Cambodia : Day 1

July 08, 2011

Cambodia : Day 1

This was my first trip outside Malaysia with my friends. That was back in 2009. I was so excited. As it was also my first time backpacking, I did feel a bit scared and did a lot of research. Just a little bit of background info about Cambodia, the time difference between Malaysia is 1 hour late. So if it is 8.00pm in Malaysia, it'll be 7.00pm in Cambodia. The currency that was used is the USD, and bring small crisp change if you plan to go there. So we touched down at Siem Reap International Airport. The airport was small but very modern.

Siem Reap International Airport

We went to the arrival hall and there's a lot of tuk-tuk drivers waiting to sell their service. So we just chose one and ride the tuk-tuk heading to town. And my it was very dusty. Oh yeah, it was the dry season, that's why it was dusty.

Us in the Tuk-tuk

We reached a place called Psar Chaa, or literally translated as Old Market. And we started to search for a place to stay. After visiting 2 places, we decided to settle in a guesthouse just next to Psar Chaa, Fresh Guest House. The rates were good which is USD 12 per twin sharing basis. And the room conditions are great. We've got air-con, cable TV and the room was clean.

Fresh Guest House in Psar Chaa

Psar Chaa

By the time we checked in, our stomachs were singing, asking to be fed. So we went for a walk in search for some halal food. We found a stall that had a big halal sign, so we decided to eat there. But the lady there did not know how to speak English, and she did not take our orders and just carried on cooking for us. What a weird experience. We got fried rice and egg for our lunch. It tasted good. I don't know whether it was the food or because we were really hungry.

After lunch, no plans yet for anything. It was already late to head to Angkor Wat. So we decided to go to Siem Reap Cultural Village. And it was a good decision. There are a lot of shows on their local ethnic group and also display on their houses. And the whole experience ended with a Grand Finale play that is about their king, Jayavarman vii. However, the play was in Khmer, but we just guessed what they were saying. Just enjoy the pictures in the cultural village. It was a colourful and wonderful experience.