Siem Reap - Cambodia - page 181

THE CAMBODIA LANDMINE MUSEUM
Established by DIY de-miner Aki Ra, the Cambodia Landmine Museum ( 012 598951;
www.cambodialandminemuseum.org ; admission US$2; 7.30am-5pm) is very popular with travel-
lers thanks to its informative displays on the curse of landmines in Cambodia. The museum includes
an extensive collection of mines, mortars, guns and weaponry used during the civil war. The site in-
cludes a mock minefield so that visitors can attempt to spot the deactivated mines. Not only a weapon
of war, landmines are a weapon against peace, and proceeds from the museum are ploughed into mine
awareness campaigns and support a rehabilitation centre and training facility. The museum is about
25km from Siem Reap in Banteay Srei and is easily combined with a visit to Banteay Srei temple,
about 6km beyond.
For those wanting to learn more about the after-effects of an amputation, it is possible to visit the
Physical Rehabilitation Centre ( 8am-noon & 2-5pm Mon-Fri), run by Handicap International
( www.handicapinternational.be ) . There are informative displays including a variety of homemade
prosthetics that it has replaced with international-standard artificial limbs, plus it's possible to meet
some of the locals receiving assistance here.
Activities
There is an incredible array of activities on offer in Siem Reap, ranging from predictable
swimming pools, spa centres and golf courses right through to less predictable horse rid-
ing, quad biking and an Angkor-themed mini-golf course. Don't forget to include a visit to
the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity ( Click here ) out near Kbal Spean, one
of the more remote Angkorian sites.
It's hot work clambering about the temples and there's no better way to wind down than
with a dip in a swimming pool. Pay by the day at most hotels for use of the pool and/or
gym, ranging from just US$5 at some of the midrange hotels to US$20 at the five-star
palaces. More and more of the cheaper hotels and resorts are putting in pools and this can
be a worthwhile splash for weary travellers. Locals like to swim in the waters of the
Western Baray at the weekend.
Foot massage is a big hit in Siem Reap - not surprising given all those steep stairways
at the temples. There are half a dozen or more places on the strip running northwest of
Psar Chaa offering a massage for about US$6 to US$8 an hour. Some are more authentic
than others, so dip your toe in first before selling your sole.
For an alternative foot massage, brave the waters of Dr Fish: dip your feet into a pad-
dling pool full of cleaner fish, which nibble away at your dead skin. It's heaven for some,