SIEM REAP AND THE ANGKOR WAT

SIEM REAP AND THE ANGKOR WAT

May 20, 2013|Adiek Sarah

Tour in Siem Reap is more relaxing. Nothing to rush as we know that not so many places we can go other than Angkor Wat. Bus from Phnom Penh arrived at Siem Reap around 6.30 am. It was still early but the day was bright. I do not know how to categorized the bus station because it doesn't look like a bus station at all. It's just there is a small wooden hut in the muddy soil. Perhaps last night was raining heavily.

Siem Reap in the morning

As usual, there are many Tuk Tuk drivers waiting for passengers at the front door of the bus. We are not very sure about the location of our hostel. But there is an English speaking driver that willing to help us to find it. Mr. Ren, as shown in his Tuk Tuk, then brought us to Explores Hostel which is located in St. 14, Mondul I, Svay Dangkum, Central Market and the payment of USD2 per person.

Travel more soothing in the morning because the road was not yet busy. Siem Reap, a tourist town famous for the heritage of Angkor Wat looks clean and well-kept than the Phnom Penh city. We reach Explorers House 15 minutes later and I was quite impressed with the condition of the hostel. It is very neat and clean. And guess what, our female bedroom is only USD6 per person with breakfast. The room is for 10 people with attached bathroom but only 2 of us in the room at that time. Only in the afternoon we have another room mate from Taiwan.

Explores House - Halal Dining Hall

Female Bedroom for 10 people

After dealing with the receptionist and get some tips such as Tuk Tuk's charges, trip to Angkor Wat etc, we agreed to take the Tuk Tuk with Mr. Ren USD20 fee for the big tour. We are allowed to enter the room for a short rest and clean up before heading out to Angkor Wat. There  is no breakfast that morning and we plan to cook the Maggi instant noodles that we've brought. There is a nice Muslim employee offers to cook it for us (instead of using boiled water) and make hot drinks for us using our 3 in 1 packet drink. Service like this is rarely found in any of our backpackers hostel ever go. Explores House, owned by a Malaysia Muslim is complete Halal dining and WIFI in every rooms. For Malaysian, it is a very recommended place to stay in Siem Reap. Please log on to their website for more info. 

Done with breakfast, we start our journey heading to Angkor Wat. Kindly bring a big bottle of drinking water as the temperature is extremely hot.

The entrance fee is USD20 per person. There photo session for the ticket printing. The ticket must not be lost as it need to be shown at each of the temples' entrance. You may choose your preferable transport either Tuk Tuk, bicycle, motorbike, or big groups normally come with their tour bus. No worries, normally in Siem Reap, all the Tuk Tuk are permitted to enter the area but normally the maximum price for big tour is USD25 per Tuk Tuk.

 Angkor Ticket - Hey, that's me!

By not taking a tour guide at the temple, your visit will be only be like a photo taking session and walk around the temple without knowing the histories. We didn't take any. So we were just move around and enjoy the extra ordinary architecture of Angkor Wat.

 Angkor's Map

Our tour is the green route. Here are the list of temples that we've been visited: Angkor Wat - Angkor Thom - Bayon - Preah Khan - Neak Pean - Ta Som. Along the journey, and even in the temple itself, there are a lot of stalls selling food, drinks and souvenir. I bought some souvenirs for myself such as small paintings for only USD1, a blouse for USD7,  2 shawls for USD5, and of course, 2 fridge magnets for USD5.

 Main temple - Angkor Wat

A brief description about Angkor Wat. Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging programme to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

Not much stories I can tell. You have to go there and enjoy this heritage architecture on your own. Here are some of our pictures for sharing.

There are other places to be visited such as Cruise on Tonle Sap Lake and tour to Kampong Phluk but we were extremely exhausted due to long journey last night. Done with the tour, we were then back to the hostel and took some rest, get shower and went down for dinner around 5.00 pm. The dining served basic Malaysia foods like Fried Rice, Asam Pedas, Tomyam etc. The menu is limited and the taste is not the same in Malaysia but still enough for us. 

The lady again gave us the direction to the Night Market. It is only 10 minutes walking distance from our hostel. 

Night Market 

 Night Market across the river

 Manage to get 3 The North Pace Original Bags 20+10L with USD8 each

The Night Market sells clothes, bag, shoes, and here you can even have massage. The sellers called me Kakak as soon as they saw me, probably because of the way I dress and they know that I'm from Malaysia.

We are happy with what we've bought and we really enjoy our last day here. Our flight to Kuala Lumpur will be on the next morning at 8.30 am. The breakfast is ready as early as 6.30 am. At first, I thought they will only serve toast for breakfast like normal backpackers hostels do but here there served Fried Rice. Yummy! The hostel booked a Tuk Tuk for us to the airport and it ready to fetch us at 7.00 am. The fare is USD6 per Tuk Tuk. 

Last day in Siem Reap

Siem Reap International Airport is not very big but it is neat and clean. Previously, the passengers have to pay USD25 for the airport tax but now it is already included in the flight ticket.

We arrived at LCCT KL around 11.30 am, safe and sound. It is a fruitful trip, adventurous, and fun. I can't wait for our next backpacking trip. Till then.

~End of The Adventures of Ho Chi Minh - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap~