More than Just Angkor Wat 🍃

Everyone comes to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat—and yes, it’s breathtaking at sunrise—but what surprised me most was everything beyond the temples. Siem Reap is a city with layers. In the mornings, I’d wander through the Old Market, weaving between spice sellers, silk scarves, and the aroma of strong Cambodian coffee. By afternoon, I found myself in hidden lanes lined with art studios and quirky cafés, where young Cambodians are reinventing tradition in fresh, modern ways. And when the sun dipped, Pub Street and the buzzing night markets turned the town into a festival of lights, music, and street food. A side trip to Tonlé Sap Lake showed me a completely different world—floating villages where life drifts on water, humble yet endlessly inspiring. Phnom Penh felt like a contrast—fast, colorful, and deeply human. The Royal Palace shimmered in the heat, its golden spires rising above the city, while just a short walk away, the riverside filled with families, street vendors, and kids flying kites. I loved getting lost in the Central Market’s art-deco dome, haggling for souvenirs, and snacking on fried noodles. But Phnom Penh also carries stories you can’t ignore. Visiting Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek was heartbreaking, yet essential—it gave me a deeper respect for the resilience of the Cambodian people. Traveling between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh reminded me that Cambodia is more than just a postcard of Angkor Wat. It’s a living, breathing journey of contrasts—ancient stone, bustling streets, floating homes, and the warmth of people who always smile first. #cambodiatrip #travel #naturalwonders #thingstodo #localfood