Ho Chi Minh, Cambodia and Bangkok Chronicles: Summary and Expenses

Finally, I am at the end of the road. I haven't blogged in a while, too busy on work.

Anyhow, here's the last entry to cap off our Indochina trip.


Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Although we were not able to visit all HCMC has to offer, we really enjoyed our trip there - from understanding their history on war to food trip and shopping. Ho Chi Minh has still a lot to offer and we would definitely be back there (and hopefully, visiting Hanoi too).

Cambodia

Phnom Penh has these sad clouds hovering over it - literally and figuratively. This history on Khmer Rouge is a lot more than what Philippines experienced during the Martial Law. Its saddening, however, Khmers were able to rise above it and they became one of the most hospitable people in the places I have visited.

Siem Reap, aside from Angkor Wat that captured our hearts, has still a more to offer - from its floating villages and food. We made sure that we will visit Cambodia soon again, now on the cultural sides.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is probably the best shopping destination - without even leaving Khao San Road. Food, dresses and tshirts are everywhere. Khao San Road is definitely the best place to be in Bangkok. Just like the first two destinations, we will be taking another trip in Bangkok, visiting its historical sites.

EXPENSES

I will let the following pictures tell you on how much we spent for each country.

Ho Chi Minh City Expense Summary

Phnom Penh Expenses Summary

Siem Reap Expense Summary

Bangkok Expense Summary

YES! WE DID IN ON OUR PHP 25,000.00 budget. Our total pocket damage: Php 21,542.00. 

This includes the roundtrip tickets (MNL - HCMC, BKK - MNL) at P5,700.00, Philippine Travel tax of Php 1620.00 and Terminal fee of Php 550.00.



International trips will be next year, however, I have few more local trips for the last quarter of the year. :)

Day 4. On Route to Siem Reap

August 22.
Day 4


On our first day in Phnom Penh, we already got bus tickets for Phnom Penh to secure a good seat in a long 6 hour drive again. We tried getting tickets from Velkommen Guesthouse (where we stayed), however, they do not offer Mekong Express bus tickets. They recommended getting in one of the travel agencies along Riverside - CTT Net Travel and Tours.

Despite our want to take Mekong Express, they do not have seats available for the early morning schedules, but they have on the 12noon trip. They recommended the new bus, Giant Ibis, which is a dollar pricer than Mekong Express. Because we want to arrive early at Siem Reap, we decided to take the Giant Ibis Transport.

Just like Mekong Express, we were picked up at 7:30am for the 7:45am trip the next day. We were afraid to be left, so we were ready by 7am and as 7:30 pass, we walked to CTT transport and ask what time we will be picked up (the advantages of walking distance from your travel agent). They called the pick up transport and we were bound for the bus after few minutes.

After presenting the receipt to the bus ticket controller, they tagged our bags and gave out our tickets. The bus is really new and more spacious than Mekong Express. The only problem is, they do not have comfort room inside the bus. Its alright, since we had several stops on the road.

Our ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

We believe that these bus operators, from Vietnam to Siem Reap, always have their bus stewardess/ steward. They would gladly answer your questions (eg, where's the bus station when we arrive at Siem Reap, how many more minutes before we arrive, etc) and gave out your snacks. (Yes, snacks on these bus trips are free). The best part of it all, Giant Ibis has free wifi on board.

After 6 hours and because there is no border cross, we arrived in Siem Reap. The bus stewardess asked if all passengers have their pick ups and for those who haven't, they have affliated tuktuk drivers on the bus stop. Before we leave Phnom Penh, I dropped an email to Bou Savy, indicating our bus trip schedule and our carrier. So when we finally arrive at the bus station, Mr. Dimples (we forgot to get his name) picked us up and we were on route to Bou Savy.


Next: Walking around Siem Reap

Phnom Penh Food Trip

As I have mentioned on my previous food trip entry, I will never give justice to the food we have eaten by merely posting its pics. I'm no food blogger, so just bear with me on how shallow I get to describe each one of them.

On our first day in Phnom Penh, we asked Mr. Samoun, the good tuktuk driver, to drive us to a restaurant that will offer us authentic Khmer cuisine. Though we felt that street food offer more authenticity, there were no street food vendors when we arrived in Phnom Penh and we don't like to die from starvation. :)

1st restaurant in Phnom Penh: KHMER SARAVAN.

As Mr. Tuktuk Driver stopped in front of one of the many restaurants along Riverside, we were looking around if there is a distinguishable factor that will definitely say, "Hey, looking for Khmer cuisine, come in!". Then he pointed at Khmer Saravan which we believe is the top restaurant along the riverside. There were no customers when we entered and the waitress smiled at us (maybe because we are too noisy and were talking in Tagalog). As a rule in the food trip, we asked her what's their best seller and she mentioned the following and we ordered them:

Amok. Much like the Indian Curry but with more tolerable taste and smell. 

