Day 2
Today is the day where we visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. The day started very early again, 6.30am as I thought my phone was showing me the correct local time. When I had realized it, I woke up 1 hour earlier today. Anyway, we went down for breakfast around 7.30am and waited at the main gate of the hotel to our first destination. The funny thing is that all of us were hoping Angkor Wat temple is an hour or two journey long (so that we can SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!). But no, after 20 minutes drive which seemed like a 10 min or so, we reached the toll gate where we must stop and buy our tickets. This ticket is very important as most checkpoints within the temple's ground needs it.
It's a long walk into the temple where the sun was shining so brightly above you. (which might explain the sun burn). Angkor Wat, actually had a different name before this. However, due to the switching of Kings and their beliefs, Buddhism and Hinduism statues were taken off according to the King's belief. The main gate, where there are several gates with different purposes. One of it was to allow elephants to enter and another on was to allow the King to move in and out of the temple. Here you can also see the 7 headed snakes, which signifies the lucky number of the people. Anyway, the temple was nice with all the reminiscences and the smiling Apsara.
We moved on to another temple with the famous spot. One of Lara Croft's movie was filmed here. I think it was with the small girl running around the temple grounds and Lara was injured blabla..Hopefully this gives you some sort of external cues. Everything here is almost drowed by the big roots from the trees. There were some which looked like a snake due to its length. The logs were hollow when I saw it. (reminding me of cartoons where some of them likes to hide themselves in logs).
Moving on t o lunch! SImple and slow. VERY SLOW.... We waited for an hour or so for the food and look we only had some spring rolls...
The next temple was the Bayan temple, where the faces like temple monuments can be seen here. Not really my type of thing. But you can see some differences in faces or the position of the faces.Then we moved on to the Bakheng Hill to watch the sunset. We climbed up the mountain and after we reached there, we went down? Seriously, we were tired and decided to go back to the hotel to bath.
Dinner! Gosh, its a very nice place! big hall with so many variety! The Amazon Angkor, a very soothing place with a stage shows. There were only classical dances and foods! =D
SLeep.................................................................................
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Cambodia Trip Day 1
Hello everyone,
First of all I would like to say sorry blog! for not using you anymore?
haha
This year, 2012, we went to a place called Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Overall, I must say that the place is very dry and warm. Nothing beats the heat there.
Water is a major issue in that country (what I feel). I do think that they are scarce in water as most of the water here must be paid! (drinking mineral water only) If you would boil the water or drink water from taps, you would taste a slight metallic taste to it. Oh and another thing would be, I feel that there are more men working here (hotel receptionist, waitering jobs and tour guides). As it seems, women are more towards sales in Night Market and road side sales. Buddhism is 80% in this country and I am aware that after this trip I have seen similarities in culture between Cambodia and my previous trips. The Hinduism history is mostly similar in these countries. They were once French colonized, but now they are following the American system mostly (road, driving, speaking). Every building here (shops, hotels) ends or begins with the work Angkor which means City.
Day 1
Well I think this is the first flight in my life which needs us to be at the airport by 6.50am! Which means we need to be there by 4.50am!!! Sleep deprived, thirsty and exited! =D
Anyway we sat on the taxi and straight went to the airport. Waiting for the plane (Air Asia).
It was a 2hours journey though. I got to sit with 2 Westerners (haha) ,couples.
Landed 8.50am - Our tour guide, Miss Phan Sotheavy (I think), brought us to the hotel, Angkor Way Hotel. The hotel's deco is based on the traditional, exotic way of the Angkor people. HOT! No air-cond (most hotels, restaurants do not have). Right, anyway we moved on to our first visiting place, the Artistants d'angkor. This place is something like a college for students to learn the art of painting, silk weaving, carving and steel tulling. It is totally handmade by the students there. There they use sandstones from different mountains and carve them, which is very soft and easier to carve. Detailed work and fantastic.
Next, we are supposed to visit the Muslim Village but we had changed our mind. So we then visited the killing field where the battle between the Siamese troop and the Cambodian army in the past. As history states that, Siamese people want to conquer the Cambodian country. However, the Cambodian people particularly in Siem Reap, won the battle. Thus, the province was named after their victory. Siem = Siam , Reap = Won (I think) So to put it in a understandable way, means Winning to Siam. COntinuing, here we can see a room filled with the journey taken by Buddha. From the day he saw a sick person till the day he passed on. The painting was coloured beautifully and imagine drawing from every angle of the room.
