Category: Travel

From Laoag and Pagudpud, we reached Vigan on our last day in Ilocos. Among these three places, it’s Vigan that I was most excited about because of its rich history. I was thrilled to know what it feels to be in the Philippines’ most extensive and only surviving historic city that even dates back to the 16th century Spanish colonial period.

Vigan is one of the few Hispanic towns left in the country where structures remained intact. It is now considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We managed to see all the beautiful highlights in our half-day tour. In this article, I’m sharing the top seven tourist attractions in Vigan which should be included in any traveler’s itinerary. 🙂

Top 7 Places We Visited in Vigan, Ilocos Sur (Holy Week)

Traveling to Ilocos doesn’t require breaking the bank. We set out on a vacation trip to Ilocos last Holy Week and while it took about 13-14 hours from Manila (considering the traffic during this peak season), it’s worth the drive!

We shelled out PhP 3,700 per person for the 3D2N adventure. The cost includes hotel accommodations, roundtrip transfers, van rental, driver, and all land trips in Pagudpud, Laoag, and Vigan. In this post, I’m sharing Part I of our journey: the top 6 places we visited in the northernmost tip of the Luzon island, the coastal town of Pagudpud.

Top 6 Places We Visited in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (Holy Week)

1. Saud Beach Pagudpud

Saud Beach Pagudpud is where you can explore and appreciate the serene beauty of nature while away from the hubub of the city. A typical weekend stay includes overnight accommodations in any of the resorts that are nearby.

We checked in at Jun and Carol Beach Resort and stayed for a night. The rooms were simple but adequate, and the beds were pretty comfortable. Unfortunately though, the water heater of our bathroom was broken and we had to shower in cold water. Eep!

Anyway, the main attraction here is the beach. Saud Beach looked clean and peaceful (no vendors desperately asking people to buy souvenirs or subscribe to water activities), very much unlike Boracay. It’s dark and quiet at night, and there’s also no exciting amenities to try. Hence, at sundown, almost no one was found surfing or swimming in the waters.

Vacationers mostly enjoy their time sunbathing, walking barefoot on the sands, and hanging out in restaurants that offer a cool beachfront experience. On-site dining options are plenty, so you don’t have to worry about where to eat and what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

2. Patapat Viaduct

We had a short stopover at the Patapat Viaduct just for picture-taking. The Patapat Viaduct is a concrete coastal bridge that is elevated 31 meters over sea level. It’s a long winding road leading to Cagayan, with the side of the mountain overlooking the West Philippine Sea as its backdrop. The view of the blue sky meeting up on the horizon with the sparking blue-green water is truly mesmerizing. 🙂

3. Bantay Abot Cave

Bantay Abot Cave is just about as eye-catching as it is intriguing. From afar, it looks like a giant rock with a large hole at the center. Apparently, this interesting geological formation is not really a cave but a rocky hill that resulted from an earthquake that happened many years ago. Located along the shore of the little town of Baloi in Ilocos Norte, Bantay Abot Cave literally means “a mountain with a hole.”

It’s recommended to wear sturdy shoes that won’t slip since you will be climbing down the steep and slippery rocks. Once you get through the hole, take as many pictures as you can and maximize the effect Bantay Abot can give to your shots by staging your perfect silhouette poses.

4. Bangui Windmills

The Bangui Windmills were created during Marcos’ administration as an alternative source of energy in Ilocos. The project sells electricity to the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and provides 40% of the power requirements of Ilocos Norte via Transco Laoag.

Seeing the windmills upclose was a surreal experience. Arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, the windmills are a lot taller than we expected based on the photos on magazines and videos on TV. Winds were blowing hard against our faces and messing up our hair, powerful enough to turn the mills round and round. If you plan to witness these majestic structures, I suggest you wear sunglasses and a hat. 🙂

5. Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

Kapurpurawan translates to “white” in Ilocano. The white rock formations look amazing, and for a moment there I thought they were man-made. 🙂 For a nature lover, trekking down towards the rock formation will be a breezy, refreshing, and definitely a memorable feat. Visitors may also opt to ride a horse and just walk on the way back.

6. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

The last attraction we visited in Pagudpud was the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, also known as the “Burgos Lighthouse.” It is one of the important historical landmarks in Ilocos. This cultural heritage structure was established during the Spanish Colonial period in the Philippines. It was first lit on March 30, 1892, and after over 100 years, it still functions as a welcoming beacon to the international ships that enter the Philippine Archipelago from the north and guide them safely away from the rocky coast of the town.

To date, the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is well-maintained and operational. Fans of ABS CBN’s “Walang Hanggan” (TV series) might recognize the lighthouse as the backdrop used in the romantic scenes of Coco Martin and Julia Montes.

Walking up the road to the lighthouse’s summit was easy and pleasant if not for the scorching heat of the sun. For those who can’t stand the heat, riding a tricycle to the lighthouse is also an option. We spent some minutes having a 360-degree view of the West Philippine Sea from above.

Wrap Up

In our limited time in Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, we discovered that Pagudpud’s landscape is remarkably varied. It’s is a treasure trove of majestic nature (think coconut trees, white sand beaches, cold breeze at certain times of the day, and greens) that’s worth boasting about.

