Traveling to Siem Reap Cambodia

From Vietnam to Cambodia, previous blog Traveling Vietnam to Cambodia

Sapaco Tourist bus company pick-up showed up around 07:00 a.m. at Red Sun Hotel, the guest house where I spent the night.  The ticket cost $24 Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  We walked around 5mins to the bus station.    The bus left around 07:30 and reached Siem Reap, Cambodia around 21:00.  The trip has to changed bus in Phnom Penh via Paramount Angkor Express which leaves 14:00 for Siem Reap.  

Some pictures taken while on our way:

If the previous bus conductors gave sandwiches and water to their passengers, this time no eating on the bus…Hungry eh, haven’t had dinner yet .

The shapes

Khmer house

Farming

I met Sachico Ohe from Japan who became my travel buddy in Siem Reap.   Sachico works as a nurse in Japan for 9 years.    She was my savior upon stepping my foot in Siem Reap.   I felt so stranger when the bus finally reached its station.    It was dark and no nearby guest houses which apparently not what I expected.    I felt unsecured when I got swarmed by moto and tuk-tuk drivers and was asked where I want to go.    I did not make any hotel/guesthouse booking.    I thought that I could simply look for a place when I got there.    I calculated the hours of travel from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap, took us 12 hours.    Time is based on my travel reviews, leaving 0730 expected arrival was 2000 at max.    I went with Sachico who did not make any hotel/guesthouse booking too.

This time I never felt alone.

Life is full of surprises and that is if you are willing to take the risk.

Ouk Barang our tuk-tuk driver,  tour guide speaks Japanese and also our entertainer  :-) yeah Barang is a funny guy and he became a good friend of mine.   He was a friend of Sachiko's friend who worked in Cambodia before.   Barang is dedicated to his work.   I can give his contact number for those who will visit Siem Reap and need a tuk-tuk driver and a city guide.

 

Irracha Guest House is where Sachico and I got rooms, it’s Barang where had taken us.  Our doors just opposite each other and could simply check whether she or I ready for the “go” .   It is located at #151 St. Sok San Phum Steung Thmey, Khum Svay, Dangkum in Siem Reap. Guesthouses are quite far from the bus station.  It is advisable that travelers arriving at night to book for their accommodations.  Operators usually offer free pick-up from the bus station and that is less hassle for you.

After almost 13 hours of the long trip, we just threw our bags inside our rooms and soon we headed to Senssabay (Happy Hour).  It always excites me for new things.   It is nice to be a part of the Khmers’ and witness the local night glimpse on the first night.

Local open pub

First taste of Khmer food

We got back to the guesthouse by midnight.   That was a really long day where every minute of it was a lesson. 

I couldn't wait till I see the sun.  It was another overflowing experience.   I had to retire during the night to recharge my body :-). 

First full day of visiting places and loads of activities in Siem Reap.

•  Angkor Thom  - the Capital City during Khmer Empire   

•  Angkor Wat - the 7th World Heritage  

 

•  Ta Phrom  - known as the Jungle Empire

 

•  Tonle Sap - ride a boat to visit the floating city of Chong Khnea

 

• Apsara Dance - witness the classical dance of Khmer

•  Banteay Kdei -  was called the Citadel of the Cells

• War Museum - visit the open field exhibits

 

On my Second day, everything was rushed.  I had to maximize my remaining hours to go and visit other places around Siem Reap other than temples.  I want to experience the traditional Khmer Massage as a reward to my exhausted body.   Rushed because I do not want to miss the bus going to Phnom Penh, 12:30 was the pick up at the guest house.

I will show you where I have been in my rush hours .

Farit Barang was my driver on that day’s trip,  younger brother of Ouk Barang.






First stop was War Museum in Siem Reap, a place that should not be missed when visiting Siem Reap.

I was curious about what is inside this Angkor National Museum and so I get in.

An admission fee of $15 for the guests and local driver-guides are free for entrance.   After paying I was given this booklet as a passport to the museum.  

We were asked to sit at the Briefing Hall of which around 80 seaters capacity, it’s like a mini-cinema theater.   That time it was just me and Farit at the hall.  After 7mins we got out of the hall and followed the arrows leading the gallery.   To be honest,  I was not happy about the museum visit.  It was more fascinating for me to see images and actual temple visits which I did yesterday.   My camera did not do any work this time as it was not allowed to take any photos inside.  In short, I was bored so I just walk fast inside, such a waste.      It would be nice to visit this museum before actually visiting the temples.  

