On my previous post, I mentioned that this next post was the biggest adventure of our lives together (yet).
Here's why ---
From Bangkok, we decided to take a bus to Siem Reap since we wanted the most affordable option.
It was both our first-time to cross borders by land. We had no idea how these land transportation work. But we went ahead away.
We based everything from online blogs we read. Back then, it said that the bus ride from Bangkok to Siem Reap was about 8 hours only.
Our first mistake was we didn't anticipate the possible delays. Thinking that we will be right on time, we booked a pick-up service from the Bangkok-Aranyaprathet border to our hotel in Siem Reap.
Instead of the 8hr bus ride, it turned to be a ~12hr bus ride. Que horror!
Imagine the agony she was going through.
Yes, she was the only one worried because I was asleep the entire journey. And she already killed me a thousand times in her head.
Of course, there were times that I was awake. I woke up several occasions to ask her "are we there yet?" and to get back to sleep.
Imagine the agony she was going through.
Yes, she was the only one worried because I was asleep the entire journey. And she already killed me a thousand times in her head.
Of course, there were times that I was awake. I woke up several occasions to ask her "are we there yet?" and to get back to sleep.
I can't remember what time we arrived at the border.
But because of the delay, the transport which we have pre-booked left us since maybe he can't find us. We didn't have local phones or a network (data) connection for us to be contacted.
We didn't have a choice but to get another one. Otherwise, we'll be stuck there.
The horror story continues. The reason why we pre-booked online before going there was because we thought that we'll have a difficult time finding or negotiating for a decent service because of the language barrier.
The horror story continues. The reason why we pre-booked online before going there was because we thought that we'll have a difficult time finding or negotiating for a decent service because of the language barrier.
True enough... the scariest thing (or so we thought) happened. Someone approached us and told us that he is from the Siem Reap Tourism Office (or [again] so we thought). He invited us to go with him to the office.
We followed him, thinking he is legit. We waited inside the "office" for quite some time but we didn't know what was happening. We were seated in front of a desk that is not manned. Few minutes have passed... there was no sign of anything.
Scared of what might happen inside that office, we decided to leave.
We followed him, thinking he is legit. We waited inside the "office" for quite some time but we didn't know what was happening. We were seated in front of a desk that is not manned. Few minutes have passed... there was no sign of anything.
Scared of what might happen inside that office, we decided to leave.
Outside the office, there was a guy waiting by the corner with his worn-down car.
I can still remember how he was standing...
I can still remember how he was standing...
He reached out to us asking if he can help us get a taxi. We showed him the hotel's address. He just said "yes."
Little did we know, he was pertaining to that worn-down car he was standing beside.
Little did we know, he was pertaining to that worn-down car he was standing beside.
Still worried and terrified, we agreed since it's getting darker and we didn't want to spend the night with nowhere else to go. In our minds, it's better to keep going.
We rode the car and just prayed that we will be able to reach our destination safe and sound.
We didn't know how long was the travel should be. All I can remember is that it took 4,000 years of travel time.
The road was endless and dark - literally, there were no street lights!
We didn't know how long was the travel should be. All I can remember is that it took 4,000 years of travel time.
The road was endless and dark - literally, there were no street lights!
In the first part of the ride, we saw a long stretch of rice fields. It was okay at first. I even managed to sleep again.
(In my defense, I already prayed. The Lord will take the wheel. โ๏ธ๐)
(In my defense, I already prayed. The Lord will take the wheel. โ๏ธ๐)
Here's the scariest part ---
Suddenly, in the middle of nowhere, the guy just stopped driving without saying a word. (To be fair, he didn't speak for the entire distressful journey.) We stopped by a small cafeteria where no one was eating. He alighted the car and asked us to go inside the store. We didn't know what to expect.
We didn't go down.
We didn't go down.
We were already overthinking the worst-case scenarios. But of course, we didn't do nothing. We kept our cool and prayed harder. Haha!
He came back in about 15mins and started driving again.
Phew! ๐
We're back on the road for some more driving and worrying (and sleeping for me).
In the second part of the ride, we already saw some lights, houses, shops, and other establishments.
We were relieved. We thought that we are nearing our destination. Or so we thought AGAIN!
In the second part of the ride, we already saw some lights, houses, shops, and other establishments.
We were relieved. We thought that we are nearing our destination. Or so we thought AGAIN!
After passing by few towns... we were back to seeing rice fields and empty lands! We were already thinking that this guy might just leave us dead along the rice field's canals.
But God heard our prayers. We were, apparently, in good hands. The driver managed to drop us off our hotel.
Our first order of business was to call our family. She told her aunt what happened and we got scolded.
I didn't tell my parents. I didn't want to worry them. Making them worry will get me scolded too. Haha!
That was the end of our misadventure. I hope you are still with me to read the happy part of this trip.
Cambodia was a dream destination for both of us. We were looking forward to visit this country for a long time then.
After the mishap we went through, we rested for the night.
On our actual first day, we went to Angkor Wat, the most famous travel destination in Cambodia. It is an enormous Buddhist temple complex. It is also said to be the largest religious monument in the world.
Here are some of the snaps we had:
Here's my favorite:
Please don't mind the stressed face!
Angkor - derived from the Sanskrit word nagara which means city.
Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored, and together, they comprise the most significant site of Khmer architecture.
We were supposed to watch the sunset over this prominent structure, but unfortunately, it rained that afternoon.
We had a blast! We asked help from a local tour guide so we can explore the entire premises with ease and with a good understanding of the history and culture.
Our next day was a little less intense as we stayed in the hotel for half a day. Then we went to the night market and pub street to enjoy some local food and drinks.
On our last day, we were debating on whether to take another land transfer back to Bangkok or to book a flight. We ended up booking a new transport by van to minimize the cost.
It was a lot better journey where there were tourists on board with us. The travel took about 5hrs back to Bangkok, and we were dropped off in Khao San Road, a famous market where we bought some souvenirs and took a cab back to a hotel before we flew back to Singapore.
It was a lot better journey where there were tourists on board with us. The travel took about 5hrs back to Bangkok, and we were dropped off in Khao San Road, a famous market where we bought some souvenirs and took a cab back to a hotel before we flew back to Singapore.
I hope I made your reading worthwhile! Share your thoughts about our adventures and misfortunes ๐
See you on the next post ๐๐
A Filipino currently living and working as a corporate warrior in Singapore, aiming to share experiences with the people who have the same interests. The goal is to be traveling one country at a time while keeping sustainability in mind, so hoping to inspire other travel junkies too!
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