to soups and curries, Cambodia has a lot of culinary delights to offer. The pork is especially good here and if you like you can also eat fried insects.

10. You have to support an NGO

Cambodia is a developing country, and particularly in terms of health care and education, it lags far behind other countries. However, even the many aid organisations have not been able to change this. If you want to help, support Cambodian shops and drivers. If you really want to donate, we recommend the Kanta Bopha Hospital or the Angkor Children Hospital. They do a great job.

Independence Monument Phnom Penh, a visit is on thing of what to do in Cambodia

The best reasons to travel (now) to Cambodia

Written by André Ruys on 02/27/2020. Posted in cooking class, Food adventure, Khmer culture, Siem Reap, Uncategorized.

Even if travel is right now not on everyone’s priority list, there are good reasons to book or start a trip to Cambodia now. We tell you the 5 best reasons to travel to Cambodia.

1. favourable prices, good connections

Cambodia is one of the few countries where there are no cases of Covid 19 virus. This makes it a safe country to travel to, and at present prices are also quite low. The government has not only given tax breaks to hotels, but also extended the validity of tickets for Angkor Wat until the end of June. The one-day ticket is now valid for 2 days, the three-day ticket is valid for 5 days. This gives travelers even more time to explore the temples and the surrounding area.

In addition, the Arab airline Emirates now flies directly to Phnom Penh, so that if you are coming from Europe you no longer have to change planes in Bangkok or other cities. Qatar Airways will even fly directly to Siem Reap from the end of the year.

2. rich culture

Sam peah, the Khmer greeting for older people

The Cambodian culture is one of the oldest still existing cultures and formed the basis for the Thai and Lao culture. The Khmer empire was once larger than that of Charlemagne and even today the country is rich in cultural offerings. Most famous is of course the temple of Angkor Wat, there are also many other sights. A small insider tip is Banteay Chhmar, about 3 hours west of Siem Reap. Here a Khmer temple is maintained by the village community, which also offers travelers to stay overnight in the village and eat together.
In Siem Reap as well as in Phnom Penh and in Battambang, art scenes of modern local artists are developing and are attracting more and more attention. They take up historical themes like the Khmer Empire and the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge, but also modern developments like climate change and pollution.

3. great food is one of the best reasons to travel to Cambodia

Cambodian cuisine was already established in its basic features during the reign of King Jayawarman II, who also ruled the Khmer Empire in its greatest expansions. It has influences from India, but contains many local spices and ingredients. Fish is one of the most important ingredients because it was an easy source of protein. Today there are also very tasty fish dishes, such as a meat stew and the famous Beef Lok Lak. Increasingly, vegetarian dishes are also available. In Cambodia many different soups – Samlor – are cooked, ranging from a sour broth to a creamy curry. Grilled meat is also popular, which travelers can also buy at street stalls. Those who like it exotic can also try stuffed frogs and fried insects.

4. enchanting landscapes

If you travel between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap by car or bus you will get a first impression of the landscape. Along the National Road 6 there are rice fields which sometimes reach up to the horizon. But Cambodia has even more to offer, for example the forests in Norng Kabat in Ratanakiri province. Here you can still see wild animals and untouched nature, as well as breathtaking waterfalls and hidden ponds where you can fish.

5. meet nice people

Meeting people is one of the best reasons to travel to Cambodia

If you are traveling in a group or with other tourists, you will sometimes not have time to get in touch with locals. Thereby, one gets a much better insight into the culture of the country and the different habits. At Dine With The Locals you will meet Cambodian families and spend a few hours together. They cook and eat together, but also have time to visit the family’s home and the surrounding area and to exchange ideas.

The food adventure with local families

Written by André Ruys on 02/16/2020. Posted in Eat in Vietnam, Food adventure, Siem Reap, Siem Reap Höhepunkte.

We were recently thinking how we describe our service. The best way to do that is a brainstorming session, so we took our post its and wrote down words who came in mind related to what Dine with the locals is actually doing. The result was “The food adventure with local families”. We think this and our name really tells our story. It is not just having a meal with a local family. It is not a cooking class or a food tour. We offer a food adventure, because every host is different, every menu is different and every environment is different.

Our food adventure with local families bring you to new places

Why food adventure with local families?

Diversity and variety is what drives us. We want you as a traveler to be open and curious, without to many expectations but looking forward to a new experience. We have now 20 hosts in Cambodia and Vietnam, and every adventure is unique. Sometimes you spend a lot of time just chatting, like with Vannak Khun, a contemporary artist. Or you explore the hidden valleys in Saigon and discover Thun and his family in her house. You meet Ms. Laum, who tries to make a living form selling Khmer waffles on the side of the street or find the way through the forest to Vannariths house. You join Panha in Phnom Penh whi will take you to the village where she grew up. You buy food at a market in Stueng Treng in the northeast near the Lao border.

