Thai Train Travel to Siem Reap, the Temples Town: Cambodian Memories

Riding a 6-hour train from Bangkok to Siem Reap was an adventure. 
You see the life of the countryside unfold in front of your eyes. Though the type of train wasn't the kind we expected.  We just enjoyed a seemingly long ride with an aging Thai locomotive that stops from station to station along the way. So, my wife and I accepted to have the mantra: Patience is a virtue and just enjoy the view. After all, we weren't alone. There were bunch of foreigners  who took the seemingly slow but sure ride. Good thing, the weather was not too hot since it was around November unlike in June-July these iron beasts could become virtual ovens.

It was 2012 and that time and Siem Reap's local airport was built, leased and managed by only one carrier for  a 20-year contract so flying was expensive. The options for tourists on budget were train, bus or a taxicab. Good thing, nowadays, tourists have the chance to fly direct flights from their own country to Siem Reap as the operator which went solo finished its contract.

The train arrives in a town where you have to search for a tuktuk to bring you to the Cambodian side. Then you walk towards a Thai-Cambodian immigration control building to have your passport reviewed and stamped. Non ASEAN passports need to pay a fee or kind of a travel tax. Then, it's time to either hop on a bus or join a van with other tourists to carry your already tired self to Siem Reap. These transport are available at the terminal not far away from the gate. It will take another 3 hours to reach you ultimate destination. Oh, did I forgot about scammers? Beware! I met one at the terminal who asks you to have your money changed at the money exchange counter and some tuktuk drivers have unfair deals by you charging more.

When we arrived in Siem Reap, I was surprised to see a lively place with lots and lots of hotels, stores, restaurants, tuktuks buzzing to and fro, and tourists walking in group with cameras on hand. The tuktuks have different designs compared to its Thai counterpart. I wasn't prepare to see this kind of scene as I always imagine Siem Reap to be a sleepy town with lost ancient temples, jungles and mysterious grounds. Was I experiencing culture shock in this side of Southeast Asia? Maybe, having watched Tomb Raider many times gave me different kind of expectations about the place.

Hotel Tip: 

Check these Siem Reap hotels for your Siem Reap tour:
1. Royal Angkor Hotel   (2.56 from city center)

2. Silk D' Angkor Boutique Hotel   (0.09 from city center)

3. Saem Siem Reap Hotel (0.21 from city center)

4. The Privilege Floor by Lotus Blanc  

5. Golden Temple Retreat - A 4 star / 4.5 star hotel inside city center

When we arrived in our destination at 3pm, we were informed that it's too late to visit the temples plus buying a day pass that late would be just a waste. The best thing was for us to rest and relax over the night so when the next day comes, we are reenergized to visit more temples. Truly, one needs to be ready for an adventure the whole day that consists of walking lengthy paths, climbing slippery stairs, balancing along ruined blocks and standing for hours while waiting for the sun to set from towering temple view (see previous post for this story).

Tasting Angkor Beer before the food is served

I've learned an interesting information when our tuktuk driver and our hotel's owner mentioned to us that the movie Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, helped and ushered a new era of tourism to the entire Cambodia. Siem Reap, fresh with wounds from the great purge of Cambodia or aka the infamous Killing Fields or the Cambodian Genocide,  has been turned into a resort town.  Thanks to that film, that featured Angkor Wat, Angkor Tom and Ta Phrom temples, many were curious to see them first hand esp the exact shooting locations. Tourists arrived in droves. That's why hotels were so close to each other and there's a marketplace teeming with night life teeming. One point that will make you surprise was the village where Lara Croft woke up and rode a boat on the film but in reality it was just an intricate set constructed on a pond of Angkor Wat and locals were hired to be extras.  However, those giant tree roots eating the temple are genuine.

Indeed, the next day, after a night of drinking Angkor Beer, eating delicioys Cambodian food at Khmer Kitchen and experiencing the Cambodian  way  of massage (Shocked yet satisfied how masseuse used her feet to massage by tired body and soul). Nothing like it. The next day, our tuktuk driver arrived at 5am. He's diligent. The day was still dark but why that early? Well, the reason was for us to buy day pass tickets from the Angkor Pass counter and catch the sunrise behind the famous temple the Angkor Wat. The tourism people of Siem Reap got to create a feeling of mystery by waiting the first light of day in an ancient ground. The dramatic entrance of the sun, going up from total darkness, and finally seeing it enlightened the Angkor Wat complex was indeed an unforgettable sight to behold. Full Story Here