A day in the life of ...: February 2019

Wednesday February 6th, 2019 (cont'd)

The stairs heading up to Phnom Krom in Siem Reap

Watching the sunset at Phnom Krom

Wednesday February 6th, 2019

At Wat Preah Prom Rath in Siem Reap

The day was hot and it was busy. Our first stop was the Wat Preah Prom Rath Buddhist Temple in the city of Siem Reap. After that, we enjoyed a one-hour massage! My travel partner and I then had a delicious lunch at Elia Greek Kitchen before setting off to see the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake.

My first time to Cambodia was in 2006 and I took the boat from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on this lake. I remember very clearly pulling into Siem Reap and being quite shocked at the state of the shacks beside the river. It has changed a ton since then and has now turned into a tourist trap .... and not a good one.

Our driver dropped us off at a small place that was docking hundreds of boats. We paid US$20/person for our own boat to the floating villages. We weren't able to get to close to the villages (probably so as not to bother the residents) and were dropped off at a restaurant/souvenir place for a visit. There wasn't much to see or do there. We shared a delicious mango for US$1 before heading back to our boat and back to the dock. I suppose it was nice to be out on the water for a different look at Siem Reap but had I had the chance to do it over, I would take a miss of this tour.

Our final stop for the day was at Phnom Krom to watch the sunset. It was a lovely way to end the day!

Wat Preah Prom Rath in Siem Reap

On Tonle Sap Lake heading to the floating villages with a gazillion other tourist boats

Some of the residential homes on Tonle Sap Lake

Tuesday February 5th, 2019 (cont'd)

The one way road in Phnom Kulen National Park

We drove through the Phnom Kulen National Park for about a half hour along a very dusty road. This road is one way. In the morning, it is open to incoming traffic and after noon, it changes to outgoing traffic. There were guards stationed every few hundred of meters in case there was an oncoming car. It was shocking to see them standing there in the heat of the day with all that dust. There were also a number of women and children begging along the sides of the road. This picture doesn't show the amount of dust in the air but if you look at the trees along the sides of the road, it should give one an idea of just how much dust there was. Our car broke down while in the park, most likely due to the dust.

A very busy waterfall on a hot afternoon

The underwater carvings at Prasat Krol Romeas

Our car wouldn't start for some time but we finally got it going

Tuesday February 5th, 2019

A waterfall at Phnom Kulen National Park

On the third day in Siem Reap, we spent a lot of time in a car. We were off to the Phnom Kulen National Park in search of a temple and a couple of waterfalls. Little did we know, there would be a gazillion people at the falls cooling off in the heat. The drive over, which took about an hour and a half, was probably more exciting than the waterfalls themselves. It was nice to see a different part of Siem Reap!

At the Preah Ang Thom Buddhist Temple in the Phnom Kulen National Park

Monday February 4th, 2019 (cont'd)

At the Ta Prohm Temple in Siem Reap

Monday February 4th, 2019

At the Preah Khan Temple in Siem Reap

At the Banteay Srei Temple

Sunday February 3rd, 2019 (cont'd)

At Angkor Thom South Gate

Sunset at Angkor Thom South Gate

Monks looking at the elaborate walls of Angkor Wat

At the Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom

Sunday February 3rd, 2019

At Ankgor Wat

We had a bit of a late start on Sunday as my travel partner arrived to Siem Reap early morning after a long bus ride from Phnom Penh. I hired a driver from my hotel for US$17 for the day to take us on the classic tour which included Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom with the Bayon Temple and the South Gate. The last stop was to be the Ta Prohm temple, but we ran out of time. We decided to put it on the list for the next day!

Angkor Wat

Near the South Gate

Anachak Angkor Residence: Siem Reap, Cambodia ...

The rooftop pool (with bar) at the Anachak Angkor Residence in Siem Reap

An extremely comfortable one-bedroom suite for very little money

The kitchen and dining table in the one-bedroom suite

The sitting area with a balcony

If you don't mind staying a bit out of the city center, this place is awesome! Friendly, helpful staff and a delicious restaurant with breakfast being included in the price of the room. The rooftop pool has a bar making it a great spot to cool off and relax after a long, tiring day of touring temples! The hotel has drivers who can take you into the city center for free making it a lovely place to stay while in Siem Reap! Recommended!

Thursday January 31st, 2019 (cont'd)

At the Sanxiantai Arch Bridge (三仙台) in Taitung (台東)

Heading over to Sanxiantai Island

On Sanxiantai Island

The view looking back from the pathway to the Sanxiantai Lighthouse

Thursday January 31st, 2019

The Sanxiantai Arch Bridge in Taitung

I took an early morning train for 1.5 hours to Taitung (台東) and then rented a scooter and drove one hour north to visit the Sanxiantai (三仙台) Arch Bridge. I visited this bridge in 2015 but it was under repair at that time. One wasn't able to cross it and explore the little island on the other side. This time it was open and it was wonderful! Hot, but so good!