Filipino Travelog: SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

South East Asian Tour (Part 2)

Frommer's (6th ed.)

"* SIEM REAP & ANGKOR WAT Attractions

"- the ruins of the ancient city of Angkor, capital of the Khmer Kingdom from 802 until 1295, are one of the world’s marvels.

- the largest religious monument ever constructed, it’s a vast and mysterious complex of hulking laterite and sandstone blocks.

- the temple complex covers some 97sqkm and includes the remains of passageways, roads, temples, and palaces that represent centuries of bldg in the capital. The temples are served by the nearby town of Siem Reap, some 6km to the south."

(Courtesy of Tourism of Cambodia)

Website:

http://www.tourismcambodia.com/travelguides/provinces/siem-reap/what-to-see/294_angkor-wat.htm

Day 4 (April 1, 2012-Sunday) SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA

Tourism in Siem Reap is thriving and flocked with foreign travelers. Thus, most people depend on dollars. Expect that most of your transactions here are based from bucks; however, few locals sometimes prefer their own currency.

Getting Around:

We arrived in Siem Reap at the bus terminal at night from Phnom Penh (the capital city of Cambodia) after long hours of travel. After we got off the bus, we never expected that there were lots of tuktuk drivers waiting from the passengers. Some will consistently persuade you to use their tuktuk to bring you to your hotel. If you don't have any ideas how much it will cost, they may over price you. Fortunately, our tuktuk driver, Mr. Visa was kind and happened to speak English pretty well. We just spent $2 to Parklane Hotel. He offered if he could bring us to Angkor Wat the next day and gave us a deal of $25 from 5am until sunset (compared to $35 that I got from a blog).

Rented tuktuk w/ a driver $25 (Php 1075)

Tip: Don't make your itineray in Angkor Wat quick. One whole day is long enough to enjoy the scenery and feel the crowd. During our tour, we thought that we couldn't make it in 1 whole day, and because we were often in a hurry, we were able to stroll the place before lunch (which was not a good idea).
Tip: You can ask Mr. Visa to bring you to an affordable restaurant at lunch and a souvenir store nearby.
Since we had nothing to do at noon , we asked him to bring us back to our hotel and rested. On the other hand, we had to pay him $5 more for the service. At around 5 pm, we went back to our last itinerary that day which was to witness the sunset on top of the hill (the best spot for this exciting sight-seeing).
Tip: Be there at around 4 pm. People have already stayed on queue waiting until the temple (Phnom Bakheng) opens at around 5 pm.
Tip: Camera or camcorder tripods are not permitted on the temple.

Contact Information:

Mr. Visa

Telephone #: (855) 977-432-607

Cellphone #: 0977-432-607

Email: vunsavy@gmail.com

Accommodation:

We booked 2D1N accommodation in Parklane Hotel via www.expedia.com for only P767.50 (inclusive of taxes & service fee P133.20 per night)

Tip: Book your accommodation using expedia to get the lowest rate offered 3 to 4 months before your tour.
Tip: After you booked your accommodation, you will receive a confirmation
Tip: Angkor Wat tour package usually starts as early as 5 am to witness the breath-taking panoramic view of the sunrise. You can request from the hotel receptionist to have your breakfast packed instead of waiting for their buffet that starts at around 7 or 8 am. The bad side of it is you will have a scrambled egg sandwich, 3 small pieces of bananas, and a bottled water.

PARKLANE HOTEL

Address:

Taphul Road, Taphul Village
Svay Dangkum Commune
Siem Reap, Cambodia
website: http://parklanehotel.asia/hotel.html

Other hotels nearby Parklane Hotel

Tourist Sites:

- Angkor Wat is the Disneyland of Buddhist temples in Asia

- the temple complex covers 97 sqkm and requires at least a few busy days to thoroughly explore the major sites.

Price:

1-day ticket: $20 = P860

(tickets are good for all sites w/in the main temple compound, as well as Banteay Srie, to the north, and the outlying temples of the Roluos Group.)

(This is how your ticket will look like when you visit Angkor Wat. They'll take you a photo and include the date of ticket validity)

Click the link below for a better view:

http://www.asianbiketour.com/Map_ANGKOR_WAT_motorcycle_tour.html

TIP: Try to find a package where your tuktuk driver will customize your travel plan especially if you'll only choose one-day pass so you could maximize your stay.

These attractions were visitted in order (refer to the map above)
TIP: To witness the majestic sunrise, be there as early as 5 in the morning. You'll get surpised with those many spectators getting the right spot to capture this wonderful scenery only in Angkor Wat.

Travel Plan around Angkor Wat
Please refer to the map
#1- Angkor Wat- The best site for sunrise

#10- AngkorThom

(the entry way to Angkor Thom)

#11- Bayon (Face)

#13- Phimeanakas & Royal Enclosure (Plaza)

#14- Elephant Terrace & Terrace of the Leper King

#5- Ta Prohm- where the movie 'Tomb Raider' was filmed.

#4- Bantay Kdei

(you can donate)

#9- Phnom Bakheng- best location for sunset

Tip: Be there at around 4 pm. People have already stayed on queue waiting until the temple (Phnom Bakheng) opens at around 5 pm.

Tip: Camera or camcorder tripods are not permitted on the temple.

Market, Supermarket & Convenience Store:

(brochure)

Souvenirs:

1. Replica- $2

TIP: I saw this guy perhaps in Bayon Temple, selling this replica. At first, he would sell it for 5 dollars a piece. Since I was getting a couple of this, he decided to sell it for $2. Just be consistent and you'll get the price you desire.