PINOY BOY JOURNALS: cambodia

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ALL-TIME FAVORITE POST FROM 2009 RE-BLOGGED:

Siem Reap, Cambodia

"The name Siem Reap literally means "Siam Defeated". These days, however, the only rampaging hordes are the tourists heading to the Angkor Archaeological Park. This once quaint village has become the largest boom town and construction site in Cambodia. It is quite laid-back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. It is a nice compromise between observing Cambodian life and enjoying the amenities of modern services and entertainment, thanks to a large expatriate community." As Wikitravel says.

Siem Reap is a loving city. It's a quiet and laid back environment is perfect for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If Phnom Penh is madness, Siem Reap is warm and chill out. As soon as you arrive you can feel the warmth of the people, the sun shining, the cool breeze of provincial life and the innocence of the place.

How to Get to Siem Reap?

From Manila, i flew in via Cebu Pacific to Saigon as previously posted. From Saigon you can go to any travel agency and book your ticket to Cambodia, we stopped over for a day in Phnom Penh and proceeded to Siem Reap the next day. Tickets cost about $10 up depending on your needs. If you want an air conditioned more superior bus service with free lunch and snacks plus a toilet inside the bus, chances are you'll be riding the Mekong Express Limousine Bus. I highly suggest you go with this one, a few dollars and you're sitting comfortably onwards your destination.

Tip: Usually, the limousine bus doesn't get full, just say you're not feeling well and if possible, make a transfer to another seat where there's no one sitting so you can stretch your legs and get comfy. That's what i do. 100% i get two seats all mine.

Backpackers/travelers either do Vietnam and then Cambodia coming in from Laos. Some cross the border from Thailand to Cambodia. Others fly from either Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Singapore via Air Asia and other airlines which cost about $80-100 one way. Whichever is more practical for you, go to Siem Reap.

Where to Stay?

I've done a couple of researches via Google, forums and Lonely Planet and it was suggested i try out this hostel by the Tonlesap Lake near the market. So we did. It's our top priority. You'll know why later.

In the website, it says luxury living at comfortable prices. For about $8/night or it may go lower if you stay longer like weeks or months, you get full amenities and superior living. Trust me this place is rockin' Siem Reap.

You can rent a bike or motorbike for a few dollars/day so you can roam around the province breezy and comfortably. Some travelers opt to visit the Angkor complex via bike. But after spending long hours going to temples and climbing the steep stairs, i worry about their condition going back home.

If you're feeling hungry, you can grab a bite from their menu, get a bottle of beer, order pizza to your room. I love their burgers and fries, their tuna melt and cheese sandwich, too.

Internet is free of use. There is a special room assigned with about 3-4 laptops so you can update your friends through Facebook, send e-mails or Skype.

This is a photo of the room where i stayed with, about six people can sleep in these bunks. It is air conditioned, with its own terrace. There's a bathroom and toilet inside the room so you don't have to go outside. Siem Reap Hostel has three floors, and more private and family rooms are upstairs.

The icing on the cake is it's the only hostel in Siem Reap with a swimming pool. So after a day walking around or visiting the temples of Angkor, you can cool off in the large spacious swimming area. If you're not up to go swimming, there's a pool table, darts and several gaming equipments all for free to use. There's a big television upstairs with DVD, newspapers and magazines. Trust me, they give everything to those who are staying. I just roam around the hostel when I'm bored. There's always something to do.

There's a sign on the second floor that says above.

The next day after a night of partying on pub street, it's very nice to relax for a bit, do some reading, listen to your music on your iPod. This is where i meditate, a day before i leave, i promise myself to relax and enjoy the cool breeze. Right at the back of a hostel is monk's temple where they bury the dead. It's calming to watch the monks do their chores. I wave at them and they were smiling the whole time.

I highly recommend this hostel to anyone who's planning to go to Siem Reap and visit the Angkor Wat temples. For sure this is where i will stay the next time I'm here.. http://www.thesiemreaphostel.com/

Where to Go?

Walk around the market area. It is littered with shops along with restaurants. So as you walk for sure you will see something you fancy. Shop for Khmer souvenirs, perhaps?

Art, souvenir items, Cambodia shirts, Tintin merchandise, quite the selection of numerous finds so you can bring stuff to your family and friends.

There's tons of canvass paintings you can buy. Don't worry, you can ask for the canvass only and just leave the frame if its hassle to bring it home with you.

Sample Khmer Food. Forget about dining in overpriced restaurants, go to the little corners and order hot, steaming Khmer food like fried rice, chicken and vegetables.

Whether you like noodles dry or with soup, it's your choice, say "moi" means more for more serving.

What is a night in Siem Reap if you're not drinking. Angkor is the more expensive beer, Anchor is like it but cheaper. Don't ask me why and how. But be sure to visit Angkor Wat bar as it is the most happening bar along Pub Street. Party starts late and ends up around 3am.