The Khmer Family Kitchen Restaurant

Mixed Fried Rice

Food, of course, should not be missed.  Had brunch at the local restaurant, Tany Khmer Family Kitchen.  I saw this place the last night it was so busy but on that day I was their first guest.    

I bought a notebook on our way after leaving the restaurant.   It used to be my buddy on my way to Phnom Penh, something to scribble and to forget about how long the trip was.     

Lastly, experienced the Cambodian Traditional Message at the Angkor Health Massage Villa.   Since I don’t have enough time for one hour massage, I only had it for half an hour, better than never.   It was similar to Thai massage and so love it.  You know the feeling after having a massage,  you don’t want to get up and want to sleep.

Angkor Health Massage Villa

Wanted more, so relaxing :-).

I wish I had more time but what can I do.   I don’t want to be late for the bus pick up or else I won’t be able to explore the city of Phnom Penh.  Get up!  Get up!     

Went back to the guesthouse, took shower, checked out and paid my ticket for the bus at the reception which I booked earlier.
   

Ready for the trip to Phnom Penh.  Again,  I did n’t have any guesthouse reservation in the city.  I just asked the brothers Ouk and Farit for driver’s referral.    Phnom Penh Driver = checked.   His name is Elvis.   I feel relieved of course when Ouk and Farit made sure that Elvis will be waiting for me at the bus station.

Next visit: Phnom Penh.

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Traveling to Vietnam

Vietnam Flag

Looking at my boarding pass on my hand, just me making this flight.
I booked for two tickets in February for my mom and myself, and later advised her to get a passport.    I didn’t tell her that I already purchased the plane ticket nor tell her to where we are going.  It was a surprise plan.   I just simply told her that I was day dreaming and that I will take her along into that dream.   She had not experience yet to sit on a plane.  I wanted to show and explain the nature of the job that I have - a flight attendant.    The trip is supposedly a gift to my beloved mother and a date trip with her.  

Unfortunately, she was not able to complete the papers required in time to apply for a passport.  She settled the other requirements such Form 137 from school…gosh!  Mom is on her 50′s and asked to submit Form 137.   The primary requirement is a birth certificate from the National Statistics Office which she has buuutttt found three major errs, one: name misspelled, two: not her birth date and lastly, how the hell someone typed she is a male.  She has to file for late registration to correct the information on her birth, just not enough time to process it before our flight schedule.  The flight date came and I boarded the aircraft without my mother.


Flight to Vietnam:

The story begins from a first timer solo traveler -myself and my travel buddies are The Lonely Planet  book and Sudoku.  

May 19,2010 NAIA 22:30 

Met Mrs. Tabitha and her solo son Dale Kirby Diaz, from (Misoc) Misamis Occidental, they have relatives in Cavite where they stayed before their flight.  It’s also their first time to travel to Vietnam.  They  will attend a Baptist seminar for a month.  I can see my mom with Mrs. Tabitha, wished she made this trip with me and sure she will be excited.  We separated in Vietnam airport, someone from the same religious group picked them up.  
I stayed at the airport just as planned since my mother is not with me, and get into the first trip bus to Cambodia.                   

                  

            

Be a millionaire in Vietnam

May 20, 2010 midnight.  
I exchanged $60 for Vietnam Dong (VND) the rate was VND19,100 for $1.  I was an instant millionaire!  I’m counting million here but hey wait a minute I got shortage here.  So I went back to the exchange and the woman at the teller explained that they are charging 3%.   Honestly I got dismayed about that, would have been nice of her to inform about the charges in advanced.    Their rate is for sure lesser than the outside market  but I need VND first hand.   

Tan Son Nhat International Airport
(SGN) Vietnam

I got outside the arrival hall around 2am, the plan was just to sit  outside and catch wi-fi connection to ease boredom and kill time till 05:30 in the morning.  SAPACO Tourist bus office opens early and  I wanted to be on an early trip to Siem Reap.   I was seated on one of those chairs and the arrival and trying to connect into poor wi-fi signal while watching arriving peeps.   

