Ho Chi Minh City < 24 hours

Vietnam is a country, border to Cambodia. So my visit to Cambodia (Siem Reap and Phnom Pehn), I included a short visit to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. As it is very convenient to travel from Phnom Pehn to Ho Chi Minh City (HCM city) with bus. I traveled with Mekong Express, as i had bought the ticket on my first day arrival to their Phnom Pehn office. Their service especially on passing through customs and all was great and hassle-free. Host on bus was very helpful.

The distance is 236 km (according to Google Map) from Phnom Pehn to HCM city.. Bus ride took around 7 hours for us to arrive at HCM city center.

My Bus from Phnom Pehn leaves around 830am, i reached my hotel (Saigon Sports 3) in HCM city around 4pm. I had a whole evening and night and the return bus was 2pm the next day. (Counted and realised only had 22 hours in HCM city).

Ho Chi Minh city- a.k.a Saigon

Our first stop of HCM city was the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. Our hotel is located at District 1, its walking distance (around 30 minutes) to the cathedral as well as the famous Saigon (Former name of Ho Chi Minh) Post Office which is just next to the cathedral. It was a enjoyable walk. We walked past beautiful residential buildings that still pertain the unique beauty of French Colonization in the architecture. The only problem we had at the beginning was to cross the road with overwhelming heavy traffic. At first, it was so hard for us to even move a step. We had to follow behind the locals, just to cross a street to the park on the opposite. After a few crosses, we had gradually learnt to ignore/admire the continuous car and motorbike horns. Once you managed to cross a road, you gained confidence. Soon, without us realising, we were crossing roads without the locals as our guiding lights, and we walked on the street so casual till you may thought we have been there for long. As a matter of fact, we were only there for less than 3 hours, and we have mastered the skill of road crossing under the criss cross traffic of HCM city.

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

Saigon Post Office

Inside of  Saigon Post Office

Saigon Post Office, at night. Note: Post office closed at 6pm sharp.

For memory, i posted a postcard (bought from an aunty selling outside of the post office as the gift shop closed) at Saigon Post Office, with a 10500 Vienamese Dong (VND). It was all very spur of the moment thingy. The postcard arrived at India after 2 weeks. :)

P/S: We met a Taxi Driver who claimed that drive metered taxi, that 5 mins of ride took me 17 USD as the meter change like in blinking eyes. Beware of this type of metered taxi. The other thing good to know before arriving HCM city is, some shops are fine with taking USD, but still there were plenty of shops there receive only Vietnamese Dong. We made a mistake of not changing any VND before we depart from Malaysia. Though this may seems very inconvenience, but there is nothing to worry, lots of money changer with reasonable rate are there around the corner in District 1. 

Sunset at Bakheng Hill, Siem Reap

Two of the nature beauties of Siem Reap, are the sunrise and sunset. I did not manage to go to Angkor for sunrise, so decided shall at least experience the sunset, Siem Reap style. 20 minutes of hiking along with others that attracted by the fame of the sunset and we reached the top of the Bakheng hill. Everyone was walking in fast pace so that can reach faster, and get a proper place for sunset, as well as for photos. Note that, tripod is not allowed to be used on Bakheng Hill. So there is no need to bring it along. Around 6pm, It was already crowded. We got a nice spot, sat down and started the long, hot, sunny waiting. The sky was with clouds, so were expecting some nice hue.

Sunset at Bakheng hill is not the type where you get to see the sun sets down to the horizon. Its blocked by trees and all but somehow reflecting its one-of-a-kind beauty.

The crowd, the nature lover and the photography lover, hiked for 20 minutes, and waiting for the nice orange-red sun ray to be softly screened on the face. 

The sun, about to hide behind the green lushes.

Before hiding, it shows tremendous bright of ray, leaving the sky beautifully painted by its hue.

The lights, reflected nicely on clouds, giving us the lovely hue than ever. So calming, so inviting.

Angkor Archaeological Park

The Major attraction of Siem Reap city is the Angkor Archaeological Park. The entrance fee is 20 USD for one day pass, 40 USD for 3 days pass, and 60 USD for 7 days pass. This is a place, which the glory of Angkor Empire is indulgently shown.

South Gate of entering Angkor Archaeological Park

Bayon Temple, with the sculpture of the "Smile of Khmer" facing all directions. Beautifully and calmly reflected on a pool of water, a gift of monsoon season.

Famous of its beauty, temples in rain forest, as well as its fame from the movie, Tomb Raider. A cluster of temples that Lara Croft adventured. Lush from the mosses showed life to these ancient ruins.

Angkor Wat, the celebrity of the park.