There are more things to do in Pagudpud and tourists surely can find loads of ways to fill a free day with fun. Hannah’s Zipline, the Blue Lagoon, Paraiso Ni Anton, and Malingay Cove are just some of the other places where you can win some Instagram points. 🙂

Monoreach Angkor Hotel did not seem like a three-star budget hotel because of its highly elegant interior furnishing and excellent traditional Khmer hospitality and friendly service. Located along National Road No. 6 near Siem Reap International Airport, the world famous Angkor Wat Temples, and many other must-see landmarks, this hotel had been our luxurious home away from home when we were touring in Cambodia. Public transportation is not a problem. There are tuktuks stationed in front of the hotel, and the friendly drivers can easily bring guests to the temples, shopping areas, and places nearby.

Review of Monoreach Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap, Cambodia)

Ambiance: ★★★★★

With a happy blend of character and style, Monoreach Hotel in Siem Reap ticks all the boxes with its appealing surrounding. Age-old wooden furniture that are tastefully furnished, bright natural lighting, clean tiles, and the high ceiling make a winning combination. Our tour guide said that the hotel is not new but was just recently renovated, and that perhaps explains the upgraded modern facilities and amenities such as the outdoor swimming pool, gym, massage rooms, souvenir shop, and function rooms for conferences and other events.

Monoreach Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap has 110 spacious and beautiful rooms of international standard. We stayed for two nights in a spacious twin/double room that’s packed with touches of the old-fashioned side. Dark woods dominate the interiors, lending a corporate feel. The room was spotless and air-conditioned, and the bed was comfortable and perfectly pleasant. The bathrooms was also spacious and modern, with a pretty bath tub, hot-cold shower, and plenty of free toiletries.

Service: ★★★★☆

The hotel service is a model of traditional formal service: courteous and respectful. The hotel staff was welcoming all the time and quick to respond. The only sad thing is that we had to ask for the Wi-Fi password every time we needed to access the Internet and it was only available in the lobby and restaurant areas.

Food: ★★★☆☆

On the mezzanine level of the hotel, the Monareach Restaurant offers guests a poolside view on one side and a garden view and on the other. The breakfast buffet was not a lavish spread of delights, but it provided us a little bit of everything: Khmer, Chinese and Thai dishes. In short, it was not up to par with our expectation. The sad part was that since there were many guests dining at any time, we had almost run out of food on our second day. Apparently, food at the buffet was not replenished. We went down at 8:30AM, when breakfast starts at around 7AM. I guess the lesson here is to be up earlier to be ahead of everyone else. 🙂

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Monoreach Angkor Hotel in Cambodia is a haven of peace. It’s a well-run, hip hotel combining the past with 21st-century comfort and chic. Rooms looked posh and guests are pampered with care. Selection of food for breakfast was disappointing, but this didn’t make our stay any less satisfying overall. Price for its value is reasonable. Single room costs USD 40-45 a night; twin/double deluxe, USD 60-65; and superior deluxe, USD 70-80. These rates are inclusive of daily buffet breakfast.

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About three months before our trip to Taipei, we booked a family hotel room via Agoda.com in King Lei Lei Hotel in Ximending (台北市西门町) at a discounted price. The primary reason why we chose this hotel was its close proximity to many tourist places in the city. Several other satisfied guests recommend staying in this hotel because of comfort and convenience. The property is five minutes’ walk to Ximending metro station, which makes it accessible for us to travel to many areas easily. Below is my review of King Lei Lei Hotel as a budget hotel in Taipei, Taiwan.

Review of King Lei Lei Hotel 金丽丽旅社(Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

King Lei Lei Hotel may be an appealing option for backpackers, budget travelers, and other easygoing travelers in Taipei. It was built in 1980 and was renovated in only this year (2015). This budget hotel is nowhere a trendsetter in the “artsy” department. Thus, those looking for a more exquisite and elegant hotel should definitely think twice. In our case, since we’re out most of the time whenever we travel, we’re fine sticking just with the basics.

The “quad” room we occupied was good for four people. With two queen-size beds, a sofa, and a dresser, the room looked quite old-fashioned but it was in pretty good shape. In terms of design, King Lei Lei Hotel is not really fit for a king.

The bedroom was outfitted with standard amenities, such as the electric fan, AC, telephone, mini fridge, free Wi-Fi and cable LCD TV. All will be fine for families who are willing to overlook a scuff or two on the wall. The best things about this room were that it’s relatively spacious for a family and it had a laid back atmosphere which I thought could easily win over travelers looking for a quiet, unique place to stay.

The private bathroom had a minimalist theme. Shower was efficient with both cold and hot water. Slippers, towels, shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste were provided.

Service: ★★★★☆

I’m not sure if people at the hotel counter know how to speak and understand English because we spoke to them in Mandarin all the time. They were not so friendly but were accommodating enough to manage our requests. We asked for additional coffee, towels, and tissue paper, and we were allowed to just get the stuff from the hotel’s moving cart of toiletries and freebies without question and without added cost.

The reception area wasn’t manned at all times, but there’s a bell that guests would have to ring to call the staff’s attention. We didn’t encounter any problem checking in and out of the hotel. Our room was cleaned and maintained daily.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

King Lei Lei Hotel in Ximending has 22 rooms. It’s good for couples, solo travelers, families with children (both young and older), and business travelers. As a point of reference for budgeting, the double room (for two) costs USD 26.23 per night, and the quad room (for four) costs USD 44. Considering price for value, it’s a bargain. 🙂 We stayed here for three nights.

