Unless you're heading to Battambang to see it specifically, it's counter-productive as a transit point from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, as it's in completely the opposite direction... for about $25 you can take a boat straight to Phnom Penh from Siem Reap.
I saw Battambang on my way out of Cambodia back to Thailand. It's a nice place, but not a whole lot to it really. If I were you I wouldn't cut a day out of seeing the temples just for the sake of seeing Battambang... the temples are far more impressive and much more worthy of your time imo. After about 2 hours in Battambang I felt I had seen about all there was to see, but it just depends on what interests you I guess. From what I've heard the surrounding areas are more impressive than the town itself, and if you have the time it would be worth checking out. Still though, I wouldn't give up a day of the Angkor area for it, unless you just really have had your fill after two days. I just wanted to get all 3 days worth of my ticket for paying that much lol...
Er should note that $25 I quoted was the price back in 2001... it may be a bit more now, but shouldn't be by much.
Batambang rocks - the city itself is nothing special but indeed renting a moped and driver to take you around it absolutely brilliant. Make sure to have a face mask - going around on the mopeds is full of "cambodian snow" - i.e. dust. The moped guy or your hotel should be able to recommend a good day trip - but It will, no doubt, include the bamboo train ride.
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<hr>Er should note that $25 I quoted was the price back in 2001... it may be a bit more now, but shouldn't be by much. <hr></blockquote>
Its still the same, rather expensive price.
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<hr>That's one way to spoil it, put it on the web ;)<hr></blockquote>
Ha! I was going to suggest that walk and, Henning, the other one around you-know-where, but I remember you making the same comment last time I mentioned the amazing walk around A* T. A serious detective should be able to work it out.
Seriously, it's not a choice of temples OR villages. The Angkor zone is enormous, and there are still people living within it. Most tourist never get more than 300m away from a road that permits car access. Just grab a map, and have a look around for temples away from the main road. They may be a nice one hour walk, through the countryside. It's a very different experience from the dizzying array of "highlights" that most people see - all of a sudden, after enjoying the light shining through the bamboo leaves and having a face off with a buffalo, you suddenly come to an enormous statue in the jungle. You appreciate it more if you see it mixed in with a bit of ordinary, daily life.
Or just take a book and a picnic lunch, and maybe a friend. Find a nice place, away from the crowds, and chill. I don't know why people find it easy to do that on Ko Pangan or wherever, but hard when they are surrounded by gorgeous old temples and other buildings.
With three days, you could do something different on every day: say, one day for a long walk within the zone, one day going out by car or bike to Kbaal Spean, Beng Malea, or other outlying temples, and the last day doing some of the "big name" sites. Or choose one big name site, like Angkor, and spend a whole half day there. There would be enough variety to keep most people happy. Just forget the list ticking thing.
Forget Battambang for a single day. Lovely town, but it would take a day to get there. I can't understand people dissing Battambang town - a great little place to see an ordinary Cambodian town without too much trouble or discomfort, but not just for a day.
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