Dates Visited: February 5 – 9, 2022
Introduction
Portugal was a quite last-minute YOLO trip to escape the bitter cold of New York City, having heard so much about Porto – I figured my first stop on this trip should be Porto, followed by Lisbon since it’s easier to get home from Lisbon’s international airport. Porto definitely did not disappoint – small, quaint, European town vibes coupled with good food and wine.
Arriving
Taxis/Rideshare/Local Transportation
Porto is a very compact city where most attractions are within a 15-minute walking distance of each other. However, the caveat is that like many other cities in Portugal – Porto is a very hilly city and much of the time spent walking is actually spent climbing inclines which add to the difficulty factor. Walking is predominantly how I got around Porto and occasionally taking an Uber to save my legs. That being said, Uber is quite cheap with most rides costing 2 to 4 euros. Porto also has a public transportation system with buses and metro systems which I did not try.
SIM Cards/Wi-Fi
Generally, AirBnBs and hotels in Porto have decent Wi-Fi and most restaurants will have a Wi-Fi connection for their customers. As for SIM cards, I recommend purchasing a MEO eSIM from AirAlo which you can purchase here. The eSIM is virtual and does not require a physical SIM card. At the time of my purchase, it cost US$19 and included 30GB of data but no phone calls or text messages. 30GB is more than enough as I found despite my heavy usage, I only used 20GB during my time in Portugal.
Sightseeing
Angkor Wat
At 400 acres, Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s largest religious site and probably most famous tourist destination. Built completely by hand almost in the 12th Century, it proudly stands as a national symbol of Cambodia. To get here, you will need a tuk-tuk or car as it is outside of the city center and there is no public transportation along with a personalized photo ticket for foreigners purchased on-site that costs 37USD for one day, 62USD for three days, and 72USD for seven days. The price is quite steep, especially in Cambodian standards but the funds do go to maintaining this large historical site. Cash (USD and a few other currencies – forgot which ones) and credit cards are accepted.
I had only enough time for a quick one day tour through the most famous sites of this massive complex, but for those who have more time – definitely consider spending 2 or more days to really get a feel for how grand this temple complex really is. It is hot, humid, sticky, and please bring sunscreen and water when you visit. Also, there are cute monkeys in some parts of the complex so do keep an eye out. Your hotel can arrange drivers and tour guides for you, and there are many freelance tour guides on-site ready to offer you their services.
Psar Chas
If you’re looking for a market to buy goods, souvenirs, or even to exchange money – Psar Chas is a giant outdoor market that serves mainly locals with its wet market section of meats and produce and dry section of household goods, money exchangers, and more. Sanitary standards though, in my opinion, was not exactly the best here so do be prepared for that culture shock moment. Cash only.
Siem Reap Night Market
Not the best night market I’ve seen in Asia but if you’re looking for the night market atmosphere and shopping opportunities – come here but prepared to bargain hard with the vendors. Cash only.
War Museum
A nice selection of weapons, tanks, aircraft, and more from the country’s previous wars. Interesting to spend an hour or two and learn about the country’s history. Cash only and be cautious of drinking any beverages purchased from their gift shop – it may not be authentic.
Food/Drink
Cuisine Wat Damnak
When I first saw this restaurant on TripAdvisor, the price point shocked me at 4 dollar signs ($$$$). That enough could have made me close the tab, but I took a closer look and realized the price for a six-course tasting menu was only $34USD yet the reviews were shining. Figuring that it would be a “splurge” meal, I booked a reservation and showed up many weeks later. In a country where the average meal is <$5USD, spending $34USD on a meal is definitely high-end luxurious but the food did not disappoint.
The menu is seasonal rotating every two weeks, but some of my favorites on my menu include the crispy duck confit fried rice, beef cheek, and pandan French toast with dark chocolate ganache. Definitely make a reservation and be ready to be wow’ed by the 6-course experience at Cuisine Wat Damnak. This along with Mahob Cuisine (below) are two restaurants in Cambodia I still rave about as must-eats to this day. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Mahob Cuisine
Another excellent traditional Khmer cuisine restaurant in Siem Reap. Food is ordered a la carte here and boasts both indoor and outdoor seating areas (mind the mosquitoes though). Lots of seating space, but definitely call to see if you need a reservation first. My favorites on the menu include hot stone Khmer beef, lemongrass ice cream, dragonfruit ice cream, and honey duck breast. This along with Cuisine Wat Damnak (above) are two restaurants in Cambodia I still rave about to this day as must-eats in Siem Reap. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Pub Street
This isn’t exactly one restaurant but rather a pedestrian street full of street food vendors, bars, clubs, sit-down restaurants, massage parlors, stores, and a night market in the vicinity. It really comes alive at night though, so visit after sunset for the best experience. No specific recommendations as I did not partake in any nightlife activities but be prepared for the very aggressive touts representing fish feet massage parlors and more. Cash only, generally.
Tevy’s Place
The first meal I had in Siem Reap after getting off the plane – a small family- run and very low-key eatery for lunch with delicious beef lok lak for about $3USD a plate. No frills, just good beef. Cash only.
Accommodation
Hillocks Hotel & Spa
A 5-star hotel experience in Siem Reap – we booked direct on their website and received many special benefits as a result ranging from free airport pick-up, free tuk-tuk rides each night, free welcome cocktails, free room upgrades, free full body massages, free cocktails and small snacks, and more. They will also assist in arranging a driver/tour guide if you want to visit Angkor Wat and nearby sights. The hotel and spa staff here were extremely hospitable and while our stay was short, they left an outstanding and positive impression. And despite being a 5-star hotel, prices are quite affordable compared to nearby 5-star chain hotels. The hotel is located a bit outside of the main city center, but tuk-tuks are always waiting outside and can be called on-demand by the staff to whisk you downtown and back within minutes.