To read about the top 10 attractive tourist places we visited in Taiwan, click here.

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Check in time: 4:00PM
Check out time: 12:00NN

My first trip to Taipei, Taiwan was way back in 2009 after my college graduation. Six years later, this place has proven itself worthy of another visit. This time around, I traveled to Taiwan with my entire family. 😀 It’s not really a large country, and yet it seems as if weeks could be spent exploring its burgeoning art, modern facilities, delicious food scene, and innovative technologies. Most of us don’t have that luxury of time though, which is why we have carefully arranged and organized our 3D3N Taiwan itinerary for a vacation on a long weekend (November 27-30, 2015).

Hotel Elevator Creative Top Shot :)

We researched online and chose sights and experiences we were particularly interested in. Here are the top 10 attractive places we set foot on.

Top 10 Attractive Places We Visited in Taiwan (3D3N Itinerary)

See:

1. Jinshan Buddhist Temple (開臺金山寺) (East District, Hsinchu)

On our first day, we drove two hours from Taipei to Hsinchu City (新竹市) to see my aunt, visit her office, and have lunch together to catch up. On the way to the restaurant, we stopped by at Jinshan Buddhist Temple, formerly known as Xianglian Temple.

Surrounded by the fresh water of Lengshuikeng, this temple serves the worship of Buddha Guanyin, Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and Zhusheng Niangniang. It was built over 100 years ago and was declared as a third-grade historical site by the Ministry of the Interior on August 19, 1985. Today, it’s a popular place for writers and poets to drink tea because of its beauty and tranquility.

Jinshan Buddhist Temple is one of Hsinchu’s eight major attractions since 1894. It has been renovated multiple times during the war against the Japanese and after World War II. The current structure stands with “protective wings” on the left and right sides, the original main hall with three rooms, and the front pillar and entryway. The architecture style was inspired from the middle era of Qing dynasty. The two stone lions guarding the front door looked powerful, adding to the temple’s rustic beauty.

2. Long Shan Temple (艋舺龍山寺) (Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District)

When in Taipei, it will be sad to miss out on Long Shan Temple. Why? It’s the most popular temple in Taiwan! We’re very fortunate that our hotel was only one station away from Long Shan Template Station, so we didn’t need to travel far. The temple complex is not big, but if you’re like me who likes taking pictures, 30 minutes stay might not be enough. 🙂

Founded in 1738 by Han immigrants from Fujian, Long Shan Temple is now Taipei City’s top religious site. It also serves as a prime venue for exploring both Taiwan’s vibrant folk faith, its unique temple arts and architecture. Like Jinshan Temple in Hsinchu, Long Shan Temple was also rebuilt and restored several times after destruction by natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, and damages caused by bombings in World War II.

The structure looked impressive with sweeping swallowtail eaves, colorful mosaic-like decoration figures on the roof, and elaborate stone and woodcarvings. We also noticed that the doors, beams, and poles across the halls are beautifully decorated.

Aside from the many tourists, many immigrants of Taiwan also frequently go to Long Shan Temple for spiritual support. They pray to the gods to help them overcome any obstacles and difficulties in their adaption to the new environment. It was so great to see people in uniforms reading text and chanting in unison first hand. Huaxi Night Market is in walking distance.

3. National Palace Museum (Shilin, Taipei)

Another significant landmark in our must-visit list was the National Palace Museum. The main building of the museum has three floors filled with the world’s premier collection of Chinese art, many famous historical masterworks, and treasures from the Forbidden City in China, including the stunning Jade Cabbage.

Most of the things we found there were things we have already learned about from our Chinese history class way back in high school. This experience was different though. Seeing the valuables pieces and collections physically presented in a super organized manner made us better understand the history of China with its imperial artifacts and relics.

We appreciated the text descriptions on the exhibits explaining 10,000 years of China’s history (from the first to the last dynasty), and we were able to manage even without the audio guide. If you have the time to spare, I recommend checking out the National Palace Museum. We were able to walk through the entire main building in three hours.

Admission fee is NTD 250 and additional NTD 200 for the audio guide. Because my dad is a PWD (person with disability), we got free tickets for him and the person accompanying him in wheelchair (that’s me). My mom holds a ROC passport, so she paid the discounted rate at NTD 150. My sister was the only one who paid the full price. 🙂 Note: Big bags, food, drinks, and photography are not allowed inside. Visitors are asked to check in these prohibited items in a locker before entry.

Shop:

4. ATT 4 Fun (原紐約紐約展覽購物中心) (Xinyi District, Taipei)

From City Hall Metro Station, we walked to ATT 4 Fun and felt most excited to see the Alice in Wonderland themed decorations on the fourth floor. We were psyched to take pictures of the place and try out some food while researching about it on Google Maps online. 🙂

The whole building was designed to mimic the American modern and innovative look and artistic conception of space. The first two levels feature big brand stores like Forever 21, Pull and Bear, Zara Home, Mango, Tokyo Plaza, etc. The third to fifth floors make up a huge paradise for foodies. Various restaurants fill up the area with brilliant and luring food displays. ATT 4 Fun is a great center to indulge your comfort food cravings.

