Backpacker Story #2: Trip to Siem Reap (Cambodia) & Bangkok (Thailand)

I was planed the trip 5 months before, when we saw promo ticket of Air Asia Airlines on the internet. We get ticket Rp. 99.000 for a one way trip to Kuala Lumpur (KL), and then get low fare ticket of KL to Siem Reap and Siem Reap to Bangkok. to pressing the budget we buy ticket of Bangkok to Jakarta use another airplane, by Tigerways.

Then, I made itinerary for KL-Siemreap-Bangkok backpacking for 4 days and 3 nights.


Unfortunately, two of my friends failed to join in this event, so I was backpacking alone. But, its okey ... With the provision of information from the internet and fellow backpacker, and my backpacking story of my brother to the countries, I decided to go to Cambodia and Thailand on the day...

Preparation

1 . Bag This duffel bag (ransel) has accompanied me on several previous backpacking. Pockets on either side and the presence of wheater shield makes this bag comfortable to use in my opinion. Several times I tried to carry goods weighing 7-8 kgs, this bag contains quite a few items and taken lightly. I also carry a small bag as a camera and important papers, such as passports , tickets, coins , and so on .

2 . Supplies Umbrella is the one that is always in the bag right side of the bag. Bottled mineral water is enough to put on the other side. Mask, glasses , scarves , and hats became essential equipment , especially in Thailand and Cambodia suaca very hot. Passports and identity cards should be brought and maintained. Print out the ticket must be printed double, for preventive. I also bring a kind of ATM Visa Card , as a backup , when I'm short of money while there. Travel Photography Book ( author : Enche Tjin ) is always inside the bag .

3 . Clothes I always try simple and casual in dress . Four t-shirts , one long pants , and two shorts I think enough for backpacking 4 days 3 nights . After all, I usually buy shirts in stores at the destination I want to go. Do not forget to bring a water resistance jacket and sandals for a relaxing trip.

4 . Equipment I always bring my DSLR camera for documentation . Nikon D3200 with a battery backup and a remote control. However, for this trip I also carry a Nikon Coolpix S2700 digital camera as a preventative measure. I carry two 8 GB SD Card and a SD Card 16 GB. For this trip I did not bring a tripod. I also bring a laptop 11.6" for backing up image files, and attempt to connect with family and friends in Indonesia, if later there is a wi fi service. I also use a laptop to make the task. Do not forget the charger and power bank .


Action

1. First Trip: Purwokerto - Kuala Lumpur

I started traveling by train Sawunggalih Pagi, starting at 8:40 from Purwokerto towards Senen Jakarta. Arrived in Jakarta at 14.30, I immediately look for Damri bus to the airport. I just pay Rp . 35,000 for the cost of the bus.

Furthermore, until at the airport at 16:00, a time for me to pray and lunch. I am stand by in the area of food stalls while calling and contact a few friends who live in Jakarta.

At 18:30, after boarding, I entered the boarding area at Gate F Soetta Airport Terminal 3. Dinner with bread. As it turned out, started the day at the airport Soekarno-Hatta airport tax increase to Rp. 200,000. Huff, I must be willing to this fact. After waiting, finally I and other passengers boarding at 20:00 and take off at 20:30.

Arriving at LCCT Kuala Lumpur at 23:40, I've traveled around the airport to see the situation. I mean, looking for a nice place to sleep, hehe...

there are many tourists and passengers sleeping on the floor, eventually I was sleeping on the floor, in one corner of the airport lounge......








2. Second Trip: Kuala Lumpur - Siem Reap

I woke up at 02.00 and after that I could not sleep. I was afraid to miss the plane. So, I purposely walk in the airport. It turns out that a lot of Indonesian people in the airport.

In fact, I helped some of Indonesia's self-check in machine. Understandably, most of them are migrant workers with lower-middle class with low education.

Finally boarding time arrived. I had to queue up to enter the boarding area. I was forced to morning prayers in the waiting room, because it was too close to boarding time. Finally at 5:45 we were allowed to enter the airport, en route to our plane had to pass through several blocks and gate. At 6:50 the plane take off.

I watched the sunrise on the way to Siem Reap. Wonderfull ....



I set my foot at the airport in Siem Reap at 07.30.

Airport is quite small but it looks neat. After filling out the immigration card, I get out of the airport.

Many tuktuk and taxi driver who offered their services. I had to bargain with the tuktuk driver, finally, the lease agreement is reached during the day at 17 USD.

I have the right to transfered to all of the destination of temple in the Angkor Wat complex and transfer to the city center to get a hostel.







From the airport, he transfered me to my guesthouse, named Green Town Guest House. Its location is very strategic, a lot of access to multiple destinations or just shopping streets only by foot, with good facilities at a price of 10 USD.

I got a room on the 3rd floor. Facilities: twin beds , TV, toilet , shower , and a fan. The view from the 3rd floor is quite interesting, to see some of the houses above.

In the guesthouse there is the internet, however, when it was off because there was a electrical cable improvements .

But its oke, because I know there are many internet shop around the guesthouse. And, there are two minimarket, so, I can buy something if I am hungry at night...

After showering and packing my bags, I went on my trip to Angkor Wat. Uncle Bob, I call tuktuk driver, drove into the complex of Angkor Wat.

The price of admission to the Angkor Wat complex is quite expensive, 30 USD for one day (until sunset ) or 60 USD for three full days.

After taking a picture in front of the entrance gate, I returned to my rental tuktuk, move on with uncle Bob. My first destination is the Temple Tha Prom. The temple is quite legendary.

But this temple is being renovated, most of the rocks scattered in the temple area. However, we can see the most exotic Tha Prom temple of the temple structure.

