Siem Reap - A holiday in happiness.
My time now is shared between teaching Sufi in Europe and America and returning to Australia to help with my family. With such long times traveling I came to take small holidays to break up the flying time. Cambodia was suggested by my brother. He said it was very inexpensive and another friend had recommended the traditional Kmer massage that sometimes can cost under 20USD for an hour long massage. Because of this Siem Reap has now a very warm place in my heart. For what the country has been through I expected more strange and sad people but I found a people so warm, gentle and able to laugh and to talk. I will return. I have added a review for a tuk tuk driver that really made my trip really good.
On landing in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for a short stay, I felt a bit overwhelmed at the prospect
of navigating a new city. The small city stretches out over miles and walking it as a new comer
in the heat of summer was not smart.
Luckily my brother came to the rescue and explained the benefits of hiring a tuk tuk driver. A tuk tuk is a small open air carriage connected to a motorcycle. Riding in one is very invigorating. One
thing led to another and I was introduced to Mr Pheap. Mr Pheap arrived and opened the door
to Siem Reap. He took me to Angkor Wat at sunrise, arranging through Whatsapp our next meeting place so
I could wander freely about the ancient temples and shrines that for a thousand years have risen out of the
jungle as a place of worship, prayer, peace and extraordinary human craftsmanship and culture.
At every meeting place Mr Pheap was waiting with water, making sure I was comfortable and off we would go.
From Angkor Wat to a delicious bowl of hot noodle soup under a shaded canopy to the Killing Fields exhibition, to the National Museum to the Apsara dance evening, Mr Pheap was there helping me navigate all these experiences with kindness and ease. And the next day he introduced me to the most delicious curry at Phum Num Banh Chok served with a side of delicious plants gathered fresh from the jungle. Mr Pheap made my short trip here really really special. Like many of the people I met in Siem Reap, his humor and happiness and relaxed sense of time made me feel so comfortable and respected and happy. In fact Siem Reap seemed to be possessed with a happiness that made the city delightful. Despite the grief that must have born down upon them after the civil war the people of Siem Reap seem very warm hearted people.
I highly recommend Mr Pheap to help make your stay in Siem Reap a beautiful and happy experience. Apart from driving you he can help with tickets for travel, tours and shows, with exchanging money, recommending authentic Cambodian food and places to see, shopping and help you understand how good the city of Siem Reap is for travellers. I can see why Angelina Jolie fell in love with Cambodia and why the low cost of living here can provide a wonderful stay for very little money. Mr Pheap is easy to contact through WhatsApp +855 17 766 169. When you plan your trip message him and let him make your stay a truly memorable one as he did for me. If you would like to know more about what you can discover in Siem Reap and in Cambodia – click here