5. Taipei 101 (臺北101) (Xinyi District, Taipei)

From ATT 4 Fun, we walked further to Taipei 101 around the corner. Taipei 101 is a skyscraper that was classified as the world’s tallest in 2004 and remained such until the opening of Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. In 2011, the building was awarded the LEED platinum certification, the highest award according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and became the tallest and largest green building in the world.

Entrance fee to the observation deck is NTD 500. Priority pass is double the price of normal entry. We didn’t anymore go up because I did not think it’s still worth my time and money. Watching the Taipei City lights from the airplane was already good enough. 😛 #CheapskateMode In any case, the wow factor that could possibly make a sky’s-the-limit-type value to it is the speed of going up to the 89th floor through the elevator. It only takes about 37 seconds! Hard to beat. 🙂

6. Sogo (Fuxing) and Pacific Sogo Department Store (太平洋崇光)

A Japanese-Taiwanese joint-venture combination shopping center in Taipei, Sogo specializes mostly in expensive international brands and luxury boutiques like Versace, Burberry, Hogan, Hermes, Dior, Chanel Tiffany, Prada, Gucci, and many others. It is a fantastic place to look around and do a bit of designer shopping in Taiwan.

Spacious shopping floors aim to provide a comfortable and abundantly stocked shopping arena. Note: If you spend more than NTD 3,000, you may head to the Customer Service Desk to process your VAT refund and get it in cash. Plus you can get free parking for three hours.

We spent most time at the basement where we had lunch in one of the local restaurants. Gourmet food, traditional Taiwanese sweets, and fancy cakes on the shelves were all pleasing to our eyes.

7. Ximending Night Market (西門町)

Taipei is known for having festive night markets with all sorts of fashionable clothing, quality goods, and tasty food. The streets suddenly come to life after sunset in these areas. Ximending Night Market was truly one of the highlights of our trip where we experienced the authentic local street life, culture, and tastes of Taiwan. It’s a very busy area where the lights shine bright and welcoming! We spared one night for shopping here and had a blast. 🙂

Filled with all kinds of shopping options, Ximending in Wanhua District is similar to Harajuku or Shibuya in Japan. Both are famed for a wide range of entertainments and activities that allure large numbers of young people and young adults. We even saw live dance performances and magic tricks right in the streets. As such, Ximending Night Market in Taiwan has been noted as the hottest spot and the most fashionable shopping area in Taiwan. This place alone attracts an average of over 3 million shoppers per month. That’s a lot of foot traffic!

Ximending is accessible via Exit 6 of the Taipei Metro Ximen Station.

Eat:

8. Shian Yeou (鲜友火锅)

Hungry patrons line up at this Taiwanese hotpot buffet restaurant in Hsinchu, where each table features a boiling cauldron allowing guests to have their own interactive cooking experience to make rich and flavorful broths of soup with various meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.

I mentioned on an Instagram post that Shian Yeou’s concept is like Four Seasons Hotpot City in the Philippines. Besides the hotpot items, mouthwatering plates of dim sum, cooked Taiwanese food, desserts and drinks are also available in the chic setting. This restaurant has a casual vibe to its ambiance, and the mix of food here is generally playing with traditional oriental-style dishes and spicing them up a bit with Japanese sushi and American snacks (fries, chicken nuggets, onion rings, etc.).

If shabu-shabu dining and buffet is right up your alley, definitely hit this place for a great hotpot meal. Go out with a full belly and a happy smile as we did. 🙂 Prices are reasonable and staffs were kind. Rates: NTD 359/pax for lunch and NTD 399/pax for dinner. Operating hours are 11AM-11PM on weekdays and 10:30am-11PM on weekends.

9. Modern Toilet Restaurant (便所主題餐廳) 

There’s plenty of themed restaurants in Taiwan, and Modern Toilet Restaurant is only one of the top-rated spots that caught our attention big-time. The walls are covered with tiles just like in a regular bathroom, and the lights that hang from the ceiling above each dining table are plungers.

As you can see, the interior design looks quirky and creative. We sat on the “un-working acrylic toilets” upon entrance and got the menu with lists of food that seemed decent. Our orders came out not as fast as we expected, but the presentation of food won us over. Dishes were served on plastic miniature toilet bowls, and drinks, in miniature urinals. Although some guests may find the place and the food weird, naughty, and disgusting, Modern Toilet Restaurant is never out of customers.

Food tastes were okay and nothing to be disappointed about. Portions were quite generous, too. We had the following:

Toilet Chicken Nugget (NTD 120)

Clam Spaghetti with White Wine (NTD 250)

Seafood with Cream Sauce Au Gratin (NTD 270)

Modern Toilet Beef Curry (NTD 280)

Chocolate Ice Cream (free with our mains)

Modern Toilet Restaurant also sells souvenir items for gifts and remembrance. These are stuff you can take back home and give to friends to make fun of. 😛

10. Hello Kitty Kitchen and Dining

Before going to the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to catch our red-eye flight back to Manila, we went to Helly Kitty Kitchen and Dining for afternoon snack/early dinner. My sister’s friend, Maylene, joined us and we all heartily took delight and spoiled ourselves with Hello Kitty desserts and drinks (tagged with hefty prices). 😛

The ambiance was obviously catered to fans of KT, with cutesy pink details across the dining room. The menu is  bountiful with irresistible cakes, pastries, and Western-style dishes like pizza, pasta, burger, and salads all with Hello Kitty’s face. So adorable!

