Performers resting at Ta Prohm
Patiently waiting for a bird's eye view of the sunset atop Angkor Wat
climb down afterwards
(Note the "Climb at Your Own Risk" yellow warning sign)
Ta Prohm, built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries
Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument
Singapore Hotel in Phnom Penh
Cambodian children with Angkor Wat reflected in the tranquil water
Yummy Cambodia fried noodles & warm lemon tea for breakfast
SIEM REAP
Travelled for the 1st time to Cambodia from 29 Apr to 3 May this year. At Siem Reap, stayed at quite a clean & quaint guesthouse "Jasmine Lodge" (www.jasminelodge.com). Paid USD 20 per night for a twin -sharing room with double beds, air-con, cable TV and attached bathroom with hot water - quite value for money. Comprising 3 separate wings located in close proximity, the guesthouse also offers a canteen, where we had satisfying meals between USD 2 to 5. Loved the Cambodian fried noodles, which are like Chinese-style stir-fried maggi mee, nuritious vegetable soup & refreshing lemon tea! The owner, a very friendly Mr Kunn, also offers English-speaking tours to Angkor Wat & other attractions.
Quite excited to view Angkor Wat as it is the 1st UNESCO Heritage Site I've seen. Went to Angkor Wat to buy a single day pass for USD 30 the evening before, which also allows us to enter to view the sunset that day at 5pm. As the sky was overcast, we nearly gave up waiting and were walking back to the main entrance when we glimpsed the gorgeous sunset. Woke up at 5.30am the next morning to catch the sunrise. We waited till 7.30am ... alas, to our great disappointment, there was no sunrise as it rained the night before.
Despite the crumbling facade due to wear & tear, I can't help but be overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur of Angkor Wat & its surrounding temples. May happens to be the hottest month, so we were perspiring so much we kinda grew used to the heat & sweat after a while...
PHNOM PENH
We also took a 6-hr bus ride for a short 2.5 day stay at the capital Phnom Penh. While the lifestyle in Siem Reap is rather laidback (think of leisurely sipping drinks in an al fresco cafe while watching the world go by), Phnom Penh has the distinctive flavour that distinguishes capitals from suburbs: tall buildings, more people & traffic & lotsa tuks tuks (the most common mode of transport). Had a hard time crossing the road to the Central Market (Psah Thmei) - a Phnom Penh landmark.
The Central Market is a true haven for bargain hunters & souvenir shoppers as it sells almost everything! Right in front of the path leading to the entrance, there are food stalls selling barbequed food, fresh flowers, fruits & even earthenware. Along the path, there are stalls hawking T-shirts, postcards to silver curios. Inside Central Market, you can buy electronic goods, jewellery, gold, watches, T-shirts & flowers. And if you're weary of lugging back your shopping loot, simply hop onto one of the tuk tuks or motorcycles for hire at the roadside.
While on our way to Phnom Penh International Airport to catch the flight home, noticed this little piece of S'pore in Cambodia - the Singapore Hotel!
White horse, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia, May 2007
Is this white horse used for photo taking with tourists the same horse?
Monkey on steps of Angkor Wat at dusk
White cow in field, Siem Reap, Cambodia, May 2007
