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Our bus. Destination Phnom Penh. |
From Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we took a bus to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. We wanted visit to the King and Queen of Cambodia but sadly, it was not part of the itinerary. From Phnom Penh we took a connecting bus to Siem Reap where the famous Angkor Wat Temple can be found.
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En Route. Never seen so much motorcycles before. :) |
When we arrived at the border of Vietnam and Cambodia, I got the scare of my life when I was approached by two angry immigration officers because I took a photo of the sign "No Photographic" with a funny icon of what appears to be a camera. "No photo no photo!" the two officers barked as they came towards me. I was afraid because I thought they would take my camera Dina the D90 away, or worst, they would detain me.
I stood up like an Extra Terrestrial and showed them the palm my hands -- the universal sign for "I come in peace." I showed them the screen of my camera, and told them, "I am pressing the delete button." Then, I simply smiled and said, "I'm towee." Lesson learned: Don't take pictures of signs telling you NOT to take pictures. Hehe. Talk about being lost in translation.
After more than 10 hours of sleeping in the bus, we arrived in Siem Reap at 8PM.
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Cambodia’s King-father Norodom Sihanouk, Queen-mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk portraits displayed at the receiving area of our hotel. |
We were surprised how comfortable and budget friendly our accommodation was in Siem Reap. At less than 20 dollars a night, we wondered how our hotel profits considering the rooms were big, has cable TV, air-con, Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. The hotel also chartered a van for our tour. They arranged everything for us, we didn't have to worry about anything.
Cambodian currency is known as Riel. One dollar is about 4125 Riel. No need to trouble yourself exchanging dollars with local currency, the US Dollar is an acceptable local currency.
Our first agenda when we woke up early in the next morning was to visit the temples. On top or our list were Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and many other smaller temples like Ta Prohm.
Our first agenda when we woke up early in the next morning was to visit the temples. On top or our list were Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and many other smaller temples like Ta Prohm.
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Our tree day pass to all the temples of Cambodia. . |
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The exploration team: Rah, Avril, My beautiful Mom Tita Cora, and Tita Milkah |
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Hindu god, multiple hands symbolize multiple powers. modern day humans share the same profound power. It's called "multi-tasking." |
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Rio our tour guide tells the story of Rama at Sita. |
It's advisable that you get a tour guide for your trip to the temples. The tour guides are very professional. Most speak more than one language. As we were told, tour guides must pass a grueling licensure exam before they can practice. Rio, our tour guide, is a law student, too. He speaks English and Spanish and is knowledgeable on local and world history. Your tour guide will explain the history behind the temples and will answer all your queries. He will be more than willing to take your photos, as well.
Because of the vastness of the temple complex, a one day tour not enough. You need at least two days to make the most of your visit there. Aside from chartering a van, you may also rent bicycles or charter Tuk-tuks as alternative modes of getting around the temples.
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Hindu god and a beam of light. |
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Panda and Sweet Pea's blurred picture in front of the temple |
She said, "I don' believe you don't have money, and if ever it were true that you don't have money, then, I will give to you what I am selling for free."
That was an instant eye opener for me, I can't believe a young girl was teaching me a lesson on honesty and humility. So, I got my wallet, drew all my one peso coins out my wallet and gave a short lecture about Rizal, our national hero. I gave the young girl the 1 peso coin, and when her other friends also approached me, I gave each kid 1 peso, too. It seemed to have made their day, maybe because it's the first time they had seen a one peso coin with a free story about our national hero. They went away to show their playmates and parents. She might have lectured me on honesty, but in return I shared to them a piece of our nationality. I missed that cute kid.
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Angkor Thom |
In Cambodia make sure you don't forget to attend at least one traditional Khmer dance performance. The Apsara is one of the most popular classical dance performance. It conveys not only body movements but also a story and drama.