We ordered the following:

Tiramisu Set (NTD 300)

Macchiato Coffee Smoothie (NTD 230)

Peach Apple Juice (NTD 180)

Vanilla Cake (NTD 280)

Hello Kitty Cheesecake (NTD 130)

Wrap Up

Taipei is a very friendly city. It offers a captivating tour of historic sights mixed with an easygoing pedestrian environment. We particularly appreciated that public transportation, even for senior citizens and PWD, is so convenient. People are warm, kind, and helpful.

Our three-days Taiwan itinerary may seem a little unambitious and not busy enough for experienced travelers, but every part was well organized and at the same time not too restrictive. This family trip to Taiwan will always be memorable because it’s my dad’s first out-of-the-country travel experience after he met an accident three years ago. We’re so thankful to Auntie Evelyn and her family for guiding us through and also to Auntie Julie for spending some time with us and even treating us to a meal. 謝謝你們的幫助!! 🙂

From learning about Cambodia’s bitter past in Phnom Penh, we took another six-hour mini van ride (Golden Bayon) to Siem Reap. With our photography gears, light backpack, and comfy rubber shoes on, we felt extremely ready to traverse the Angkor Archaeological Park complex, take pictures of the temple ruins, and visit other famous landmarks in Siem Reap in three days.

It was the third and last city we visited, and it was my personal favorite. Throughout the trip, I was most excited to see the splendor of Angkor Wat, and the reason was obvious: “Angkor Wat is one of the largest monuments to religion ever built and is one the wonders of the world.” It’s really a place like no other. 🙂

Here are the top sites we visited in Siem Reap following the itinerary arranged once again by our trusted travel agent, Transpipol Travel & Tours.

Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Siem Reap, Cambodia

1. Artisans d’Angkor

Upon reaching Siem Reap, we stopped by New Bayon, a local Cambodian restaurant, for lunch and immediately headed to the Artisans d’Angkor to appreciate the handmade products of the Khmer culture. This arts and crafts center in Stung Thmey Street was created in 1999 to help young people find work in their home villages by training them for free in the different workshops.

Artisans d’Angkor invests in building new apprenticeships who will revive the traditional craft skills in Cambodia such as stone carving, wood carving, lacquering, gilding and silk processing. These young apprentices aged 18 to 25 are selected from rural areas through skill and motivation tests. They undertake six to eight months of training. Some of them are deaf and mute, so it’s both interesting and inspiring to know that they’re still willing to learn and able to utilize their God-given skills to create wonderful things.

An English-speaking guide took us to the workshop areas, and there we saw the steps in creating intricately designed products such as wares, statues, figurines, decors, and souvenir items from raw materials. The setup was much like a manufacturing factory where one team/individual does a step and then moves it to the next to transform raw materials into finished goods. Guided tours in Artisans d’Angkor are also available in Khmer, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai and are being conducted daily from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

At the end of the tour, we went to the boutique where they sell the finished products in their show room. Prices of the items are steep, but if you’re a fan of high quality workmanship and want to bring home unique memorabilia to family or friends, they may just be worth every dollar. 😉

2. Angkor National Museum

The Killing Fields in Siem Reap was initially part of our itinerary, however since we have already visited the one in Phnom Penh, we requested the travel guide and driver to drop us at the Angkor National Museum instead.

The Angkor National Museum presents the origins of Khmer art, culture, and architecture in great visual formats. Respective descriptions of the artifacts are placed on labels, and for further comprehension, videos telling about introductions about them can be played over and over again in different languages. The remnants, statues, artefacts all depict scenes in history related to war, religion, and manners of social customs throughout the evolution of the Khmer civilization.

Entrance fee per person was $12 (a bit high), so we spent our time well to understand the deep Angkor context behind galleries and exhibits to make the most out of what we paid for. In addition, an audio tour in Khmer, English, German, Korean, Japanese, French, Chinese, and Thai is also available for $3. (Note: Taking of photos in the galleries is prohibited.)

3. Banteay Srei

On the next day, early in the morning, we had to buy our tickets to the Angkor World Heritage (good for one-day pass) at the ticket center. Visitors all have to show their tickets to the guards in every temple entrance.

Our first stop was the beautiful Banteay Srei. It’s quite far from Angkor Wat, but since we were already there in Siem Reap, we surely could not miss it. Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Hindu temple complex that features well-preserved relief carvings depicting tales and scenes from ancient Hindu dieties. The southern buildings and the central tower were devoted to the Hindu God Shiva, while the northern ones, to Vishnu.

Displaying fine examples of classical Khmer art, this temple was built largely of red or pinkish sandstone. It’s amazing how all of these were done by hand. Such detail at such scale would have taken lots of hard work. What’s even more amazing is that these were created and designed in 967 by Yajnavaraha, a Brahmin priest and counselor of King Rajendravarman II and his brother. I would not have thought that people back then could be super creative. How they drew and planned out the architecture remains a mystery.

