#what to wear in siem reap

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Here's a link to APOPO where you can donate, buy merch or even adopt a rat!

Imagine being buried alive and then seeing this little guy with a backpack suddenly arrive

[southeastasiadiary]

Day 14: Repositioning #2

Today is just a travel day, involving a flight from Phnom Penh in the southern part of Cambodia to Siem Reap further north. After a very busy day yesterday and three very busy days coming up, it’s actually quite nice to have a day to catch my breath and reflect, particularly since I’m now at the halfway point in this trip.

If I had to choose a symbol for Cambodia, I’d select something like the Ancient Greek statuary convention known as “the archaic smile.”

Cambodians greet everything with a smile. Everything.

Even when Thy was discussing the worst atrocities of the Khmer Rouge and the suffering of his own family, he did so with a (sometimes unnerving) smile on his face. It’s the national expression. According to Thy, what others express in words, Cambodians express with a gentle smile. It can mean anything from “Thank you” to “You’re welcome” to little more than nothing at all. But it is universal.

The other interesting thing about Cambodia is that it has two legal currencies: the Cambodian riel and the U.S. dollar. Prices will often be posted in both. So, unlike Vietnam, I had absolutely no reason to change money here. Mind you, sometimes you’ll pay in dollars but receive your change in riels.

In Vietnam, religious sites often featured a seamless blend of Buddhism, animism, ancestor worship, Confucianism, and Taoism. That same mix can be found here in Cambodia as well, although Hindu deities also play a more prominent role. I think my favorite Cambodian deity of the pre-Angkor period is Harihara. Some people at that time worshipped Vishnu while others preferred Shiva. To split the difference, they simply created a new god, Harihara, who was half Vishnu (who was sometimes called Hari) and half Shiva (who was sometimes called Hara). You can always recognize statues of Harihara because he wears a crown that is split right down the middle: Shiva’s hair on the left; Vishnu’s plain crown on the right.

It’s a bit reminiscent of the combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt or the later Greco-Egyptian god Serapis, a similar blend (created for similar reasons) of Osiris and the Apis bull.

I reached the beautiful airport in Siem reap at about 2:30 pm. The airport is designed in a graceful Cambodian style, and with the warm sunny day as I walked to the terminal, it felt more like a walk to a country club.

Ironically, I later learned that, in only ten days (on October 15, 2023), this beautiful little airport will close and be replaced by a much larger airport fifty kilometers away.

Siem Reap is almost like a photographic negative of Phnom Penh. Traffic in Phnom Penh was atrocious, as thick as in Hanoi but without the infrastructure. As a result, you can only creep along on the highway, and it takes forever to get anywhere. Drivers are constantly turning now right, now left so that you can’t believe they actually know where they’re going. In Siem Reap, until you get downtown, the roads are straight, wide boulevards with virtually no traffic. And the downtown doesn’t look like a city, more like a small town in northern Iowa with no building that stands more than two or three stories tall.

The stay here is going to be fun; I can just tell.

[battambang-cyclingtour]

Countryside Cycling in Battambang: Unveiling Hidden Beauty of Cambodian Rural Landscapes

Introducing Battambang – Battambang is a beautiful city situated in the heart of Cambodia. Most tourists overlook this destination; instead, they favor more popular destinations such as Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. However, if you are looking to explore the hidden beauty of the countryside and immerse yourself in the local way of life, then Battambang will never let you down.

It’s better to experience the inherent beauty of this spectacular region by cycling through the countryside. While cycling, you can enjoy picturesque natural views, come across friendly locals, and discover hidden gems off the beaten track. Please continue reading this blog post and know what makes countryside cycling in Battambang so special.

Why Choose Battambang for Countryside Bike Tours?

Battambang is a perfect destination for countryside cycling tours for the following reasons.

• The terrain for cycling is relatively flat and is very much accessible for cyclists of all levels.

• The roads are quiet and peaceful and have little traffic; hence you will enjoy cycling at your own pace and indulging in the scenery at your leisure.

• The countryside surrounding the Battambang area is simply breathtaking as it’s filled with rice paddies, fruit orchards, and traditional villages dotting the landscape.

What to Expect on Countryside Cycling in Battambang

When you decide to embark on a countryside cycling tour in Battambang, you can expect certain things, which are discussed below:

• Get ready to encounter a combination of paved and unpaved roads, with some sections being bumpy or muddy, especially during the rainy season. • You may also need to come across some small hills, but they are generally manageable for most cyclists.

• Along the way, there are so many places to stop over and take photos and interact with locals. The locals are very much friendly and generous people.

• You will see traditional Khmer houses and local farms up close and will pass through villages where farmers are working in the fields. You’ll likely see water buffalo grazing nearby the fields and may also spot some of the region's wildlife species, like monkeys or colorful birds.

What to Consider for Battambang Bike Tours When it comes to planning Battambang bike tours, you need to consider a few things for an enjoyable experience as possible:

You should wear the right clothes. You should go for lightweight, breathable clothing. Wear a hat and sunscreen to stay protected from the sun.

You should bring enough water. During your cycling tour, you should stay hydrated, especially in the heat. So, you should bring enough water with you.

You should book a guided tour. Though you can explore the Battambang countryside on your own, a guided tour can give you valuable insights into the local culture and history, as well as make sure that you don't get lost.

You should show respect towards locals. Please keep in mind that you are a guest in their community. Hence, you should show respect towards respectful towards local customs and traditions. You should always ask their permission before taking photos.

Final Consideration – Countryside cycling in Battambang is an excellent way to experience the natural beauty and vibrant local culture of Cambodia. With Battambang Cycling Tours, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience as you will cycle through traditional villages, lush rice paddies, as well as fruit orchards. So, it’s time to add Battambang to your travel itinerary, and let us help you discover the hidden charm of the Cambodian countryside! Feel free to contact us today and let’s get started.

