a day in Siem Reap

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I ran out of time last night so my photos went mostly without commentary. Sorry.


As you probably know, Siem Reap is the city that's developed around the World Heritage Site of Angkor, which comprises many temples and monuments, inluding the famous "Angkor Wat" (temple of Angkor).

We are staying at an "associative hotel" that encourages sustainable tourism called La Noria and will be here for 6 nights, which means we have 5 full days in the archaeological park.

Siem Reap is now full of hotels, shops, new buildings, etc., but still has a lot of charm, at least by the river where our hotel is because of all the exotic, green vegetation.

Our guide to Angkor and the region around Siem Reap is younger and much more competent than the one we had in Phnom Penh. His name is Darith.

The Cambodian people are delightful -- they smile a lot and are very friendly and welcoming.

Now some photos.

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Photos

swimming pool at Hotel La Noria
"relaxing massage center" seen in the distance

Massage center at Hotel La Noria
This center is operated by a Cambodian NGO called Krousar Thmey, which has a network of schools dedicated to the education of blind children, among other activities. Apparently, the "masseurs" were trained by French physical therapists.

visit of Paul Dubrule Hotel School
This is an NGO founded by Paul Dubrule that rains Cambodians in cooking and pastry; restaurant, wine and bar service; front office and housekeeping service; and tourism.

photo Paul Dubrule
Paul Dubrule is a self-made Frenchman who is at the head of the Accor hotel group.

Roluos temple, Preah Ko
pre-angkor

Comments

[Elaine]

Angkor Wat
As always, great photos. Questions: Were there a lot of other tourists at Angkor Wat? (doesn't look like it was crowded?) Are there many sustainable hotels like yours? Is Cambodia developing and advertising ecological tourism? Elaine