A Glimpse of Cambodia : Siem Reap

Plane Ticket

We booked our ticket in an impulse when we saw it was on sale. We purchased a round trip ticket Manila-Siem Reap-Manila for December for PHP2024 per person via Cebu Pacific. It was a good deal since the ticket normally costs PHP6000-9000.

Communication

We bought a $3 dollar simcard from Cellcard which you can buy at the arrival area. It includes a data plan good for 7 days and it has a balance for calls too. It was more than enough for our 3 day stay. Although there was very poor to no signal at most parts of Angkor Wat.

Accommodation

We booked our accommodation via Agoda. PHP3677 for 4 days and 3 nights for 4 persons at Jasmine Family Lodge with free Breakfast. We chose this hotel because it was the cheapest and most decent place (i think) with a pool. The hotel was nice but quite far away from the market. You'll need a tuktuk to get to the market which costs $3 per way. The owner barely/does not reply to emails but is accommodating in person. Plus they serve really affordable and delicious food.

Tour Rates at Jasmine Family

Money Exchange

They use US Dollars as their main currency and only use their own currency when the price is lower than $1. $1 = 4000 Cambodian Riel. We brought $200 for tours and food and it is more than enough for pasalubong (souvenirs). In fact I still have at least $30 left when I got home. We exchanged our money at Tivoli Money changer. You can call them during office hours to check the rates 881-0544.

Weather

Most people I know who have been to Cambodia warned us about the heat in Cambodia. Luckily, December is the coldest month in Cambodia and April is where there's a "fuckin' hot weather" (like 40 degree Celcius hot). When we arrived, the heat is like normal Philippine weather hot. On the second day it was a bit cloudy but still hot. On the third day, it was drizzling a bit.

Food

Fried Rice with Beef

Every food serving has a vegetable side dish composed of tomatoes, cucumber & lettuce.

Iced Coffee with Milk

because coffee is life

The food was good. We mostly ate fried rice with beef/chicken/pork which costs around $2-$5 and an Iced Coffee with Milk $1 to go with it. We also tried banana-nutella crepe $1 which was really good for dessert.On our last day, our tour guide treated us to some local khmer food. It was a really unique experience because it was not the usual place tourist but locals frequent for food.

Fresh Vegetables for Wrapper

Remove the leaf and wrap in vegetables

so it becomes like this

this one looks like takoyaki but it's not. 

Egg with meat and vegetables inside

Our tour guide brought us to a local food stall

I don't know what the dishes are called but they're all good

Culture

Cambodian Children weaving flower crowns

At least 90% of the population are farmers according to our tour guide. People in Cambodia, Thailand and Philippines generally look the same so we are often times mistaken for Thai or Cambodian that is until we speak. Cambodians are generally very friendly and accommodating. Specially the kids who always welcome tourists with a smile in their faces.

Tours

I honestly wasn't very excited with this trip so I ended up arranging our tour a week before going. My friend recommended a tour guide they've worked with before and luckily we were able to book a tour with him. Below is the breakdown of our tour expenses for 3 days.

Airport Pick-Up: $10

AC Car for 3 days: $105

Tour Guide for 3 days: 75

Airport Drop-Off: $10

Total: $200 for 3 days for 4 person

You can book a tour with him via email and pay when you arrive. Check it out at the following link:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297390-d10466943-Reviews-Angkor_Taxi_Private-Siem_Reap_Siem_Reap_Province.html

Aside from this, we also bought a $40 dollar ticket each for a 3 day Temple Pass.

Here's a simple map of Siem Reap with it's tourist attractions.
Upper Left is the airport
Lower left is the town
Then there are the temples

DAY 1

We had an early start for Day 1. Our call time was at 5am to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat but had I known how much crowded it could get, we would've went earlier to get a good spot or at least bring a chair where I could get a better view.  

After sunrise, we toured the Angkor Wat temple grounds. Unlike temples in Thailand where there are Buddhas everywhere and the temples are well maintained and to a point glamorous, Cambodian temples are generally bare. What remains are the carvings on the walls with a story to tell.

We were told that the artifacts which once adorned these beautiful temples are not in museums but are mostly stolen.

Center of the Temple 

I have reason to believe the chamber of secrets is hidden somewhere here. (Harry Potter reference)

Snake statues check!

Spider Webs (& spiders) check!

Checking to see if the walls will open

Kidding aside, this is the Terrace of the Lepper King

Terrace of Elephants

I don't really remember what these temples are called because most of them look the same.

I know this one is called the Bayon Temple. (with the faces)

Spean Thma

where the river flows before

Ta Phrom Temple popularized by the Tomb Raider movie

where trees love to grow on the roof

DAY 2

We had a good night sleep so we had more energy for pictures.

Neak Pean Temple

Prenup Shoot at the temple

Preah Khan Temple

another prenup shoot

A friend visited us on our way

Gate of Angkor Thom

Sunset at Phnom Bakheng

We weren't very lucky with both the sunrise and sunset. We barely saw the sun covered clouds. I guess that's the drawback in coming at the coldest month.

DAY 3

Banteay Srei Temple is the one on the upper right corner. 

It's far away from town and the other temples but is worth the time.

Banteay Srei Temple

We also went to a place where they sell Sugar Palm products like well sugar, candy, wine etc.

They also sell these beatiful carving from animal skin

Every night, we go to the night market/pub street to eat dinner and shop for souvenirs.

Cambodians are really talented painters

I mostly bought "Elephant" Pants ($2), Pouches ($3 for 4) and Sugar Palm Products ($1 each). Buy Sugar Palm Products directly at the seller for cheaper cost. I bought them for $1 but they sel for $6 at the airport.

I learned a lot from this trip and we really enjoyed every moment of it. :)