Destination: SIEM REAP, KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA

(Words and Photos by: Doreen Joy D. Bauya)

“Travel, particularly the independent kind, cannot only broaden your horizons but also expose you to out-of-the-ordinary sights.” (David Fruitman)

In every destination has a story to tell… Let me share with you my travel research to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

All my bags are packed I’m ready to go to – Kingdom of Cambodia. The date was May 20-24,2013. It’s my 1st time to travel out of the country and I was a bit tensed and having mixed emotions because I didn’t know whether I could answer some questions from the Immigration staff. But thanks God I’ve made it. Hail to the Kingdom of Cambodia. 

Siem Reap International Airport

Country Name. The Kingdom of Cambodia, country name in Khamer language – Kampuchea, capital city – Phnom Penh, language – Khmer (Cambodian) some English and French spoken. Government – multi- party democracy/constitutional monarchy and their motto – Nation-Religion-King. It takes 3 hours travel from Manila to Siem Reap Cambodia via Cebu Pacific flight. I was with my 3 friends Nikko, Jake and Mia. We arrived at Siem Reap International Airport past 10:00 in the evening. We took a ride with their tuk-tuk to our pre-arranged transient house at Bou Savy Guesthouse. Some staff warmly accommodated us and after signing to their guest book we immediately billeted to our room. It was a family-run guesthouse where breakfast was free. The perimeter was surrounded with plants and trees, providing a cooling shade that eventually complimented with the free wifi internet access.

Bou Savy Guesthouse

As a backgrounder to the area, Siem Reap is built along the river. One should be aware that the majority of the residents can only have handful of these at best and instead rely on land marks, pagodas, markets, major hotels and so forth. Some have sidewalks, on most corners you’ll find signs proclaiming the street names. It’s a fairly compact town and most business catering tourists. It has a huge variety of hotels and guesthouses to suit every taste and budget. It is very closely organized and you will never ever be far away from most of the town’s bars, restaurants and cafés. It’s a home to a resurgent silk industry as well as numerous NGOs and other enterprises that support local communities with skills training and lots of creative talents. The easiest way to get around is by foot, moto or tuk-tuk.

And the journey begins…. Let’s enjoy and explore around Siem Reap. We spent our 1st day with a whole day temple walk instead of temple run because the weather was so hot. With my mineral water, vitamins and DSLR camera in full battle mode, we hired 2 tuk-tuks and each of our drivers at the same time was our tour guides for 4 days in Siem Reap. There were dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Ta Prohm and the legendary Angkor Wat in the area of Siem Reap and many of the most significant were within the Angkor Archeological Park, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Khmer refers to the dominant ethnic group in modern and ancient Cambodia. Angkor literally means “capital city or holy city”. It was constructed as a Hindu temple served as a Buddhist temple .It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. It is massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five lotus-like towers 65 meters from ground level.

Angkor Wat was constructed as Suryavarman II’s state-temple and perhaps as his funerary temple. I couldn’t imagine myself I’ve made the temple walk in a day with its exceptionally unique and beautiful masterpiece that you can only say to yourself, “Oh God thank you for the amazing gift of skills/talents from your chosen people.” Walking around the temples is also a good way of exercise because of the wide area mostly kilometers apart, which definitely burned our calories/fats. Some ruins are really a must-see. On the following days, we visited Silk Farm, Senteurs d’ Angkor, Floating Village, Angkor Artwork, St. John Catholic Church, Old Market and Pub Street. Allow me to share to you the very nice places and experiences I gained with my stay in Siem Reap:

Angkor Wat

Silk Farm

Senteurs d’ Angkor. This offers visitors the opportunity to see the process of producing natural soaps made from coconut oil, moisturizing creams and subtle-scented balms and candles. There you could also observe the different steps in the treatment of spices to make traditional Khmer curry or amok and of the creation of flavored coffees and teas. Then learn to identify various local exotic plants and flowers; lemon grass, chili, pepper plant, bougainvillea, frangipani, hibiscus, jasmine and more. But again, it’s a no no taking photos inside the shop. Inside the shop offers a unique collection of authentic Khmer products, toiletries, etc.

Senteurs d Angkor

Angkor Artwork. Here, discover Khmer arts and crafts techniques from the master artisans. It was absolutely unique, original, high quality works of hand crafted wood and stone carving, art-beautiful tamarind wood Buddha images, statues, castings lacquer ware, boxes and panels. You will really appreciate how amazing their kind of skills are.

Angkor Artworks

Chong Khneas Floating Village, Tonle Sap Lake . Here boat docks all day long, waiting for passengers and a two-hour boat trip going to the village. You will see Khmer and Vietnamese floating households, markets, clinics, Catholic Church, basketball court, gasoline station, schools and other boatloads of tourists. Mostly people living in this village are poor and their foods and clothings mostly come from donations. But what’s good is that they’re not shy to show their way of living and still keep on surviving every day.

Chong Khneas Floating Village

Market “Phsar” (Old Market and Pub Street). No trip to Siem Reap would be complete without a visit to one of the traditional markets. “Laidee, Laidee” will be what all you hear if you spend the afternoon at the markets. Old Market is full of character, colour and bizarre. It caters visitors and locals offering a varied selection of traditional items, souvenirs, silks, home wares and food. The streets surrounding the market are filled with restaurants, bars and shops. Both offering reasonably priced food drinks and welcoming atmosphere. You can also experience massage, or fish massage on your feet. The Pub Street alleys, is the entertainment hub. In this street also you will see several distinctive small contemporary galleries and funky boutiques. There are dozens of stalls and vendors offering variety of Cambodian and Asian art, souvenirs, curious gems and jewelry. The quiet lanes offer a much more relaxed ambiance. You can really feel a true cultural shopping experience!

The Food. Khmer dishes tend to be much subtler in flavor, more delicately spiced and are rarely spicy hot with rich and fresh ingredients. They served salad, soup and a main dish with rice. Meats are served bite-size and the table is set with fork, spoon and chop sticks. Knife will be upon request. I love their traditional menu Amok Curry – a yellow curry with coconut and fish cooked and served in a fresh coconut or banana leaf. And of course, the fresh fruit juices and fresh fruits, very delectable.

Some of Siem Reap's delectable food items

St. John Catholic Church. Is a simple wooden Catholic chapel. It is mostly run by missionaries’ priests, nuns and individual volunteers. We went there to pray and give thanks to God for our safety travel and for guarding our stayed in Siem Reap.

In one of my tuk-tuk rides

Travelling in different places is such an amazing experience, loaded of happy memories that will always be treasured in my heart forever and no money can buy it. With this travel I’m thankful and grateful to God that despite of our differences in customs, cultures, beliefs and others we are still blessed in every way. I’m also thankful for the wonderful friendship bonding and of course for the safe travel. Until then.