Unforgettable moments and a great adventure

And you always make new friends and create memories. The food adventure with local families means you will experience a new and different environment, a new culture and new customs. At the same time it is a safe thing to do, no zipline or rock-climbing involved.Our hosts have clean homes and clean food as well, nothing to worry about.

Was kann man in Siem Reap machen?

Written by André Ruys on 02/12/2020. Posted in Kochkurs in Kambodscha, Siem Reap, Siem Reap Höhepunkte.

Auch wenn Siem Reap vor allem wegen Angkor Wat bekannt ist, kannst du als Tourist mehr machen als nur die Tempel anzuschauen. Die Stadt und die Umgebung haben eine Menge zu bieten und wir haben einmal einige Dinge aufgeschrieben die du in Siem Reap machen kannst. Wir wollen dabei helfen, länger in Siem Reap zu bleiben und mehr als nur die – in der Tat atemberaubenden – Tempelanlage zu sehen.

Kunst

Es gibt viele einheimische Künstler die in Siem Reap ausstellen.

Wir haben eine Menge Künstler und Galerien in Siem Reap, die du besuchen kann. Den Anfang macht die Tribe Gallery in der Market Street, gleich hinter dem Provinzhospital. Die beiden Besitzer stellen hier Werke von kambodschanischen, aber auch internationalen Künstlern aus. In der gleichen Straße ist übrigens unser Host Ms. Hong Ginlai, bei der du morgens lernen kannst, wie man Straßenessen kocht.

Eine weitere Gallerie ist Theams House https://theamsgallery.com/ , ein Wohnhaus, das gleichzeitg Atelier und Gallerie ist. Gegründet wurde sie von Lim Muy Theam, einen bekannten kambodschanischen Künstler der hier auch Workshops anbietet.

Die Batia Sarem Gallery ist noch recht neu in Siem Reap, hat sich aber einen Namen mit modernen kambodschanischen Künstlern gemacht, die hier ihre Werke zeigen. Gleich gegenüber ist die Bamboo Stage, die abends Schattenspiele zeigt, aber auch kambodschanische Folklore-Musik.

Sport

Cycling is on of the things to do in Siem Reap — Was kann man in Siem Reap machen? Zum Beispiel Rad fahren.

Wenn du gerne Fahrrad fährst, ist Siem Reap perfekt für dich. Du kannst du an vielen Hotels und kleinen Shops Räder ausleihen. Am besten nimmst du ein Mountain-Bike. Gegenüber vom Park Hyatt Hotel gibt es auch einen Laden, der Elektro-Fahrräder hat. Du kannst Radtouren zum Beispiel mit Siemreaper buchen, du kannst dich aber auch selbst aufmachen. Eine einfache und interessante Route ist: Fahre entlang des Wat Damnak Richtung Süden und finde Angkor Wat Put. Hier kannst du auch Minigolf spielen. Von hier aus fahre Richtung Westen bis zum Fluß und dann entlang des Flusses Richtung Norden. Du kannst bis in den Wald von Angkor fahren, allerdings wirst du am einem bestimmten Punkt ein Ticket haben müssen.
Wir haben einige Hostfamilien, die auch per Rad erreichbar sind. Frau Vannarith lebt mit ihrer Familie im Angkor-Wald in einem einfachen Haus. Frau Sareth lebt am Fluss und hat sogar eine Krokodil-Farm.

Unterhaltung

Die New Cambodian Artists

Siem Reap hat eine großartige Tanzgruppe die New Cambodian Artists. Sie haben ein kleines Studio und bieten Vorstellungen an Samstagen an, manchmal gibt es auch Sondervorstellungen. Du kannst aber auch den Phare Circus besuchen, dessen Artisten mittlerweile auch in anderen Ländern auftreten. In der Pub Street wirst du viele Restaurants und Bars sowie Nachtklubs finden, manche haben bieten auch Live-Musik an.

Ausflüge

Recht bekannt sind die Floating Villages am Tonle Sap Lake. Leider sind mittlerweile zu viele Touristen dort, und wir empfehlen ins Kompong Khleang zu fahren, wo es etwas ruhiger ist. Eine andere Alternative sind Vogelbeobachtungen. Rund um den See und seinen Ausläufern gibt es viele heimische und zum Teil auch seltene Vögel zu sehen. Wenn du etwas weiter fahren willst, dann buche dich im Community-Projekt in Banteay Chhmar ein. Das Dorf kümmert sich um den dortigen Tempel, bietet Führungen und Übernachtungen an. Eine andere Alternative ist ein Besuch des Landmine-Museums. Hier wird die Geschichte der Bombenabwürfe und Landminen erzählt, und du kannst dir viele Ausstellungsstücke anschauen, Das Projekt wird von einem ehemaligen Minenräumer geleitet. Auch die Ratten des Vereins Apopo arbeiten im Minenräumdienst, und du kannst sie sogar besuchen.

