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Zero Chance  > Travel > Siem Reap, Cambodia
SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA - Siem Reap is a small town, nestled among rice paddy fields 4 hours drive on rocky roads north of the capital of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It is home to the ancient Khmer Empire's great temple ruins. UNESCO has designated Angkor Wat as a World Heritage Site, but there are many other smaller complexes in the surrounding countryside that are just as significant, if not more beautiful to explore. In terms of archaeological significance, it rivals sites like the Pyramids of the Nile, Machu Pichu and the Mayan Ruins of Mexico. But unlike these other places, rampant development has not taken place and visitors are allowed to take in the unspoiled atmosphere up close. This will probably not be the case in a few more years.

Come with me and see Siem Reap through my eyes ...
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Zero Chance > Here is a shot from the hill temple looking down on Angkor Wat to the east.
Zero Chance > Sunset on Phnom Bakheng.
Zero Chance > Siem Reap, Cambodia photo
Zero Chance > The third day I took a tuk-tuk for a trip out to Tonle Sap Lake.  Through the old quarter we saw a funeral procession for a teacher.

This shot was taken from the back of the tuk-tuk framed by a couple of motorcycle riders.
Zero Chance > To get to Tonle Sap Lake, required a 15 km trek south of Siem Reap by tuk-tuk through lush rice paddy fields and dusty roads.  My tuk-tuk driver was Mr. Bondy.  Along the way we passed little villages of nothing more than shacks on stilts.  A charge of USD15 is required and included in the price is a boat ride out to the floating village.
Zero Chance > Chong Khneas is the floating village at the edge of the lake closest to Siem Reap.  There are schools on donated barges, a church, machine shops, fish farms and this tourist trap - a fish and alligator exhibition.  

The sticks in the water serve as anchors for the floating homes.
Zero Chance > Chong Khneas, whilst interesting, is full of tour buses.  Children, who should otherwise be in school are making a living selling bananas to tourists in tour boats.  Half of the fish consumed in Siem Reap comes from this lake.
Zero Chance > These young girls were very aggressive in pushing their bananas on customers who would rather have a nice cold beer or soda.  Better market research is needed.
Zero Chance > After the morning outing to Tonle Sap Lake, midday was spent by the pool at the hotel.  In the late afternoon, I took a walk by the river in the middle of the town.
Here is a shot from the hill temple looking down on Angkor Wat to the east.
 > Here is a shot from the hill temple looking down on Angkor Wat to the east.
Here is a shot from the hill temple looking down on Angkor Wat to the east.
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