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! =)

Dugout Canoe (Cavinti/ Magdalena/ Liliw/ Nagcarlan Expedition)

For 21 years, we have failed to unearth the obvious.  Albeit peculiar it is to loaf around with them, traversing the municipalities of Laguna exposes history and customs.  Shooting the rapids was actually my 2012 year-ender and the best part in family trips is our freedom from financial responsibilities.  =) My words might be vague, but what I really mean is that I am missing home.

Here are some of the excerpts lifted from various sites.

Cavinti:  Do you know that the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls is actually not in Pagsanjan? This famous tourist destination is located in Brgy. Anglas, Cavinti, Laguna. A big “WELCOME TO CAVINTI” sign erected on top of a big rock on the river on the way to the falls will let the tourists know that they are no longer in Pagsanjan. http//www.waypoints.ph/detail_gen.php?wpt=pgsnjf

Magdalena: It was formerly a barrio of Majayjay, Laguna.  A petition from the residents of the barrio for the creation of a new town was presented on September 15, 1819. It was then proclaimed a new town by Governor General Don Mariano Fernández de Folgueras on January 18, 1820, and was originally named “Magdalena de Ambling”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalena,_Laguna

Liliw: According to a story, Liliw got its name from a bird.  It was  said that Gat Tayaw and his followers decided to erect a bamboo pole and to name the town after the bird that would first alight at the top of the pole.  Within four days, a crow was the first to alight on the pole.  A crow was considered bad and so Gat Tayaw and his men moved south and erected another bamboo pole.   A beautiful bird alighted on the pole and sang, “Liw, Liw, Liw”. Thus the town became Liliw. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liliw,_Laguna

Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery: Considered a national historical landmark because its underground crypt was used as a secret meeting place in 1896 by Filipino revolutionaries (Katipuneros), members of the KKK.  During the Filipino-American War, Filipino patriots also used the underground cemetery to formulate their battle plans and to seek shelter.  There are no famous hero buried here but perhaps, it is enough that we pay our respects to this place where our nameless heroes and patriots sought sanctuary.  ttp://www.lagunatravelguide.com/index.php?page=nagcarlan-underground-cemetery