Source From: https://battambangcyclingtour.wordpress.com/2023/04/25/countryside-cycling-in-battambang-unveiling-hidden-beauty-of-cambodian-rural-landscapes/

[reachsiemreap]

Finding the Best Bike Ride in Cambodia

Cambodia is a land of incredible natural beauty, exciting urban adventures, and dreamy, small-town getaways – they don’t call it the Kingdom of Wonder for nothing! As with any travel destination, figuring out how to get around can be a challenge. Cars are relatively scarce, aside from the fleet of huge Lexus and Hummers favoured by the political class. If you’re staying in Phnom Penh or another urban centre, tuk tuks are a fast, fun, easy and affordable way to get around. If you’re travelling further than that – and really, if you’re going to Cambodia at all, you should be trying to see as much of the country as possible – You can get around by bus, train, or in some cases, by plane.

However, if you’re spending time in one of the country’s many smaller towns, we really suggest renting or buying a bicycle. They can be purchased outright for under $50 USD – sometimes as little as half of that – and rented on a daily basis for considerably less. They’re not as fast as a motorbike or scooter, but they are much safer and are likely to cause you far fewer headaches. For our money, they are the best way to get around and take in some of the gorgeous, sleepy countryside that surrounds the townships in places like Siem Reap, Kep, and Kampot. We’ve put our heads together to share what we think are some of the best bike ride Cambodia wide.

Kampot  While we weren’t blown away by the actual township of Kampot, the surrounding areas, with their lush forests, flowing rivers, and seemingly endless banana plantations, are the perfect setting for a long bike ride. You will see plenty of tourists zooming around on motorbikes and scooters, but you’ll also notice a staggering amount of bandaged limbs and nasty-looking scars from road accidents. So don’t feel intimidated, a leisurely bicycle ride is the cheaper, safer, smarter, and – in our humble opinion – more enjoyable option.

Siem Reap Siem Reap is home to Cambodia’s world-famous Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure anywhere in the world and an absolute must-see if you are planning to travel to Cambodia. You can take an early morning bike ride around the enormous temple complex, and we strongly suggest doing that to get a good view of the main temple at sunrise. But the town itself and surrounding areas offer no shortage of wonderful sights and fascinating historical locations. Do yourself a favour and enjoy them all.

Battambang  Less crowded than Siem Reap and more of a local vibe than Kampot, Battambang is a hidden gem offering gorgeous colonial architecture, delicious French-Khmer fusion food, and stunning natural vistas best enjoyed from atop a bicycle. You can see the whole town in a day or two, but why not take a week? Time stands still in this lovely little town, so you can too!

Stay Safe As we’ve already mentioned, whether you’re in the heart of the city or way out among the rice paddies, a good old-fashioned bicycle is one of the safest options to get around Cambodia. But that doesn’t mean it’s totally risk-free. Always wear a helmet, and wherever possible, travel in groups of two or more. Keep your wits about you and you’re up for one of the greatest adventures of your life!

[stemcellee]

Hi! What organization did you go through for the Cambodia trip? I’ve always wanted to do something like that but worried that it’s a scam - did you pay for your own airfare and all?

hello!

i went through Sustainable Health Empowerment which is affiliated with the UCLA club Medical Experience through Service in Healthcare (MESH)

And well I went on this trip with a lot of skepticism myself, so the worry that it’s a scam is totally understood. In the end though, we served a LOT of people! We worked with Khmer medical and dental teams (dental team actually did free extractions and fillings! and medical team gave out common medicines and did a lot of consultation/hospital referral for those who needed it)

Personally I worked on the Vision team and we screened our service recipients for reading glasses (most of them are older persons) and honestly it was pretty cool how some of them didn’t even realize that they could read newspapers better by just wearing glasses, and that reaction to seeing clearer is so good lol they’re like WOW WHAT IS THIS ITS SO CLEAR

But yeah we did pay for our own airfare and we had to pay contribution for hospitality and food, but during the trip they really took good care of us. We stayed at NICE hotels (Sun&Moon Urban Hotel in Phnom Penh is awesome and safe, and Lotus Blanc in Siem Reap was PARIDISE OMF)

Anyways in the end it’s really up to you to make the time worth it as well! If you work hard, your give the recipients quality healthcare and services, and you personally gain a very meaningful experience. It’s quite literally the definition of ‘you get what you give’!!

I’d recommend volunteering abroad to pre-health students if the opportunity is available and affordable. I’m really glad I went :’)

[lcyback-moved]

*  ANSWER  TWENTY - ONE  QUESTIONS  ! TAG  TWENTY - ONE  PEOPLE  YOU’D  LIKE  TO  KNOW  BETTER. SOME QUESTIONS MAY BE ‘ ??? ‘ INSTEAD OF ANSWERED.

01.    NICKNAME  :  eevee 02.    REAL  NAME  : if ur my friend u know it 03.    ZODIAC  : cancer sun / gemini moon / gemini rising 04.    HEIGHT  : 5′5 05.    WHAT  TIME  IS  IT  ?  : 12:55pm 06.    FAVOURITE  MUSICIANS  /  GROUPS  : SF9, VICTON, UP10TION, X1, SKZ, WEKIMEKI, MCR, The Used 07.    FAVOURITE  SPORTS  TEAM  : University of Mount Union Purple Raiders 08.    OTHER  BLOGS  : none 09.    DO  I  GET  ASKS  ?  : sometimes ?? 10.    HOW  MANY  BLOGS  DO  I  FOLLOW  ?  : 77 11.    ANY  TUMBLR  CRUSHES  : not gonna tag moots bc i dont wanna hurt feelings so @abi6x​ thank u for ur hard work for the rpc

12.    LUCKY  NUMBER  : i don’t 13.    WHAT  AM  I  WEARING  RIGHT  NOW  : brown/white turtleneck sweater and jeans 14.    DREAM  VACATION  : Siem Reap  15.    DREAM  CAR  : a hyundai sonata that’s not falling apart like mine is 16.    FAVOURITE  FOOD  : *bass boosted* BURGER 17.    DRINK  OF  CHOICE  : coke 18.    LANGUAGES  :  english, french, german. learning korean very slowly 20.    CELEBRITY  CRUSHES  :  Lua from WeMe nd Cho Seungyoun 21.    RANDOM  FACT  : I’m a pastor

