From Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Siem Reap from the window.




Looks like LEGO.




Tonle Sap Lake/River. Not covering the floodplain as it's still normal season.








Finally, Phnom Penh.




But I was just making a transit in Phnom Penh back home... Shall visit again next time.




Finally it has come to the end of my whole journey in Siem Reap. It took me really a long time to finish up the posts. And I'm quite frustrated with myself for being so slow. Anyway, it's finally done!! And I shall continue with Bali (lots more than Siem Reap as I've been there twice in just 1 year~)

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Dare to eat this?

Almost everybody is eating it in Siem Reap. My masseur told me that once you tried it, you'll be addicted to it. However it's harmful to skin, especially girls. Hearing this I knew that I'd not gonna taste it at all, furthermore it does look disgusting...

Yep, this is duck fetus/embryo, or more commonly called balut.




The guys got a chance to try it during dinner, and they did! I thought I was going to throw up when I watched them eating... I still think it's disgusting until today.







Me:      It's so disgusting to eat balut...
Friend: What is so disgusting?
Me:      Don't you think it's so inhumane to eat a fetus? It's not even hatched!!
Friend: You can accept egg. And you eat chicken. What's wrong with eating something in between?? You're the one who has problem.
Me:      ....

Would you eat this?



**I'm sorry if the pictures made you feel irritated or made you lose appetite.

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Shopping day @ Old Market, Siem Reap

No flight home... Thus we stayed another day in Siem Reap after the competition. Having checked out from the 5-star resort, we checked in to another nice hotel which is only a 5-minute-walk from the famous Old Market.




Quite a decent hotel.






I like the Angkor Wat poster in their lobby very very much.




My room. Spacious enough for more than just me....




But IT!!! A big gecko in my room! (this photo was taken days before in the first hotel corridor, but the size is exactly the same) Geez.... I was shocked when it suddenly appeared at the window pane when I was sitting next to the window online-ing!(><)




After unpacking, we went to the Old Market.

Wanna give your shoes a good "make-up"?




The Cambodian flag flying~ While princess sunburning....




Super hot weather in May!!




Low season. Hardly saw any visitors except us.




Some interesting snacks you can find along the roadside.




Look like clams. But I did not try. Looks not hygienic... I was worried my stomach couldn't take it.




Old Market is a market, obviously. You can find all sorts of goods there. Good bargain.

All kinds of salted fish.




All sorts of rice.




All varieties of herb fragrances in fancy packing.




All types of wood crafts.




And even insect wines!!




See... this was how we spent our $$$~




Too much attractions.... I couldn't help it!!




Later in the afternoon, I was very very tired and exhausted after sweating for hours doing shopping around Old Market. I asked the Khmer lady why most of the shops there were not a fan or air-cond installed, and she gave me an answer that I did not expect...

The Khmer lady: "We don't really like cold weather. It's cold during year end when winter comes, and we're afraid of the cold. Isn't it good to be hot?"

Me: "...."

I was already freaking hot at that time and she's telling me that the Khmers are afraid of cold..

So damn hot. So I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon somewhere cozy. Alas came to this shop.




BE V.I.P Massage. Sounds great for me to hide from the melting heat outside.




My friendly masseur. We had a nice long chat throughout 2 hours. She's really a nice lady, and she told me a lot about Cambodia and her life. Cambodia is still very poor, and a lot of the residents in Siem Reap had never leave their home before, never even been to Phnom Penh. I realized the Khmers really really hate the Siamese. So bear in mind NEVER EVER COMPARE CAMBODIA WITH THAILAND in front of a Khmer.




I made the right choice, enjoying a "V.I.P" massage instead of continue shopping under the hot sun. Last photo taken before I ended my 1 hour reflexology and continue with my 1 hour powder body massage. Only $10 for reflexology + body massage. I bet you can't get it in Bangkok and Phuket, Hatyai maybe yes. Personally I like Khmer massage more than Thai massage because it's more gentle and suitable for females. However to my guy team mates it's the other way round.

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Interesting facts in Indo-China

My travel mates were shouting in excitement during our trip to Hanoi and Siem Reap. Guess what they saw...

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On our way to Halong Bay: Cow on a motor.



On our way from the airport to hotel: A hundred chicken tied at the back of a motor.



On our way to the Old Market: Pigs on a motor.



ALL WERE STILL ALIVE!! Funny? It's the fact. Motorcycles are very important to their people, not only as transportation to move around but also their very important equipments to earn a living.

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Pub Street, Siem Reap

**Continue from the previous post....

Second round celebration for winning the champion. We went to the famous Pub Street of Siem Reap. This should be the only place that you can find some night life in Siem Reap. The dashing smile was from heart, after winning the award, because the next thing in my mind at that time was my Marrakech trip~

The Cambodia tuk tuk and I

Pub Street is just streets away from the Old Market.




Here you can find some recommended restaurants and also guesthouses.



The famous Red Piano.





Anthony looked so blur after the dinner. Too excited huh?



The Pub Street signboard.



One shop that caught my attention was this cute little cafe selling pearl milk tea or bubble tea. I just love the very bubbly design.



Pub Street is not very long, it took only 5 minutes to walk from the start to the end.



Tuk tuk driver waiting for customer. It was low season in Siem Reap during our visit, therefore it was not so crowded nor happening.



Interesting signboards with Khmer language that I cannot understand.



The street was very peaceful during low season. Summer time, definitely very hot even at night.



And can see that business was not good too.



Shops with special names that caught our attention.






Life was slow....very slow....



Even cats were enjoying their 'guesthouse'! Time for sleep.



We walked around the whole area searching for a place that is able to fit us all.



Alas we came to Le Tigre de Papier.



Our lady said all drinks on her! Yeah~



After sweating for hours, my face turned so damn oily. Luckily my make-up did not melt..



Nai had not finished with the food ordering yet.



I looked across the street, there was this orchestra group of people again, performing for donation to the landmine victims.



Very few people on the street.



Nai distributed our certificates while waiting for the food and drinks to be served.



As usual, I ordered my favorite mango smoothie.




What was Wignes laughing at?? You know what, lots of Cambodians told him that they love his smile with the braces on, they envy him because they cannot afford to have it.



2 days later we went to the Rooftop Bar & Grill after dinner. That was during our extended trip because no flight back home yet until Monday.



From the rooftop -- the overview of Pub Street.

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