Siem Reap - Bayon Temple and Other Stops at Angkor Wat Park

*For previous posts, click here.*

After our stop at Angkor Wat, we quickly rushed to the Bayon Temple which was about 10 minute drive from Angkor Wat. Bayon Temple is famous for being the temple with many faces. All those faces on all the four sides of every tower are the same and it is reportedly that those faces bear strong resemblances with King Jayavaraman VII, the most famous and widely respected king in the Khmer civilisation and also the king who built this temple.

Bayon Temple

This temple is the second most famous temple after the Angkor Wat itself and it is understandably so. Although it is not as majestic as the grand Angkor Wat, it holds itself well with the unique features, especially the faces on the towers. The temple was the main temple during the reign of King Jayavaraman VII. Read on for more pictures.

Siem Reap - Goodbye, Phnom Penh. Hello, Angkor Wat - Day 2 Part 1

A good rest we did not have yet we were all as energetic as we can be the next morning taking a long ride to Siem Reap. We departed from our hotels around 6.15am and we were on the road for around 6 hours. That's how long it takes to reach Siem Reap from Phnom Penh. 

Early in the morning at Phnom Penh

Hawkers are preparing their stalls

Pork rice, my breakfast

Sticky rice with beans, our snacks during the ride

The only logical thing to do during the ride would be to enjoy the scenic views the country has to offer. The green fields, the wooden houses, locals riding bicycles or sitting on a mini truck, after a while, we simply cannot stand it and dozed off after our breakfast. A blink of eyes and we were already reached Siem Reap. Sleeping makes trips seems shorter than it is.

We went to our hotel to check in our luggages before we scooted off to Angkor National Park, our main destination. Angkor National Park is where Angkor Wat and all the ancient temples from the country are located. Inside the park, you can explore the temples and also sip in the serenity and be up close with nature. 

Bicycles are good mode of transportation, in my opinion

Traditional Khmer cuisines, our lunch

We had our lunch inside the national park and it was cheap and reasonable with the foods itself rather delicious. I had no idea what it was called but as far as I know, it's traditional Khmer dishes. It's located opposite Angkor Wat so for those who want to try it out, you can just head to Angkor Wat and look for the restaurant directly opposite it. 

After that, first stop, Angkor Wat. Read on for more pictures of this beautiful ancient temple.

Phnom Penh - When All Are Here - Day 1 Part 2

It's about 4.45pm when everyone has finally arrived in Phnom Penh. We went to meet them at the airport and together, we travelled by van that we rented for the trip back to the hotel to put their luggages. After that, off we went to dinner!

It was just walking distance to the shopping complex where we will be having our dinner, the Master Suki Soup restaurant, a steamboat place. The restaurant is located at the top floor of the building where you can have an aerial view of the surrounding, especially the Central Market which we unfortunately did not have the time to have a look at.

Heading to the restaurant

Central Market

My roommate

My coursemates

The ingredients inside the steamboat

After our dinner, we went to explore the city. Our mode of transportation was the tuk tuks. It was the cheapest way to maneuver around. The first stop was the recreational park somewhere in the city. Phnom Penh has a lot of recreational parks and its people are very health conscious. There were a lot of people in the park, some picnicking, some walking leisurely, mostly dancing. There were a lot of them doing flash dance on the park and everyone, young and old, joined in the fun. Most of the songs used were either Korean songs or dance hits.

In tuk tuk

A group of people performing a sketch

Flash dancing

A monument in the park

Next on our schedule was to go to the Diamond Island. The island is more or less a big recreational park but with beautiful and Roman-inspired decorations. It was mainly used as a venue for exhibitions and for wedding photo shoots, according to my friend. A lot of youngsters were in the place.

Some of the said decorations

Baked cow, something we had seen throughout in Phnom Penh

The last stop of the day would be the Independence Monument, a beautiful pagoda-like building erected in commemorate with the country's independence. At this point, my camera has almost ran out of battery. Luckily, I managed to snap a few shots more of the monument before it dried up.

Independence Monument at night

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

There are no buses that bring people around the city. Tuk tuks are the most cheap and convenient way to travel around. Otherwise, you can also consider walking which I had yet to try.

Phnom Penh - Here I Come! - Day 1 Part 1

Here I was, sitting alone in the night bus heading to LCCT, filled with excitement of the prospect of going to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, yet was a bit uncertain as it was my first time boarding air flight to a foreign land. I was pretty much slept my way to LCCT yet when I reached the terminal, I was still sleepy. Waiting to board my flight was pretty boring without anyone to talk to. Luckily, everything was on time and I was high up in the air before the sun has rise.

View from my seat in the bus

My flight

Penang - Coffee Break at Moontree 47

After our breakfast/brunch/lunch at Kopi Cine, we have a walk around Georgetown and absorbed the antique nature of the city. But the damn heat these few days made us thirst for something cooling. Hence, we dropped by the Moontree 47 cafe, a newly opened quaint cafe along Muntri Street. 

The place is indeed charming and very retro. According to the owner of the cafe, it was opened just barely 3 months ago and that it served as a cafe down stair and a hostel up stair to cover up the hefty renovation cost, which is still ongoing. 

Iced Cappucino - RM 10.00

Iced Mocha - RM 11.00

We were quite full as we just had our meals not too long ago so we just ordered only drinks. Iced cappucino and iced mocha we ordered. Rather simple and nice, but rather expensive, in my opinion. However, the atmosphere is definitely charming, enough to blindside the price.

Some of the shots taken at the cafe

I truly applauded the owner of the cafe for taking the initiative to rent and renovate the pre-war shoplot and in the process, turning it into a carefree and relaxing little joint where people can come and read some books. Too much of these retro buildings have been neglected and anyone who take the effort of turning it into charming shops deserved the praises. 

While on my way into Moontree 47, I saw these red bicycles and I think it belong to the cafe. 

Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder

I arrived back to my home country after a lovely visit to another beautiful country of South East Asia, Cambodia. So much fun and new experiences we all had gained through this trip but the best of all would be the fact that this trip was a graduation trip for all of us fellow coursemates. I'm still tired after these hectic and sleep-deprived days so I will blog more about my great trip to Cambodia in a few days time. Here's a few photos of the kingdom of wonder that is Cambodia.

A retro looking building in Phnom Penh

Bayon Temple at the Angkor National Park

Of sky and water at the park

My friend's traditional Khmer 'wedding'

Ipoh - Delicious Dim Sums at Foh San Restaurant

Let's take a break from all the showcases of Penang and shift the attention to my peaceful hometown, Ipoh, and what's more lovely about Ipoh other than the mouth watering dim sum famous in Ipoh.

Prawn Roll

Char Siu Pau

Not sure what but it has century egg on it

Yam Ball with Char Siu

Siu Mai

Har Gao

Char Siu Pastry

Doesn't all these shots make you want to take the quickest ride to Ipoh and dig into these succulent little delicacies? The top four shots were taken by my friend when he came to Ipoh along with my coursemates.