Tagged by: @foxmoons​ technically

TAGGING  : idc

[siemreapairbnb-blog]

Siem Reap Airbnb - Choices For Visiting Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a bustling town and mainstream goal for travelers originating from all around the globe to see the universes acclaimed Angkor Wat sanctuary complex.  Many years back, the asian south east was a piece of the powerful Siam Empire and this is reflected in the towns current name, Siem Reap, which implies truly "crushing the Siam" which portrays the war which is delineated on the sanctuaries of the Angkor Wat Temple Complex. Most importantly you have to best home for remain in here so you can locate the Best Airbnb Siem Reap.

The principal notice of Angkor Wat and is its encompassing sanctuaries in present day writing was by Antonio da Magdalena, a Portuguese priest who went through the district in 1586. He portrayed the sanctuaries as having "Uncommon development, difficult to depict with a pen" commenting that they resembled "no other working on the planet" with "towers and enhancement" which are as refined as the human creative ability would think conceivable.

The most ideal approach to get around Siem Reap is either with an enlisted bicycle, or a Tuk. Following numerous foreigns having mishaps, it is not any more conceivable to lease cruisers and the option, the human controlled bike, can be leased for around $4-5 every day. There are many bike rental shops around town, and you can likewise ask your lodging or visitor house on the off chance that they have any bikes accessible for lease. The other alternative, a Tuk, is better in warm climate.

There are numerous Tuk's around town in Siem Reap and its difficult to abandon transport. You can procure a Tuk for short outings which will cost you $1-$2 inside town, or you can contract a Tuk for the whole day, from before dawn, until after sun-set. This will cost you $15/day, in any case on the off chance that you choose to visit the far out sanctuaries, for example, "bantey srey" you should give your Tuk driver an extra $10. Tuk drivers in Siem Reap are required to enlist for a Tuk permit and wear a numbered vest consistently. Keep in mind your Tuk drivers number or you will most likely be unable to distinguish which driver is yours.

Keepsakes famous with travelers, inluding works of art, carvings, silks and different textures, silver things, dress, DVD's and CD's and in addition stoneware can be purchased at the Old Market which lies amidst the most happening piece of town. Sellers anticipate that you will drive a hard deal, so in the event that you pay more than 2/3rds the underlying value, you aren't bartering sufficiently hard. Continuously divide the value previously cited, and get down to business. This is a social thing and is viewed as a vital piece of exchange.

The locale encompassing the old market is loaded with eateries, bars, inns and bistros, some of which offer web access. Numerous vacationers make this a fun place to spend an evening, however this piece of town certainly changes into a gathering heaven around evening time.

"Bar Street" is a focal road in Siem Reap which is made accessible to people on foot around evening time, which furnishes a fun road climate with keepsake shops, eateries, bars and a considerable lot of the most well known clubs in Siem Reap. As there is no movement, a considerable lot of the gatherings spill out into the road, where sellers and bums are at the very least. The most prominent clubs in this road incorporate the Temple Club for beverages, music and other diversion, or the Angkor What? bar which takes into account the hiker swarm. Both are full each night of the week. Bar road is unquestionably worth a visit and no trek is finished without a night on the town in Siem Reap.

Find here the Best Siem Reap Airbnb.

[calaycay]

Calay Indochina Trip (April 17-22, 2018)

Jealousy is something that needed to be addressed for a better relationship. So when my Tatay got jealous of my Hong Kong trip last October 2017, I acquired insomnia. My mind can't stop thinking of the best place where my Tatay can get a great experience with a very small budget. Thanks to Colz’ post in DIY Philippines Facebook Group about her Indochina Trip, I finally got some sleep. They day after the long peaceful sleep, I immediately invited my friends who I know love to travel also. Fortunately, I convinced my Baka-chan, Reinee, and Johnrey. This is the start of our failed and unsatisfying but definitely unforgettable Indochina trip that we will surely laugh about when we get older.

Planning for Indochina Trip really needs a lot of research. Imagine going into one country after another, one should really know everything that he/she needs to know.

DAY 1

Thanks to Traveloka, we were blessed to find an Airasia seatsale going to Ho Chi Mihn, Vietnam with connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. So we automatically had an additional country aside from our original Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand travel.

We exchanged our peso to Ringgit in NAIA just to be sure to have a money to spend enough for DAY 1. It is better to change your money in NAIA than in any airport of the country you are going into.

We depart from Manila around 5:30 PM and arrived at Kuala Lumpur by 9:05 PM. KL's airport is really big. We rode Aerobus going to KL Sentral and their Rapid KL (counter part of MRT here in the Philippines) going to Masjid Jamek Station - the nearest station to our accommodation. We didn't have data so we weren't able to locate our hostel easily. It took us a lot of walking. People pointed us to places everywhere. They can barely understand us and we can barely understand them as well. Fortunately, Rajid (a staff from China Hostel) helped us to contact our hostel and booked a grab for us. (THANK YOU RAJID!) Finally by 2am, we were able to get some sleep.

I experienced the same in my HongKong trip. So I suggest to book an accommodation nearest to a landmark. Also, ask the right person so you don't need to get lost even worse.

We booked a night stay at Grand Mountbatten Boutique Hotel through Traveloka as well for P1750 for 5 pax 350 each - very cheap.

Day 1 is like Day 0. We weren't able to go anywhere but our hotel.

