THEGUIDE
siem reap
138
FAHTHAI
1 _
WHAT WE
RECOMMEND
Get off the well-trampled
temple trail and head to
Kulen Mountain to explore
the jungle and delve into
Khmer history with a
stop-off at the River of the
Thousand Lingas (phallic
images of the god Shiva).
Cool off with a refreshing
swim at one of the
waterfalls.
2 _
DID YOU
KNOW
Visitors can explore the
countryside on the back
of a bike for about US$1
a day.
3 _
TREAT
YOURSELF
Templed out? Indulge
in a relaxing massage,
body and facial treatment
courtesy of the highly
trained therapists at
Frangipani Spa. Home
to water features to help
soothe the mind, this
family-owned retreat and
spa give guests a choice of
six treatment rooms.
(24 Hup Guan St,
T: (0)63 964391,
frangipanisiemreap.com)
COUNTRY
CODE
+855
EXCHANGE
RATE
KHR4,000 = US$1
FREQUENCY
5 flights per day
MAKING MERIT
Novice monks
stroll at dawn
in front of
Angkor Wat
T I M E T O R E F L E C T
Top 3
insider
travel tips
Rest Your Head
LA RESIDENCE D’ANGKOR
It’s all about luxury at this
chic hotel, where each room
is exquisitely designed in soft
cottons and jewel-toned silks
and boasts a private terrace
and freeform bathtub. This is
the perfect place to relax after
a day of temple trekking. It’s
also home to a spacious pool,
several restaurants and a spa.
(residencedangkor.com)
Bottoms Up
LAUNDRY BAR
Popular with both expats and
tourists, this lively late-night bar
gets packed on weekends, when
guest DJs take to the decks.
Renowned for its electronic and
ambient sounds, Laundry Bar
also has a pool table and darts
and sometimes screens films.
Along with the usual range of
spirits and beers, it also stocks
South African cider. Daily happy
hour until 9pm.
(T: (0)12 301743)
Top Tables
NEST
A contemporary and classy
fusion of Asian and Western is
on the menu at Nest. Its canvas
roof-shaded garden setting,
with comfy loungers and sexy
daybeds scattered among the
tables and chairs, attracts a
fashionable crowd. Try the
grilled honeycomb and steak.
(nestangkor.com)
Stop to Shop
ERIC RAISINA
Invest in a striking silk scarf,
dress or accessory at renowned
Madagascan designer Eric
Raisina’s boutique. Specialising
in hand-made Cambodian
silk, Raisina carefully crafts a
luxurious collection of colourful
clothes and accessories in his
home workshop.
(ericraisina.com)
KINGS ROAD ANGKOR
The recently opened Kings
Road Angkor shopping complex
is home to boutiques selling
everything from silk scarves
and clothing to accessories and
trinkets. There are restaurants
galore.
(24 Hup Guan St)
Siem Reap
TEXT: MARISSA CARRUTHERS; IMAGE: CORBIS
