Downtown Siem Reap
Kulen National Park
Kulen National Park is about 50 kilometers outside of Siem Reap and is the home of a Buddhist temple in a dramatic setting atop the highest area of the park. Click here for a handy visitor guide with more info and pictures.
As always, click any image to see larger images:
Wat Damnak, Downtown Siem Reap
The Four Brahmavihara:
The four brahmavihārā originated in Hinduism, but Buddhists have adopted a similar version found at Wat Damnak in Siem Reap. The meaning is something like the following (from wiki):
Loving-kindness is active good will towards all;
Compassion results from metta, it is identifying the suffering of others as one's own;
Sympathetic joy results from metta: is the feeling of joy because others are happy, even if one did not contribute to it, it is a form of sympathetic joy;
Equanimity: is even-mindedness and serenity, treating everyone impartially.
Words to live by.
My palatial Airbnb apartment in Siem Reap:
Do they still demand US dollars for all hotel payments? That's the way it was when I was there back in 2003. I made sure to bring several hundred US dollars in small notes with me when I crossed into Cambodia.
ReplyDeleteI think if you buy a visa upon entry to the airport, that they accept only dollars, and maybe other points of entry, but all the merchants and basically everyone else takes Riels OR dollars or credit cards. The going rate is stable at about 4000 Riels for 1 USD.
ReplyDeleteHi Doug, I appreciate your reply.
ReplyDeleteThe one time I visited Cambodia I crossed overland after first getting my entry visa in Bangkok. Back then, in 2003, the road was HORRIBLE from the Thai-Cambodian border onward because in was in the middle of being ripped up to be redone with, I believe, World Bank money. The bus out of Bangkok left early in the morning, made good time to the border, but we didn't get into Siem Reap until well after dark.
Based on your photos, Siem Reap has gone considerably upscale since I was there 21 years ago. Back then the US dollar was king in both Cambodia and Laos. All over Cambodia a room for me and my girlfriend cost less than $10/night.
I remember getting a gorgeous room for two in Vientiane, Laos, for $15. I remember touching the read leather chairs in that room while telling my girlfriend (a Basque gal I met a few years earlier at a youth hostel in San Fran) that this room would cost us at least $250/night in San Francisco.
In Vientiane we splurged, we ate at the very best Italian and French restaurants in town and I remember the prices then being less than what we'd pay (each) for a Happy Meal at a McDonalds in America. From the prices you've mentioned it looks like those days of super great deals when paying in US cash dollars are over.
Still, seeing your photos and reading your writings is wetting my appetite to visit Southeast Asia again. I visited in 1988, 1992 and 2003-4 but haven't been back since.
Myanmar (The old name "Burma" sounds so much better) is the one country in that part of the world I have yet to visit, so that country would be top on my list. If you make it to Myanmar I'll be VERY interested in what you have to say to us about your visit.
All the Best,
Martin
I used to do visa runs from BKK to Poipet a few times but never even dreamed to travel overland to Siem Reap. I think roads are improved here. A Cambodian was telling me that there were road improvement projects all over the country as a Covid stimulus program/spending.
DeleteI also enjoyed luxury in Laos. It's still a backwater place tho. I really feel for the people there and Cambodians too.
Myanmar is not on my list. I'm not sure, but I think it's basically in a civil war (not sure). I don't know what I'm talking about, but I think I saw a YT video title claiming that it was dangerous. But I'm sure the people try to keep foreigners safe.
You saw my post where I'm getting one yr retirement visa in Cambodia? In fact, I'm apt hunting this morning.
It's still relatively cheap. I had a double cheeseburger meal with medium fries and drink for $3 at McDonald's in Nha Trang. Also, the big breakfast there was also $3. Cambodia is a little more expensive. A beer is 75 cents or $1. An inexpensive but good local meal here is $3 or $4. I'm looking at an apt for $350 per month and one for $250. I'll keep you "posted" LITERALLY! Lol. Stay tuned Martin. Later!
Martin, could I encourage you to use my Substack site? Right now, I'm double posting, but I intend to shift entirely at some point.
Deletehttps://gulfcoastcommentary.substack.com/
Hi Doug,
ReplyDeleteOne dollar for a beer? That's about what it costs for a 20cl. daft here in Portugal, in Europe. Three to four dollar sit-down meals (with wine) were also common here until about five years ago, ever since Covid everything has gone up.
Happy apartment hunting, at those prices I'd splurge a bit to get peace and quiet, some greenery, and maybe a swimming pool.
I'll check for you on Substack and see if I can comment there instead of here. It's being able to communicate with you that makes your site fun to visit.
Stay Healthy,
Martin