Pandoraspace

Tip No 7:  Share a meal or two with your guide and the Tuk-Tuk driver.

Since the Tuk-Tuk driver and guide are paid to serve you, they naturally act as if you are their boss and treat you with deference. For instance, they would offer to carry your bag, never contradict you and seldom voice out their opinion. Also, while they will definitely share information, it is very basic and seldom gives you a deep insight into the Cambodian people and culture. (more…)

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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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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