Siem Reap Temples

The trip to Siem Reap was 6 hours from Phnom Penh. Starting off at 8.30 in the morning, we were at Siem Reap at 2pm, to be exact at the hotel called Siem Reap Temple Villa. The hotel was quite new and some of the lighting fixtures were not even installed yet but it was nice considering that I only stay there to sleep and take shower because most of the time I was out. I just stayed though in the hotel the rest of our travel day, contacting ‘tuk-tuk’ that would take us around and bargaining on which are the best places to see. The rate per person was $10 regardless of the number of sights to see as long as it is 8 hours.

I was impressed by how tourism was organized in Siem Reap. The tuk-tuk drivers take you first to the ticketing office to buy a pass to all the temples. One day tour costs $20 per person while if you are visiting the temples for two days, it’s better to buy the $40 ticket because the 3rd day is free, meaning the $40 ticket is good for 3 days. After buying our tickets, off we went to visiting the temples. Our first stop was Bayon Temples, which was part of Angkor Thom. A place which was less known as a banner destination in Siem Reap yet it was the one which really impressed me. I was particularly impressed by the carved stone faces. For more information of the history of Bayon temples, click on this link: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cambodia/angkor-thom-bayon-temple. The visit to Angkor Thom was followed by Ta Keo. Ta Keo Temple was small but I would say it was the most challenging as I have to climb a very steep and narrow stones stairs. Before climbing up, I have to condition myself that I can manage the climb. After resting for a while and looking up the flight of stairs, I decided to conquer my fear and climbed up the narrow and steep stone stairs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta_Keo). Then we proceeded to Ta Phrom, the unique features of Ta Phrom which was an evidence of its being century-old were the roots and vines of massive trees covering some of the temples (http://www.cambodia-travel.com/angkor/taphrom.htm). We also visited small temples like Pra Khan and Sras Srang which are parallel to each other (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srah_Srang).

Angkor Wat was scheduled as the last destination of the day because of sunset. Cambodia is known for Angkor Wat. But little did I know that you’ll find so many temples in Siem Reap. What was impressive with Angkor Wat was its unique location. Built around and surrounded by lake. Its huge compound also makes it unique among other temples in Siem Reap. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat).

The second day was again another visit to two temples begging the tuktuk driver not to take us to more temples anymore. It took us only half day to Bantay Srei (http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cambodia/angkor-banteay-srei) and Preah Khan. Like what my traveller-friend told me, never visit more than 3 temples a day, otherwise you’ll get temple-fatigue. True enough, because I got tired from having to see many temples.

Lunch was in a Khmer Restaurant wherein I tried another Cambodian Dish called ‘majoo kroeung’, a sour soup with curry, morning glory and choice of chicken, fish or pork. It was worth-trying and I am even planning to try cooking it when I go home because there is enough supply of coconut milk in the Philippines. Afterwards, I tried the central market to check some souvenirs. I planned not to buy anything except to add to my collection of plates with the Angkor Wat picture. I also bought throw pillow cases for my house in the Philippines. The day was capped by a Khmer massage, something which I needed to pamper myself of.

Generally, it was a good and relaxed trip. Although I never expected that Angkor Wat would have so many tourists, indeed many because they all came in organized tours by buses.

1st Night in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

It was a shame to have missed Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration in Ha Noi but 7 days holiday was so tempting that earlier on I made a plan to see the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia. From my home leave I proceeded to my Cambodia trip and just waited for my friends in Saigon so that we can all proceed to Cambodia.

The bus ride from HCM City to Phnom Penh was not bad at all. It cost me US$11 for a one-way fare. The bus ride lasted for 6 hours but the trip itself was 5 hours however border formalities took an hour. Based on my observation, the border between Viet Nam and Cambodia was very organized compared to other land borders I have ever been or passed through.

We rested for a while and decided to have dinner in a restaurant by the riverside of Mekong. It was a restaurant called “Titanic” which most probably been named after the movie of Leonardo di Caprio. My first time to taste ‘amok’ which is a choice of fish, meat or vegetables covered with ‘kroeung’ and coconut milk. Kroeung is a Cambodian spice, which according to Wikipedia: From India, by way of Java, Cambodians have been taught the art of blending spices into a paste using many ingredients like cardamom, star anise, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric. Other native ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots, cilantro, and kaffir lime leaves are added to this mix to make a distinctive and complex spice blend called "kroeung." This is an important aromatic paste commonly used in Cambodian cooking.[2] For somebody who is used to dishes with coconut milk, the food tasted nothing special except for the different taste from the spices. Anyhow, I enjoyed the dish.