4. Angkor Wat

Next, we moved to the major attraction in Siem Reap: Angkor Wat. Its beauty and state of preservation is truly unrivaled. There are a few places I have been where I get a feeling that’s hard to put into words, and this masterpiece is one of them. It’s like a combination of a sudden overwhelming feeling of joy that hits you so hard it almost hurts your chest. It’s just impossible to stop smiling and at the same time feel incredibly calm.

I’ve seen its magnificence on pictures and videos before, but its vastness, complexity, and the beauty of its design are not comparable. From the many steps leading us to one of the gates, Angkor Wat appeared to be a giant mass of stone. Up close though, it looked like a series of elevated towers, chambers, porches, and courtyards on different levels linked by stairways.

We walked up the stairs and felt so tired. But all that were somewhat gone as we realized that we were on the world’s largest religious building, the “mother of all temples,” as Angkor Wat is known. When we finally reached the top, we stopped for a few minutes to appreciate the grandness of it, the scenery below, and the crisp, sunny day that made us perspire most copiously.

5. Bayon Temple

We had lunch at Samroh Sra Srang Restaurant then explored the features of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was built as a square. The vast area contains many stone temples and has five gates. The sides run exactly north to south and east to west, and standing in the exact center of the walled city is Bayon Temple, which represents the intersection between heaven and earth.

Bayon Temple is a Buddhist temple but retains elements of Hindu cosmology and imagery. If you would notice, carved in the stones are enigmatic smiling faces of people. The 49 towers were each decorated with the four faces of the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokesvara with a combination of king Jayavarman VII’s face as well. These faces symbolize the four sublime states of Buddhism: charity, compassion, sympathy, and equanimity.

It’s notable that Bayon Temple was the last stone temple ever built in the period of the Khmer empire because the country began to decline as construction of the temple was finished. Sadly, some of the faces are now destroyed and not anymore restored.

6. Baphuon Temple

Also located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon Temple is the three-tiered temple mountain Baphuon Temple that’s dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva but later was converted to a Buddhist temple. Our tour guide, Thear, told us to climb the stairs to see the 9 x 70 meter long statue of a reclining Buddha on the second level, but we were too tired so we ended up just taking pictures by the entrance gopura of the temple. 🙂

7. Ta Phrom

For those who have watched Tomb Raider starring Lara Croft/Angelina Jolie, you may be familiar with Ta Prohm. This was where parts of the trailer and the movie scenes were shot. Great trees tower above the entire site and the way the plants and vines creep through looked wonderful. The resulting effect was like a cross between nature and man-made art.

This kind of temple is very different from the Chinese-Buddhist temples that we’ve grown accustomed to. I thought it’s more like a park than a sacred destination where people go to pray. Ta Phrom, with the photogenic backgrounds and atmospheric combinations of trees growing out of the ruins, is one of the most visited complex in the Angkor region. Conversation and restoration of the site is still ongoing, with the help of the Archaeological Survey of India and the APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap).

8. Phnom Bakeng Hill

Our tour guide advised us to go up the Bakeng Hill as early as 4:30PM to see the sunset at 6:00PM. Several other tourists started to quicken their trekking pace, and this was because everyone was trying to be the first 300 to reach the top. Per policy, only 300 people at a time could stay on the temple’s peak to witness the sunset view. We waited an hour in the queue for our turn. Look at the number of people staying in line. The Phnom Bakeng Bill literally is a  crowd magnet at this “magical” time of the day.

We were lucky to have taken a glimpse of the spectacular sunset. After we took the shot, we hurriedly descended downhill so others could still have their chance. Soon, it got darker and darker until we had to rely on our phone’s flash to see the paths to walk on. There were no street lights that guided us back, and this posed a challenge at the end of our journey.

9. Pub Street

We spent our third day shopping in the outlet stores and tiangges in Pub Street and the Old Market. As the name suggests, Pub Street is a street full with bars and pubs left and right. It’s not too noisy in the daytime but it sure is the liveliest part of Siem Reap at night where entertainment is non-stop. Souvenir shops and massage centers also contribute to the good finds and experiences here. After a long walk around the Angkor Wat Complex, this is the perfect place to unwind and buy gifts for family and friends.

10. Psar Chaa – Old Market

The Old Market is like Divisoria (marketplace) in the Philippines. We came fully circle the entire market and saw how the place was bustling with people and overloaded with goods. It’s great that most vendors can speak and understand English well and they were not pushy in selling but were rather accommodating enough to make customers feel comfortable while looking around. This place mostly sells clothes, accessories, jewelry, arts and crafts, shoes, cooking materials, local herbs and spices, noodles, seafood, etc. The golden rule is to bargain hard.

Wrap Up

Craving a change of scenery? Siem Reap in Cambodia is an ideal place to go for a dose of adventure. The trick is to find your way on how to maximize your time to go to all the temples worth visiting. This is the land of unparallelled art made in stone. Trust me, you have to see it to believe it. There’s no shortage of beauty here. I can imagine spending more time soaking up the local charm if only the weather wasn’t too humid.

Aside from the temples in the Angkor Wat Complex, tourist destinations in Siem Reap are also staples that are rich in history. They have the grandeur of a place out of the current time—everything a tourist needs to feel transported.

