On first arriving in 1993 the immediate impression was not enough services offered to the tourist. Certainly there was still the tuk tuk drivers eager to drive you on a tour of the temples of Angkor for the day. Hotels were popping up but other services were limited. There were no ATMs and not much else to accomplish if one wished to take a break from visiting the temples. Fast forward 20 years and the situation has completely changed by way of a lot of investment, knowledge and innovation. It has been possible through development aid. The tenacity of the local people who despite most of the atrocities they have been through are keen to exhibit off their wonderful country and take the opportunities they have. It's already been possible as much Khmers who escaped during the Khmer Rouge era are returning with the knowledge they have gained abroad bringing positive change to the area community.

With many local businesses planning for the brand new tourist season starting in October don't just think about a tour to Siem Reap as merely a quick temple visit. That a moment to possess a look at what else is available and how it enhances the local economy.

Horse-riding in Siem Reap is one particular tour, for people that have a little adventure at heart you will want to have a horse riding tour for 1-3 hours through rural countryside passing streams, rice fields and local villages. The tours are suitable for beginners and children and certainly are a fun solution to break up visiting the temples or perhaps for experiencing different things on a tour to Cambodia.

For people that have a head for heights and wanting to catch some aerial views and photographs of the majestic Angkor Wat here is another balloon ride over Angkor. The German made helium balloon doesn't actually move since it is attached to a string but ascends around 200 metres for a 10 minute trip which lets you get some good great photographs and an aerial view of the eighth wonder of the world!

If you discover yourself in Siem Reap on a Sunday evening a good experience is a traditional Khmer dance show with live traditional music put on by the Cambodian Children's House of Peace, an orphanage in Siem Reap. The show is held every Sunday during the school term without fail at 7pm. It is free but do produce a donation to their worthy cause if visiting. If you should be visiting during rainy season there's a rain cover so don't let that place you off. It is worth the visit.

You can find of course a number of other attractions and activities to choose from on your own short visit to Siem Reap and Cambodia. Keep the mind open and don't forget how far Cambodia has come within the last 20 years!