The busy streets of Siem Reap are in a constant state of flux as bars, shops and restaurants open, close, move or refurbish at an astonishing rate.  Eventually, some establishments settle down and start to become part of the scenery.  A sort of settling has now taken place on Alley West, Siem Reap’s freshest, funnest, … read the full post

Dan Haneveer runs the popular travel blog Voyagner and he’s come out with a gem of a story this morning. Put off by the crowds and a misplaced Angkor pass, his enterprising tuk tuk driver led him off to what sounds like a fabulous spot to enjoy sunset — a tree house at Angkor Wat! … read the full post

If you are what you eat, then it’s hard to beat the opportunity to tuck into delicious, healthy food at the same time as supporting a worthwhile cause. Perhaps the way to Cambodia’s heart is through your stomach. Siem Reap has at least four NGO cafés and restaurants, though there’s bound to be more tucked … read the full post

Unlike the capital city Phnom Penh, the art scene in Siem Reap has been a little slow to take off.  But, for those with an interest there is much to be seen here, and since finding it also involves exploring different parts of the town too, well that just adds to the sense of adventure … read the full post

Siem Reap may be small compared to nearby travel hotspots such as Bangkok and Phnom Penh, but the gay scene here is very well formed. A Buddhist country, Cambodia is generally pretty tolerant of homosexuality, though there remains heavy pressure on young men and women to follow the traditional path and settle down, marry and … read the full post

In the beginning there was only one. Then before you could say “Holy mackerel!”, the infection had spread all across Siem Reap, consuming human flesh and provoking howls and shrieks from susceptible young women. There’s now a rash of garra rufa in almost every part of central Siem Reap, and there’s no escaping their relentless … read the full post

Sometimes we forget about the little things, and too often we’ve no idea of the loss we’ve incurred by doing so. Case in point: a recent visit to Bakong temple to attend a ceremony marking completion of a project to restore paintings on the inner and outer walls of a small pagoda within its grounds. … read the full post

If you’re only in Siem Reap for a few short and no doubt busy days, it might be difficult to get out and see some of the beautiful Khmer countryside.  Indeed, even if you’re here for a little longer, there’s enough to fill your time, what with temples, cooking classes, and massages, that can conspire … read the full post

As the name suggests, Garden of Desire is a place in which to set your heart free. It is also a window into the mind of Ly Piseth, the designer who came back to Cambodia in 2007 in order to restore his own soul. Along the way, he has tapped into a creative seam that … read the full post

There’s something so attractive about pub quizzes: here’s an opportunity to enjoy a few beers with friends adjoined to the very exciting possibility of being able to show off your arcane knowledge of ’80s pop music or South American butterfly genera.  The competitive edge adds a certain frisson to the evening while everyone knows that … read the full post