Joanna James
The northwestern portion of the Kingdom of Cambodia nestles Siem Reap, a charming town that shines due to its archeological. It is also a great site for spectacular off the beaten track experiences of your own.
The capital of the Khmer empire for a brief period from 928 to 944 AD, Koh Ker lies within a day-trip distance from Siem Reap. This ancient city, which is believed to have had a thriving community of over 10,000 inhabitants in its era, now remains isolated from the other attractions of the area. The main attraction of this site is the Prasat Thom, a pyramid-like structure, on to which you can climb and revel in the splendid views across the surrounding forest. Many tourists visit Prasat Krahom, the second largest structure of this ancient city, for its striking stone carvings and elegant window columns.
A fabulous way to glimpse into the traditional way of life in Cambodia, the Ox Cart Tours in Chreav village is where you'd get to meander around verdant rice terraces on an ox cart while listening to the hearty explanations on the Cambodian culture of your guide. Lying adjacent to some of the best restaurants in Siem Reap the likes of Chi Restaurant & Bar, the locals of this picturesque village rely mainly on fishing and farming for their livelihood. This off the beaten track adventure in an ox cart is a way of assisting the local community since it provides jobs and other support for the people in need at this village. These tours help to preserve and retain the use of the traditional ox cart, which has been an important aspect of the Cambodian culture for many decades.
The best way to explore the nooks and crannies of Siem Ream is on a Honda bike, which is a major transportation method of Cambodia. You can race through the backstreets and alleyways of this small town city of the country to get away from the touristy areas. Traverse around bamboo groves and rice fields and you'd come across Siem Reap's unexplored villages and unspoiled natural surroundings that offer splendid vistas. One can extract an authentic insight into the rustic countryside, away from the mass tourism industries. A refreshing dip on a beautifully-restored ancient reservoir is something to look forward to during this trip. The true essence of the culture of this quaint town and its community will find you when you opt to tour on a motorbike.
Lying within one hour's driving distance from Siem Reap is the floating village of Kampong Phluk. It is a village built on stilts on the Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Hop on a boat that'd be manned by one of the village boatmen to explore the serene surroundings of this area. From floating through a forest of mangroves to coming across herds of cattle grazing on the grass on the river banks, you will be hypnotised with the peaceful nature of the Tonlé Sap lake.
A blissful adventure is guaranteed when you embark on an adventure on a jeep and explore the delightful panoramas of Siem Reap's countryside. Make the most out of this off the beaten track experience as you'd pass non-touristy areas filled with lush vegetation among which the local community has scattered around. You'd get to admire the local lifestyle which would prove to be a rather a meditation-like experience. The sunset over the green landscapes is a must-see whenever you're on a countryside tour in Siem Reap.
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