I was always fascinated to visit this mystic country, Land of Khmer's. I wanted to do a solo backpack trip to "Siem Reap". The planning started a month back.
Me : I want to do a backpack trip to cambodia
WIfey : ok, we shall go !!!
Me : Slightly reluctant to say this, but I want to do a backpack trip and go solo.
Wifey : "Do whatever you want" (I did not understand the meaning)
Happy I started my planning. For the next three days every sentence ended with a "Do whatever you want, Why are you asking me" . Then it struck me, I had made the biggest mistake. For a while I waited and asked
Me : Why dont you also come, It will be fun to do a backpack together and leave the kids at home
Wifey : I can't take off. Busy with work.
After 1 hr of cajoling she agreed to come and accept my "terms and conditions"
1. The group is small and agile, Which means Just us.
2. No kids on the trip, I know its a difficult call still we need this time alone.
3. Its a backpack and a budget trip. So no exotic resorts/hotels. If possible we will do a homestay aswell.
She Clicked the "I Agree" button. Picked up the mobile and started dialing all her friends to ask if they would like to join. I grabbed her mobile and pointed her violation fromt he terms. Finally we narrowed down to adding one of her cousin, who at that time would be in Singapore.
I'm not writing a travelouge but would like to stick to a photolouge. Just adding some key information on travel, Stay and food.
Travel : Planning started, booked in Silkair to Siem Reap. Because of the erratic timings for return flights, booked in JetStar for return flights. Siem Reap has an International Airport. You can also reach Siem Reap from Pnom Peh by bus of flights.
Stay : Finally had to budge on the stay to a medium expensive place.Stayed at the "The Siem Reap Villa". Read the reviews on lonely planet and had a good rating. In fact the stay was very comfortable. It cost around 55USD per night with three beds. Food was expensive so we always went out for food.
Food: Being Vegeterians,We always have problems travelling in SEAsia. Getting local Combodian veg Cuisine was easy. Stick to basic veg curry, Ang mot and rice. Infact we did find about four five Indian restaurants. Always clearly mention No meat, Fish, ... Eggs also, though we eat eggs, Its mostly half boiled kinds.
Weather: This time of the year, It rains quite a bit and in between sun comes out. Use this window for great pictures.
Local : Local Khmer people at ANgkor are warm, Friendly and Hardworking. I mean really hardworking. I did not see a single beggar, but heard there are quite a few. Still in a tourist town, It was surprising. When you look in to their eyes, you can see their poverty, you will also see the determination to work hard and earn their living. Also they are very clean with their surroundings. Most of them speak very good english esp the kids.
Local Transport: Local transport is using Tuk tuk's. Pay about 15USD per day and you can use the vehicle for the whole day.
Passes: You have to buy passes to visit the temples. One day pass USD 20, Three day pass USD 40. We took the three day pass because, I wanted to revist the temples to get better pictures.
Also be aware that there is a 70% corruption, though this does not affect tourists, Just a note of caution. The emigration officer asked for a tip or breakfast money, while leaving.
Finally the D-day arrived, These were the thoughts in my mind "Angkor here I come baby, Give me good light and Sights". One thing I forgot, The primary motive for this trip was photography. The following picture gives an idea on how I got some great pictures.
Thanks to my wife and her cousin for helping me with my gear and putting up patiently so that I could get some great pictures, which includes staying the same place for hours.
Journey begins