Essen mit Einheimischen

Ein Abendessen mit einer kambodschanischen Familie.

Am besten kannst immer noch ein Land kennenlernen, wenn du in Kontakt mit Einheimischen kommst. Genau deswegen haben wir Dine With The Locals ins Leben gerufen. Du verbringst eine wunderbare Zeit mit einer kambodschanischen Familie und lernst kochen wie ein Einheimischer. Und außerdem gibt es noch was leckeres zu essen. Wir haben ein breites Angebot an Gastfamilien in Siem Reap.

Stay longer: Things to do in Siem Reap

Written by André Ruys on 01/27/2020. Posted in child friendly, childsafe, cooking class, kids friendly, Siem Reap.

Even though Siem Reap is best known for Angkor Wat, as a tourist you can do more than just look at the temples. The city and the surrounding area have a lot to offer and we once wrote down a few things to do in Siem Reap. We want to help you stay longer in Siem Reap and see more than just the – indeed breathtaking – temple complex.

Art and galleries in Siem Reap

We have a lot of artists and galleries in Siem Reap that you can visit. It starts with the Tribe Gallery on Market Street, just behind the provincial hospital. The two owners exhibit works by Cambodian as well as international artists. By the way, on the same street is our host Ms. Hong Ginlai, where you can learn how to cook street food in the morning.

Another gallery is Theams House , a house that is both a studio and a gallery. It was founded by Lim Muy Theam, a well-known Cambodian artist who also offers workshops here.

The Batia Sarem Gallery is still quite new in Siem Reap, but has made a name for itself with modern Cambodian artists who show their works here. Opposite is the Bamboo Stage, which shows shadow plays in the evening, but also Cambodian folklore music.

One of the easiest things to do in Siem Reap: Sports

If you like cycling, Siem Reap is perfect for you. You can rent bikes from many hotels and small shops. It’s best to take a mountain bike. Opposite the Park Hyatt Hotel there is also a shop that has electric bicycles. You can book bike tours with Siemreaper, for example, but you can also set out on your own. An easy and interesting route is: Drive south along Wat Damnak and find Angkor Wat Put. You can also play mini golf here. From here drive west to the river and then north along the river. You can drive into the Angkor forest, but at some point you will need to have a ticket.
We have some host families that are also accessible by bike. Mrs. Vannarith lives with her family in the Angkor forest in a simple house. Ms. Sareth lives on the river and even has a crocodile farm.

Entertainment: Dance and Circus

Siem Reap has a great dance group the New Cambodian Artists. They have a small studio and offer performances on Saturdays, sometimes there are special performances. In Pub Street you will find many restaurants and bars as well as night clubs, some of them also offer live music. What kind of things to do in Siem Reap you like?

Trips and excursions around

The Floating Villages on Tonle Sap Lake are well known. Unfortunately there are now too many tourists and we recommend going to Kompong Khleang where it is a bit quieter. Another alternative is bird watching. Around the lake and its foothills there are many native and sometimes rare birds to see. If you want to drive a little further, log into the community project in Banteay Chhmar. The village takes care of the temple there, offers guided tours and overnight stays. Another alternative is to visit the Landmine Museum. The story of the bombings and landmines is told here, and you can see many exhibits, the project is led by a former mine clearer. Apopo rats also work in the mine clearance service, and you can even visit them.

Eat with locals in Siem Reap

The best way to still get to know a country is to get in touch with locals. That’s why we launched Dine With The Locals. You will have a wonderful time with a Cambodian family and learn how to cook like a local. And there is also something delicious to eat. We have a wide range of hosts in Siem Reap.

What to expect when you visit Dine With The Locals

Written by André Ruys on 01/09/2020. Posted in cooking class, eat with locals, food in Cambodia, Khmer culture, Siem Reap.

We are often asked what distinguishes our offer from the many cooking courses and food tours that are available in Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh. Dine With The Locals focuses on people. We want to bring travellers and locals together, would like to help each other to get to know and exchange ideas. Cooking and eating together is an excellent opportunity to learn about local culture and customs.

What do you get?

You can choose between many families in Cambodia (and even Vietnam) on our platform. All families have been personally selected and visited by us. Each family has put together its own menu and offers you more than just standing together at the stove. We have Apasara dancers, painters, modern art, cultural ambassadors and organic farmers. You can learn how to make small fish toys from the leaves of coconut palms and how to make a perfect table decoration from a banana leaf.

Who are the families?