The club/bar plays assortment of pop, house, hip-hop tunes via the iPod docked in the speakers. The waitress is Filipina and wanted to share her story so i can write about it for TV.

Meet the Israelis. Really cool people. Met up, joined for drinks, met up again, joined for food. Walking along Pub Street drunk. What a way to end the night err morning.

There's usually a buffet with a special show in one of the restaurants. The traditional dance is called Apsara where the men and women signal courtship. Correct me if I'm wrong.

What i realize after backpacking around Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is a poor province, if not for the Angkor Wat Complex, hundreds of thousands won't flock to this destination. But aside from the obvious poverty, this place has so much more to offer. I met the friendliest Khmer people here, tops. I think the essence of traveling to Siem Reap is discovering a culture so rich, it's about time we give glory. Khmer people are warm and hospitable people. I love the quietness of the monks, the friendliness of the bystanders, the eagerness of the people to converse, the picturesque scenery of Siem Reap and the calmness of people amidst the troubled times.

And for foreigners like us visiting this destination, we have to respect the traditions. Walking along Pub street with your smokes a joint, and your bullshit confidence isn't giving the much needed respect this place should have. I actually felt bad when i asked for a cheaper price for a tuk-tuk ride. Imagine the drivers said yes to $1 trip to the bus station. I gave him $2 because worrying about loud, rude farangs isn't an easy job. No pun intended.

As i was walking along in the middle of the night, i came across a couple of locals in a store. I bought a pack of Marlboro and talked with them for about an hour. These people were so friendly. They gave me their e-mail addresses and numbers, and offered me a tour around the next time i go here. I was leaving the next day as this photo was taken. Sometimes i think about the khmer people, and wish distance wasn't something i have to worry about.

ALL-TIME FAVORITE POST FROM 2009 RE-BLOGGED:

So as they say no trip to Cambodia is complete without watching a traditional Khmer dance called Apsara. I've researched about it and this is what the dance is all about. Below are some of the photos i took of the traditional dance i saw with my friends while enjoying our dinner one night in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

"Apsara Dance is a popular Khmer classical performance known by various names in English, such as Khmer royal ballet and Cambodian court dance. For most travelers, no visit to Cambodia is complete without attending Apsara Dance. Traditional Khmer dance generally brings ancient Khmer culture to life through its dancers, singers and instruments. Apsara dance has a grounded, subtle, and feather-light appearance. The dance is exceptionally unique with its elaborate costuming, tight posture, fingers flexed backwards, arched back and feet, codified facial expressions, slow, deliberate but flowing movements. It presents themes, messages and stories inspired primarily by the Reamker or the Ramayana and the Age of Angkor. "

http://www.passionasia.com/cambodia/cambodian-apsara-dance.cfm

ALL-TIME FAVORITE POST FROM 2010 RE-BLOGGED:

I hope this may spark your curiosity even more to visit this awesome country on your next backpacking trip around South East Asia. I hope that in the coming years the country will prosper as a nation, the success it truly deserves. But on the other hand, i hope westernization will not kill the rich culture of this truly great nation.

I always wear this. A comfortable printed long-sleeves top, slouchy pants cropped and flip flops. Just right outside the central market in PP.

Yes. I think we have the same shirt over. See what i tell you. I look and dress up like all the Khmer men. Nice!

1. I look like everbody.

How can you forget a trip to a foreign country where you look and act almost the same as everyone else? I've never been more home, as i always say. We, Asians, have a unique facial look that's exotic, honest, innocent and very young both in appearance and by heart.

If you're still not convinced. I with my friends made a prank. I sat on one of those tuk-tuks and signaled a tuk-tuk ride to all the farangs walking along pub street. See what happened. Here...

Trying to brave the steep stairs of the Angkor Wat. Yes i walked side ways

Admiring the beauty of this great temple

2. Going to the Angkor Wat

It's not everyday that you walk around "history". The sights, the sounds, the ambiance, It's like walking in the heart of the pasr. Very nice, indeed. I've been amazed by a couple of structures everywhere from Pudong Skyline to the magnificent architectures of hotel casinos in Macau and the unique structures of Kuala Lumpur but visiting the Angkor Wat is unmistakably one of my greatest trips ever. It wouldn't be listed as one of the top places to see before you die for thing.

The best travel buddies, Cara and MM drinking free bucket at Angkor Wat Bar, Pub Street

3. The Joys and Mistakes of Traveling

On one of our drinking nights in Siem Reap, a couple of tourists were obviously drunk and were dancing on top of the tables. A six footer lost his balance and fell on my petite friend. Obviously hurt and disappointed, the guy was miserable after. All you can do is charge it to experience. Off we go to party some more. On one of our walks along Pub Street, a couple of young blokes were smoking marijuana. I have no idea regarding the policies, but you don't need those rules to follow one thing whenever you're traveling around... RESPECT

The ride inside the Mekong Express Limousine bus - free snack, hand wipes, and free Khmer music for six hours. Can you handle it?

