While traveling gives me time to heal, reduces stress and helps me to recharge my battery, it also gives me a sense of accomplishment. Not only in the sense of life education but the idea of been there done that makes me feel so proud of myself and leave positive impact in my self confidence.
"the real voyage of discovery consist not in seeking new landscape but in having new eyes" - Marcel Proust
My travel to various places in Southeast Asia is a liberating life changing experience, for those who did not know, this is a continuation from my previous post My Travelling Experience To Southeast Asia
DAY 3
After a heart wrenching and emotional tour to S21 and Killing Field the day before, we're finally going to visit Angkor Wat for the first time!
After we had our breakfast at the hotel, our tour guide, Rith, dropped us at the bus station for our next tour in Siem Reap. It took us 6 hours to reach Siem Reap by Giant Ibis but we didn’t really feel the time. Giant Ibis provide free WiFi within the bus with speed from 2-4mb and unlimited data which allows me and the rest of the passengers connect and access the internet. While there was internet , the most precious time spent was talking to other local passenger to learn and to know how life is in these part of the world.
By the time we reached Siem Reap, it was already late in the afternoon. Our guide had been waiting for us at the bus station and we immediately proceed to Tonle Sap lake for a boat cruise. Being the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap is the second famous attraction in Siem Reap after Angkor Wat. There is a river called Tonle Sap River that connects Tonle Sap lake to the Mekong River.
The jetty where we took a traditional boat for our boat cruise
A lady selling crackers and soft drinks to local people and tourists
A floating church
A floating restaurant
Majority of the people stay in Tonle Sap Lake make their living by fishing.
Cambodia produces about 400,000 tonnes of freshwater fish per year, the majority of which comes from Tonle sap.
If I remembered correctly, our guide had mentioned that the area is home to many ethnics Vietnamese Cambodians. When Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975, many Vietnamese Cambodian flees to Vietnam to take refuge but came back when the regime was removed from power in 1979.
He'd also mentioned that most of the Vietnamese are stateless residents of Cambodia, and as a result they face difficulties in getting access to employment, education, and housing.
But I guess while life is difficult for them, tourism was a real boost for their life, most of them gets their livelihood to serves tourist. Looking at kids playing around and smiling faces share to everyone they meet , just shows how resilient they are in their quest for better life.
Making friend with this cat until she gave a nice, big scratched on my arm as a souvenir 😂
It almost dinner time when the tour ended. We quickly check into our hotel and hurriedly proceed to Koulen II Restaurant for eat-all-you-can buffet dinner with cultural performances.
Our room with balcony facing to the swimming pool at Prince D Angkor Hotel
Cultural performances at Koulen II restaurant
DAY 4
After having breakfast at the hotel, our guide took us by car for less than 30 minutes drive to Angkor Wat.
Being the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat or known as the “City of Temples” has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on their national flag.
You need to get your Angkor pass at these booths.Photographs have to be taken on the spot and tickets are not valid after the expiry date.
Visitors have an option to ride a hot air balloon to get a perfect view of Siem Reap. However, the Cambodian government does not allow air balloons to fly over the temples. You might wanna check with the local tour handlers before you make the booking.
South Gate at Angkor Thom
Carved bas-relief can be found almost everywhere in Angkor Wat
Exit gate at the end of Sandstone Causeway
DAY 5
Today is our last day in Cambodia. We will take a public bus to Phnom Penh to catch Giant Ibis for our next destination, Vietnam. I didn’t take any photos during our journey from Cambodia to Vietnam as I was in a severe stomach pain and spent mostly of time sleeping inside the bus. Luckily we reach Vietnam, everything turn out fine.
When we reach to our destination in vietnam , It was raining like cats and dog. Thank goodness from where the bus station was to where we pre-booked our hotel , it was a walking distance . Nevertheless, we cant escape the rain. It was a tiring bus trip for me, but at least we got to Vietnam safely.
"Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
– Ibn Battuta
Cambodia is truly a nation that is worth visiting, their economy today is dependent a lot on foreign tourist visiting their country. The people have lives their life in chaos and misery in the past, it seems rebuilding the nation's future is the only focus that is seen in the faces and stories by most of the new friends we encounter.
While most Cambodian do not speak English, but they are brave to speak up while we all learn sign language together to complete each other sentences and getting what we want. I guess it the same experience for most travelers that visits Cambodia. Learning a word or two of the local language can really take you a long way.
In my next travel journey, it will be the land of timeless charm, Vietnam . Look out for my coming post.