If you want a nice and friendly English-speaking guide in Siem Reap, you may contact Sokonthear (Thear, for short) through email (thearcam@yahoo.com) or call him at +855 95838663 / +855 98665787 for a hassle-free tour. He can arrange everything from hotel accommodation, travel itinerary (inclusive of entrance fees), restaurants to eat at, van transfer from airport to hotel and vice versa. 🙂

Suggesting class and respectability, Rose Emerald Hotel in Phnom Penh finds the perfect combination between convenience and elegant design. It is located smack-bang in the center of the city, so going to restaurants, the marketplace, and shopping outlets is just about 10 to 15 minutes of tuktuk ride away.

We stayed in this three-star hotel in Cambodia for two nights and were delighted with its plush room and level of service. Offering simple amenities, Rose Emerald Hotel in Phnom Penh is most ideal for the no-nonsense, the kind of guests who are likely to spend most of their time out and about. Staffs can speak in English, and that counts a lot.

Review of Rose Emerald Hotel (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Things looked promising right from the entry. The wide and sun-lit lobby and lounges were pleasing to the eye. Tall ceiling and white walls made the interior look rather sleek and minimalist. Chic lifestyle magazines and travel guides were available as references, telling about descriptions of places to travel and restaurants to try in Phnom Penh. These are wonderful for those who wish to create or update the list of destinations on their travel itinerary or guests who just want reading materials so they don’t get bored during their downtime.

Tastefully designed, the Superior Double Room covering 35 square meters combine clarity, softness, and a fine mix of colors. White and shades of brown should appeal to both sexes. The room was equipped with modern conveniences we expected from a three-star property, such as reliable air conditioning, free WiFi throughout, vault, TV, and mini fridge.

The Superior Double Room also had a writing desk, quality king-size bed, and comfortable seating. It was, in short, a good room to return to after the exaction of a day of leisure.

The bathroom was well-appointed with a full-sized shower, towels, and basic toiletries, so guests don’t have to worry about packing these things in their travel bags.

Service: ★★★★★

Charming young people manned the reception desk, and they were easy to talk with. The doorman was particularly friendly and helpful. Overall, staffs here provided the kind of treatment that makes travelers feel safe and cared for.

Food: ★★★☆☆

The restaurant is housed on the 11th floor. It seemed that there’s no attempt to bag contemporary design awards, as the place looked practical and straightforward for its purpose with plenty of dining tables and chairs across the L-shaped room. Breakfast was served buffet style with both local Cambodian and Western food items. Tastes were okay but nothing out of the ordinary.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Our room only costs $36/night, and it gave far more than my expectation from a three-star hotel in Phnom Penh. Transplant this hotel to any other city in the world or even in Asia alone, and the room rates would probably be about three to five times as much.

Rose Emerald Hotel is suited for people who are going to Phnom Penh for a business trip and the quieter, more reflective sort of visitor who wants to be handy for everything (culture, history, shopping, food, etc.) without paying luxury prices.

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Two days were adequate for us to already go through the major tourist spots in Phnom Penh and know about the history behind each. Phnom Penh in Cambodia is a must-visit city noted for its beautiful and historical sites. However, as the nation’s capital, it is not exactly the kind of city you would be to excited to view skyscrapers or be thrilled with modernization, luxurious delight, and the like. At least not for now.

at the Royal Palace

Rather, Phnom Penh is a place that holds proofs and records on the torture and deaths viciously done by the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot. I was surprised to hear how the Khmer Rouge and its leaders could be so evil to their fellow Cambodians. Our tourist guide narrated about the random deaths and mutilation inflicted on millions of civilians and how they were forced to evacuate the city during their civil war in 1975. More on the story below.

From Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, we boarded a direct bus to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and listened to podcasts during the six-hour transit. (Click here to know more about how to go to Cambodia from Vietnam.) Bus fare was only USD 10 but cost was already included in our travel package as arranged by Transpipol Travel and Tours. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh, Rith, our English-speaking tourist guide took us to a Chinese buffet restaurant and immediately drove us to the tour destinations as in the itinerary.

Travel Guide: Top 7 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

1. Killing Fields (Choeung Ek Memorial)

Our first stop was the Killing Fields (Choeung Ek Memorial). I did not realize that the story Rith was telling us about during the drive from the restaurant would be related to this “execution ground” until we saw the actual site. The reason why it’s called “Killing Fields” is that from its literal name, this area was turned into a mass grave by the Khmer Rouge during their four-year reign of terror in Cambodia (1975 to 1979). Once an orchard and a Chinese graveyard, this memorial can evoke haunting yet powerful feelings to visitors.

It was easy to paint a picture of the killings in my head because the skulls, bones, and remnants of the regime’s victims were all still there! We entered the Buddhist stupa and found over eight thousand human skills with color-coded stickers that reveal how the person died (according to the type of tool or weapon used on them). Visitors are required to put shoes off. Giving of flowers is optional as a sign of respect.

We then continued to the mass graves which contain thousands of dead bodies discovered at Choeung Ek after the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. 🙁 This was where brutal executions of more than 17,000 men, women, and children were done. I could not imagine what was going on the Khmer Rouge’s mind at that time. They’re crazy. On the mass graves, lying beneath those sands were bones. We even saw teeth. Eeeep! 🙁

Operating Hours: 7:30AM – 5:30PM
Entrance Fee: $6

2. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison)

To continue our “historical tour,” we went to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison) which was a high school converted to a bloody persecution center, prison, and interrogation facility. There’s over a hundred persecution centers scattered in Cambodia, but this is the largest one.

