Monday, 23rd Nov 2009
Woke up real early & blurry at 3.45am to catch the only Air Asia flight at 7am. Thanks to Shao’s wise advise, I did a web check-in 24 hours before. A little dissapointed that our seats were separated by the aisle but glad that we won’t have to que at LCCT. Once we arrived, we went straight to the luggage check-in counter & verified our boarding passes there. Bumped into Jeng at the Gate waiting area. He certainly was more awake than us. Had our breakkie while Will played his Word Mole on his Blackberry. Will slept throughout the flight as he was emceeing the night before at a wedding. I went on to fill-up 3 different forms to Cambodia for both of us & helped a lovely elderly Korean couple with theirs. Korean unc helped spotted some mistakes “You male?” he was looking at Will’s form & “You born this year?” Yes, I was sleepy too.
Arrived at 8am in Siem Reap Airport & was greeted by our Guesthouse’s Tuk Tuk driver, Boy. We thought that my name would be scribbled on a piece of paper but they had my name written nicely on a paper & clipped onto a board. Impressive! The weather was bright & breezy. Wore our mask to protect us from the dust, caps & jacket from the wind :p we look out of place & were even asked if we’re cold.
Arrived at Bou Savy Guesthouse and was greeted by Bovorn, the manager there. We had a yummy sour sop smoothie welcome drink & only needed to wait less than an hour to check-in to our twin sharing A/C room with hot shower, daily housekeeping & cable TV at only USD15 per night =)
Our first stop was Roluos Village to board the board to Kampong Phluk at Tonle Sap. Boy took us there on this tuk tuk. Ride took about 45mins on main & dusty roads. Our masks came in were handy. We paid USD8 for the 2 way trip but later found out that it only cost USD5. We were too trusting of our guesthouse. Our USD 15 per person Boat ride took another 45mins & the whole time, Will was wondering if he should ask the unc to go faster. There was only 2 of us, 6 rattan seats, birds & the lake.
Once we arrived at Kampong Phluk – the village with houses & buildings on 6-meter stilts, a 16 year old boy spoke to us in English & said that he’ll be our guide. He spoke well for someone who only learned English for2 years from the monks. We walked around the village and did charity – donated USD10 to a blushing school teacher & bought a pencil from a little girl. The highlight of the trip was the small boat ride to the mangrove area (USD8). Wearing only our life jackets and 2 youths paddling the boat, we move around what they call the forest. It was so serene & peaceful. You could just read your book here on in Will’s case, play Word Mole in peace. By now, I’ve nicknamed him Mole Lee :p
We spent about 1 & 1/2 hours in the village before leaving back to Roluos village by the big boat. Boy who waited for us used his time to gamble with other Tuk Tuk driver. Guess that’s more “productive” than taking a nap for them.
Happy and natured out, we reached our guesthouse at 3pm and went on to have our lunch & checked our emails. The husband continued working while I zonked out. Woke up at 6.15pm and it was pitch dark by then as Cambodia was an hour behind Malaysia. Tuk Tuk to Psar Chas (old market) only cost USD1 (RM3.40) & took less than 10 minutes. We walked around Bar Street and spotted Temple Balcony, highly recommended by Lonely Planet for their free nightly traditional Apsara dance perfomances from 7.30-9.30pm. We ordered a Temple set for 2 person at USD9 & tried a drought beer at USD0.75. Was told that beer is dirt cheap & it’s a must try in Cambodia. Let me just say that this is the only time I drank liquor :p
We left by 8.45pm after the peacock dance & headed back to rest for the next day where we’ll raid the tombs of Angkor from 9am onwards. We decided to catch the sunset instead of the sunrise as the latter would require us to wake up at 3am which we weren’t up for it.
Day 2 tbc…
hope to start Aikido & going to the gym again in 2008
