Thursday, March 16, 2006
I'm now in Siem Reap! The weather's fucking hot. Should be around 38 degree celsius. That has been one of my phobia of this holy trip. Another phobia? Visiting countless temples in the Angkor Complex that I could hardly remember which is what! Afterall, I'm that typical traveller who is satisfied by the "Been here, done that" attitude.
A recap:-
DAY 1 - TUESDAY 14 MAR 2006 SINGAPORE - SIEM REAPDeparted by Jetstar Asia flight 3K3505 for Siem Reap or what is popularly known as Angkor. I did not catch a sleep the previous night, so the rest of the day was indeed dreadful. On our arrival, we headed to Sok San Guesthouse where we would be staying for the next 3 nights. Bunking in with wc, we paid approximately S$30 for 3 nights per person. For this price, one could easily expect the most basic amenities (2nd level, Room 17).
We started a gruelling tour of the Angkorian temples which reside in the Angkor Complex. Among them were Angkor Thom, Bayon and 9 other temples which I could not remember the names. All required so much climbing. Some were so high and the steps were narrow and high that someone who is afraid of height like me will find their legs wobbling continuously during ascend and descend.
And yes! Sweat incessantly.
We had dinner at Old Market. It was raining and the roads were covered with muds. Don't expect well-built road just like in Singapore or Bangkok. Siem Reap is covered with sands and I felt it was like some Indonesian Islands of Batam.
But if there is one thing that will make me return for a tour to Siem Reap, it will be their people - the Cambodians. They were very friendly, and many carry a smile on their face when they see you, especially the children.
Slept.
DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY 15 MAR2006 AT SIEM REAPRose and shone at 0430 (GMT +7). We hired a taxi for the whole day (US$20) which brought us to Tonle Sap and Angkor Complex. The driver was oblivious of English language and we had to try our very best to communicate what we want via guidebook language phrases and by gestures.
Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia's largest lake. Indeed, the lake resembles a sea to me. We took a 1-half hour boat trip (US$10 + US$1 tips per pax) to a fishing village and a floating school. On the fishing village, a friendly small little girl showed us to a panorama deck where we had a nice view of Tonle Sap.
On the floating school, I entered a class without teacher and tried communicating with the students (average age - 10 years old) but they don't understand what I was saying since they do'n't understand English. Nevertheless, I took a picture of the class.
Next, we had our breakfast back in our guesthouse. Breakfast was a simple french loaf with fried eggs and tea. Thereafter, it was Angkor Wat - one of the seven wonders of the world. The highest temple I have climbed and I almost freaked out.
We ended our day with a view of sunset on Phnom Bakheng, and we climbed steep and rocky slopes uphill. Many visitors did the same as well, some as old as 80 years.
We had dinner in the comfort of our room. The guesthouse's ''amouk pórk'' or pork curry tasted fantastic, for merely US$2. Saying of food, the prices are steeper than Singapore by about 0.5 times.
DAY 3 - THURSDAY 16 MARCH 2006 AT SIEM REAPWoke up at 0530 akin to the day before. We hired a tuk tuk for US$15 for the whole day. We enjoyed sunrise at Angkor Wat, where the shadows of the 5 temples of Angkor Wat casted majestically onto a body of water - truly a sight to behold!
Then it was breakfast back in the guesthouse before we had an outdoor resting experience at West Baray, a massive reservoir. The temperature was unbearably hot. It was also here that I lost my precious sunglasses that have been to Niagara Falls (also one of the seven wonders of the world) with me. Many Cambodians make a trip to West Baray for picnic and to take a refreshing dip in the water.
We returned to Guesthouse again, before heading to Central Market which is where I am now using the Internet at 1630.
Soon, it will be sunset and we will make a trip to Angkor Wat.
As dusk falls and sunset, we will visit Zone 1 - a club in the sleepy town of Siem Reap. Really sleepy, nothing to do here. I'm getting bored.
Tomorrow I'll be back in Singapore before embarking on my China trip with mum and second sis.
|Melvin Ng| 4:36 pm|
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