After that, we went to a souvenir shop and yes IT IS HOT!
The things sold here are quite expensive but you can bargain. Then, we went to a park (not officially in the tour) there are lots of bats and bats! Before that, I would like to describe the park. With a touch of French elements, the park has a beautiful architecture and monuments. Okay, bats, yes there are so many of them hanging upside down!
Next would be lunch time!(Gosh! I was so hungry)
It was at New Jasmine Angkor Restaurant. Again no air cond =/. HUngrily ate and our first meal here taste not bad at all! haha...
Oh, the next place, Royal Spa and Massage, we had our legs tested for pain endurance. Gosh, the pain is undesirable. For an hour, it felt good? LOL
FInally, a break in our hotel! I want some rest, sleep and shower!
Okay skip that part. Dinner- Royal Empire Hotel, here it is magnificent! Although it is 3 Stars, it has the same design as a 5 star hotel! I wished I was staying here.
Thats the end of day one...
First of all I would like to say sorry blog! for not using you anymore?
haha
This year, 2012, we went to a place called Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Overall, I must say that the place is very dry and warm. Nothing beats the heat there.
Water is a major issue in that country (what I feel). I do think that they are scarce in water as most of the water here must be paid! (drinking mineral water only) If you would boil the water or drink water from taps, you would taste a slight metallic taste to it. Oh and another thing would be, I feel that there are more men working here (hotel receptionist, waitering jobs and tour guides). As it seems, women are more towards sales in Night Market and road side sales. Buddhism is 80% in this country and I am aware that after this trip I have seen similarities in culture between Cambodia and my previous trips. The Hinduism history is mostly similar in these countries. They were once French colonized, but now they are following the American system mostly (road, driving, speaking). Every building here (shops, hotels) ends or begins with the work Angkor which means City.
Day 1
Well I think this is the first flight in my life which needs us to be at the airport by 6.50am! Which means we need to be there by 4.50am!!! Sleep deprived, thirsty and exited! =D
Anyway we sat on the taxi and straight went to the airport. Waiting for the plane (Air Asia).
It was a 2hours journey though. I got to sit with 2 Westerners (haha) ,couples.
Landed 8.50am - Our tour guide, Miss Phan Sotheavy (I think), brought us to the hotel, Angkor Way Hotel. The hotel's deco is based on the traditional, exotic way of the Angkor people. HOT! No air-cond (most hotels, restaurants do not have). Right, anyway we moved on to our first visiting place, the Artistants d'angkor. This place is something like a college for students to learn the art of painting, silk weaving, carving and steel tulling. It is totally handmade by the students there. There they use sandstones from different mountains and carve them, which is very soft and easier to carve. Detailed work and fantastic.
Next, we are supposed to visit the Muslim Village but we had changed our mind. So we then visited the killing field where the battle between the Siamese troop and the Cambodian army in the past. As history states that, Siamese people want to conquer the Cambodian country. However, the Cambodian people particularly in Siem Reap, won the battle. Thus, the province was named after their victory. Siem = Siam , Reap = Won (I think) So to put it in a understandable way, means Winning to Siam. COntinuing, here we can see a room filled with the journey taken by Buddha. From the day he saw a sick person till the day he passed on. The painting was coloured beautifully and imagine drawing from every angle of the room.
After that, we went to a souvenir shop and yes IT IS HOT!
The things sold here are quite expensive but you can bargain. Then, we went to a park (not officially in the tour) there are lots of bats and bats! Before that, I would like to describe the park. With a touch of French elements, the park has a beautiful architecture and monuments. Okay, bats, yes there are so many of them hanging upside down!
Next would be lunch time!(Gosh! I was so hungry)
It was at New Jasmine Angkor Restaurant. Again no air cond =/. HUngrily ate and our first meal here taste not bad at all! haha...
Oh, the next place, Royal Spa and Massage, we had our legs tested for pain endurance. Gosh, the pain is undesirable. For an hour, it felt good? LOL
FInally, a break in our hotel! I want some rest, sleep and shower!
Okay skip that part. Dinner- Royal Empire Hotel, here it is magnificent! Although it is 3 Stars, it has the same design as a 5 star hotel! I wished I was staying here.
Thats the end of day one...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)