Kuching Sarawak

Kuching Sarawak
Here we are again at T2 awaiting flight MH638 to Kuching. It is delayed for an hour and we are given free lunch at PALMs while awiting till 1440 hours. At least the weather outside looks promising with some sunshine today.

Phnom Penh

4 & 5 December 2007

Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia is a 6-hour ride from Siem Reap. The roads are smooth and ride uneventful. It is a larger version of Siem Reap, just as dusty, crowded and roads choatic. The only difference is that there are more modern buildings.

The countryside along the way is dotted by quaint villages and large ponds.

The Central and Russian markets are busy places where any and every things are sold. Very hard bargaining is needed, at least 1/2 of the opening price. An adidas shirt costs US$4.5 at the only air-con shopping centre wherelse hard bargaining could only bring the price down to US$5 from US$12.

Cambodia Royal Palace

Model of the Palace

In the Palace

Only picture which showed Sofia, our guide in Phnom Penh

3rd December 2007 : Our first day in Phnom Penh, after making a 6-hour journey by bus from Siem Reap, was to visit the Royal Palace.

Sofia, our young guide, is one who has many opinions about the running of things in her country and is idealistic in her thoughts most of the time.

The Royal Palace is fit for the king but there are many areas which are not accessible. During our visit, we came across a group of Cambodian students on their learning journey. First impression was that they are not unlike our students, with the typical 'ah beng' types who tried to look cool and the studious type who copied every word. One point was that when their teacher approached them, they quickly behaved properly.

Angkor Wat

Bridge entrance to Angkor Wat Group photo with Sari and the Tan family at Reflection Pond

Exterior of Angkor Wat







The Reflection Pnd







The inside of Angkor Wat


3rd December 2007 : At last we visited one of the seven historical wonders of the world. It was an awesome temple complex. The enormousity of the whole place could be felt upon entering it. However, there are many areas where restorations are taking place. At the same time, there are many areas where they are crumbling due to weather and the trampling of tourists.

Siem Reap

Rubbish cart family

Morning scene outside hotel in Siem Reap

2nd & 3rd December 2007 :Seim Reap is located in the province where Angkor Wat was built. It is like an small old Malaysian town with low buildings and the streets are dusty and in the evening cluttered with motor vehicles. No shopping centres but has a central market.

boat houses along the banks















naked children playing in the lake


2nd December 2007 On arrival to Siem Reap after a 2-hour flight via SilkAir, we were met by Mr Sari as our guide. The boat cruise along the Tonle Sap lake was an inkling of what to expect. There are many people who eke out a life around and on the lake which is yellow and muddy. We passed by a colony of Vietnamese boat houses which are self sufficient.

Cambodia 1

Here we are, at Terminal 2 waiting for flight MI616 at 1025 for our first trip to Cambodia, Sem Riep and Phnom Penh It was a nice start in the taxi, the Indian driver who was chatty making the trip to airport a breeze. It was early.... long wait for the gate to open