Tuktuk Road Trip (AM)

Typical stroll in the park – – – instead of the usual road trips, our tuktuk drivers were the ones who navigated us around the streets of Siem Reap.  Take note that this is based from the itinerary we presented to Sir Bun Kao – so have it customized if you want.

As you’ll notice, the proposed IT is more on sightseeing as my parents can no longer attend to physical and stressful activities.  =) except for shopping of course. lol

(1) Siem Reap Royal Residence/ Palace

Address: National Route 6 (Airport Road), Siem Reap, Cambodia

(2) Wat Preah Prohm Rath 

Address: Pokambor Avenue, Siem Reap, Siem Reap

One of the oldest monastery in Siem Reap in term of running time, has a history approximately 500 years. The King Ang Chan, who dedicated this monastery to Preah Ang Chang-Han Hoy and to the spirits of Ta Pom Yeay Rat. This temple was also established to propagate the Dhama (the Buddha teaching), and to provide lodging for monks., as many of them who came to Siem Reap who did not has lodging at that time.

(Reference: http://theangkorguide.blogspot.com/2010/04/wat-preah-prom-rath.html)

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3) Psar Chaa or known as the ‘Old Market’
Address: Psar Chaa Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia

For Filipinos, this isn’t something new.  Stalls are lined up selling souvenirs, clothes, food, and sundry items (same with tiangges).  You can also ask for discounts on several items, specially if you’ll buy in bulks.

4) Wat Kesararam – Pagoda of the Cornflower Petals
Address: Road No 6, next to Sokha Hotel

Pagodas and monks welcome visitors and tourists. Please always remember to not disturb monks during prayer or eating times, women are not allowed to touch monks, bow slightly in the presence of older monks, don’t point soles of feet or fingers towards monks or Buddha statues, sit with feet tucked behind rather than crossed, hats off in the monastery grounds, take off your shoes in the building, speak softly, ask before taking pictures, don’t enter closed buildings without permission, contribute what you can to the donation box.  (Reference: http://www.globaltravelmate.com/asia/cambodia/siem-reap/siem-reap-pagodas/734-siem-reap-wat-kesararam.html)

Self-portrait before lunch time! =)

Flat Defeat of Siam (Siem Reap Expedition)

Vacation Mode ON!!!  I once dreamed of bringing my family to Greece to see the Parthenon.  I know this place isn’t halfway there and I still cannot afford to shoulder all expenses for a family of five to Greece; but for this alone, I am offering my 24^th birthday to them.  4 years after our last voyage together, we found ourselves in a foreign land again.  This time, our first destination is CAMBODIA! =)  I want to travel the world with them (my parents not too old to touchdown and my brothers not too young not to appreciate the wonders).  Navigating on our own and exploring the unknown thus make the family bond stronger. These are priceless specifically the memories that will serve as souvenirs once we go back HOME.

Siem Reap International Airport – 6km, 15 minutes from town center.  Taxis and tuktuks can be hired at the ticket desk located just outside the terminal doors.  Taxis run U$D7 and tuktuks are U$D5 into town but most hotels offer free transportation from the airport (Source: Visitors Guide).

Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap province in northwestern Cambodia, and a popular resort town as the gateway to Angkor region. The name Siem Reap means the ‘Flat Defeat of Siam‘ — and refers to the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer peoples.  This name, according to an oral tradition, was given by King Ang Chan (1516-1566) as “Siem Reap”, meaning “the flat defeat of Siam” (Cambodians call Siam or Thailand “Siem”). It was because of Ang Chan’s victory against a Siamese invasion, slaying Prince Ong, and capturing no less than 10,000 Siamese troops. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siem_Reap