If you’re the type who sees the glass half-empty, you can state that I crashed as well as fell from the bike on the way back to the hotel from Angkor Wat, leaving me with two big, nasty wounds on my left leg. If you see the glass half-full, then you can state that after a whole day of biking in the crazy streets of Siem Reap, I’m still alive!
In all honesty, the streets of Siem Reap are not really that crazy. I’m just an awful biker. To be fair, it was my very first time to trip a bike in 15 years. I was still in main institution when I last rode one, as well as I just might not get it together anymore. My bike kept on wobbling as well as my body wiggling, as my arms refused to relax. Still, I survived getting around Siem Reap as well as even reached Angkor Wat in two wheels in spite of! I don’t think I would be doing it once again in the near future, though. Not until I get rid of the wobbling. as well as the wiggling.
That’s my bike!
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
Bike Rentals in Siem Reap
Learning exactly how to Bike
Siem Reap City Tour
To Angkor Archaeological Park
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Bike Rentals in Siem Reap
The description of biking around the city on the brochure that I got was not very encouraging. It says, “The traffic guidelines right here are slighy different… i.e. whatever they are, everybody ignores them anyway.”
Under typical circumstances, I would have dropped the concept particularly that I had not tried biking in over a decade. however it was not a typical circumstance. Bebs, a buddy of mine who has been living in Bangkok, was so convincing. He promised to instruct me exactly how to bike once again until I relearned the whole thing.
Biking is most likely the most affordable way to get around the city. It costs USD1 per day. as well as it comes with a bottle of water as well as a map, too! (Compare that to a tuk-tuk tour, which costs USD 12 per 3 stops.) Bike rental shops abound in the streets as well as alleyways of Siem Reap so it’s NOT difficult whatsoever to spot one. In fact, we discovered a number of within the 100-m radius of our hotel.
Biking in Siem Reap
Bike Rental shop in Siem Reap
Learning exactly how to Bike
While the highways of Siem Reap are unforgivingly busy, they stem to the inner streets, where cars seldom pass through. I discovered one parallel Siem Reap River as well as thought it would be a fantastic location to reclaim my lost biking skills since there was barely anything there. The street was half paved as well as half rocky as well as for over a couple of hours, I struggled to bike on either surface. (Surprisingly, I discovered the rocky part more favorable.)
When the sun scorched the pavement signaling the midday, we chose it was time to hit the highway. For the very first time, I rode my bike through hectic streets where both chauffeurs as well as pedestrians seemed to be oblivious to everybody else, as well as they turned as well as crossed from all directions like it’s nobody else’s business. My heart pounded so difficult each time I hit an intersection. It was like I was dragging my bike around. as well as many times, I was actually dragging my bike around.
Siem Reap River
Siem Reap City Tour
Because much of the day I spent learning, I only had very little to go around. I had lunch at a inexpensive restaurant at the Old Market area, exchanged currencies, as well as went to some fascinating places such as the Preah Promreath Pagoda, the Angkor national Museum, as well as the buying Center. (I will be writing about these places in detail on a separate publish however right here are some photos.)
A restaurant at the Old Market in Siem Reap
Street food stalls in Siem Reap. That’s my buddy Bebs purchasing something
Preah Promreath Pagoda
A bas relief picture on one of the pagodas
Angkor national Museum
To Angkor Archaeological Park
Here’s the thing: A 1-Day Pass to the Angkor Archaeological Park costs USD 20. While many tourists prefer going in the morning, we chose to bike to Angkor to buy tickets at 5pm, which is valid for that day as well as the next day. So it’s like a pass for more than a day. Yes, the temples close at 6pm however you might still check out at least one within that period as well as check out the surrounding landscapes.
The road to Angkor Wat
Angkor Ticketing Office
We really arrived at the Angkor Ticket office at 4pm so we had to wait for over an hour for the counters to start selling tickets for the next day. (Again, while the tickets sold from 5pm are for the next day, it can already be used on that day.) It was unexpected that so many people turned up in spite of the time.
After acquiring a ticket, we traveled by bike to Angkor Wat, where a gazillion tourists were on their way out. I was able to check out the outer grounds of the temple however chose to leave the inner area for tomorrow’s visit. While there was a temple that gives much better view of the sunset, I stayed at the Angkor Wat, by the moat, as well as viewed the ripples that disturbed the peace of the still water that painted a perfect reflection of the ancient stellar landmark next to it.
Lotus in the lake surrounding Angkor Wat
Statues by the entrance to Angkor Wat
The sun was still sinking when we agreed it was time to head back downtown. It was getting dark as well as the wind cold. Tourists coming from the temple complex flooded the street, as motorists rushed to the city. The speed of the overtaking cars got me anxious as well as messed with my head that before I knew it, my bike crashed as well as I fell from it rather violently. I was lucky that I was at the very side of the road. I was able to get up instantly however my knee as well as ankle were terribly hurt.
Despite the accident, I was material that I was able to experience something like this. never in my life had I thought of that I would go biking around a foreign city. I had always been afraid to try new things even when everybody seems to have no issue doing it as well as I’m just being a wimp for not trying something so mundane. however that’s what I’m right here for. I’m traveling to discover more, experience more, as well as grow more. The goal is that at the end of this backpacking trip I ended up being wiser, stronger, better. however hopefully, no more accidents.
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