We left Phnom Penh on a 7-hour day bus bound for Siem Reap one of our longer journeys, but not a bad ride at all. The bus had big reclining seats, air con (just about), and they even handed out water bottles. The roads were bumpy in places, but the countryside views made up for it: rice fields, scooters carrying entire families (no joke, 4 people on a moped) and the occasional cow casually crossing the road.
When we arrived, we struck gold with our accommodation a peaceful little spot outside the main town, complete with a sparkling pool, relaxed bar, and lovely French hosts who made us feel instantly welcome.
After unpacking, we had dinner by the pool: sweet and sour chicken for me, veggie stir-fry for Ali, and two kids’ meals for the girls. Quick, tasty, and just what we needed to end a long travel day.
Honestly, travel days knock the wind out of you, so like always we took it easy the next morning. Georgia didn’t wake until 8:30 practically unheard of!
Then came breakfast… and wow. Easily the biggest breakfast we’ve had since leaving home:
Fresh pancakes Homemade rolls with 4 jams, butter, and honey Coffee, juice, and hot chocolate and loads of Fruit on the side!
Just as we were finishing up, the owner came over and asked what we’d like for the cooked breakfast… notepad in hand, so obviously we went again. I asked for eggs and bacon and made bacon rolls (yes, plural), Georgia had two fried eggs on top of the other food she ate, and Ali loved the pancakes so much she had another round of them, and Dotty staged a silent protest and refused food altogether. Classic Dotty all or nothing!
After an hour of serious eating, I waddled away from the table absolutely stuffed.
Later that morning, we grabbed a taxi into town and wandered around Phsar Chas the Old Market. It’s a proper sensory overload and reminded me of Peru a log, rows of handmade goods, fabrics, spices, jewellery, souvenirs, and a few stalls you might want to avoid if you’ve got a sensitive nose (hello, dried fish section). It’s hot, somewhat disorganised but worth the experience.(I was surprised how quiet it was having read it’s normally mad)
After the market we popped in to a temple site looked at the old shrines buildings and admired the architecture for a bit, free entry and no other visitors!
💡 Market Tip: Go early, take small notes, and don’t be shy about bartering, prices usually start high but can drop fast with a smile and a polite counteroffer.
After the temple (and a bargain £4 asthma pump from a local chemist), we headed back to do the only sensible thing, spend four hours in the pool. In the pool we had everything blazing sun, rain, clouds, then more sun a full Cambodian weather sampler while the girls splashed, floated, and finally crashed. Honestly they were absolutely knackered by dinner.
We kept it simple with takeaway pasta and cheese with some veg. No complaints, and Dotty came of hunger strike and stuffed herself. Day one in Siem Reap? Busy for a rest day but not overwhelming!
