Senteurs D’Angkor is a gift shop in the centre of Siem Reap, located
directly opposite the Old Market. However, this treasure trove of
scented natural products made from local raw materials – including soap,
lotions, incense, spices, tea, coffee and candles – also has a larger
workshop and store where visitors can take a short, free tour to see
some of the production processes carried out, which adds a more educational and interactive dimension to your usual souvenir shopping.
Just a 10-minute drive away, situated on the left hand side of the
airport road, National Road 6, the bigger site offers the same array of
easy-to-pack-in-your-suitcase souvenirs. The main, central, shop can
usually arrange tuk tuks free of charge to take you out there from the
shop if you specifically request one.
For those into their arts and crafts, at the workshop you can easily
while away half an hour or so to understand how some of the local
products and typical souvenirs on sale are made. Senteurs D’Angkor
suggests it takes an hour for this tour, but it has taken us much less
and we’ve instead spent the rest of our time deliberating over what to
buy in the shop.
Using scents like jasmine and mango the bath products will awaken your
olfactory senses, while packaged local spices with handy recipe cards
for traditional foods like lok lak and amok make for affordable presents that are simply but attractively presented.
A bunch of basket weavers sit on the premises weaving away colourfully
dyed sugar palm leaves, which can sometimes be seen outside drying in
the sunshine before their transformation into gift boxes. Aromatic
candle production and natural soap making take place here too while a
small herb garden is on hand for you to identify regional staples such
as lemongrass. You can expect a member of staff to guide you around the
site and the various artisan activities taking place. There is no cost,
nor an obligation to buy something from the shop afterwards, though with
prices starting below $5 for small items you probably won’t resist.
One of various artisan workshops in town, Senteurs D’Angkor
offers one of the greatest product ranges where you’re sure to find
something to suit your Mum / Gran / friend / colleague / neighbour /
whoever else you need to buy for but don’t necessarily have much space
in your luggage for.
Open daily from 8:00 till 17:30, Senteurs makes for a more affordable gift and workshop to the most popular in Siem Reap, Artisans D’Angkor, which deals with more expensive materials and products such as lacquer ware, silver and wood carvings.
Monday, July 14, 2014
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