A few more hours to go before i reach my destination - sunburnt and tired. I need a bed and Angkor beer!

4. Bus Rides

I've never been to more bus rides anywhere than my almost month trip around Cambodia. Bus from Saigon to Phnom Penh. Bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville. Bus from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. And finally Bus from Sihanoukville to Saigon. Wheeeew. Too many bus rides after, i was beginning to make them buses my second home. But believe me when i tell you this, the seats are really comfortable, the driver was driving pretty cool and the aircon was max. Mind you, you can actually get two seats if the bus is not fully occupied, and you have great convincing powers.

Arrived at night in Sihanoukville, no better way to tour the province but on a speeding motorbike

Here i am taking a video while the motor is scooting away.

5. Motor Rides

Everywhere i go in Phnom Penh, me and my buddy would always scoot around his motorbike in heaps of places. Thanks to Adam for the free ride around the city. For breakfast, lunch or dinner, for chilling' at a nightclub, for a private housewarming party, for an afternoon happy hour at the ghetto district. Drunk and motor rides. Cool. But be really cautious, too. You don't want accidents on your trips.

Angkor? Anchor? What's the difference anyway?

You can get cheaper beer via draft and sharing. $.70 cents.

6. Angkor, Anchor

My true best friend and partner in life in Cambodia. In bottles, in pints, don't care about buckets unless they're free. This is what i drink every time i am out. I think the flavor is just right. Not too strong like Chang, not too spirited like San Miguel. If you ask me about the difference of the two, i still don't know what is. Obviously, i was always too drunk to notice.

Here's what it looks like outside the genocide museum. I didn't get inside. Instead i walked around and talked to the people. Good 20 minute conversations. Really cool people!

Here are a couple of bystanders in front of the palace. I just wanted a photo of myself, it just so happens that they were at the back. Might as well join in the fun and have our picture taken.

Back to the "backstreet boys"

7. Don't judge the book by its cover.

Khmer are honest people. I don't know if i just believe in the goodness of people. But people here are very honest, very sincere, very cordial. On one of our tuk-tuk rides, the business was to give the driver $1 because we bartered for a lower price. When i got to my destination, i gave him $1 more. I mean, what is $1 if you take into consideration the effort of these people really working hard for a buck. And western people are richer than me so the next time you go on trips, make sure to show some love to the people who take you to your destinations, the people you buy your souvenirs from. These people are working really hard to give you the best time in their own fuckin' country. Remember we're just visiting.

Nuff said.

8. The past

I actually didn't go to the tours. Apart from the reason that i was a bit hung over from last night, i didn't want to leave Cambodia with the impression of its horrible past. The people have suffered so much trauma. I want to remember Cambodia as the land of really friendly and loving people with a not so good past, but keen and hopeful for the future.

Me with the Israeli Army in Angkor Wat Bar

Me with Cara and Melissa at a bar right across the Angkor Wat Bar. What's the name of the place again? I think the same bar with the Apsara dinner buffet upstairs.

Yaelle and Matthieu from Switzerland while chillin' in Ochheuteal Beach Sihanoukville.

MM with the local khmer girl doing the threading on her.

Sylvia, Adam, Moneyman Matt at the balcony in an Expat's housewarming party in Phnom Penh.

The Khmer men outside the circle in Siem Reap. Bought a cigarette, won a friend. These guys are my best memory of Siem Reap. Friendship knows no boundaries.

9. Friends you meet along the way

There are people you meet while waiting for the bus to arrive, people you ask questions where is a good place to go, people you dance with in a club, people you exchange notes on routes and cheaper accommodations, people you tag along with for a cheaper Tuk-tuk ride, people who take care of you when you're in their turf, people who want to give you the best bang in Cambodia, i say thanks to all of you. These are people who're just in the same time and same place as you are. That's destiny. Just holler when you're in Manila, I'll show you what you're really missing. And for sure, i will see you guys again somewhere again. Cheers!

The little kid playing at the Angkor Wat entrance

The little girl at the Bayon temple

The little musician kid selling souvenirs around the complex

The hip little girl of Sihanoukville

My brothers. hahaha... these are the kids selling lonely planet counterfeit at a pub in Phnom Penh

The best photo of Khmer kids - i snapped this one out because they were already smiling at me. These kids are so wonderful to look at.

10. Khmer kids

Ever wonder why Angie and Brad adopted kids in Cambodia? The kids here are the sweetest ever; those innocent eyes, those charming smiles, the way they talk and say "Mister, one dolla'" with the loveliest, sweetest accents. These are the kids, who at a very young age, need to work really hard to help their families. Times are tough in this side of the world. And every dollar received will change their future.