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

With many local businesses getting ready for the brand new tourist season starting in October don't just think of a tour to Siem Reap as merely a quick temple visit. That a moment to have a glance at what else is on offer and how it increases the local economy.

Horse-riding in Siem Reap is one tour, for those with only a little adventure at heart you will want to take 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 are a fun solution to break up visiting the temples or simply for experiencing something different on a tour to Cambodia.

For individuals with a head for heights and planning to catch some aerial views and photographs of the majestic Angkor Wat try a balloon ride over Angkor. The German made helium balloon doesn't actually move since it is attached with a rope but ascends around 200 metres for a 10 minute trip which lets you acquire some great photographs and an aerial view of the eighth wonder of the entire world!

If you learn yourself in Siem Reap on a Sunday evening a good experience is a traditional Khmer dance show with live traditional music wear 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's completely 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's worth the visit.

There are obviously many other attractions and activities to select from in your short visit to Siem Reap and Cambodia. Keep your brain open and don't forget how far Cambodia has come in the last 20 years!