Angkor Wat had always been high on my travel bucket list, so when our wedding anniversary came around, I knew it would make for the perfect weekend escape from Singapore. Last year, I struggled to find reasonably priced direct flights, and we even considered flying into Phnom Penh and making the long drive to Siem Reap. Fortunately, a few months ago, a friend tipped me off about some flight deals, and we quickly booked our trip with Singapore Airlines.

Our flight was slightly delayed, but overall the journey went smoothly. I watched a movie, and before I knew it, the 2.5-hour flight flew by. Once we landed in Cambodia, I was pleasantly surprised by the modern and efficient airport. The visa line was quick, and since we had already paid for our visas online and completed the arrival QR code, we breezed through immigration.

After grabbing some cash from the ATM and purchasing a SIM card ($5 for 30GB), we ordered a Grab tuk-tuk to our hotel. The airport is about an hour away from the downtown area, so we opted to stay in a quieter neighborhood just a five-minute drive from the lively Pub Street. I had booked our accommodation, Calm Oasis, through Booking.com after finding an incredible deal — we stayed in the Presidential Suite at a massive 80% discount! The hotel exceeded expectations. The staff was warm and welcoming, and our room had a beautiful outdoor garden with a bathtub and shower — a real treat! We also enjoyed the pool, perfect for cooling down after a day of temple-hopping.

After settling in, we decided to unwind with a massage. I had done some research on local spas and found a great option called RealSpa, just a short $1 tuk-tuk ride away. The spa prices in Cambodia were fantastic — you could get an hour-long massage for as little as $5, or opt for a more luxurious experience for $14. Needless to say, we took full advantage of the spa during our short three-day trip!

By the time we finished our massages, it was around 8 pm, and hunger was setting in. We quickly searched for nearby restaurants and ended up at Taste For Life, just a few minutes’ walk from the spa. They had a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes — and since Siem Reap is a major tourist hub, we found vegetarian options everywhere. We ordered spring rolls, beer, and tofu amok, a local dish made with coconut milk and a creamy consistency, usually served with fish, but we went for the tofu version. It was absolutely delicious!

I was amazed at how cheap everything was. Our beers were only $0.50 each, and some menu items like burgers were just $1. Our entire meal, including drinks, water, and peanuts, came to just $8. Siem Reap is easily one of the most affordable places we’ve visited. What I also found interesting was that most stores displayed prices in USD, but they accepted both USD and the local currency. Plus, nearly everywhere accepted card payments, which was a welcome change after our experiences in Sri Lanka.

After dinner, we strolled down Pub Street, the heart of Siem Reap’s nightlife. We wandered through the vibrant night market, but after our filling meal, we were too full to try more food, so we headed back to the hotel to rest.

Temple Hopping at Angkor Wat

A few months before the trip, we met a couple during a safari in Sri Lanka, and they shared their experience with Angkor Wat. They recommended a guide, and after getting his contact info, I reached out to him on WhatsApp. We decided to follow a more relaxed schedule, visiting the Grand Circuit on the first day and exploring Angkor Wat and other famous temples the next day. The reason for this shift was that the weather forecast called for rain during the morning, so we didn’t expect to see the sunrise.

The next morning, rain greeted us, but after a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, our driver was happy to wait until it cleared up. By 9 am, the rain stopped, and we were ready to begin our temple tour. We had already purchased our Angkor Wat tickets online — a quick and easy process — and downloaded the app, which provides a QR code for temple entrances. The ticket was $62 for a three-day pass.

We had a list of temples we wanted to see, including Preah Khan, Neak Pean, East Mebon, Ta Som, Pre Rup, and Srah Strang, but we let our driver pick the order and suggest other temples to visit along the way. We even stumbled upon a few hidden gems, stopping on a whim to explore them. The day was wonderfully flexible, allowing us to explore at our own pace.

We opted for an air-conditioned car, given the heat and occasional rain, and I was glad we did. Despite visiting numerous temples, each one felt unique and captivating — and I never grew tired of the sights. Some temples were overtaken by enormous tree roots, and others, like Ta Prohm (famously featured in Tomb Raider), looked like they belonged in a movie set.

Around 1 pm, I was getting a bit “hangry,” so we stopped for lunch at a nearby restaurant. We had refreshing juices, tofu stir-fry, and veggie curry — everything was delicious and satisfying. The last temple of the day was Ta Prohm, and it was definitely one of my favorites because of how the roots intertwined with the ruins. It felt magical, and I loved that visitors were free to explore most areas, with only a few sections roped off for safety.

After our temple tour, we returned to Calm Oasis for a swim and found a lovely surprise waiting for us in our room — a thoughtful anniversary gesture from the hotel staff. We relaxed a bit before heading back out for another round of massages to celebrate our special day. We treated ourselves to a back massage, pedicure, and foot massage — the perfect anniversary indulgence without breaking the bank.

For dinner, we went to Chanrey Tree, a lovely spot recommended by our driver. The food was incredible, and we had a cozy seat outdoors, enjoying the tropical atmosphere. After dinner, we returned to the hotel, where I took a long soak in the outdoor bathtub while watching the new season of White Lotus. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.