DAY 2

We woke up by 6am and started our journey by 7am. Our first stop is Batu Caves. We got lost because apparently KTM Kumuter is not working, and we do not know how to get there via other transportation. So we asked, and rode a free bus up to KTM Sentul Station, from here we waited for more than an hour before it departs to Batu Caves. This is the heartbreaking part. We weren't able to take into consideration the waiting time of the departures because we have a different itinerary. Some things really don't go according to the plan.

at Jamek Mosque

We enjoyed Batu Caves, especially for me and my Tatay. I just love natural things. I prefer going to these tourist destinations (just like Ngong Ping Village in HK) than in the city. The monkeys and doves are everywhere! You can even get a shot like you're in Rome with those doves. And my Tatay experienced getting his polvoron rubbed by the monkey. It's so funny. The Big Buddha is really enormous. It's amazing.

Inside the Batu Cave

You need to climb 272 steep steps before reaching the cave. But the fear, hunger, and effort are totally worth it. It's a huge cave. They have a small temple inside it. Again, the monkeys are everywhere.

Just a reminder: do not wear shorts or skirts above the knee. You will be asked to pay 5 MYR for the cloth which they will wrap around your waist.

We went back to the KTM Komuter by 11am. This is where everything messed up. We weren't able to eat breakfast and lunch because of the hectic schedule. We weren't able to go to Petronas Twin Towers (yeah I know 💔💔💔) And the worst part is, we missed our flight going to Vietnam. Yes we idiots did.

We got no choice but we are still blessed. Flight from KL to Siem Reap, Cambodia is cheap. So we decided not to go the Vietnam and just go straight to Cambodia. And we booked our accommodation in Cambodia through Agoda for PHP 2265.59 each.

We spent the whole day at KL Airport and waited for our 7am flight to Cambodia. We are so broken that we didn't even talk about going back to KL Sentral for Petronas Twin Towers and we are too afraid to miss the flight again.

DAY 3

We arrived at Siem Reap, Cambodia by 9AM. Took a tuktuk ride from the airport to Kok Meng Lodge. The Inn doesn't allow us to check in yet because it's too early. So we had no choice but to go to Pub Street without taking a bath. We just walked straight from Kok Meng Lodge to Pub Street, it is just 5 to 10 mins walk away. It is a very hot late morning. We are all sweaty and sleepy.

We ordered a sharing food for lunch. Johnrey bought a booked from a disabled vendor. We talk about our frustrations in this trip.

We went back to the inn ( Kok Meng Lodge ), took a bath, got some sleep, and went out to take a look of Siem Reap. We intentionally didn't go to Ankor Wat because it will be unfair to Baka-chan's friend who was left in Vietnam.

Upon walking, we bumped into a tuktuk driver and asked him where we can go. 

But before anything else, James, our tuktuk driver took us in a street restaurant to eat meryenda.

Yes, these heavy meals were our meryenda. And yes, we were that hungry. XD

He took us to the War Museum, Tatay and Johnrey obviously enjoyed it in different reasons. Tatay is into guns and other war equipment, there were tanks! And Johnrey is really interested in history. War Museum has a lot to tell.

After the War Museum, James Peter, our tuktuk driver, took us to one of Angkor Wat temples for free! This is because you can enter Angkor Wat Complex after 5pm for free.

We just went to Pre Rub, amazed by the work of men, the sunset and took beautiful photos.

Early discovery of talent

The complex is so peaceful. There are a lot of trees, and a lake. I love the environment.

When it got dark, we decided to go back to Pub Street and end the trip with this Pacquiao-fan tuktuk driver. James is really accommodating and pleasant. He only asked us 12 Dollars for the whole trip. Thanks James! I hope to see you again!

[I’ll insert James’ calling card here, I just need to look for it.]

We booked a bus trip from Siem Reap to Bangkok Thailand via HANG TEP TRAVEL CO., LTD. for 20 Dollars. Just to make sure that we will get to Thailand.

We finally experienced the Pub Street life. And took a mandatory shot in Pub Street sign, ate dinner, look for some souvenirs, and tried fish massage. That was a great night. And that's the best night in our trip. Cambodia is the best that happened to us.

DAY 4

We were supposed to go to Angkor Wat but the group realized that it is a waste of money going to Angkor Wat for just one hour because we booked an early trip going to Bangkok. Yeah, this is another heartbreaking story. We came here to see the Angkot Wat, yet we failed again.

By early 7AM we took the bus going to Thailand. Reached the border by 12pm and the next 4 hours was hell. We lined up in the immigration for 4 hours! We were on an open space covered with a high roofing, the line was very long. It was a very hot afternoon. And we didn’t have anything in our stomach but water. It was a very painful experience. This was the point that I realized that I need to tell you these guys. INDOCHINA TRIP IS VERY EXHAUSTING. YOU'LL EXPERIENCE HUNGER, TIREDNESS, AND DIZZINESS.

Line in Cambodia Immigration Office,  Krong, Poi Pet

When you see this Arch, this means you are in the border of Cambodia and Thailand already.

This is the line in Thailand Immigration Office,  Aranyaprathet

And this was us, in front of the line after hours. They just called from the line and prioritized us, maybe our bus guides did the work. Thanks no thanks. They’re too late.

We departed from the Cambodia-Thailand border by 4pm and reached Bangkok by 9pm. So Day 4 was spent in the immigration and on the road. We headed straight to Khao San Road and exchanged our dollars to baht. Finally, we were able to eat our first meal of the day. We had just some peanuts while on the bus. So yes, dinner was our first proper meal of the day. I thought I was gonna die out of hunger, imagine how my 62 year old father suffered. I'm sorry.

We tried the famous Pad Thai with Shrimp and egg. It tastes good actually. Go ahead and try it.

Nope he didn’t eat it.

We stayed in an airbnb very far away from public transportation so we got no choice but to ride the taxi all throughout our Bangkok stay. So don't make the same mistake. Book an accommodation near public transport or your desired destination even if you pay more because it is just the same booking a cheaper accommodation then spending in grab and/or taxis plus the hassles.