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The traditional Khmer Dance 'Apsara' |
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Tonle Sap Lake |
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The floating village at the mouth of the canal offers an insight into their way of life. |
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The Tonle Sap lake of Cambodia has the fourth highest fish species diversity of any lake on Earth. |
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My favorite photo of our trip. Angkor Wat temple at the break of dawn. |
My trip Cambodia made me realize a lot of possibilities in life. I want to thank my family for encouraging me to travel, especially to my mom. Thank you to all who prayed, helped, and contributed to our exploration. Believe it or not, one of the great lessons I have learned from our Vietnam and Cambodia trip is the importance of "packing light." The value of packing light extends beyond the things we put in our suit case. It means simplifying what matters. It means sticking to the fundamentals. It means making up what is lacking by using our imagination. It means giving priority - first things first.
It is true what long time travelers say that you get a fresh perspective on life from traveling. You become tolerant, you become more understanding. You realize that a simple genuine smile to: local people, the hotel host, the driver, the airport crew, the immigration officer, to all people involved in your travel, goes a long way.
My first trip abroad made me more inquisitive, I found the need to take a look at other country's history and to relate its meaning to my country's own. I became more proud of our own heritage and language, and appreciated how it unites us as a nation. My fellow countrymen are not just another person anymore, (you are) my brothers and sisters.
I don't know where I am going next, but I know life goes on and that the adventure continues. I believe what a wise man once said, "There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." The way our eyes perceive the world is indeed: a reflection of the world -- and a reflection of who we are.
-Rah
13 comments:
Great reflection you got there! This place of course will be included in my list for next year. Hopefully, i can stop myself to take the pictures of the no picture sign :D hahahha..
I can't understand why you managed to take so beautiful pictures when my youngest son who visited the same place showed me a picture of his face; ALL THE TIME! Haiizzz... kids, what do you know? Hmmm..
finally...i've been waiting for this post! i loved cambodia..i wish we had more time, the people are so friendly and accomodating. the food is very vegetarian friendly- that's y i love it so much! --more adventures, the climbing of the super high buddhist temples- and low hindu temples/..u forgot to kwnto the angelina jolie temple! - - the only downside is that its so hot there! 38 deg and stil not the hottest!
So nice of ur mom to inspire & encourage u to travel :) and I think having your loved ones with u actually made your travel more memorable!
a plus for the pictures. parang familiar sa akin yung story ni drama and sita, napagaaralan ata namin yan nung high school. anyway..nakakatuwa naman yung bata nanakilala mo.=D
ang by the way..ang ganda din ng reflection mo about traveling. bihira akong magtravel pero im looking forward to the time na magkakaroon din ako ng sarili kong reflection about travel.
ansaya ng travel mo. hopefully may seat sale at makapamasyal din me dyans.
at neks taym,di ko na maiiwan sa taxi ang camera ko. hahaha
i love how you shared your experiences from cambodia. made me realize things too. :)
funny story on the "no photographic" sign. i also love your story about the young girl selling you things. indeed, a lesson on honesty was learned.
Looks so much fun. I would really love to go here someday. Soon. :)
beautiful photos Rah! I especially loved your shot of the Angkor Wat at dawn. It brings tears to the eyes.
hello,
natuwa ako dun sa picture ng mga motor tsaka yung kwento mo tungkol dun sa bata :)
next stop Thailand naman :)
btw.
sir, ako yung nag-chat sa iyo kanina sa FB
gusto ko kasi sana makuha yung opinion mo
ay kaso naputol yung internet connection ko. pasensya na.
di ko tuloy natapos yung kwento mo
sayang talaga :(
next time na lang siguro
salamats!
Ang creepy talaga ng Angkor Thom tuwing makakakita ako ng pics nun naiisip ko lagi horror movie...
Sana mapuntahan ko rin ang mga napuntahan mo hehe...ang pics parang sa discovery channel lang hehe...
All the pics are amazed for me and I have been seen never such Cambodia adventure tours places before join that blog. It would be wonder for mine and I would like to share those pictures with my friends.
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