february-2011

international adventures
A traditional
Cambodian dance
SIEM REAP
CAMBODIA
The gateway to Angkor Wat,
one of Asia’s grandest temple
relics, this charming town also
off ers lots of hip restaurants
and bars. The adventurous will
fi nd many dining and shopping
options as well.
THAILAND
Siem Reap
CAMBODIA
LAOS
VIETNAM
South China Sea
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 7km from Siem Reap
International Airport
Travel time About 15 mins by car to
the centre of town
Taxi US$5 (S$6.44)
Moto US$1.50 (S$1.93) for a ride on
the back of a motorcycle into town.
Be careful with your belongings
Tuk-tuk Pay US$4 (S$5.16) for a
ride in a remorque-moto (a trailer
pulled by a motorbike) to most of
the hotels
ON THE GO
Moto Trips within the city rarely go
above US$0.50 (S$0.64).
78 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011
TIANI CHILLEMI
General manager,
The Siem Reap Hostel
Must-eats: At the end of the
aptly named Pub Street, you’ll
fi nd a corner teeming with streetside
food stalls. Pull up a plastic
chair, and try the famous Khmer
barbecue, or locally made Khmer
yellow noodles. Everything is
made fresh for you on the street,
and is terrifi cally cheap.
Local delicacies: Spiders!
That’s right — big, fat, hairy giant
spiders that are deep-fried whole.
The locals love to eat them as a
snack. They are usually served
by local women in the market
places and at street-side stalls
on large platters. If you’re still
hungry, try the crickets, beetles,
larvae, snails, frogs, silk worms or
embryo eggs as well.
Local recreational activity to
watch: A great way to see the
heart and soul of Siem Reap is by
hiring a bicycle and slowly making
your way along the river towards
the temples. You’ll see local stalls,
traditional Cambodian houses,
people trading, eating, sleeping
and just going about their lives.
Stick to the river, and you won’t
get lost.
Favourite local festival: Bon Om
Tuk is the annual water festival
every November to celebrate
the changed direction of the
Tonle Sap River — a giant inland
sea connected to the waters of
the Mekong Delta. The festival
involves colourful hand-carved
boat races along the main river
that runs through town.
Reed Flute Cave,
Crystal Palace
GUILIN
CHINA
This beautiful city in the
Guangxi province is renowned
for its picturesque and
charming landscapes. It’s
a popular destination spot
among tourists, who fl ock
there for sight-seeing.
Guilin
CHINA
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD About 28km from
Guilin Liangjiang
International Airport
Travel time Around 35mins by car
to the CBD
Taxi About CNY80 (S$15.61)
Shuttle bus Airport Bus services to
the city from 6.30am to 9pm. About
CNY20 (S$3.90)
ON THE GO
1. Boat A great way to see the
stunning mountain views.
2. Bus An ideal way to see many city
parks and scenic spots.
THORSTAN FRIES
General manager
assistant,
Hotel of Modern
Art (HOMA),
guilinhoma.com
Best breakfast: There’s a
McDonald’s downtown. As an
American, I proudly endorse this.
Best place to party with
the gang: Guilin has a lot of
interesting bars and clubs along
Buxing Jie (or “walking street”)
in the downtown area, and
along West Street in Yangshuo.
For lovers of late nights, there’s
much to discover.
Best buy for under S$50: Waxdyed
tablecloths with intricate
and vibrant hand-dyed patterns
make awesome purchases.
Great place for dinner: HOMA
Chateau’s Lotus Restaurant
is Guilin’s best place for
dinner. It’s a bit of a trek to
get there from downtown,
but the fi ne-dining menu and
stunning surroundings are
simply unparalleled.
Must-buy (money no object!):
Make a reservation with Lotus
Restaurant at Yuzi Paradise for
the alfresco dinner of a lifetime.
The staff will set up a private
table for you in one of their
magical outdoor locations, and
you’ll have a night to remember.
Survival tip for tourists: When
people think of China, they often
think of jade, and while it’s easy
to fi nd street vendors selling jade
jewellery in downtown Guilin,
it can be a tricky. You might
be buying green glass; you’ve
been warned.