I took the local bus from Bangkok to Siem Riep and it was great. If you like dust and being cramped and doing things the local way with no aircon then you'll enjoy your sweaty bum being stuck to these seats. You can exchange money at the border and this is fine. Just make sure you do so on the Cambodian side as the rate is better. When u get off the bus in Siem Riep you will be approched by locals trying to get you to go to their hostels. This is fine, but I found it best to have a place in mind so check the travel guides. Someone on a motorcycle can take you and your backpack there without a problem. I am a woman and travelled alone without any problems. I ran out of money infact and a kind american helped me out. Thank-you! There are many VERY poor families in Siem Riep and they will ask you for money and the usual stuff. My suggestion: take milk when you walk the streets. There are always small thin children carrying even smaller thin children and they will be grateful for the calcium. This can be bought at many shops in the city. I was strapped for cash so spent my time at the local markets. There are some fancy restaurants that have popped up for the tourists but nothing beats a meal prepared right in front of you for next to nothing. It helps the man on the street and gives us tourists more of a human face. With regards to the awsome Angkor City, the best tip I have for you is go as early in the moring as possible! This way you will avoid the crowds and see the sunrise. Two days spent here is enough. The best transport for me to the city was on the back of a motorcycle, the best way to see the area.

When going in Siem Reap, try to stay at the Red Piano Hotel. It is located in the centre of the town, nice comfortable and affordable. It is linked to the Red Piano bar, also a place you should visit. It was not only the hang-out spot of Angelina Jolie and her crew when shooting Tomb Raider, but it is also a very relaxing place to eat, drink and just.. well, relax.
Near the city, located amid forests and farmland to the north of the Great Lake (Tonle Sap), lies the 'lost' city of Angkor. It was the site of a series of capital cities of the Khmer empire for much of the period from the 9th century to the 15th century CE. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temples of the Angkor area number over one thousand, ranging in scale from nondescript piles of brick rubble scattered through rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, said to be the world's largest single religious monuments
Hire a tuk-tuk and let you drive around the temples for around 10-15 dollars a day! It's the best way to see the temples in a relaxing pace :-)

The Dead Fish, we had a great, cheap meal and there was Crocs in the restaurant!!

Siem Reap, Cambodia is a land of wonder and of tragedy. It is inspiring, heart wrenching and unique. Come to Siem Reap with an open mind and you'll enjoy every minute of your stay there. The only reason most people travel into Siem Reap is to see with their own eyes the magnificent Khmer temple ruins of Angkor, a World Heritage Site. To arrange your visit to the Angkor temple complexes, you will need to decide how long you're going to stay, purchase an admission pass (USD20 for one day, USD40 for a three-day and USD60 for a 7-day visit), arrange your transportation to the temples (transportation options include moto-romauk-USD10-13; car taxis USD20-25/day; motodup USD6-9/day; bicycles for USD2-3/day), obtain a tour guide (you'll be thankful for having a guide..they're useful when it comes to explaining the temple history as well as the many bas reliefs and designs in the temples. The charge between USD20-25 per day) and then plan out your temple itinerary. You'll also be well off traveling in Siem Reap if you have purchased yourself a guidebook prior to planning your trip. I highly recommend either the Rough Guide to Cambodia or the Lonely Planet version. These two guide books are almost very accurate. A one-day visit allows you to see the highlights of the most famous temples but very little more. Three days is sufficient to visit all of the major temples once, a few of the minor ones and have a little extra time at your favorites. Seven days is enough time to really explore some of your favorite ruins and visit many of the minor structures as well. If you are on a limited traveling time, you will really need to plan a temple itinerary. If you're only spending two or three days in Siem Reap, i recommend you to cover Ta Phrom (the temple famed for the scene in "tomb raider"), Ta Keo, Victory Gate, Angkor Thom (Bayon, Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of the Elephants, South Gate), Angkor Wat and Phnom Bakheng the first day, second day, go north of the Angkor complex and visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, Banteay Srei and Pre Rup. Third day you may have it easy and go back and visit your favorite temples and do the Tonle Sap Lake in the later part of the day. Weather - as the sun can be very intense, bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The de facto currency used in Siem Reap is in USD. Local currency (Riel) are also used. Riels would come in handy when you pay for small items.

Siemreap is more a traveller-base for Angkor Wat rather than a destination itself (since Angkor has no hotels or restaurants) ... correspondingly most people chill out in Siem Reap over meals and drinks after a tiring day visiting the Angkor temples ... the city is geared towards this ... fix transport for Angkor here depending on whether you are visiting it for one, two or more days (the three-wheelers are a good option) or, if you are done, for the Thai border or Phnom Penh depending on your direction ... after tiring yourself out at Angkor, come to your hotel here (good range available), relax (good massages, if you want, especially the professional foot massage to soothe aching feet), eat (good place to try Cambodian dishes), change money, and exchange notes on Angkor and Cambodia with co-travellers...

1. Recommended hotel - Princess Angkor Hotel
2. Mode of transport - tut-tut (USD5/trip)
3. Where to eat - many good small restaurants around
4. Where to shop - Local bazaar (old quarter)
5. Accessibility - shopping eating places are within walking distance (in town)
6. Use US Dollar for all transactions - better deal.

If you wish to visit the Angkor Wat's temple area, spare a few days to do so because 1-day trip will not cover the parameter of ancient temples.

Suggest to stay at Big Lyna. It is actually a big wooden house with the upper level converted into rooms. Conveniently located within walking distance to Old Market but away from the noise and hustle-bustle. They provide airport transfers - helping you to save a bit. There is a nice restaurant (Thai if not mistaken) just round the corner from Big Lyna - reasonably priced and good food. When shopping, bargain like mad. Slash the price to 1/3 or less.

You won't trust your eyes. Cambodia rocks! Lovliest people I have ever met who always smile. It's another day for you in paradise...

When visiting Angkor Wat, at the entrance there is a restaurant run by a French guy, and the food is pretty good! He has a salad with mango that is refreshing after a long day of touring.

Angkor Wat - a can't miss !
i have pics posted !
Stay at the Golden Temple - a close 3block walk to the small village which hosts a bevy of fun restaurants including the RED piano