Over the years Pub Street has grown from a nice street with a few bars to it’s current state which can rival the party scene in Bangkok.  In fact, while Bangkok has eliminated the mobile van bars, Siem Reap has adopted them.  Now, Pub street not only has clubs and bars but the street is lined with these van bars that blast music to the wee hours of the morning.  Not my scene at all.  Things start happening at 11pm and the music blares, even if no one is present and the street is abandoned.

This was the first spa I stopped in to when I arrived in Siem Reap this last trip. It has a very nice entrance but small. The interior has soothing colors. I went for a foot massage and was led to a side room. There was a basin constructed in the concrete floor which was lined with smooth rounded rocks. The attendant washed my feet with cold water. When she was done, I was instructed to get home and go to another room. However the concrete floor was very slippery and slightly slopes toward the basin and drain. When I stood up, I slipped falling into the basin. That really hurt! I thought I broke my ankle. After a few minutes of rubbing my ankle and foot I was feeling a little better.
I limped to the next room. Unfortunately things didn’t get much better. There was a lot of noise coming from a back area and the attendants small child was in the hallway outside the room playing a game on a cell phone. The attendant apologized but did nothing to stop the noise. The massage itself was ok.  I would not return because of the noise and the average massage.

Directions: Near the night market.

Siem Reap has an active night life. There are two major places to go. Either the Pub Street or the Night Markets. There are several night markets but all within a a few blocks of each other. It is easy to think they are all part of the same market but they each have defined areas. They also have much of the same items. Tee shirts, scarfs, Apsara figures, Buddha heads and jewelry. Good bargains can be found here. Negotiations are key to get a good deal.

There is a night market on Sivatha Rd between Night market street and Sok San Road, The other two are at the corner of Night Market rd and Bugs St.  The vendors come out just as the sun goes down and the pack up around 11pm.

Kaya Spa is located in a nicely painted newly modeled building. I was surprised when I entered that the walls are rather stark. A few painting or other decor would go a long. I requested a foot massage which cost $14 for 30 minutes and $19 for 60 minutes. I opted for the 60 minute massage. While waiting they offer a refreshing cool drink. After a short time I was escorted to a room on the second floor. As we walked up the stair I felt a noticeable increase in temperature. The room I was brought into was too hot. I sat in a nice reclining chair but I couldn’t get over how hot the room was. Made it difficult to relax. They washed my feet with hot water which was good. The massage was very good but a little bit into the massage I heard some pots and pans banging around in a kitchen that was on the same floor. Between that and the heat I never relaxed.

When finished I walked down to the lobby and was served hot herbal tea and two small cookies. I complained about the heat and noise. They apologized but had no explanation. I should note, the room where I had my massage did have an air conditioner but it was off and the attendant turned it on when we walked in. It never cooled off.

Directions: Located on Hospital Street across from the Old Market.

This is where the locals shop. Mostly for food. There is a large array of meat, vegetable and grain vendors. Of course the photos can’t express the aroma wafting through the air. Hygiene is not something they seem to care too much about. All the meat laying out on tables with no refrigeration made quite an odor.

When you walk in from Street 8 you come to the vegetables first. Meat is a few aisle down on the right. If you stay to the left and walk all the way back there is dry goods and clothing. Here you will start to run into shops selling tourist items and clothing.  Definitely a unique experience to wonder around. There is fruit for sale and that was the only thing I was comfortable touching.

Directions: Street 8, Siem Reap