Ms Laum makes Nom Pom, the Khmer coconut waffles, in Sem Reap

Our mission is to provide Cambodian families, especially women, with additional income. But we don’t look at how poor a family is. More importantly, can they offer you a great experience and have fun getting to know people. We have families who live on very little money and some who belong to the lower middle class. Mostly it is women who are our hosts. We want to support them because they often have no opportunity to earn money (or cannot earn enough).

How does it work?

After booking, you will receive a ticket from us with a description of where the family lives. We want to protect families and therefore do not put this information online. It’s best to take a tuk tuk to get to the house. Depending on the family, you will get a small tour, mostly through the garden and can see the house. Ask as many questions as you like, our hosts are proud to explain the customs of Cambodian (or Vietnamese) culture. Then it goes into the kitchen. The family has already done some shopping, unlike traditional cooking classes, you don’t have to go to the market. You won’t have to listen to a teacher either, but cook with the hosts. For example, they show you how to make the famous Kreung paste in a mortar, which can be found in many Cambodian dishes.

Eating together with locals

Eat together after the cooking class in Siem Reap

In order to live up to our name, we naturally eat together. In Asia, all dishes are usually served at the same time and you first have a portion of rice on your plate. Ask your hosts if you are unsure about how to eat a dish or whether to take your hands. In some families, you sit on the floor or on a small pedestal. You usually take off your shoes and sit cross-legged (or whatever is comfortable for you). You can also get a small stool if you want.

How clean is it with the hosts?

We are often asked whether it is clean in the families’ houses. The answer is very clear: yes. You visit simple housings, but families place great value on cleanliness. Incidentally, this also applies to the food. All ingredients are bought fresh (that’s why we have to know a day in advance when you want to come), washed several times (which will also be your job at these cooking classes in Cambodia) and cooked long enough. The water you are offered to drink has been filtered and prepared, the tea has been brewed with boiling water.

Book now your cooking class experience!

Authentic cooking class in Siem Reap

Written by André Ruys on 12/26/2019. Posted in cooking class, eat in Siem Reap, eat with locals, Environment, food in Cambodia, Khmer culture, Siem Reap.

A cooking class in Siem Reap is a unique experience if you want to get to know the local cuisine. If you’re in a country like Cambodia, cooking can help you get to know the country’s culture much better. You will also learn more about the special features of Cambodian cuisine and its dishes.

Our cooking classes are slightly different from those offered by restaurants and hotels. We want to offer you an authentic experience and that’s why our focus is on homemade food that is prepared together with a family. You learn above all how to cook here at home a delicious Cambodian meal.

Learn how to make Kreung paste in our cooking class in Siem Reap

We want to bring people together with our cooking classes in Siem Reap, which is why we have hosts all over Cambodia. In Siem Reap you can cook with a former Apsara dancer and prepare a cozy dinner in the forest near Angkor Wat.

At our cooking classes in Siem Reap you will learn how to traditionally cook a meal in a Cambodian family.

Book now your cooking class experience!

Course of the cooking course in Siem Reap:

1. On arrival at the Cambodian house, the family introduces itself to you. In most families, at least one member speaks English and will explain what to expect. You can come for lunch or dinner.

2. After the greeting you will be shown the house and usually also the garden. For some families, you can even help pick or pick the herbs and vegetables yourself. You can also learn how to breed chickens, see crocodiles or later make small souvenirs.

3. Then it goes into the kitchen for the cooking experience. Each family has selected three dishes that they want to prepare with you in the Siem Reap cooking class. In most cases there is chicken and pork or fish, but we also have two families who can prepare a vegetarian meal on request.

Many famous Cambodian dishes

4. Cooking with locals in Siem Reap: you learn how to cook on a charcoal fire, how to stir food in an Asian wok, in which order the ingredients are added to the meal. Of course you can always ask questions about authentic Khmer food, our hosts will answer the best possible.
Some dishes are:

5. Eating together

After cooking, of course, they eat together. We wrote a small article on customs in a Cambodian household that tells you more about how to behave properly. In Cambodia, the food is either brought to the table all at once or as it is being prepared. The rice is on an extra plate. There are rarely knives, but if you want one your host will be happy to give it to you. Our course includes drinking water or tea, some hosts also like to sell you a Coca Cola or beer.

6. Other activities
A cooking class alone can bring you closer to culture. However, we would like to help you create more memories. Our hosts can teach you the essential steps in the Apsara dance, you can make a souvenir together or bake Cambodian waffles.

The authentic cooking class in Siem Reap takes about 2 hours. Transport is not included, but it is easy to get a tuktuk in Siem Reap.

What do you need to know when attending a cooking class in Siem Reap

Be open to new things. A kitchen in Cambodia is often outside the home. The process is a little different than you may be used to.
Spray yourself with mosquito spray
You are welcome to tip the hosts later.
Our families are also happy about children
Our cooking classes in Siem Reap are well suited for women who travel alone