Revisiting My 2013 International Travels

I make it a point twice every year to travel abroad. 

I usually travel March and October during the semestral breaks of my students. Blogging is not my full time job and I have to do my other passion and my full-time job in life which is teaching.

Last year, I visited Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. But there are places which left memories that linger in a traveler's mind. And here are some of those places that make me smile.

Patong Beach

Phuket, Thailand comes very close to my heart with all the majestic scenery, world-class beaches and unparalleled adventures only Phuket could offer. This November 2014 I decided to go back anew just to rekindle the memories I experienced in Phuket.

Malaysia offers a variety of tourist spots but Genting Highlands tops my places to visit. I love the cable car ride going to the spot and once you are there you will surely enjoy the different attractions offered by the Highlands.

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam is a must-to-see spot if you are traveling in South East Asia. Known for offering the cheapest shopping goods only Vietnam can offer.  It has its own unique ride called "Tuktuk" which tourists must try and a variety of river adventures that await foreigners.

Angkot Wat

Siem Reap, Cambodia opens your eyes to ancient majestic temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bahket Mountain. Considered as one of the best tourist spots in South East Asia, the early morning sunrise view of Angkor Wat will surely captivate your passion to travel in this ancient city.

And finally, the South East Asian tour will not be complete without going to Singapore! The Marina Bay, Clarke Quay, Merlion, and Universal Studio Singapore (USS) are some of the best spots to visit while you are in Singapore. Enjoy the river cruise in Marina Bay and the world-class adventures in Sentosa!

   

Sunrise and Sunset 2014

Sunrise and sunset are two of my most photographed scenery. And I started two years ago to make an annual compilation in my blog of these events. 

Here are some of my sunrise and sunset pictures for the year 2014.

Sunset in Coron, Palawan

Sunset in Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

Sunrise in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sunset in Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas

Sunset in Coron, Palawan

Sunset in Sun Cruises, Manila Bay

Sunset in Danum Lake, Sagada, Mountain Province

Sunrise in Laiya, Batangas

Sunrise in Kiltepan View, Sagada, Mountain Province (Summer)

Siem Reap City Tour (Day and Night Tour)

One of the things that you can do in Siem Reap (aside from the numerous temple tours) is to have the city tour. There are 2 kinds of city tour.  The first one is the 1 day city tour covering the Old Market area, central market, Artisian d' Angkor, and Angkor National Museum for the amount 30 USD. The second one is also called the 1 day city tour covering the old market area, art school, and central market for the amount of 13 USD.

I opted just to go to the Old market and the Angkor National Museum. From my hotel (Lotus Lodge), I paid 2 USD and went first to Angkor National Museum.

It took us only less than 5 minutes before we reached the museum and I immediately went inside and saw their tagline - "The Legend Revealed."

Bringing of camera inside the museum is prohibited and that is the reason why I was not able to take pictures of the relics inside. The museum fee is 10 USD and the tour guide (a machine) costs 3 USD. The entire museum tour usually lasts for 2-3 hours but I was able to finish it it 1.5 hours. I will not go into details of the tour. I don't want to spoil the fun.

After the museum, I went to Lucky Mall and took my lunch there.

Next stop or a few meters away from Lucky Mall is the - Old Market.

The Old Market is a must-see and must-visit place in Siem Reap. It is the only place where you can buy the cheapest souvenirs in Siem Reap. There are lots of souvenir stores in town but the Old Market offers the cheapest. 

And yes, they have Northface and Kipling bags. 

After staying for 3 hours in town, I went back to the hotel. Around 6 pm, I went back to see the night market. Another 3 USD for the transportation.

There were plenty of foreign tourists that night. And it was a good decision on my part to have the night tour at the Night Market. Actually, the site of the Old Market is also the site of the night market.

You can also enjoy the dinner while you are at the night market.

Another spot to visit is the Pub Street. This is the part of the town where you can enjoy your liquor-drinking pleasures.

The night tour will not be complete without trying their local delicacies such as spiders, beetles, snakes and a variety of insects to choose from. But I never had the stomach to try one. 

Last part of the itinerary that night was the foot massage/spa using the doctor fish. And for 3 USD, you will have a beer, 2 USD for one hour and 1 USD for 30 minutes. I opted the last just for experience sake and I enjoyed it.

The sensation while your feet was being cleaned by the fish was at first unbearable but after a couple of minutes, I endured. You should try this experience while you are in Siem Reap.

I enjoyed Siem Reap! 

   

Grand City and Small City Tour, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Siem Reap, Cambodia is one of the tourist spots which offers a variety of tours to choose from. You can choose either using a van, tuktuk or a simple bike for your tour.

The following are the rates when your tour is through a van.

The following are the Tuktuk tours available in Siem Reap with their corresponding rates.

What I did was to combine the grand city tour (18 USD) with the small city tour (15 USD) for only 20 USD and that was my first day in Siem Reap. Hotels usually offer these tours.

Map of the temples


It is a lot better to have a copy of the map in order for you to be guided in your tour.

I woke up 4:30 am that day in order to catch the sunrise in Angkor Wat and shoot as many pictures as I could. But before anything else, the Tuktuk payment is different from the entrance fee that you are supposed to pay. For a one-day tour, you have to pay 20 USD and for a 3-day visit 40 USD. While for a 7-day tour is 60 USD. If your plan is to see all the temples and stay in Siem Reap in 3 days, then, I highly recommend that you avail of the 40 USD package. 

First stop that day - Angkor Wat.

There were so many tourists that day waiting for the sunrise and it was not a futile effort on our part. 

Entering Angkor Wat, you will see on your left side this structure.  

Then, on your right side, this ancient structure.

And after waiting for 30 minutes, we were given the spectacle of the Angkor Wat sunrise.

After the sunrise, the reflection of Angkor Wat temple was clearly identifiable on its moat.

I moved forward towards the entrance of the temple.

I was astonished on the ancient writings and paintings inscribed on its walls.

The view from the interior of the temple was more fascinating.

You can see tourists, left and right, enjoying and taking souvenir pictures of this epic and magnanimous temple.

I forgot time while I was roaming inside the temple. The scenery is just one of a kind. 
A sight to behold!

Just imagine that these structures were built out of crude tools and hard labor.

Angkor Wat is a photographer's dream.

I stayed in the temple for almost 2 hours before going to the next stop.

Then, my tour guide fetched from Angkor Wat and told me that we had to go to the next temple. It was already 8:30 am.

You can also hire an elephant ride to see the temples.

Next stop was - Angkor Thom.

Angkor Thom is just minutes away from Angkor Wat and is the second famous temple in Siem Reap.

And I walked from one temple to another, not minding of the time and simply enjoying every minute of my tour.

Honestly, I forgot the names of the various temples and I do hope I do not mix their names.

And after Angkor Thom, we transferred to another temple.

Honestly, I forgot the name of this temple. I am not sure if this is the Preah Khan.

Interior of the (forgotten) temple

Leaving the temple

Then, we went to another temple.

The Neak Poan is the smallest temple of all the temples I went to that day.

And finally, the last temple for the day. I really cannot recall the names of the temple but what I do remember is that we went to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Neak Poan, Preah Khan, East Mebon and Pre Rup. Sorry, for the lapse in my memory.

It was past 1 pm when I was abe to finish the tour. And what a splendid and entertaining tour only Siem Reap can offer!!