Siem Reap, Cambodia

Home to the largest religious sight in the world and maybe some of the kindest people we have met, Siem Reap was a place packed with incredible sights and unforgettable experiences. From diving into local markets and villages, to cruising around ancient temples on Vespas, every day felt like a new adventure.

On our first day in Siem Reap we woke up and hit a local coffee shop and explored through the local markets.

These markets had all you can imagine. Offering things from fruits and veggies, clothes & toiletries, all the way to pig heads, live eels, and plates of bugs.

Crickets, worms, ants, and tarantulas, are all common snacks for Cambodians. To really submerse ourselves in the culture, and because YOLO, Jackie took one for the team and tried a BIG cricket. Let’s just say the cricket may have won.

After Lincoln stopped laughing and Jackie picked all the cricket legs out of her teeth, we headed off to our Cambodian pottery class.

Using ancient pottery techniques and cambodian clay, we were able to create five unique pieces. We had so much fun and cannot wait to display our creations when we get home!

We started our second day jetting off on a Vespa through the lively streets, heading straight for the stunning temples of Angkor. Built in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat, was even more impressive in person.

Angkor Thom’s Bayon Temple, fascinated us with its gigantic faces found around the temple.

Our last stop was Ta Prohm. This temple is where massive trees intertwine with ruins, it like stepping into a storybook. (You might recognize it from the movie “The Tomb Raider”)

Our guide really made this trip special. His enthusiasm and knowledge about Cambodian history were incredible. He gave us some eye-opening insights into Cambodia’s past, including the impact of the Khmer Rouge era, which still affects the country today. He also explained how Cambodia’s sad and violent past has affected him and his own family.

After exploring the temples, our guide took us to a local spot for an authentic Cambodian lunch. The food was fantastic, and was bursting with flavors that gave us a real taste of the local cuisine.

The next day, we also visited the village of Chong Khnies, and a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. It was a real eye-opener to see how people live there. Despite the tough conditions, the community’s spirit and kindness was truly inspiring. Observing their daily lives, I realized how deeply they appreciate the small joys and essentials—things we often took for granted. There warmth and genuine smiles, despite their living conditions reminded us if the importance of expressing gratitude for what we are blessed with. Through their example, we learned that true contentment comes from recognizing and appreciating the everyday blessings, rather than always seeking more.

It wasn’t long til tears flooded our eyes with amazement as we remembered what was truly important in this world. The children were so excited to say hi and welcome us to their home. It warmed our hearts to see how happy they were to see us.

Even though our days were busy, that did not stop us from exploring Siem Reap at night. We enjoyed .50 cent beers on the infamous Pub Street and wrapped up our final night in Siem Reap with a visit to the Cambodian Circus. The performances were amazing and, more importantly, they support Cambodian youth by giving them skills and opportunities. It felt great to see something that’s making a positive impact.

Our time spent in Cambodia will stay in our hearts forever. Thank you to every kind soul for teaching us so much in such a little time. We will never forget your beautiful smiles.