I noticed four Filipinas who were standing next to my seat and heard them talking about transportation to their guest house.   I gave them a hint about what  I just observed earlier.   A  taxi driver over charged a family heading to Pam Ngu Lao in District 1 by $16.  I read that metered taxis would only be cost around $5 – $6 to Pam Ngu Lao, the same area where they are heading.    Since it's midnight it is just a courtesy to add extra but not way too much.   I helped them to deal with a taxi driver and got it for $9 which is of course a good deal .  I ended up going with the gals and shared VND34,ooo ($1.8) for the fare.      I will stay to the same place where they booked.

Day view at 283/17 Pam Ngu Lao

               

The driver dropped us in an alley as the address mentioned.  We walked back and forth searching for the guest house where the gals had booked.   We already walked past through the area three times with 5 pairs of eyes.  When all signages are blinking and illuminated at night makes it is hard to locate small sign just like of the  Red Sun Hotel.  Finally located it!   Two good paired eyes finally lead us to the guesthouse but it was closed.    Most of the guesthouses are closed by and night may be not safe of a solo female traveler so I initially decided to just wait at the airport for day light.  They were noted to just buzz if they arrived at night.  We were attended by a lady in red.
      

                             Red Sun Hotel , 283/17 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam District 1

Pam Ngu Lao area is very prominent to travelers going to Vietnam, it has vast array of guest houses.  I got a room with two beds  for $15 with free breakfast.  The other 4 gals got the room they reserved.  Room was clean with free wi-fi and a desktop computer at the lobby for guests.   Towel and a tissue roll was provided  except for the other toiletries.  I always bring my own towel and toiletries so it was not a big deal.   Guests must take off  their shoes or slippers while at the guest house premises.   

        

I arranged for an early ticket to Siem Reap with SAPACO bus liner before getting into my room.  The lady in red said will give me an update at 6am.   Free breakfast starts at 7am till 10am.  Breakfast  includes  limited selection such as egg scrambled or omelet, tea or coffee comes with 2 slices of hard bread.           

Dining Area, Red Sun Hotel

      

May 20, 2010        

Set alarm at 0600 am, took shower and quick look on internet.  Awww no Facebook in this part of the world.        

At 0630 the receptionist called me and informed that bus pick-up at 0700.  Had my breakfast, egg omelet, coffee with milk, and 2pcs of hard bread that I could not eat.   Paid for my ticket to Siem Reap for $24  and I bought a 1.5L of water for VND15,000 ($0.8).   I was expecting a tuktuk or a moto, but was a guy showed up and we cadillac-walked the street which took  5mins to the bus station.    Yeah, that near. 

                

First temple  I have seen on our way

SAPACO bus, while waiting for other passengers

I was the only solo tourist alike on this bus, and definitely none-Viet or Cambodian speaker.  The conductor can speak English.   He collected our passports, I was not surprised or worried to hand it over to him.   I read that they collect it for immigration check at the Vietnam-Cambodian border.  

On the bus we were given a small bottle of water and a sandwich.

          

          

Woman with no fear to fall *wink* 
Reading a book while motorbike is running.  

Photos taken while on our way.  Now, I am giving you a virtual tour .             

Just like home

           

First temple I've seen on our way

What are those?

Off to school

  Around the border   

      

After around three hours, passengers got off the bus.  I was not informed nor aware as to where they are going.  Thought, it was a stop over and they want to pee or buy something.  It took them a while and not coming back.  I decided to go around but never seen them.  So, I went around and took pictures .         

Bavet Checkpoint, Moc Bai Vietnam

      

When I was done, I went back to the bus only to be shouted at by the driver.  But I don’t understand what he was saying.  I stepped up again  on the bus and immediately withdraw back and as he was about to push me out.  He angrily pointed his finger to a building.  Ok! I got his message, he wanted me to go to that building.  So, I went.  Saw many people waiting for I don’t know.  So many people but could not see the old peeps in same bus where I was.   I saw familiar blue uniformed man of SAPACO bus, was standing near the window.  I saw small sign “Immigration”.   Ahh, this is the border.    Just like other people there, I waited for my turn to be called out and get back my passport.  Wheeew!      

Entering the gate of Cambodia

We all get back into the bus.  It reminded me that whenever the bus stops and passengers leave…I will leave also .   In not so very far the bus stopped again.  This time the conductor told me to follow them… now I am not the missing person.   The first stop was the exit to Vietnam, this time is the entry to Cambodia.  The counter checked and stamped our passports while taking our digital photo, and were done.        

I’m now officially in Cambodia.    

    

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