Beautiful Cambodia.

05.05.13.

I fell in love with Cambodia the moment I laid my eyes on this beautiful country. It's a Kingdom I really love.

From Aranyaprathet, Thailand we reached Poipet, Cambodia. It was a smooth cross boarding experience since the representative from the travel agency did all the necessary to get us in. We've just waited inside the Immigration office in Poipet after we fell in line for biometrics procedure. 

We've waited until the bus that will bring us to the terminal picked us up. It took us for about an hour. We stayed in one of the convenient store near the immigration office. Time check was 1:35 PM. 

The temperature in Thailand was humid and I really want to get into our hotel immediately to get a shower. Sweat was all over my face :)) 

Finally the bus came in, it dropped us to the terminal where a van fetched us to bring us to the hotel. 

We reached the Borei Angkor Resort in Siem Reap around 4:00 PM. Our attendant was very friendly and they just let us wait at the lobby and she settled everything. They have a nice lounge. So comfy and inviting. 

Wow! was the first word I've uttered when I saw our accomodation. It was really a 5-star as it's finest. The bathroom was so clean. The bed was so soft and comfy and there was a veranda with a swimming pool view. And it got me excited knowing will be staying for 3 days and 2 nights. But can I just stay there for life? :P 

After getting a quick shower, we stayed at the veranda and saw how beautiful the outdoor was and would love to roam around. But that can wait. I need to sleep and regain my energy. 

It was almost evening when I woke up and love what I saw while chatting with my colleagues in Manila over skype. An amazing view of Borei at night. 

We came down to roam around. We were always surprised when our attendant always appeared next to us, just like wonderwoman who's always there for us in a snap :))

We've decided to have a quick dinner and get some beer by the pool. What a relaxing view over a deep talk.

The resort also has a small bar and can't help but strike a pose :)

After dinner, we just went back to the room and relaxed.  We slept as early as 10:00 PM so we have a lot of energy for the next day getaway.

05.06.13.

Good Morning, Cambodia! A beautiful morning it was. Well rested and  so ready to see the Khmers :)

And so we had our breakfast. I love the variety of cuisine that Borei has. From American, Indian, Thai, Chinese to their local, I had 3 sets of breakfast in a row :P  Happy tummy :)

This was my first set. A bit of american-chinese combined :)

After breakfast we went to the in-house travel services to arrange our over the land travel to Vietnam from Cambodia.

It took us after an hour before we've decided to get back to the room to prep for the day tour trip. 

Around 9:00 AM when our tour guide picked us from the hotel. Our driver/tour guide was really a conversationalist. On our way to get an Angkor pass ticket which was worth USD 20, he mentioned that he was a big fan of Marian Rivera, a Filipina actress who plays Marimar which was shown in Cambodia. He also mentioned that everyone loves her and Ding Dong in Cambodia. Nice to know that they love our local celebrities and our tv shows :)

I was amazed on the views we passed by on our way to Angkor Thom. Breathakingly beautiful. Siem Reap is indeed an eye-candy.

Since we were not able to get an elephant ride in Thailand, we get it done in Angkor Thom. We felt like a celebrity as other tourists took pictures of us while we roamed :))

I've got to take a good picture of Angkor Thom as well. Fantastic :)

The beauty of Angkor Thom made me pose ala model :P

We visited two more Angkors before we had our lunch. We bumped into some Pinoys in Angkor flower resto.

After lunch we had visited the most beautiful Angkor in Siem Reap, the Angkor Wat. I love the sceneries we saw on the way. As per our tour guide, many crocodiles were living in the river a hundred years ago as temple guards. 

We walked almost 20 minutes before we reached the main temple from it's entrance. I just did my own temple run :)) My photos did not give justice on how beautiful Angkor Wat is. 

While inside the Angkor Wat, I had this stolen shot that I really love. Moments.

As always, I love watching people. It relaxes me, somehow.

The temperature that day was about 38 degrees. But to my suprise it didn't give me a filthy-dust feeling. Maybe because  their soil was red clay. Just Maybe.

As soon as we got back to the hotel we had our 30-min swimming. So relaxing.

Sometimes doing unexpected things outside of your itinerary won't hurt you. I enjoyed the buffet dinner we had as we watched the Apsara dance at Angkor Mondial Restaurant. Our reserved seats for two was near the stage so I really appreciate the cultural dance presentation by the Khmers.  

After dinner we went to the night market and brought some pasalubong for loved ones back home. 

I surprisingly had one of the best times of my life in Cambodia. 

05.07.13.

We had an early check out as we need to take an early trip of Mekong Express bus line that will take us to Phnom Phen. 

It was a long journey. On the road, i saw many barren lands. According to Khmer that we've talk to, it's been six months since the last rain fall.

We've also noticed that most of Khmer's houses might be small but they have an elegant roof.

We had a 45 mins stop over at Arunras Resto in Kampong Thom province to have our lunch. This resto sells an exotic foods. 

We reached Phnom Phen around 2:00 PM. While waiting for our bus that will take us to Vietnam border, we had some snacks and I've tasted the most spicy noodles in my entire life.

On the road, we passed by the Royal Palace. 

We never had a chance to stroll around Phnom Phen hopefully we can do it on the next time visit. 

Before we reached the Vietnam border, heavy rains poured down. Such a blessing for the Khmers. 

Oh beautiful Cambodia, we will definitely see each other again.

Til my next stop.