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Published: July 23rd 2006
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Hi, everybody..... this is my first time to post my journal. I would like to share my experience in Angkor, Siem Reap with yours. I and my hubby (Lim) spent for our 5D/4N trip over there.
1st day - 24 May 2006, Wednesday - arrived in Siem Reap.
It was a clear & hot afternoon. We transferred to Guesthouse by car, which provided by the guesthouse. The first impression on the city was the street very dusty. In addition the traffic was a bit messy too.
The guesthouse located just about 5 minutes walking distance from old market. We have booked the room in advanced, it cost us USD 13 per night (without breakfast). It is a 3 storey building, the facilities is simple but nice, clean and comfortable. Our room at 1st floor equipped with double bed, a private bathroom, air-conditional, TV with multi-channels and mini-bar. The guesthouse staff is very friendly and helpful. Overall it is value for money.
After checked in, we went to “Tea & Coffee World” restaurant for lunch. This restaurant was recommended by the guesthouse staff because the price is reasonable and it is air-conditioned. We caught by surprise that
the restaurant provide us with free jasmine tea. Among the menu, I ordered a Singapore fried mee-hon (5000 riel) (Now I knew, the Singapore fried Mee-hon is so famous until it can be found in Combodia…..Ha!Ha!Ha!) and Lim ordered the Siem Raep’s famous local food - Beef mee-hon soup (4000 riel). The food came in a small portion and taste good. However it was not enough to fill up my stomach.
After that, we looked for the transportation for our few days activities. The common option is either to rent a car (cost USD 20-25 per day) or a ‘tuk-tuk’ (cost about USD 10-15 per day). Finally, for economical reason the ‘tuk-tuk’ is the best choice for us.
Our itinerary for this evening is to buy the entry pass (you must posses an admission pass to visit the temples, for 1 day pass - USD 20, 3 days - USD 40 and 7 days - USD 60) and visit the Phnom Bakheng for sunset viewing (after 5.00pm, Free entrance to the temples. No pass required). For our pre-plan itinerary, we need the 3 days entry pass.
To fill up the time in afternoon, we went to Old
Market or local people called it as Phsar Chas. It is a traditional market popular offering a various selection in Cambodian souvenirs as well as foods. We discovered that, the whole old market was covered by a roof for the protection of rain water; hence the roof made the atmosphere inside became hot. There was a small wet market which selling the vegetables and meats located at the center and 2 rows of food stalls just next to it. The other stalls were mainly selling souvenir, Cambodian handicrafts, textiles, statues and curios.
The famous local souvenir is silks. After surveying & bargaining in few stalls, I had brought 5 pcs of scarf with Angkor Wat embroidery (USD 0.5 each) and another 5pcs of scarf made of 100% Cambodian silks (USD 2 each) for collection. The final price we get was 25% of the original price they offered. Therefore you should have good bargaining skills or else you may pay MORE!
Around 4p.m, the ‘tuk-tuk’ driver arrived at our guesthouse to pick-up us to the ticket counter and then to the Phnom Bakheng. The tuk-tuk driver was not verse well in English. Therefore, somehow we felt a bit difficult
in communication. However, the service provided by him was satisfied.
The construction of this temple mountain on Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng Hill), is the state temple of the first capital. It’s rated for 3 stars according to Siem Reap Angkor visitors guide (4 stars is the highest). Bakheng’s hilltop is a popular sunset location.
The climb is quite steep and we took about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the summit. Alternative, elephant rides up the hills are also available. In the hilltop, we can see a view of a distant Angkor Wat in the jungle. Many of its buildings are in poor condition. We feel a bit disappointed because the sunset was block by the cloud.
After the visit, we went to ‘Red Piano’ Restaurant located at Pub Street for our dinner. We tried Cambodia famous Khmer Food called ‘Amok Fish’, chicken and Angkor beer (1 glass of beer=USD 1.00, the price of the beer is cheap if compared to Malaysia). The taste of the mentioned Khmer food was similar to the taste of Malaysian/Thai food. Therefore, we’re used to it! We enjoy our dinner with the nice atmosphere surroundings.
Then….we called for a day. Tomorrow
morning, we target to go for the GREAT ANGKOR WAT!
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Andreas Christofides
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USD 1 drafts!
I am on my way! Whoo hoo! I thought those disappeared with the '80s'!! Cheers!