2015 Q4 4NR: 03 Siem Reap, Cambodia – A World Heritage Site...

“Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times…”

(Angkor Archaeological Park)

Day 3: 12 December 2015 (Saturday)
Route: Sa Kaeo – Siem Reap
Distance: 209 km

Sa Kaeo is only 65 km away from Cambodian border town of Poi Pet but we started riding early to avoid commuters and heavy traffic at the border.

Border crossing was smooth on both sides of the border. At Thailand departure counter, riders had to submit a copy of their passports and Motorcycle Registration Forms, Conveyance form together with the Custom Registration Form and had to pay a fee of B100 for each motorcycle. Pillions had their passports stamped and waited on the other side before we entered Cambodian border in two groups.

At the Cambodian border we submitted our passports and Arrival/Departure Form for stamping. No fee was paid here. Poi Pet border is a busy crossing point between Thailand and Cambodia and also extremely popular as a gambling destination and used to be notorious for its squalor, scams and sleaze.

Once everyone had completed border clearance we convoyed towards Siem Reap, 150 km from the border. The road is good, better condition from the last time we were here. Except for the heat, the 2-hour ride was relaxing and comfortable. 

When we entered the streets of Siem Reap, the traffic could be a little daunting. as it was still early n the afternoon, we headed direct to the Angkor Wat Archaeology Complex and had some photo shots at the main entrance to the ruins. Angkor Wat, a UNESCO Heritage Site is a temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. It is one of the ancient wonders of the world. This is the 3rd time hubby and I visited this site. Once in 2006 and another in 2012.

Later we rode to a restaurant by the river and had seafood dishes for lunch. We checked in Reaksmey Chanreas Hotel situated in the middle of town. We used to stay in this hotel during our Kembara Qurban Ride in 2012. We had ample time to send our dirty clothes for fast laundry and rested in the room the whole afternoon.

At night we rented two tuk-tuk and went to a Muslim Family Kitchen Restaurant for dinner and later had an hour of relaxing foot reflexology.

(A boutique hotel with simple amenities)

(A group photo before our onward journey)

(Riding towards the border, against the sun)

(Thailand/Cambodia border crossing, fast and efficient)

(Iconic three spires, replica of the Angkor Wat)

(Temporary parking at Cambodia Immigration)

(Entering Cambodia, riding on the right side of the road)

(Beware of slow heavy vehicles on the road)

(Arriving in the town of Siem Reap)

(An attempt for a selfie on the bike)

(Riding the road leading to the Archaeological site)

(Looking for the main entrance to Angkor Wat)

(Deja Vu... we've been here before)

(A group photo, the ancient temple in the background)

(One for the album)

(Time for lunch and rest)

(A Muslim restaurant around the Mosque area)

(A bridal suite, our lodging for the night)

 2015 Q4: 04 Siem Reap - Stung Treng, Cambodia👉

👈2015 Q4: 02 Surat Thani - Sa Kaeo, Thailand