In the past, everyone regardless of position, rank, and class in the society were forced to live in the provinces and pursue agriculture/farming. The Khmer Rouge detested the rich and the educated since these might be serving as “agents” or “spies” that reach out for help from other countries. Hence, to put everyone in the test, the Khmer Rouge asked skilled workers, teachers, and professionals in the provinces if they want to volunteer to work for the government and move back to the city—only to further pin down the rich and educated and torture them to death.

These people were sent to Tuol Sleng where they were treated as inmates. They were tortured to confess what they know and eventually put to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek to be executed. From over 17,000 people, only seven survived. One of them was present during our visit, and I was lucky to take a picture of him. Read his testimony published by Phnom Penh Post here.

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum today has four buildings which serve as living testaments to the madness of the Khmer Rouge regime. Photos and stories of the victims are displayed in a gallery format. Rooms, cubicles, and walkways all looked scary. Smiling, laughing, and making loud noises are prohibited. It’s really hard to even crack a smile when you’re there.

Operating hours: 8:00AM – 5:00PM daily, closed for lunch
Entrance fee: $3

3. Royal Palace

On our second day in Phnom Penh, we relaxed a bit and toured the less traumatic places in the city. Visiting the Royal Palace was originally in our itinerary for Day 1. However, since it’s only open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and we arrived at about 4:00 PM, Rith suggested to move it to the next day. It was actually a wise idea, so our pictures would also come out more vivid with better natural outdoor lighting. 🙂

The Royal Palace of Cambodia is where their king officially resides and holds meetings. Some buildings cannot be entered but we were already satisfied to visit and walk around in the compound. The buildings with beautiful towering golden spires are a great example of classic Khmer architecture in Cambodia. Surrounding the buildings were statues, stupas, and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Operating hours: 8AM-11AM, 2PM-5PM
Entrance fee: $3

4. Silver Pagoda

Within the same vicinity as the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda (formally known as Preah Vihear Preah Keo Morakot) houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues that are gifted to the king from different countries. It’s called “Silver” Pagoda because the entire flooring is made of silver. More than 5300 pieces of 1.125 kilo silver tiles are used to cover the floor, and the silver pieces collectively weigh over six tons.

However, we could not see the silver tiles clearly because they are covered with carpet to prevent damage as it’s open for public viewing. Another special thing to be amazed about the Silver Pagoda is the life-sized gold Maitreya Buddha decorated with 9584 diamonds.

5. Wat Phnom

Wat Phnom is a sacred shrine on top of a hill where many locals find time to pray. It’s interesting to learn that this was essentially where “Phnom Penh” got its name. “Phnom” translates to “hill” in English, and “Penh” was the name of the lady who found four Buddha statues inside the hollow of a large koki tree trunk from the river.

Image of Penh

She intended to use the trunk to build a house. Wat Phnom’s location now was a section of her property, and she decided to keep the four Buddha statues in a small shrine for people to worship.

There’s a fortune teller in the shrine who’s known to tell bad news about romantic relationships of couples asking about their future. I don’t know if it’s true but since Penh was a widower, she might not want couples to be happy and stay together long.

6. Phsar Thmey (Central Market)

After lunch at Sorya Restaurant, we walked to Phsar Thmey which means “New Market” in the Khmer language. It’s a market that sells all sorts of things from raw food (meat, fish, vegetables, local delicacies, and snacks), cooked food (hawker-style eateries), to non-food items like clothes, footwear, bags, watches, accessories, etc. and most of them are Class A version or replica of branded/designer goods.

7. Sorya Shopping Centre

Our shopping continued at Sorya Shopping Center nearby. It was the largest shopping center in Phnom Penh until the opening of the Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh. and we said goodbye to Rith before the driver drove us back to our hotel.

Sorya Shopping Centre was the first shopping mall to have ever opened in Phnom Penh in 2003 and the largest shopping center until Aeon Mall opened in the year after. It was a sensational mall among the locals that time as they had never seen escalators before. Prices of goods here are more expensive than those in the Central Market. Filled with tiangges (flea market style), it’s more like Tutuban, 888 Meisic Mall, or 999 Mall in Manila.

last pic with Rith before we parted ways

Wrap Up

I never thought that there could be people as cruel or even more cruel than the Nazis led by Hitler who killed six million Jews. What Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge did to the Cambodians was among one of the most calamitous legacies of the 21st century. The guy was a monster, having killed 25% of the entire population of Cambodia.

The worst thing is that many Cambodians have been negatively affected, and many have lost their loved ones to the agonizing war of the “agrarian economy.” This happened only 40 years ago, so reconstruction of the country and stability of the government are not yet fully in place.

We may still have to wait for a decade or two to see real progress. For now, it was good to have come around Phnom Penh as it gave us a heightened sense of cultural awareness and the opportunity to explore a different side of Cambodia apart from the famous Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. 🙂

Up next: Review of Rose Emerald Hotel in Phnom Penh and the Top Tourist Attractions We Visited in Siem Reap, Cambodia