After two years of COVID-19 pandemic, the countries are now open to travel, and I’m happy to say that I FINALLY get to visit another magnificent place on my Bucket List – The Temples of Cambodia. As luck would have it, my Cambodian friend from a long time ago when I taught English at the Consortium – Phanat Nikhom Refugee Processing Center in 1987, was also coming home to Siem Reap in July. Hence my trip to remember was confirmed during July 12-16, 2022.
Leaving from Don Muang International Airport, I was so giddy that it was hard to believe it was just an hour flight across the border. The fact that the duty-free shops were coming back in full swing just made me happy. The airports were like graveyards in these past two years.
Normally, it is easy and cheap enough to take the bus from Bangkok, but as I have very little time, I decided to fly. Air Asia, a low-cost airline, flies to Siem Reap twice a week (Tuesdays and Saturdays).
I arrived Siem Reap about 1 PM, and the runway of Siem Reap airport reminded me of Chiangmai airport of my childhood but nicer of course — the low-rise buildings in Cambodian architecture is very tasteful and welcoming.
I read that Thai phone carriers don’t work too well in Cambodia so I was hoping to buy a SIM card at the airport. My friend told me Smart has good reception. If not, Cellcard is good too. But none of the operators’ booth were available at the airport. My research now shows that Cellcard’s website may be more user-friendly.
Another thing to bear in mind is that “Airport Wi-Fi” is not to be trusted. Upon arrival, I was trying to find airport wifi to no avail (and of course, my friend was trying to reach me on Facebook messenger — the only mean of communication available). I was hoping to use airport wi-fi before I buying a SIM card. One airport personnel told on my departure day that “some days Wi-Fi works, and some days it doesn’t.” So plan accordingly. So in the end, I never got to buy a SIM card. I used my friend’s spare phone for emergency. So maybe I can test Cambodia’s phone couriers next time.
Well, I’m happy to report that my friend Darith found me in no time. Thank Goodness!
He showed up in style in a “PASSApp” Tuk Tuk (same as a Grab, or Lyft, or Uber). If I had a working phone, I would have downloaded the app. It’s a convenient way to get around.
It was a good decision to bring just a back pack. Please note that “just” is not a small feat for me as packing light is never my forté. I always feel that I need my camera gears and all. After all, this was one of the trips of a lifetime, right? One needs to document the memories as much as possible. So, one backpack and a camera bag was a triumph! And it paid off as we started our sightseeing right away.
We started with the West Baray. According to justsiemreap.com, “West Baray, or Baray Teuk Thla in Khmer which means “Clear Water Reservoir” in English, is large reservoir located to the west of Angkor Thom. It is 7.8km long and 2.1km wide and it is the largest baray built during the ancient Angkor era. It’s also one of the largest man-made reservoirs anywhere in the world with a maximum capacity of around 53 million m3. In the middle of the baray, you’ll find West Mebon temple. In the dry season, you can walk out see the temple, but in the rainy season you have to take a boat. West Baray is a popular spot for both Cambodians and locals to go for a swim, enjoy something to eat and relax with their friends and families…“
Darith bought each of us a large young coconut which cost about 1.50 dollars (6,000 Riels / about 50 Thai Baht) for two. They may not be as sweet as Thai coconut but the water was 3 times as much for each coconut. So, wow! Love them. Also, I found a hawker lady selling “mole crickets” as snacks – so I could not resist. This also reminded me of my childhood on our farm in Chiangmai — Salted mole crickets used to be one of the favorite snacks — We were avant-garde, I’m telling you :).
Another thing I noticed fondly was that Cambodians have a wonderful love affair with “hammocks”. So, a snack or coffee shops, in stead of having lounge chairs and low tables for guests like on Thai beaches, they strung hammocks in which you can lie with a coconut in hand enjoying the breeze. I totally think that is wayyyyy cooler.
