March 30, 2014

Overland Cambodia - Vietnam : Siem Reap (part 3)

Continuation from Part 1part 2

I went back to the hostel at about 5 pm to check in. After resting for a while and refreshed myself, I went out again. The shop where I rented the bicycle would be closed at 8 pm so I returned the bicycle in advance since I planned to walk around the Old Market area. For sure would be there till late.

 Oh yeah.. Hard Rock Café is coming to Siem Reap!

From the bicycle rental shop, the Old Market is about 2 minutes walk across the Siem Reap river.

Else, you can ride this tuk-tuk!


The Old Market and its surrounding area is a must see for visitors in Siem Reap. Apart from the shopping, the whole Old Market area including the nearby Pub Street and the alleys is the dining and entertainment center of the town.


happening atmosphere


Pub Street alley





And not to forget, the numerous night markets. It's growing in numbers, though the stalls sell goods that are mostly the same; such as silk, accessories, wood carvings, etc. But it's good for us visitors cos the sellers are bringing the prices down due to the fierce competition.


Old Market or Phsar Chas itself wasn't built on purpose to serve as a tourist souvenir shopping centre. As the name already reveals, the Old Market is one of the oldest markets in Siem Reap. It was primarily built for trading and selling local food from local producers to local customers.

So I wasn't surprised when I saw stalls with freshly caught seafood, tables full of fresh vegetables and fruits mixed with stalls selling clothes, bags and other Cambodian souvenirs.





dried fish and pork sausages
 
Walking aimlessly through the narrow hallways between shops can get a bit confusing cos everything looks the same.
 

Some of the goods at the market...









Bought the exact title - 'Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand' LP book for RM 95 at Kinokuniya and they sell it here for just USD 5. It's the fake aka photocopy version though but I guess some people don't care about it. You just want the information inside the book.









Deuter bags are cheap too. I know it's fake but some of my friends who bought it before told me the quality is rather good.

For the adventurous, go try the exotic street food.

fried bugs, snake, scorpion, grasshoppers etc

Pass the fear factor?

How about this?!?





OMG!!!

Anyway, the best thing about the night market in Siem Reap is the wide variety of options available to visitors.

After a long day of temple-trekking, you can soak your feet into a water tank filled with toothless garra rufa fish, letting the tiny fish nibble the dead skin on your feet.

 

The rate is quite cheap, about USD 2-3 for an hour session.



the tiny fish is not so tiny!

I love going for fish spa at Kenko in Pavilion but I skipped it here as I didn't think it's hygienic. Dunno whether or not the fish spa operators change the spa water regularly.

Other than fish massage, body massage is available too!



So cheap! Loveeeee!!!

At the same time, visitors can enjoy free performances such as apsara dances and shadow puppet plays. There are a lot of places where you can catch the traditional dance performance. I went to The Temple Club on Pub Street.
 
 

 The dance show is performed from 7.30 pm till 9.30 pm. It's free but you have to at least order a drink.
Takkan lepak kosong je kan.. ;p
 
 


Definitely enjoyed my days (and nights) in Siem Reap!
 

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