The Moon Cafe is part of The Moon Villa and Spa hotel. I had spent some time look for one particular restaurant when it started to rain hard and I had no umbrella. The Moon Cafe was the closest place to get out of the rain. Turned out to be a nice restaurant.

I was the only one in the restaurant. The waitress was very nice and friendly. I ordered a simple Khmer curry dish, It was very good but the portion was too small. Couldn’t beat the price though, only $3usd. I left thinking I should have had two.  Would repeat.

Directions: Sivatha Road, Siem Reap, Near street 10 and the old market area.

A very nice desert place. They have a range of cupcakes that all look delicious. While the counter staff were very friendly, they did have a difficult time understanding I wanted three small cupcakes to go. Point and show three fingers. Still didn’t work that well.  The cupcakes are small and a bit pricey but very good. I would definitely go back for those chocolate cupcakes. They give them to you in a nice box to go so they don’t get crushed.  There is seating in the cafe if you like to eat in.

Hours:  Monday through Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Closed Sunday

Directions: 6 Mondul 1 Svay Dangkum, Central Market, Siem Reap

This is a very interesting and informative museum, dedicated to educating the public about the history and on going efforts to clear landmines still spread across Cambodia. There is an entrance fee of $3.00. Well worth the support it gives for their cause.

I was given a tour by Bill, a retired American soldier well educated in the history of mining through Cambodia and Viet Nam. I learned quite a bit from Bill. There are excellent information signs and displays of deactivated landmines and UXO’s (un-exploded ordinance).
The location is also a relief facility for at-risk children from villages through Cambodia. They are doing great work here and if you have the time it is worth a visit. It is especially easy if you are going to or from Banteay Srey Temple complex.

Hours: Monday through Sunday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Directions: Located 25km north of Siem Reap on the road to Banteay Srey Temple complex.

Siem Reap has no shortage of massage places. Some, very nice legitimate spas and others, well rather questionable. There is a road between the Angkor Night Market and Sivatha Road. It is actually Street 7 across Sivatha.  This road is lined with $1 dollar massage places, boldly signed and numerous girls sitting in front calling out to all passer-bys. They usually start in the early afternoon but when the sun goes down they get very aggressive.

I’m a very friendly person. As I am not interested in a “$1” massage, I politely decline with a smile and continue through the gauntlet. I had to walk through this road each day because my hotel was on one side and all the restaurants, Pub Street and Night Markets were on the other. By the second day, the same girls realized I must be alone since I never walked with anyone. They began, in a friendly way, to block my path 3 or 4 at a time. One would single out and grab my arm. But not in a gentle way. She would latch on and not let go! I had to rip my arm away several times.  This happened every time I walked through! No matter how polite I was, it continued. Finally I had enough, put my angry face on and told them to stop. Strangely enough this did not work!

So I came up on the spur of the moment with an ingenious idea. Take their photo! Wow! This worked great. They ran and scattered like cockroaches when the lights go on. After two days of doing that, they got to know me and left me alone. Even the threat of taking their photo worked. I added pictures of it and blanked out the faces.