As I mentioned in an earlier post about arriving in and exploring Siem Reap, we had asked the hotel to organize a drive that took us out of the town and into the countryside.  We were looking to experience off the beaten path Cambodia.  We were hoping to see more than seeing the fantastic and majestic temples that are the main reason for one to go to Siem Reap and Cambodia to begin with.  The idea was to get away from the tourist beat (nothing wrong with doing the tourist beat!).  Cambodia was new to us.  At least, through a brief outing, we hoped to see something not likely to be found in a tourist guide.  Something beyond the typical tourist agenda (though we WERE tourists).

The answer for off the beaten path Cambodia in Siem Reap

The hotel did well.  They arranged a car to take us to see the the sun set over the Tonlé Sap lake.  That was a great suggestion.  I don’t know how long it took us to drive out.  But was far enough to the part of the lake that looked west.  Was it 45 minutes?  Can’t recall.  In any case, there were small boats on the lake, I assume for tourists but not sure.  However, we had a private car take us around because we just felt like taking it very easy.

Driving past the local market intown along the river

Beginning to leave the town, nice area for sure

Sights around the outskirts of Siem Reap

Having our own transport allowed us to go into areas that I would guess tourists do not visit – our driver did really well (I thought he had said his name was Seagull – we found out a little too late it was Sygold – lol).  

A real tuk tuk: cart attached to motorcycle

We got to walk around the humble homes of folks who live by the lake.  This not only afforded us great opportunities for sunset photos but also to see more of local life, even if for too short an experience.  Seeing kids return from school, or play football (soccer) by the road, or just having fun on a bicycle made Cambodia more than just mere ancient and magnificent temples.

Off the beaten path Cambodia and my world connect through a sunset

And the combination of the setting sun with the lake, the vegetation, and the local homes certainly made for a beautiful sunset.

My poor attempt at a subtle photo of a family picnicking…

It was a GREAT first day in Cambodia.  Getting to see the sun set over this lake, and also witnessing a different reality than ours at home was a memory I will not forget.  But some of the reality we saw was not -really- unlike a reality anywhere else, just a little of the circumstances were different.  Seeing the children play and laugh was all the evidence I needed to confirm, yet anew, how much more alike we are, than different.  If you have the chance to catch this sunset while visiting Angkor Wat, I recommend it!

What to Know

• Going to the lake is pretty easy and does not take long. If you can take a little picnic, it may be enjoyed while watching the sunset!
• As sunset is when mosquitoes (those tropical beasts!) get more active and seek to bite us humans, be sure to put on some bug spray. I did not feel mosquitoes bite me, and I had forgotten to put on bug spray.  But Cambodia has malaria risk so I was glad I was on anti-malarial, at least…
• Bring water.  And there were no nearby facilities that I could see – but plenty of bushes!  Hand sanitizer anyone?
• Be ready to kick a football/soccer ball if the opportunity arises!

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Save this to your travel board for an off the beaten path Cambodia image.  And a phenomenal sunset!