Deep Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili Sauce

Loklak. Resembles to Menudo or Sweet and Sour Pork

Fried Rice with Beef

2nd restaurant: The Happy Herb Pizza

Prior to the Cambodian trip, we were actually researching about the "Happy Pizza", and one of our acquaintances mentioned that we should try the Happy Pizza.

Happy Pizza is offered only to foreigners, as it has marijuana, an illegal drug (both in the Philippines and Cambodia). Marijuana is sprinkled on top of the pizza and according to my friend, there are different levels of happiness, which I think is based on how much "juts" they put on your pizza.

Aside from this, we tried the famous beer in Cambodia - Angkor and Beer Lao. I am not a fan of beer, but I really liked how it tasted. It was far from San Miguel Light that I occasionally drink.

Angkor Beer and Beer Lao

Happy Pizza. Green specks are actually marijuana. 

3rd restaurant: Sinh Foo

Located just beside Khmer Saravan, Sinh Foo offers Khmer food with the hint of different country cuisines. We ordered the following from the said restaurant.

Fried rice in Pineapple

Crispy Chicken Fillet

Frog legs in Khmer Sauce

I still need to work on my food blogging skills, but I think I managed to get decent pictures of the food that we tried. Anyhow, if it looks beautiful, it should taste delicious.

Day 3. Visiting the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

Day 3. Afternoon.
August 21, 2012


After the viewing the dark history of Cambodia through The Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum and buying souvenirs at the Russian Market, we were bound for the Royal Palace and The Silver Pagoda.

We are looking forward to this one, as we have seen it from the outside. Our hotel is just 10 minutes walk from the Royal Palace grounds, we were able catch a glimpse of it during our first day in Phnom Penh.


The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

The Royal Palace is the principal residencce of the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The current location covers 181 hectares of land, with different temples and castles inside. According to the booklet they give, the Royal Palace is regarded as symbol of the whole nation and all the pavilions are adorned and painted yellow and white. The Yellow represents Buddhism and the white represents Brahmanism.

There are several halls inside the Palace grounds:

1. Preah Tineang Tevea Vinichhay (The Throne Hall)

This is the first hall that will greet you upon entering the Palace grounds, it facing the Victory Gate. The Throne Hall, as its name suggests, houses the throne used by the King and is used for the Royal coronation ceremony.

2. Ho Preah Khan or Samritvmean

Located at the left side of the Throne Hall, Ho Samritvmean houses the ancient items of the Cambodian Royal regalia, or in the other words, items used during the coronation of the King and Queen.

3. The Pavilion of Napoleon III

This is located at the right side of the Samritvmean, however, during our visit, this one is under construction. Sadly, we were not able to see its silver facade (as shown in the Royal Palace booklet).

After the main ground, you will proceed to Silver Pagoda or the Wat Preah Keo Morokot, the Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha.


4. Mondapa of Satra and Tripitaka

The library of the Royal Residence. This houses the sacred scripts on palm leaves.

5. Wat Preah Keo Morokot / Pagoda of the Emerald Buddha

The pagoda is located ath the southern section of the Royal Palace grounds, and it houses the different images of Buddha in His all states. The main image, The Emerald Buddha, sits a top of the golden glass case.

The place is called as such because of the silver floor tiles used in the entire venue.

6. Stupas of King Norodom and King Ang Duong

These stupas, mound likes statues, are the symbols of enlightenment in Buddhism. These two symbols are given to King Norodom and King Ang Duong as an act of gratitude towards the Kings powers.

7. King Norodom Statue

This statue can be found in the front of the Silver Pagoda, as King Norodom sits on top of a horse. This honors the great King, erected in 1875.

8. Kailassa Mountain

When inside the Silver Pagoda, only the top of the pagoda can be seen, as it towers the trees below it. A temple, dedicated to Buddha, sits on top of a small hill inside the compound, surrounded by many other Buddhas outside the area. This presents the many states of Buddha as depicted on the religion.

9. Stupa for Princess Norodom Kantha Bopha

Located at the left side of Silver Pagoda (or on your right when inside the Pagoda itself), the Stupa is dedicated to the Princess of Cambodia.

Before you leave the place, you can drop by the museums inside for the Royal Artifacts (pillows that are put at the back of the elephant during the time that these huge mammals are used by royalties) and even how elephants are captured and trained.

Entrance fee: 90,000 Riels or USD 6.50


WAT PHNOM

After dropping us at the Royal Palace, Mr. Samoun, our tuktuk driver instructed us how to get to Wat Phnom, which is basically, another temple for Buddha located at the top of a hill. Since it rained while we were at the Palace grounds, instead of walking, we decided to take a tuktuk to Wat Phnom - our last stop for the Phnom Penh tour.


Wat Phnom is another temple dedicated to Buddha. as it houses a bronze seated Buddha. According to the people, it is the tallest religious structure in the city. Aside from the bell like structure, it also has a analog clock and a shrine where Cambodians pray to Buddha.

Entrance fee: USD 3.00


To cap off our Phnom Penh experience, food entry comes next.