DAY 5

This was our last chance to make the most of our Indochina trip. We woke up early and started the day going to Damnoen Floating Market. We took the grab going to Southern Bus Station and ride the bus going to Damnoen Floating Market for THB**. It was a 2-hour ride. Make sure to enjoy the view going to the South of Bangkok. Upon reaching the pier, there were offers going to the actual floating market for THB 1,000 for the 6 of us. Grab it. I know that some blogs would say not to fall for it. But based on a recent experience, for that amount you get a free 1-kilometer ride. This is the distance from the pier to the actual floating market. But we declined this offer.

Then, a van offered to bring us in the second pier. There, they offered us THB 300. We still didn’t agree with the price because based from the blogs we read the 300 THB is supposed to be for all of us already. So what we did is to walk from the bus stop to the floating market. It was a long and hot walk.

And upon reaching the actual floating market, the fee is 200 THB. The floating market is a little bit crowded. There are many boats. It is really a floating market. Vendors are selling products in the boat, although some are on the riverbanks.

We bought Chinese soup for breakfast for 60 THB, and mango shake for 65 THB. The Chinese soup is okay, and the mango shake is satisfying. The vendor of the shake is also very beautiful, she’s like a Korean.

Going around the river, we also saw some local houses. We also saw lizard-like creature – I don’t know what it is called. It was swimming in the water. It’s kind of scary but just fine because it didn’t swim towards our boat. The sailor of our boat asked for a tip. So you better budget also for these miscellaneous expenses.

Going back to the bus station, we rode a yellow jeep for THB 10. We took a grab going to the City to go to the temples. This is where the second most heartbreaking part of our trip comes in (first is our missed Vietnam flight).

She is making a pose for me :)

I said that DAY 5 should make up this failed trip. We started the day right but ended up scammed. Upon reaching the city to visit the temples, we looked for the pier where we were supposed to ride the boat going to the temple.

Then there’s this some guy who offered us help maybe because we were obviously lost – we can’t find the pier. He instructed us to ride the tuktuk going to the pier, so we did. 

Remember this man’s face! He is a scammer! ALL THE HATE ON HIM!

The tuktuk brought us to a pier. A lady in the pier was charging us, if I remember it correctly, 1600 THB each for the boat ride, then we bargained it down to 600 THB which was supposed to be, if you go to the right pier, 15 THB only. So you see, we were scammed, they didn’t even give us a ticket. 

At first we kinda like it.

But then, we just went around a shallow and unpleasant canal.

And after the 1 hour (which was really less than 1 hour) CANAL boat tour, all the temples were already closed. YES they were all closed, so we didn’t got the chance to enter at least one temple. :(

We just went around and took some photos with other temples.

This day gets from worse to worst, even the Chatuchak Market was already closed when we get there so we also didn’t have the chance to do “Bangkok Shopping”.

We just went back to Khao San Road and had some decent dinner.

The next day, (DAY 6) 

We went to the airport and traveled back to the Philippines. And our pasalubongs? We bought it from the airport because that’s the only choice we had.

THAT’S IT. Our Indochina trip just went like that. Spending five days on the road and having an unworthy experience. If I could only correct everything. I guess we just need to charge this to experience. At least we got 9 passport stamps. (Yey!)

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my travel buddies – Tatay, Reinee, John Rey, Baka-Chan, Babes ni Baka-Chan – sorry guys, I know that this is not what we wanted. I hope to travel with you again next time, and by that time, we will finally enjoy our trip.

Indochina Trip is not always like this. It’s always different for all of us. It’s just that we got to experience the opposite of anything that you can call good. I suggest you allot longer days for this trip, then for sure, you will have a blast.

Bonus:

I prepared an excel of our expenses. Click here. :)

Cheers to travelling the world! Meow meow!

[grindpromotionrecords]

Siem Reap is the solo project of Gilles Demolder (Oathbreaker/Wiegedood). Over the past 3 years he's been silently working on finding a new sound and a new way of expressing himself. After what seemed like a lifetime of trial and error, throwing away song after song & a lot of endless nights of recording, Siem Reap arose. Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Gilles sings about daily life, random thoughts about manliness, friendship, family and relationships, with substance (ab)use as a thread throughout his songs. His debut album “Now What?” deals with loneliness, loving and feeling loved, but most of all it is an honest experiment and a gateway into Gilles’ thoughts. “Now What?” will be out later this year via Isolation Rec. The live segment of Siem Reap will be accompanied by Wim Coppers (Wiegedood), Jasper Hollevoet (Sunflower, Ventilateur) & Filip Brans (Dogpeople). #siemreap #nowwhat #isoltionrecords #oathbreaker #wiegedood #rock #alternative #vinyl #colorvinyl #vinylmusic #vinylrecords #vinylcommunity #vinylgeek #vinyloftheday #vinyligclub #grindpromotionrecords (presso Grindpromotion Records Hq) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYy5TZGoVm2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[asiaforholiday]

Enjoy the trip through the countryside surrounding Siem Reap, which is an excellent way to learn about the area and what it's like to ride an all-terrain vehicle. Contact our expert team to book your upcoming Cambodian holiday and avoid any regret. T: (+855) 95 58 1818 WA: (+855) 95 58 1818 E: info@asiaforholiday.com W: www.asiaforholiday.com #CambodiaTours #NewNormal #PostPandemic We operate our tours in accordance with the ""New Normal,"" and put some precautions in place such as: 1. All of our tours will be customized based on our clients' requests. 2. Each clients will be given daily face mask and alcohol spray 3. Our guides or drivers will need to wear masks and gloves as well. 4. All of our employees are completely vaccinated and have had at least two jabs.

[jmreyes9]

WE'RE ALL WEARING GREEN AND IT WASN'T EVEN ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

WE'RE ALL WEARING GREEN AND IT WASN'T EVEN ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

 By Jesse Reyes, M.D. 

