I had booked this flight a month ago, and because I wasn't planning to get an agency to arrange my itineraries, I had read a lot about Siem Reap.. I made my own itinerary...
I really preferred to be in that place despite the comments of other people like "what will you do there?" What can you get there?, Is it safe?" ... I'm aware that Siem Reap is not that progressive yet, not a big City as well, (it's okay, I'm not a City girl too, not even a gadget and shopaholic girl... its not my line of interest, I just want to travel and learn the way of living in other places)..
If you take a night flight, you can see from above just before you touch down, few lights, no towering establishments... but there was something about the place that's inviting me to come...
Tuesday night when we arrived at Siem Reap International Airport, Travel time is 2 hours and 40 mins from Philippines.. we have 1 hour time difference.
I was planning to have a solo travel but my mom wouldn't allow me ( I'm not a baby anymore! Haha), but not that brave enough to be alone too, and I needed someone to take pictures of me so I asked my friend to come.. haha! Here's my first picture at Siem Reap International Airport.
I emailed our Hotel confirming our arrival and asked them to assist us find a reliable Tuk Tuk driver (their means of transportation, that's their very own version of taxi) to fetch and accompany us for our trip.. and they didn't fail me...
Wednesday. To see the sunrise at Angkor Wat was at first on my list...we went out at 5am but unfortunately, the morning was gloomy... but still, Angkor Wat is a real beauty!..
Then we headed to Angkor Thom (Bayon and the other temples around it).
We entered at the South Gate and our exit at the Victory Gate.
Next stop, Chau Say Thevoda and Thommanom
Then the famous Ta Phrom, its where Angelina Jolie shoot the Tomb Raider. This place was being taken over by these big trees..
Our next destination was Bantay Srei, and it is
quiet far from Angkor proper, about 45 minutes.. but I don't really mind... we needed to rest our tired feet and feel the open air while on board the Tuktuk.
Pre Rup- my favorite but I think that's the main reason why my legs still aches up to now.... but though I really had a hard time climbing and going down, its still worth it... its breathtaking up there.
Bantay Kdei - I met this girl at this area.. She welcomed us doing the "tour guide thing".... I knew from the start that she will be selling us souvenirs... she was the one who taught me to pose at the window.. haha
yes, in every temple you'll visit, there will always be children to offer you buy post cards and souvenirs... Good for you if you wish to buy and you want to help them but if you don't have enough money, prepare your alibis... mine was... "I bought already, I'm sorry I'm not buying, I got no money, I can't go back to my country" haha
If I remembered it right, that was our last stop for that day and we returned to our hotel... Here's our place looks like.. its Motherhome Inn that I reserved thru Agoda online booking.
Sweet sky, the rain poured when we were already at the hotel.. we jumped out into the Swimming Pool when no one was around, its all ours! Maybe because it was raining, and I was having a great time, feeling the rain like a child again.
At night, we visited the well known Night Market and Pub street, had a delicious dinner at one of the resto there.. I got no picture because it was raining still and I didn't bring my camera and my phone.
Thursday. We left our hotel at 7am and headed to the Rolous Group (Lolei, Preah Ko and Bakong)
Lolei
Preah Ko
Bakong
According to our Tuktuk driver, these 3 temples were among those oldest.... and most part already collapsed.
Then we got back somewhere near Angkor.
East Mebon...It's a bit like Pre Rup... we had a quick stop up there to rest... I think I've sweat enough at this trip.
Ta Som
Neak Pean.. I love the body of water just when before you reached the main temple.. It looks like scenery on the movies where an anaconda or a crocodile would come out! Haha..
Preah Khan.. Its a bit creepy here especially we arrived at mid noon when everyone must be having their lunch break somewhere... we thought at first that we're alone there... we were the only one who entered that gate.. I remembered the "wrong turn" movies...haha.. that's what I get in watching that! We couldn't turn back because our service was waiting on the other side.. and its like forever when we saw other tourists, maybe they've entered on the other gate.
When we were done exploring the temples, which I hope I didn't interchange the pictures while narrating here, (I had a hard time remembering them because other temples resembled each other)..., we went back to the main town.. we roamed around and had a quick dropped by at Pagoda and Siem Reap National Park.
Siem Reap was a simple town, maybe their country is not one of the richest, (Metro Manila is even a way much developed), but they were one of those who got civilized first... Seeing those ruins, I was so amazed, how on earth they constructed that during those days? That's unbelievable but they've built it! ..I can see that most parts of these structures were being renovated, supported with scaffolds and other construction materials, some are totally wrecked and ruined. I hope they could still preserve it so the next generations would see them too.
I loved being there.. I love the serenity and simplicity of their place... The people are really friendly, cost of living is lower than Philippines I think...see? I still have this foreign money when we left, yey!.. haha... US dollars is widely used, 1 dollar = 4000 Riel.
I wish I could go back... We've been there for just 2 days and 3 nights, I don't know why I felt really sad when we left. Could it be because I just loved it there or because I don't wanna go back to work! Haha
By the way, here's more pictures.
Our Tuktuk Driver -- Adam, he was a big help, he's just not our driver but our tourist guide as well..
More selfie with my official photographer, oh I mean my friend (na tumetrending ang profile picture sa Facebook).. haha
Here's Captured pictures why I love this place.., its marvelous!
This is how funny I looked like everytime I go down at the very steep steps of these temples... How could others just walked down normally but I just can't???... I need to get myself a good grip at the sides... Its making me paranoid that I would fall or slide (ang arte lang kase).
My Angkor Pass.. I think I looked like a "malditang" witch here... You have to keep your pass at all times...
A couple maybe having a prenup pictorial
The simple living
The people
There you go.. Thank you Siem Reap, Cambodia!! Till we meet again.
