Pandoraspace

Tip No. 11: Get medical insurance for the trip.

Cambodia is just in the process of picking itself up from the aftermath of the reign of the Khmer Rouge, which was responsible for slaughtering intellectuals many of whom were doctors. For this reason, there are very few hospitals in Cambodia. Toe advised us to get medical insurance for the trip in the event that we would need to be flown out of Cambodia to receive medical treatment in a neighboring country.  Of  course, Padma and I are stingy like living on the edge.  So, we did not get any medical insurance.

Tip No. 12: Wear a hat and comfortable footwear.  I wore slippers (flip-flops).

Tip No. 13: Bring Off Lotion (mosquito repellant).

Tip No. 14: Do not fret over forgetting to bring a toothbrush or shampoo. Siem Reap convenient stores are well stocked with basic necessities and even wonderful treats.  Most convenient stores in Siem Reap cater to tourists, and for that reason, their shelves are stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, shampoos and batteries. More than that, those stores sell, imported cereals like Frosties, Huggies diapers, French wine, all sorts of cheeses and imported ice cream.

Tip No. 5: Bear the dust and take the Tuk-Tuk.

When Padma and I stepped out of the modern Siem Reap International Airport, I expected a bus or taxi to take us to our hotel. Surprise, surprise…we were picked up by a Tuk-Tuk. I later discovered that the same Tuk-Tuk would be our mode of transportation for the entire duration of our stay in Siem Reap.

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Bantay Srei is a grand house (not a temple according to our guide) made of red limestone with tiny intricate carvings. On the day we were to leave for Bantay Srei, I felt feverish and decided to skip it. Padma went without me. I was so envious of her Bantay Srei excursion especially when I saw these pictures.

A few friends have asked me to post more pictures of Siem Reap.  So, here are pictures taken by Padma.

On the second day of our stay in Siem Reap, our guide excitedly told us that he was taking us to the jungle temple where the movie Lara Croft was shot. Although I enjoyed that movie, using it to promote Ta Prohm did such an injustice to this alluring and mystical temple.  Ta Prohm is a sight to behold and no words are needed to promote it.  Fortunately, our guide later redeemed himself by taking us around Ta Prohm and sharing with us a wealth of information he had about this jungle temple.

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While Padma’s friend suggested we experience sunrise at Bayon, she did not tell us what to expect. Being the Pandoras we are, Padma and I headed for Bayon on the first morning of our stay in Siem Reap.

As we passed Angkor Wat, our driver, Tony, asked us if we wanted to go there instead. We said no. It was then that I noticed that the headlight of our Tuk-Tuk provided the only flicker in the darkness. After a few minutes of cruising in the dark, Tony stopped the engine and told us “Here is Bayon. I will see you there later.” The word “where” was just on the tip of my tongue when Tony quickly drove away.

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Padma and I laughed when her mom referred to her Siem Reap, Cambodia experience as the Magical Mystical Tour.  Our journey had just begun then which is why I did not understand what Padma’s mom meant. On hindsight, I realize that that description of the Siem Reap experience is apt.