 I and my wife, Beth, and her brother Jun Lorenzo and sister Dr. Rebecca Castillo are shown in a picture eating at a restaurant in Siem                

The Fabulous Four having lunch in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Reap, Cambodia circa 2013.  I keenly observed that all of us were wearing green, although different shades of it ( remember the movie "50 Shades of Grey") and it wasn't even St. Patrick's Day!  Even the grass and lush vegetation in the background were green!  And one of the serving trays on the table was green, matching Dr. Rebecca’s attire.  

 Our waitress Maddie Lim (very dark), not her real name, gladly took our picture after she heard from a fellow waitress that we gave her a hefty tip the last time we ate here!

 Our main purpose in visiting Cambodia, aside from tasting their world-renowned delectable food (!), was to visit Angkor Wat. 

 "Angkor Wat is an enormous Buddhist temple complex located in northern Cambodia. It was originally built in the first half of the 12th 

                     Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia

century as a Hindu temple. Spread across more than 400 acres,

Angkor Wat is said to be the largest religious monument in the world.  Its name, which translates to “temple city” in the Khmer language of the region, references the fact it was built by Emperor Suryavarman II, who ruled the region from 1113 to 1150, as the state temple and political center of his empire."  From Wikipedia.

 In 1992, Angkor Wat was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although visitors to this place numbered in just a few thousands at the time, the landmark now welcomes some 500,000 visitors each year—many of whom arrive early in the morning to capture images of the sunrise over what still is a very magical, spiritual place.

 The Angkor Wat temple complex is in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  We took a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site and probably saw only 5-10% of the complex temple.  The place was massive and magnificent.  The architectural detail of the temples were intricate and ornate.  We were exhausted at the end of the tour in the afternoon.  It was good that it rained before the tour, that cooled off the temperature. Otherwise, we would have died of heat exhaustion!

Written in Chicago, IL on 4/15/20

[waldronsworld]

Teaching English, Cambodia

Those who can't do, teach... that couldn't be farther from the truth. Tati and I wanted to find a way to give back to the Cambodia people so volunteered in a Cambodian English school.

Some people are probably laughing right now, rightfully so. I was never good at English. Spelling and grammar were my Achilles heal throughout school, so when I was tossed in the fire that morning I was terrified.

Our day began with a bike ride from our homestay in Siem Reap to the school 3-miles away. Once we cleared the main area of town we found ourselves on unpaved dirt roads, bouncing up and down on our bikes. This wasn't a side street, this was a heavily traveled road by motorbikes and large trucks alike. This put into perspective the village community we were serving.

When we arrived we were giving a brief introduction to the school and showed the classroom we would be teaching in. Up to this point, I had exchanged 2 emails with Sieng, the school director and from our correspondence, figured we would be helpers.

The bell rang and the kids filled our classroom. Sieng was in the classroom with us and spoke a few words to the students in Khmer, then boom! He said, the kids want to learn about 'fruits' that was it. No instructions, no help, no idea what level English the students had, the only thing he gave us was whiteboard markers.

We taught 3 classes back to back. It was a struggle, I couldn't tell if the kids were bored from repetitiveness or bored because they didn't know these words yet. Either way, when lunch arrived I was ready to be done. I was physically and mentally drained.

Tati and I biked away to get lunch. The entire bike ride I thought about not going back... but Tati was not going to let me give up that easy. She put together a few lesson ideas and we peddled back to school.

We had some time before the next class started so I took the opportunity to speak with Sieng, I was curious about the school.

We learned the school was founded in 2006 to help the local village children learn English. Knowing English provides huge career opportunities yet the public school don't teach English. Elma School has had its ups and downs and closed twice due to lack of funds. Sieng was a teacher but in 2014 he became the director and has been committed to helping grow the school. They invite volunteers and volunteer groups to help teach and work on development projects important to the longevity of the school. Hearing this gave me a recharged sense of purpose and I was excited for our next classes.

Tati and had organized some interactive games that included drawing, speaking, basic conversations and some new vocabulary. The next classes went well and we were both relieved when they were over. To end the day we sat in on a local teachers class. At the end he asked if we wanted to go over one of the activities in the classes workbook, I said sure, and taught the last lesson on describing what people are wearing.

The experience was very unique and in the end, even more rewarding. It was refreshing to get out of my comfort zone and engage in an activity focused on giving back to the local community. Tati and I were happy (and exhausted) we hope our efforts and donation to the school help this great organization!

[landminerelieffund]

News From The Jungle

November 12 2020

Siem Reap Cambodia

COVID SITUATION

Covid came here, like everywhere else, about 9 months ago.  Being a small country we were all concerned, once we realized it was for real, that it would quickly spread to every village in the country.  That didn’t happen.  The government jumped on it quickly, locking down, restricting travel and asking everyone to wear a mask.

It worked.  Out of 219 countries in the world, Cambodia is 188th, with only 301 reported cases and no deaths.  Almost all the cases here came from people traveling back to the country from elsewhere.  Community transmission has been virtually nil.

Last week we had the “November 3 Incident”.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs from Hungary visited Cambodia.  He met with the PM, his wife, The Minister of Sports, people from 2 provincial education departments, one karate club, six public schools and 10 private schools.  The minister tested positive for Covid-19 when he returned to Bangkok.

About 900 people were in direct or indirect contact with this one man.  265 were tested for covid as of 11 November.  All tests have been negative so far.  all results are not due until today.  All are in quarantine, including the PM.

Schools are closed in Phnom Penh and Kandal Provinces, 2 million masks are being released to be given at no charge to needy people, Museums, KTV clubs`, nightclubs, gyms and beer gardens were all closed across the country

The Cambodia Landmine Museum is awaiting re-certification from the government and had planned on opening in November.  Because of the November 3 Incident it is unsure when it can re-open.   There is worry that the Museum is in jeopardy of permanent closure due to lack of funds.  The Landmine Relief Fund, our American charity, has been donating money to the museum since March.  It is doubtful the LMRF can continue  to make donations beyond December.  We are asking Aki Ra’s supporters from around the world to donate to the Museum’s bank account at ABA Bank in Siem Reap.

