In the order that I remember them. 1. Get a Blind Massage This is definitely an experience. No pampering, no fuss, just exactly what it says on the sign. A massage by a blind masseur. 60 minutes for $5. A few dollars for a good cause to help the blind make a living working instead of on the street. Don’t let the dirt road alleyway entrance or lack of English deter you. Where: Seeing Hands 4 in Siem Reap. There are Seeing Hands franchises in Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville too. 2. Visit Angkor Wat at the Angkor Archaeological Park. These 900 year old ruins are a spectacular sight. You can…
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Review – Golden Butterfly Villa
Seven days later, and we’re still in Siem Reap. In ALL due part to our amazing accommodation at Golden Butterfly Villa. As the sister company to the Golden Temple Villa down the road, Butterfly already had an established name, and colour scheme (a bright, but tonally pleasuring shade of orange covering the buildings and the rooms), but has gained a top ranking on Trip Advisor in its’ own right. The Villa has been running for 6 months, and everything is modern and new. The staff especially, are a credit to the villa, and are incredibily accommodating and friendly. We chose this place after spending two blissful nights at Antanue Resort…
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Visiting Angkor Whaaaat?! With 1.5 Million Tourists
RISE AND SHINE, Tomb Raider! On Saturday we woke at 4am to get to Angkor Wat by sunrise and somehow felt special, like we would be the only people getting up so early to see a pile of rocks in the morning sun. Well, not exactly. Our Tuk Tuk driver took us to the entrance of the temple’s archeological park where we were met by tour buses, minivans, a thousand Tuk Tuks and a few poor souls who had the romantic idea to “do the temples by bicycles” in peace and solitude. Then there was the sea of tourists fluttering to get their tickets. US$20 dollars per person per day.…
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Pain is Good for the Soul, right? Getting a Blind Massage
As Lionel spent the day working from the computer and hotel room, I had a leisurely day reading, googling (North Korea is currently fascinating me) and playing Candy Crush (another thing that fascinates me). In the afternoon, I decided to get a massage and I stumbled across ‘Seeing Hands Massage’ online. It’s a massage with a twist, with all of the masseuses being blind. After walking around trying to find it, I found the sign down an alleyway and some women washing some clothes. I enquired as to the whereabouts of this mysterious massage palour, and the women told me it was right behind me (literally I was standing in…
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Don’t Be That Guy – Disrespecting Temples
Went to see the famed Angkor Archaeological Park, north of Siem Reap, today. Full update to come. Some things we noticed. – People climbing on top of ruins to get that ‘one, special, must-have photo’ to prove they came to the temples. – People climbing over roped off areas, to stand on ruins to get that ‘one, special, must-have photo’ to prove they came to the temples. – People shouting/yelling at their friends in front of ‘no shouting/yelling’ signs. – People blatantly littering. – Girls not getting the memo about covering your shoulders and knees when entering the temples. Even when there are signs EVERYWHERE, each guesthouse/hotel mentions it before…
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Life in Cambodia
We are really enjoying Siem Reap, so much more relaxed and filled with nice people. Pub street here is about 9 million times better than damn Khaosan road in Bangkok! It helps that we are staying at the most amazing place and have spent a day lazing about with AC and a pool…
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Direct bus from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia; the more sane way
Since February 2013, Transport Co in Thailand offers a direct bus from Bangkok to Siem Reap, here’s how to catch it. Take the red bus number 3 from Khaosan road to Mo Chit bus terminal. The fare is about 7baht per person and it takes between 45mins to 1hour 30mins, depending on traffic. You can catch the yellow bus for three times the fare to get AC. Red is just fine. Wooden floors, open windows and no suspension. It is a bumpy ride, keep a loose jaw and you’ll arrive in tact. The last stop is Mo Chit and as you get off, walk through the market until there is…