South Gate, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm and Angkor Wat. To me, these are the most representative icons of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Each reflecting its unique sense of beauty and serenity. When visit to Siem Reap Angkor Archaeological Park, one must not miss these unspeakable beauty of its own.

Food in Siem Reap 3

Had fried noodle from Krou Sar Khmer Restaurant, inside Angkor Archaeological Park. The taste did not worth the price ( 5USD). Plain, and the noodle was a bit dry.

Fried Noodle, Krou Sar Khmer Restaurant.

For fast food lover, i recommended this, Lucky Burger Restaurant in Lucky Mall, Siem Reap. I just LOVE thier Fried Chicken Burger. Juicy, fresh, and perfectly fried. Tried their Shrimp Burger, taste wonderful. You can really taste the shrimp texture.

Delicious Fried Chicken burger from Lucky Burger, in Lucky Mall, Siem Reap.

Fried Shrimp Burger, Lucky Burger Restaurant. Lucky Mall Siem Reap.

 Tried skewer in a restaurant named NOODLES, near the corner of Pub Street. Nicely prepared skewer with reasonable price(3USD). Tips: They provide very good WIFI connection.

Skewer with rice, from NOODLES.

Food in Siem Reap 2

Food trying was indeed an indulgence to me while showering by rain and the beauty of Angkor. We will stop by to enjoy food whenever we feel like or even just for an icy cold drink.

We were walking round and round the old market in one beautiful morning. Carrying out souvenirs shopping. Then there was heavy rain out of the blue, so we went into this restaurant around the perimeter of old market area. We checked out the menu, it served food in very reasonable price. Khmer Noodle soup, with lots of fish was at price of 2 dollar, and what amazed me was the coffee blended, with perfect blend of coffee, milk, sugar and ice, cost only 50 cents. Even in my home country, a hot coffee in any road side shop would cost around the same price after currency conversion. (1 USD =3 Ringgit Malaysia). Ice blended here will nicely cost up to a minimal of 9 ringgit (3 dollar).

The coffee tasted great. So was the noodle. I particularly like their their noodle as its made from rice flour, so much better taste if compared with the yellow noodles that is common in my place. Less oily and the texture was smooth and give certain degree of firmness which is just nice. I slurped in the noodle that was prepared with local spices such as lemon grass, turmeric, ginger and all within 15 minutes.

Khmer Style noodle soup, with fish. From restaurant in Old Market.

The same restaurant in Old Market, they served awesome Coffee Blended.

Sorry for did not remember the name of this shop. It was within the perimeter of old market, near the corner that opposite of Amatak. 

Food in Siem Reap 1

One thing that i enjoyed much was the variety of food the served by this town, Siem Reap. From authentic western to very local authentic Khmer style. From rice to noodle to skewer. From clear soup to gravy like to thick and creamy soup. All well served in this tourist flooded town.

Tourist tips: Tuk-tuk driver qill request for 1-2 usd for a ride to the pub street area from Taphul Village.

I had wonderful experience savoring varieties of food that was crafted in Siem Reap. Went to Pub Street, and spent my first dinner of my second visit at Red Piano Bar. Their setting had changed since my last visit, but still, the strategic location and the friendly setting and wonderful service was what making me to go back again.

Clear signage that showing direction to Pub Street.

Red Piano Bar, located at the corner shop of the pub street.

Interior of Red Piano Bar

Tomb Raider, delicious cocktail drink that Angelina Jolie loved tremendously while filming Tomb Raider there.

Some note on this drink Tomb Raider, as written in the menu, every 10th that sold is free, and every 500th that was ordered, 100 USD will be awarded to the customer who ordered it. I missed the 500th by 2-3 glasses, but witness the grand ceremony of how they served the n 500th. With special crews bringing your drink, accompanied with music and trumpet-like sound, with little fireworks sticks. Even they did not give the 100 dollar, its already a great deal of experience and satisfaction on its own.

Fish Amok, Cambodian national dish.

Fish Amok, full with fragrance of spices, good in portion, served with aromatic steamed rice. One of the best items to order for tourist to admire the beauty of spices that nicely complimented with the fish.

Interesting scene in Phnom Pehn 2

 There is no doubt that this city, Phnom Pehn really impressed me in many ways. Their style of living, their kindness and friendliness, they way they work for living...Its all eyes opening.

Snacks for beer? Deep fried insects....

Its petrol time, see how are they selling their petrol... Road side portable petrol station.

View from flight, the city of Phnom Pehn, while approaching Phnom Pehn International Airport.

Interesting scene in Phnom Pehn 1

There are always interesting scene to be spotted especially in foreign land. Whatever happened there that we have not seen in our country we tend to find it interesting. Here are some scenes captured in photos that  found interesting while having my first contact in the city named Phnom Pehn.