Bank ABA Bank

Swift code: ABAAKHPP ACCOUNT NUMBER:  001 792 209

ACCOUNT NAME: CAMBODIAN LANDMINE MUSEUM

THE TOGETHER PROJECT

Covid has devastated the economy of Siem Reap.  90% of the hotels in town are closed, restaurants are holding on by their fingertips and ticket sales are off at Angkor Wat by 98% from last year.

In April we sat down with the Rural Schools Support Organization, the NGO that has built 24 schools in Cambodia, and talked about how we could help.  We decided to give out food to those impacted by the Covid Economy. 

So far we have distributed over 135 tons of food to those in need.

Our food distribution is organized through the commune and village chiefs in Siem Reap Province.  We are concentrating here because these are the people most impacted by the collapse. 

We buy rice from local rice mills.  It’s delivered to our house in 50k (110 lbs) bags.  We then repackage it into 10k (22 lbs) bags.  We also give out bags of food:  10 noodle packs, bottles of fish and soy sauce, sugar and salt.  Each gift pack of rice and food is about $9.  We’ve given out tens of thousands.

And it’s all done from donations.  But those donations are swiftly dwindling and we are looking at having to end the program at the end of the year.  We want to continue. 

We are looking at continuing the program in a different manner.  We want to start helping people build community gardens and help villages put up hydroponic tents to grow food for themselves and to sell.   To do his we are working with the Royal University of Agriculture in Phnom Penh. 

Please look at supporting the Landmine Relief Fund at the end of the year.  All the money goes to help those in need and to cover the cost of running the programs here.  We support the RSSO.  They have 3 paid employees.  All Khmer.  Packaging is done by a dedicated crew of local expats, who can carry 50k bags of rice on their shoulders all morning, and about 40 local kids and adults, Khmers and foreigners, who show up all day to help re-pack the rice and food.  And they do it for free.  The youngest volunteer is 5.  The oldest about 73.

I once spoke at a Methodist junior high school outside Cambodia.  During the q & a at the end, one of the girls asked me if I was Cambodian.  I thought for a minute and said “Yes, I am;  and I'm also Japanese, and American, Russian and French, English and Chinese.”  She looked confused, so I said “You start each day here with the Lord’s Prayer.  What is the first line?”  She said “Our Father who art in Heaven.”  I asked her if she believed that.  She shook her head yes, and I said, “Then I am your brother, and you are my sister.”

We do this because our brothers and sister need help.

          www.landmine-relief-fund.com/donate/

[rwaggs81]

It’s 8:00 pm here.  I just woke from a nap.  I really needed it. As you may have noticed, my mood on these posts is mostly positive.  Part of me wants to keep it that way.  The other part of me realizes that if I don’t keep this real, there’s no real point in doing it in the first place.  Today was when the homesickness bit me really hard for the first time on this trip.  I know 3 days in seems early, but knowing myself, I expected as much.  I am prone to homesickness.  I am very reliant on routine.  I am rooted.  Part of why I planned this thing the way I did was because of my understanding of my nature. This morning, I parted with my room of the first two nights.  The place was uncommonly quiet and calm for Ho Chi Minh.  Just what I needed, in a way.  The room, however, was quite isolating and a tad depressing, if I stopped to think about it.  I checked this morning if they still had the room available tonight, just in case, but they didn’t...which ultimately is probably a good thing for two reasons. 1.  I need some good sleep to get past the initial jet lag, and I wasn’t getting it there.  I’d sleep really deep for about 4 or 5 hours, and that’s it. 2.  I need to not get frozen in place. Each day here so far, I’ve started with a pretty positive energy.  This morning was no exception.  At 9 am, when I left with my bike all packed up with bags, the air was still somewhat cool, I was in good spirits, and I had the knowledge that I needed to find a new place to stay tonight.  Part of me wants to stay in one of the hostels in the backpacker district, but I think that the back of my mind knows that I’m not feeling that social just yet.  I also wonder if there’s part of me who feels like an imposter in that setting due to my age.  I suspect I’ll find out soon.   The first place I went this morning was the backpacker section of District 1 to look around.  I ended up sitting at a table on the street with an older German fellow named Axel.  He was nice enough, and it was nice to just interact with someone, but uniform to the other days here, the place started wearing me down over the next hour.  The street vendors who constantly approach with the sames wares and the same robotic sales tactics were in full effect....(points to my sunglasses, then to a similar pair on his mobile display)... Him:  “I have same, but real, not fake” Me:  “That’s okay, I only need the one pair.”  This back and forth goes on about 6 times, before he just stands there and stares at me for about 30 seconds, pulls the same routine with the German guy, and finally leaves.  In the course of an hour, this process repeated itself at least 10 times.  Sometimes glasses.  Sometimes a wallet.  Sometimes this unique flint and tinder style lighter, and sometimes fabric wares.  I point to my bike bags to show them that I literally have no room to add to my belongings.  No dice.  Eventually, I just have to go into broken record mode. Them:  “Hello, look...” Me.  “Khong, Cam On!”  over and over until they give up and leave. I think that the charm of the backpacker district is lost on me.  By day, it’s as I described, and by night, it’s something that I may have enjoyed when I was 19 and heading up to dance clubs in Canada.  It drains my energy.   Axel explained to me that he has a “girlfriend” during his visit.  You can see these couples walking around the district.  Older men with younger Vietnamese girls, in a kind of consensual partnership.  Axel gives a pretty good breakdown of how this works.  He approached this girl at a bar and started talking to her.  She gloms on to him, comes to his room, basically acts as an escort.  He buys her nice things, and presumably pays her something when it’s time for him to leave.  He told me that he went briefly to the place where she lives.  8 people living in a small apartment.  Motorscooters stored inside at night.  Everyone sleeping on the floor and still each paying $100 per month in rent.  Each engaged in various hustles to get by (if you don’t have a hustle here, you are FUCKED.) Axel, frankly, seems like a normal guy.  Am I not normal in that I could never, EVER envision myself pursuing an arrangement like this?  I’m uncomfortable even thinking about it.  This place stokes my empathetic nature, but there’s no way to personally assist literally millions of people.  It’s just a way of life to them. When Axel takes his leave, I decide it is time to figure out my room situation.  Turns out that I’m as indecisive about this as I am about where to travel next.  I kinda just ride around aimlessly for awhile.  Then I stop to look at booking sites on my phone.  I finally settle on something a little more expensive than I’d done the previous two nights, realizing that my emotional state is likely being hindered by a lack of sleep and wishing to isolate myself better for a night.  A “western” feeling hotel, which costs relatively less here than back home... I find one.  It says District 1.  I book it, and start navigating to the address.  I didn’t realize how expansive the area that qualifies as District 1 was.  A couple miles of riding, and I’m in what must be the “Japantown” I’ve read about.  This may seem weird, but I’m already in a state of adjusting to one culture, and I’m not super thrilled with being  in that culture’s version of another culture...but whatever.  I navigate to the place, and it even has the address written fully on the gate..but is CLEARLY not the place, or even a hotel.  I log back into Hotels.com.  I’m going to try to cancel the booking and go back towards the area I’m more familiar with.  I must call.  I have very limited actually call minutes.  I get a girl on the phone, explain the situation and am put on hold for 5 minutes.  Ugh.  I can’t do this, so I hang up the phone and just ride around the area for a while, and finally find the place.  Every reference to the place online is the wrong address.  I can’t possibly be the only one who’s run into this issue. Anyway, its big, and western.  They view my sweaty appearance with pretty thinly veiled annoyance, and are probably not thrilled with my bike.  Elderly white tourists pack the downstairs restaurant bar.  I’m a little disgusted with myself for even being there, but I don’t care.  I need sleep and quiet.  I go upstairs to my beautiful room with beautiful view and even more beautiful double headed shower (first things first), and shut the world out.  One call to the on site laundry service, and one quick trip downstairs for a shot of Makers Mark and a surprisingly excellent cheeseburger and downright heavenly mango smoothie (these people do not mess around when it comes to juice and such), and I’m back in my room at 3 pm and ready for a nap. GREAT nap.  Insane dreams.  I feel better.  I feel like I will sleep again tonight well.  I feel resolved that I’m going to head to Cambodia tomorrow or the next day.  I’m going to book myself at a popular hostel there, throw myself in socially and stop taking myself so seriously.  The hostel in question actually runs a pub crawl nightly...which seems a little juvenile, but the price they charge for it goes straight to educating local kids.  They pay their local help a lot more than prevailing wage.  Maybe that will make me feel better about things.  I may head to the coast south of Phnom Penh after that.  I will be a typical white tourist in Siem Reap and see the incredible temples.  I think that I will then head to Bangkok for a bit, and then take the Central Thailand train route to Chiang Mai, with some interesting stops on the way.  First, I’m going to go out here in friggin Japantown and get myself a beer.  These plans are all subject to change. Asia, even when it resembles home, is weird.  It’s actually weirder when it tries to cater to western tastes.  It feels weird in the bones.  It takes adjustment.  That is all. PS.  I’m fine, and safe, and healthy.  I’m just being real, and I feel better for it.  Love you all.

