Street 8 aka Pub Street

WHEN the sun sets over Siem Reap, the city turns a couple of notches quieter. It’s pretty much the life you experience in a province – turn in early, wake up early.

But there is loudness in the quiet at nightfall. With the rising popularity of Siem Reap as a tourist destination, there is a part of town where the tourists head to after a day of temple hopping and embracing solemnity to get their fix of “reality” (that equates to metropolis vibe). Loud, bright and vibrant, it’s the magnetic spot I refer to as the Bermuda Triangle where all the tuktuks are drawn, with or without fare.

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Tuktuks are teeming in the area.  It's where everyone is when night falls.

The happening spot is at the downtown area where the old market, quaint boutiques ran by local artists and the concentration of bars and restaurants are. It gets even busier at sun down, the neon lights start flashing and the music turned decibels higher.

Temple Bar pumps up the volume when night falls.

I was told that streets in Siem Reap are identified according to numbers and only the main roads and thoroughfares bear names. Is it a coincidence that the economically rewarding street within the bustling triangle bears the lucky number 8 (at least for the Chinese numerology anyway)?

If you’ve been to Siem Reap, I bet you’ve walked along Street 8. Maybe you know it for it more popular name – Pub Street. As one local told me, it was referred to as such because the street is totally lined with pubs (but more restaurants) and the name stuck.

We became a fan of the spare ribs of this joint.

I got Bangkok's Khaosan Road vibe in this area...but less crowded.

Yes, this street in indeed the busiest, brightest and the noisiest. On the couple of nights I hanged out with friends, I got the vibe of Khaosan Road in Bangkok – casual, fun and entertaining, a nice place to get rest our tired, temple-ran feet over a cold Khmer beer and cuisine (or you can opt for a foot spa/massage by humans or fish at the end of the street).

Your choice of a  foot massage from inexperienced therapists...

or a more reliable (refreshing & ticklish)  fish foot spa.

Although there are several joints with blaring music that spill to the street, the other watering holes offering kinder amplifications to the eardrums.






No soul leaves this street without a smile on the face. Hours are happy on this street from opening to closing of the establishments. Drinks are very affordable, beers are priced cheaply and cocktails offered at two for the price of one. Gulp. Smile.

This says it all.

The local brew.

As for the cuisine, the Khmer preparation leans to the sweeter side, which is to be balanced by the spiciness of chili served along with the other condiments. If you don’t like your food spicy, then the sweet flavor of the food will definitely stand out (or you can order extra rice). Don’t come looking for fancy fare in this area, please.

Food in the area is relatively cheap. Of course, you can't expect anything fancy.

The pizza leans on the sweet side (so does the rest of their food). Balance it with hot sauce.

Check this area out when you make it Siem Reap. Who knows you might be lucky and bump into Angelina J. or some other Hollywood star who happens to be in town to shoot another tomb raiding film.

She was here. #RedPianoBar

So were we.

Speed up, slow down. How much of the Lion City you and your clique want to see will depend on your pace. How much time do you have?

They say a couple of days is enough, or one visit is good. I think not. Singapore is a contradiction- small city, big adventure. What you perceive it to be may not hold water. I can attest to that. I ate my words (and boy, did it need flavoring) when I said, “I think I have seen enough” after my call. But no, each visit offers something new and exciting.

With two or three of stay, it is best to know the places you want to see ahead of time. Surf the net or ask around, or try this- few go-to spots for the barkada for a “well-rounded” experience of the Lion City.

Discover Haji Lane and Arab Street. Immerse yourself in history and culture while shopping. Very Le Marais in Paris or the Meatpacking District of NYC, the shop-houses along Haji Lane were transformed into hip retail shops turning it into a fashionista’s paradise. This is where all the up-and-coming artisans and retailers start up before playing on a bigger field. Arab Street, on the other hand, offers a more ethnic offering of textile, carpets and perfume.

A bike shop at Haji Lane & a carpet store at Arab Street

Go for a Singapore River Cruise. Best taken in the evening, this iconic ride along the historic waterway will remind you of Singapore’s historic charm. The Bumboats will take you on a scenic ride along the river that was the center of trade, commerce and finance of old and admire the modern Singapore from a different vantage point. It’ll take you along the Quays to the famous marina bay where the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade, ArtScience Museum and the LV Island are. After the cruise, try this- G-Max Reverse Bungee, a rocket launch simulator that’ll send you hurtling 60 meters in the air at 200kph, or the GX-5 Xtreme Swing to catapult five of you 100 meters across the Singapore river from a height of 50 meters. That’s viewing the river from another point of view.

Go for a ride-- on a bumboat along the famous rive or in a capsule high up in the air.

Sentosa Spree. You need more than a day to experience the vast offerings of this island. Pick a few and enjoy. May I suggest Universal Studios. Its more compact size makes the theme areas easier to reach- Jurassic Park, the Mummy, Madagascar, land of Far, Far Away, etc. Don’t miss out on the new Transformer ride. It is spectacular! The Skyline Luge Sentosa. Part toboggan, part go-cart, this is one ride for the speed demon. Race down a 650-meter-long paved track. The adrenaline rush can make this ride addicting. The open-air chairlift, Skyride, offers a breathtaking view of the South China Sea as you travel back to the top of the hill. Wave House Sentosa. If surfing is your thing, then this place is for you. This is home to FlowBarrel and FlowRider sheet wave attractions. Waves are 100% guaranteed and ready for you to ride.

Sentosa top picks: Universal Studios, Skyline Luge & the Wave House.

Take the Red Clogs Down the Five Foot Way- A Chinatown Walk. It’s a 3-hour exploration of historic Chinatown that’ll take you to the oldest Hokkien-Chinese temple, Thien Hock Kheng, the preserved shop-houses of early Chinese immigrants, quaint trade stores and Ann Siang Hill, once a plantation and playground to the rich and influential, it is an upcoming Singaporean Fashion hotspot for ritzy fashion boutiques, designer offices, antique shops, art galleries, etc.

Walk through history. Chinatown is rich in more ways than one

Slow down and calm your nerves. What could be relaxing than some retail therapy? Orchard Road has the Ion, Paragon, and Takashimaya where the luxury boutiques are, the favorites like Top Shop, H&M and other name brands along the avenue (or inside the malls where it is cooler to shop) guaranteed to uplift any weary soul. Or head to The Shoppes of Marina Bay Sands. While you’re there, sit down and catch a play at the Marina Bay Sands Theaters and move up to the topmost level of the building where Ku de Ta is. It’s a nice place to lounge and sip cocktails while enjoying the fantastic panorama of the city at night.

Retail therapy along Orchard Road, cultural therapy at the Marina Bay Theaters & spirited therapy at Ku de ta.

I think I may have used up your hours on this visit and you haven’t seen half of the Lion City yet. Let me put it this way, what you’ve missed on this visit will be your perfect excuse to revisit the Lion City. Soon.