Cambodia Border Cross/Siem Reap.
After being told by informed sources, we decided to head straight to Cambodia after hearing Phiami and Phanom Rung weren’t as mind changing as we thought they might be, hence cutting 6 days off our travel schedule. So we headed straight for the border on a 7 hour bus ride. We always knew the Cambodian border cross would be ‘interesting’ and we were right. First hurdle was getting a visa, with officials saying it was 40USD to get a visa, when we knew it was 20USD. We ended up paying 25USD. Then we were escorted by some so called ‘Cambodian Official’ with a halfass security pass on him through our first check. After the first check we hit a no mans land between Cambodia and Thailand, where there were extravagant Casinos, Bars, Hotels, Strip Clubs etc, apparently the Thai mans paradise. Once through the official made us pay him personally and then way too much for for the taxi to Siem Reap. We thought our ordeal was over, when the taxi driver transferred us to a local tuk tuk driver on the border of Siem Reap, where it was apparently a free ride to our hostel. He reluctantly took us to our preferred hostel. Once in our hostel, he wanted us to go to another place so he could get a commission. WE obviously said no, and that’s when the fireworks started coming out of his mouth and our welcome to Cambodia was complete.
Putting that aside, Siem Reap which is the site of Angkor Wat, had it all!!!!!! Amazing ancient scenery, sore bums and the hangover from hell.
Day one in Siem Reap we decided to go the Museum and get an overview of what Angkor Wat is all about. All our questions were answered, but I cant really be bothered repeating it all, im pretty tired now. We just learned what was at the site and found out its actually an area containing many Wats, with the main ones being Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon.
Day two we hired out some bikes, and made our way through the golden circuit which is basically the area outside the three main Wats. The share size of the area was massive, with Wat after Wat as magnificent as the last. Having the bikes helped us get around these fast and cover some serious miles. It was a good eye opener before seeing Angkor Wat planned for the next day. It was such a long day biking and i think we would have clocked up over 25kms on the bike. And HOLY, no amount of tiger balm would have healed the pain we had on our bums. We just had to suck it up like men.
We decided it had been awhile since we had last been out drinking so we decided we would hit TOWN, Siem Reap style. It actually turned out to be an amazing night, staying at a bar called ANKOR WHAT!! (nice little pun) .We got our first taste of what the buckets of alcohol might be like when we hit our party zone for new years. The main lesson we learnt, was that those buckets are STRONG!!!
Day three= Horrific. After the big night, we all felt pretty much like hell. So after heaps of water we jumped back on our bikes and made our way to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon. Even in a state, we were amazed by the share size and architecture of all the Wats, and we captured some good photos. From what Ive heard, Cambodians are immensely proud of Angkor Wat and their history, they even have a picture of Angkor Wat on their National Flag. For me, I felt Angkor Thom and the Bayon was more impressive than Angkor Wat. It was like a maze of corridors, and some of us got lost (Jarryd). But overall, the area would have been incredible in its hay day.
Sorry im getting a bit vague but im pretty tired, and we have had another busy day. So I guess that’s me done for awhile on the blog front. Theres a few videos etc i would like to post, and as soon as we get some half decent internet i will post them up. We got a few videos for those friends at home in relation to our favourite show moon TV. The parents probably wont understand, but still might have bit of a laugh. Jarryds up next covering a few places in Cambodia. Hope everyone is fine at home. Theres no need to worry about us, i feel we have got into a good travelling groove now and we are much more aware of scams and how to deal with people on this side of the world. OK until next time, PEACE. JAMIE OUT!!!!
After being told by informed sources, we decided to head straight to Cambodia after hearing Phiami and Phanom Rung weren’t as mind changing as we thought they might be, hence cutting 6 days off our travel schedule. So we headed straight for the border on a 7 hour bus ride. We always knew the Cambodian border cross would be ‘interesting’ and we were right. First hurdle was getting a visa, with officials saying it was 40USD to get a visa, when we knew it was 20USD. We ended up paying 25USD. Then we were escorted by some so called ‘Cambodian Official’ with a halfass security pass on him through our first check. After the first check we hit a no mans land between Cambodia and Thailand, where there were extravagant Casinos, Bars, Hotels, Strip Clubs etc, apparently the Thai mans paradise. Once through the official made us pay him personally and then way too much for for the taxi to Siem Reap. We thought our ordeal was over, when the taxi driver transferred us to a local tuk tuk driver on the border of Siem Reap, where it was apparently a free ride to our hostel. He reluctantly took us to our preferred hostel. Once in our hostel, he wanted us to go to another place so he could get a commission. WE obviously said no, and that’s when the fireworks started coming out of his mouth and our welcome to Cambodia was complete.
Putting that aside, Siem Reap which is the site of Angkor Wat, had it all!!!!!! Amazing ancient scenery, sore bums and the hangover from hell.
Day one in Siem Reap we decided to go the Museum and get an overview of what Angkor Wat is all about. All our questions were answered, but I cant really be bothered repeating it all, im pretty tired now. We just learned what was at the site and found out its actually an area containing many Wats, with the main ones being Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon.
Day two we hired out some bikes, and made our way through the golden circuit which is basically the area outside the three main Wats. The share size of the area was massive, with Wat after Wat as magnificent as the last. Having the bikes helped us get around these fast and cover some serious miles. It was a good eye opener before seeing Angkor Wat planned for the next day. It was such a long day biking and i think we would have clocked up over 25kms on the bike. And HOLY, no amount of tiger balm would have healed the pain we had on our bums. We just had to suck it up like men.
We decided it had been awhile since we had last been out drinking so we decided we would hit TOWN, Siem Reap style. It actually turned out to be an amazing night, staying at a bar called ANKOR WHAT!! (nice little pun) .We got our first taste of what the buckets of alcohol might be like when we hit our party zone for new years. The main lesson we learnt, was that those buckets are STRONG!!!
Day three= Horrific. After the big night, we all felt pretty much like hell. So after heaps of water we jumped back on our bikes and made our way to Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon. Even in a state, we were amazed by the share size and architecture of all the Wats, and we captured some good photos. From what Ive heard, Cambodians are immensely proud of Angkor Wat and their history, they even have a picture of Angkor Wat on their National Flag. For me, I felt Angkor Thom and the Bayon was more impressive than Angkor Wat. It was like a maze of corridors, and some of us got lost (Jarryd). But overall, the area would have been incredible in its hay day.
Well J3 Moon TV this is all pretty bloody awesome ... love the video clips in true Moon style ... love the narrative. Spoke to Fai today in Bangkok and she told me you had posted all this stuff ... her mum was very excited about it all ... so you have some native Thai followers as well.
ReplyDeleteSHIT I'M JEALOUS !!! keep the stories coming ciao Jeremy & Fay
Hellloooo Team, you have actually had me in fits of laughter as a caught up with the adventures of the J's. love the videos and photos yoru night out on the town sounds impresive to say the least good on you for cycling the next day :) I cant wait for the next udate Im so envious of ur travels and experience... Enjoy Ab
ReplyDeleteHi guys, fantastic updates ...even with hangovers... the three J's are legendary!
ReplyDelete