[didanawisgi]

Angkor Wat, Sun and Sky

Table of Contents

 1. What is Angkor Wat

2. Getting to Angkor Wat

3. Where to Stay in Siem Reap

4. What’s Inside the Angkor Complex  4.1. Angkor Wat  4.2. Angkor Thom  4.3. Ta Prohm  4.4. Preah Khan  4.5. Banteay Kdei

5. The Best Way to See Angkor Wat  5.1. Best Way to See Angkor Wat – Day 1  5.2. Best Way to See Angkor Wat – Day 2  5.3. Best Way to See Angkor Wat – Day 3

6. Angkor Wat Sunrise

7. Some Tuk-tuk Advice

8. Angkor Wat FAQ  8.1. What is the Angkor Wat entrance fee?  8.2. When is the best time to visit Angkor Wat ?  8.3. Can I use USD in Cambodia ?  8.4. Is one day enough to visit Angkor Wat ?  8.5. What to wear in Angkor Wat ?  8.6. Is Angkor Wat open 7 days a week ?  8.7. Is Siem Reap safe for tourists ?

9. Angkor Wat Itinerary Map

[lunarfossil]

Today in Cambodia, I visited three sacred Angkor temples. Behind me is a depiction of Apsara, at the ruins of Bayon. 💜 _ Last night, I watched traditional Cambodian dance which inspired me very much. I felt the dance as a code teaching me of purity, trust, and holding an incorruptible anchor in Love. A woman dressed as Apsara in beautiful blue silks danced with a small ball, like a pearl. Another dancer appeared representing evil, always attempting to steal her pearl. She moved slow, and he moved fast. She never worried. He threw his axe at her and she was always three steps ahead. She threw the pearl in the air and caught it, right in front of him. She waved it in his face, wearing a smile, showing it to him and letting him know it was not his to take. She embodied this. She and the pearl are one. This symbol of wisdom and purity could not perish; it was just who she WAS. It radiated from her like Truth. Goodness and light was the pearl. A Love that never doubts. I felt in my body, "Trust in it like she does... let it be an embodied knowing." _ Incorruptible. Unrelenting, unconditional Love. Standing up for the Truth. We all have the potential to LIVE this dharma. What do you choose? _ Today, I choose to just BE with the resistance to doing the work to get there. I will meet myself in my sadness. I don't need to change anything within me. This is my small step. I'd love to hear yours... ❤️ _ #travel #culture #cambodia #apsara #buddhism #hinduism #angkor #bayon #siemreap #traditionaldance #truth #incorruptible #soulful #anchorinlove #embodyyourprayer #purple #passion (at សៀម រាប Siem Reap, Cambodia)