In this temple I took some pictures, but due to a lot of irons stakes that interfere with view, I became less interested to explore more in this temple. Moreover, I am puzzled by the way in and way out of the temple, so I had to ask several times to people who are around the temple.
About how my communications with people of Cambodia, most of us use sign or body language, my term is "monkey language" ... hehe

My next destination is Phreah Khan temple. I want to photohunting the temple with trees on it, with tree roots gripping ...

From Tha Prom , I and uncle Bob had to pass through the temple area Bayoun. After that, I passed through the gate of the temple which is very interesting. I had to take a picture in front of the gate Phreah Khan, then went on my way to the temple Phreah Khan. It turns out from the entrance to the temple area is too far.


On the way to the destination that I want, I had met with Mrs. Margaretha of Bali. He could take pictures of me using a camera with a macro lens.

Finally, I found the object I want, the tree above the temple Phreah Khan. So exotic…

I decide to walk around the temple. At the end of the trip I met with Simon, a fellow photographer, he is from Belgium.
We had split up, because he uses a bicycle trip.

I decided to have lunch in the temple area Bayoun. There are many restaurants in the eastern part of the temple. I was walking around the area to look for halal food . There is not one hint about halal food . Finally, I choose one restaurant serving vegetables with chicken. They say as a Muslim food. I believe it, because it is difficult to find halal food in the Angkor Wat complex, Siem Reap as well ... And, it turns out that my food is the message: " cha kangkaung" knows what it's called ... Cambodian Beer turned out to be a favorite drink there, but I don’t be tempted to drink it.

The area is also selling souvenirs, but I chose to buy souvenirs later in downtown ...

My next destination is Bayoun temple. The temple with many statues stupa has four face to face ...

I am very impressed with this temple. I took a lot of pictures in this temple.

Interestingly, I met with Simon again. He had to take my picture with the effect that my nose as if to touch the nose Bayoun …

On my next trip accompanied with Simon. We took a lot of photos in Baphoun temple, temple with a long road at the entrance of the temple. The weather is so hot, and it make us couldnt take good pictures. It is very difficult to find a balance of color and light in the pictures we took.

And ... of course the hot weather makes me run out of steam to surround the temple is spacious and has a lot of stairs .

Incidentally, there is a pre wedding photography session. Two photographers take pictures of a young couple, finally me and Simon went along they enjoy taking pictures. It turned out that the young couple are from the royal family.

After the photosession and, me and Simon finally split up, because Simon wanted to take pictures in other destinations, while I wanted to go to Angkor Wat. In addition, I have been very tired to walk tens of kilometers in search of interesting images. So, we have small talk the exchanging our name cards.

Good bye my friend, see you...

Last ... Destinations Angkor Wat or Angkor temples. It is a legend in the world, although in Indonesia, my country, Siem Reap no known destination.

I was exhausted when up in front of Angkor Wat. Moreover, the weather was very hot, 39 degrees Celsius!







I decided to cross the temple entrance, past the main gate, and took a picture in front of Angkor Wat area. After that, at 5:00 I decided to return to the guesthouse. Why? Because at that time thousands of people were in the temple complex, mostly waiting for the sunset. I can assure, it is very difficult to take good pictures.

In addition, many clouds are in the sky, espesially in the west. My prediction, it is difficult to take the perfect sunset here...

I returned to the guesthouse. My uncle Bob and find a way out of the temple area. We passed a bunch of monkeys on the side of the road, interfere with several passenger cars and pedestrians. We passed some elephants with passengers on it. Thai elephants are very large and high...

I give tips 5 USD to uncle Bob, with a deal, he must pick me up to airport for the next day …


Arriving at the hotel I immediately lay down on the bed. Very very tired... I showered, and then watch TV. Events in Cambodia TV station 's funny... just music , news , and soap operas which I think is still less professional….

Towards sunset, I came out of guesthouse. I see, in the western sky covered with clouds. My prediction was right! Sunset is not viewed from Sem Reap. I walk to the market in Siem Reap, it was difficult to find halal food in the market, including bread and noodles. Then I walk to the park , there is a water mill there.

Then, I bought souvenirs in Siem Reap Night Market Art.

After that, I popped into one of the internet cafes crossroads, near the guesthouse where I was staying. I decided to rent the internet for 2 hours. I send some photo and send news to Indonesia via facebook. I find it difficult to open an email in Cambodia.... There are some additional requirements that complicated...




I returned to the hotel at 21:00. Because tired, I went to bed. Before bed, I rearrange my itinerary for the next day. Because no information, flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok promoted early...




3. Third Trip: Siem Reap - Bangkok
Thank you Allah swt ...

I can rest overnight. I was a little tired on the body is reduced. And, the alarm woke me up this morning, started an incredible day ...

After morning prayers, I took my camera. My target photohunting in this morning was: sunrise... was looking for a position to take a picture in front of the guesthouse, I finally returned to the 3rd floor, from the room that I rent. From the top of the building, I could see most of the sights of Siem Reap.

The sun rises at 05:30, a time which is almost equal to the time in Indonesia. I took some pictures, because the position of the sun partially covered with clouds. Well, not bad ...

After I took a picture of the sun rising, I returned to my room, showering... Then, I packed a bag and my stuff while watching TV. In my plan, I had to go to the airport as quickly as possible. That's because the trip from the airport to the guesthouse about 45 minutes to an hour. In fact, I still want to take pictures in the town square Siem Reap....

I checked in at 08:00 of the guest house, uncle Bob also had to wait in front of the guesthouse. I amazed with the tuktuk driver. People who are patient and disciplined, with excellent service...

As in my itinerary, destination this morning only to the square of Siem Reap .



4. Last Trip: Bangkok - Jakarta







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