See how their people transporting ice. Taken in petrol station.

Busy traffic on the road.

Phnom Pehn to Siem Reap with Mekong Express

Bus ride from Phnom Pehn to Siem Reap takes around 6 hours. I chose Mekong Express Bus company as when i did some research through google, its the company that was mentioned to have good reputation. First thing i did after my flight touched down in Phnom Pehn International Airport was to ask tuk-tuk driver to send me to Mekong Express Bus office in town. Tuk-tuk cost me 7 USD and stopped right in front of Mekong Express office. From there i get the ticket of Phnom Pehn to Siem Reap on the same day afternoon 1245pm, the price was USD 13 per way. I waited in their office till the time of departure. Had nice food there.

Mekong Express Limousine Bus, From Phnom Pehn to Siem Reap

1245pm sharp, the bus departed. There was a hostess in the bus, greeted us in 3 languages, Khmer, Thai and English. Explained to us where were we and how far are we in all three languages. She was there through out the journey.  She served us with cold face towel, bottle of icy cold mineral water as well as a box of pastry at the beginning of the journey. The bus ride was smooth, only there was certain part of the road which the condition was bad due to rainy season. Nice view from the bus as I got to see lots of interesting scene. Beautiful paddy fields at our sides as we traveled. Sky was painted and decorated with beautiful clouds, with the magic touch of sun lights, it reflected breathtaking colours.

The view, on the way from Phnom Pehn to Siem Reap-Mekong Express Bus

The bus had a quick stop at Kampong Thom. I got some bites there. The restaurant was opposite the Kampong Thom Market. Clean and good services. We reached after 6 hours of bus ride. I named this bus ride journey with a very funny but true name, which is 3 horns per minute. The bus driver basically have to horn an average of 3 times every minute. However, it was one of the smoothest ride i had with bus especially in such road condition. I was amazed and really impressed by their service. The bus, although it was not brand new, but it did not make the funny squeaky sound like all the bus i took in Malaysia. That is one of the plus point and bravo to them as they advertised that they only use buses from Japan.

Though the scenery were great, but after a long day of travel, my eye lids turned into kissing affairs after hours of ride. The ride was so comfortable till I able to catch some winks.

After approximately 6 hours of bus ride, we reached Siem Reap. We took tuk tuk from the bus station to our hotel, Angkor Pearl Hotel, located at Taphul Village. Have to mention their very nice service. Cold tower and refreshing fruit juice was served upon arrival of our check-in. A welcoming letter with my name was placed on the writing desk of our room with a stick of fresh jasmine flower. Made us feel that we were prestige guests.

Twin Room in Angkor Pearl Hotel, Siem Reap

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While waiting for 1245pm bus to Siem Reap in Mekong Express Phnom Pehn office, I had to fix my growling stomach problem. Had Vietnam made bowl rice noodle in the office. It tasted nice and it was indeed a wonderful experience for me and a memorable one. My first meal in Phnom Pehn.

Vietname made instant rice noodle at Mekong Express Office

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a place of despair

Photo taken at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Pehn Cambodia

Dedicated the very first post to this place, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia.

This place was originally a high school, which then transformed into a place where thousands were tortured and killed, code name S-21. From a place for education, Khmer Rouge had turned this place into one of their prisons. According to records, around 17000 of people were imprisoned here. Only 7 survivors were found when the Vietnamese army came and sent the Khmer Rouge away. 3 out of the 7 survivors are still alive to the date i visited this place, 2 Oct 2012. This was my very first time of visiting such a heartbreaking place. My heart was weighed down, by the photos of victims which were documented so clearly by Khmer Rouge. Rows of rows of victims photos, arranged on large boards by large boards. Their expressions, were heartbreaking. Pain and despairs were oozing from their eyes. Each and every photo is expressing millions of emotions. When many of the photos were put together, we could just practically listen the pain their eyes were shouting. Its written there that, some Cambodians visited here to look for information of their relatives who disappeared during the Khmer Rouge time.  Imagine how hard they must felt when one of their loved ones face was among the victims photo. Other than the photos of victims, torturing equipments were also displayed there, in the condition where they were discovered, together with a brief description of its function and usage. Some were even explained in paintings. Visiting there was like passing through the abyss of despair and pain.

After visiting, my heart felt like i was hurt with razor wires. So much of pain and emotion i could felt. Friendly tips of visiting this museum: viewer discretion is advised. The emotions engraved in my heart took a long time to fade, but it shall never be gone, no matter how.

Many pain must have been written in silence in this place- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Phnom Pehn Cambodia