At titanic restaurant, there was also a cultural show of the famous “khmer dance” which was impressive in terms of how the women bend their hands in a gentle and graceful manner.

On our way back to my friend’s house, we passed by a travel agency to arrange our bus ride to Siem Reap and hotel accommodation. Lucky Internet and Travel (#277HEo St., Sisowath Quay, Sankat Phsar Kandal 1, Khan Duan Penh, Cambodia) was the agency we randomly chose while walking along the streets of the riverside. The riverside is a street full of travel agencies, hotels and restaurants of all sorts of food which is a hub of expats and tourists. I would say that we got a good deal from the travel agency. Pick-up from our hotel in PP and Siem Reap was a very welcome package of the tour. They also managed to book a $20 hotel for us in Siem Reap. Bus ticket to Siem Reap costs the same as the bus from Saigon to PP. The travel time was also the same, but this time it was 5 hours less the border formalities. I would recommend Mekong Express for the bus. It has a toilet inside the bus which was relatively clean, free snacks on board with a helpful attendant and the restaurant where the bus stopped for lunch was clean.

Looking Back...the Year Behind and Looking Forward...The Year Beyond

Towards the end of 2009, while in Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, I got an unexpected email having been told I volunteers are not eligible for fellowship. Surprisingly, I got confirmation about the short course I applied for including a full scholarship in the Netherlands. This started a good year ahead of me in 2010. This was just one of the blessings I received last year.

At the beginning of 2010, I got busy with the preparation for my trip to the Netherlands. Indeed, a good start because while I was attending the short course, I saw a job advertisement from MandENews, an on-line group of M&E practitioners I am subscribed to, for a UNV volunteer post in Viet Nam as M&E Officer. I was hesitant to apply having nine more months to complete as VSO volunteer with Caritas Chipata in Zambia. A place and work I have grown to love. However, I still decided to try my luck. After on-line test and interview, I got the post in Viet Nam. A major blessing for two reasons, first, I have long wanted to work in Viet Nam and second, a post which I have longed for a long time.

All these major blessings I received were shared with my manong. He has been with me in all these successes, supportive of what I have achieved although the setback of everything, I have to leave him in Zambia. With a good plan and everything about our relationship properly arranged and discussed, nothing seemed to matter but grab all the opportunities that have fallen into my path.

Middle of the year, I moved to Viet Nam keeping with me all the promises of how my relationship would continue. Full of expectations and idealism, I started living a life and working in Viet Nam. Never had I thought that it would be full of challenges. Adjustment was difficult, particularly my living environment, coming from Zambia where people were so friendly and warm. I have to navigate myself and find my bearing on my own both personally and professionally.

The first month was very good; the second month was still fine until the end of the year, my love life turned upside down. Coping up was difficult for me; I demanded more time and attention from my boyfriend which was something he couldn’t understand. Work-wise, I have to get into the system I was never used to. The work-pace, the depth of work, the people and the ladder I have to step into.

The neighborhood was not so friendly as I thought and I was used to, talking to people was difficult where language has become a barrier, navigating was hard, support system was out of reach, I came alone and I have to survive on my own. For so many times, I asked myself if I made the right choice of moving to Viet Nam.

Life became more difficult as months passed by, I sulked in my miseries. There was never a week when I didn’t cry no matter how hard I tried to console myself or think positively. However, I struggled to have a good disposition and positive outlook. It was a difficult fight but I managed to reconcile with my inner self and started to see the light, to be thankful of the blessings I had for 2010. God has given me the opportunities I have prayed for a long time in His time and this has made me think of the good things that happened to me.

Looking back, I would say that it was a good year for me, full of blessings which made me stronger and braver. Looking beyond, despite mum’s failing health condition at the beginning of the year; I still look forward to another wonderful year ahead of me.

An Introduction for 2011

This is my first post for 2011 with a promise that I will be posting more in the following days, weeks and months to come...