Judy from the US write in to tell the Beetle about her
recent visit to Siem Reap. This is what she says:

My husband and I were in Siem Reap for the full moon 8
Nov 03. Candles were set floating in the Siem Reap River
which flows through the village. It was an awesome night
scene. Boat races were also held at this time with
competing teams from all over Cambodia.

One Swiss couple told us of an encounter they had upon
entering the country. The left Bangkok by train to the
border, then transferred to a tuk-tuk to cross over to a
waiting truck. While taking the truck ride to SR they had
their money and cell phone taken. Some American girls said
they had taken the boat ride from Phnom Penh and had a good
experience, including sightings of the Vietnamese boat
people.

Siem Reap is a very safe place in the evenings by our
experiences. The temples are a sight to behold…still in
an unspoiled state. Take an extra passport photo to put on
your temple permit as the photo queue can be long. The
helium balloon ride is a great bargain $11.00 US to get a
wonderful view of the Angkor Wat and nearby temples.

Sunrise and sunset are times to get pictures with the
Angkor Wat reflecting in the moat waters. The guides
suggest you take a hike up a very steep hill and then upon
a temple to get a view of the sunset over the countryside;
not the Angkor Wat. We rode by tuk-tuk to Chong Khneas and
took a boat ride to see the Vietnamese floating village
which was quite interesting and photographic.

The food was excellent and varied, especially like the
Cambodian noodles. This was just the unspoiled area that we
wanted to visit. Being from the Midwest US we had arranged
a guide for 1 1/2 days and spent two days on our own. I
think you need time just to sit and reflect on what a sight
you are witnessing, Ta Prohm with the trees growing out of
the stones and Angkor Thom were impressive.