Day 6 - On to Siem Reap

Another early day, another adventure...

We met our new guide at 7am and left for Siem Reap, which was going to take about 5 hours to get there...UGH Mike and I were both upset about not being able to go on the boat, because at least there you can get up and move around.
As we were driving, the guide was explaining various things to us and told us about the bananas. Yellow were slightly sweeter and the green ones were more bitter. He asked us if we liked bananas and if we would want one. So we said yes. We didn't expect them to pull over on the side of the road and buy us bananas. We figured we would try 1 or each, BUT that is not what happened...We got a bundle of each



After about 2 hours, we stopped at this local area to use the bathroom and view the local cuisine, which included crispy spiders, crickets, small chicks, and frogs. HMMMM


We did our business and then checked out the spiders as we are being followed by like 5 different kids who all wanted us to buy their fruit. We were waiting for our guide and driver, but couldn't find them. Turns out they stopped to eat breakfast and didn't tell us, so there we were, waiting by the car for 15 minutes, as they finished and all the kids harassed us.

Finally we made it to Siem Reap, checked into our hotel and met our next guide and driver. We freshened up and had lunch before it was time to head out to see Angkor Wat.

Day 5 - Night time

As I mentioned, Mike and I were staying across from the river in a very popular area. We headed out for happy hour and had some drinks, which were super cheap. First we stopped off for Dr. Fish Foot Massage, where fish eat off your dead skin. For 20 minutes and a beer, only $3
They kept their promise...Beer

They LOVED Mike's feet...someone definitely needs more pedi's

My feet didn't get as much action as Mike's

So the fish eating at your feet feels weird and tickles all at the same time. Initially it feels funny, but then you get use to it slightly. Taking out your foot and putting it back in, just makes the sensation worse. We put our feet in the little fish pool, but could have gone in the big fish pool....don't think so

After our fish foot massage, we found this great bar where we could sit outside and enjoy the sites, but not the people as they would try to sell us all kinds of stuff. HH prices were $0.80 for a pint!!!!


We stayed here for a while and then moved on to another bar for some drinks and appetizers as our dinner! We had a great night and were ready to head to Siem Reap.

Day 5 - Phnom Penh

From your reading, you can guess we had some pretty intense days, so we were grateful when we heard we would be leaving at 10am as opposed to 7 or 8am. We definitely needed the rest and felt more energized after our long night's sleep.

So we start the day and our guide is no where to be found. We wait and wait and wait. Then, after about 20 minutes, I say, let's call him to see what the problem is. Guides and drivers are usually earlier than the said time. Right as I was going for the phone, our driver comes in and hands Mike a cell...Our guide was calling to tell us he would be late as he was in an accident, where someone else ran into his motor bike while at a stop light. He was at the police station as the person whose fault it was, was asking for money.

Instead of 10am start, we finally left at 11am when our guide arrived and was perfectly fine. We headed over to the UNESCO site where the prisoners of the Khmer rouge were held. It was previously a school until the Khmer Rouge took control. It was interesting to see, but eye opening and sad as people were held prisoner here in meager conditions.
The barb wire....in front of the buildings and on the fence/wall that surrounded the entire complex

There were 4-5 buildings like this, each with 3 floors each

One of the cells...see how tiny it is and the windows were never opened.

Follow the rules or die...literally


After seeing the prison, we headed out of town to see where the Khmer Rouge killing fields were. Yes, killing fields, where they would take the prisoners and execute them. It was a very somber place to visit.
After you enter, this is where the truck, carrying all the bodies, would stop.

Large area, which was even bigger with grave sites all over the place


After walking around the fields and being mindful not to step in any of the grave sites, our guide told us to we could look inside this pagoda looking structure. He said this is where they kept the skulls and bones that they found after heavy flooding. He also mentioned that he would not accompany us inside as he believe his father was in there. Then he explained how when he was 2yrs. old, the Khmer Rouge came to his house and took his father...Mike and I definitely felt odd going in after that story, but didn't say anything...


After the killing fields, we headed back into town to see the famous Wat Phnom and the Russia market, where you can get anything you want, at cheap prices.
We stopped for a drink at a local cafe and then headed to the market. Here we are with our guide.

Literally anything you want as there are stalls and stalls of stuff to buy


Next we went to Wat Phnom, which was in the center of the city, but not that great...it was simply another stone pagoda structure surrounded by lots of greens.

Mike seemed to find someone he liked!


We were finally done with the sites for the day and it was only 3pm. As we were returning to our hotel, our guide tells us he will not be going with us tomorrow to Siem Reap. He proceeds to explain how is uncle, who was like his father, passed away, and he had to get to the village for the funeral. This guy couldn't catch a break..
Plus, our trip to Siem Reap was suppose to be by boat, but the river was too shallow, so now we had to go by car...NOT what we wanted.

Day 4 - It's a Holiday in Cambodia

It was time to say goodbye to Vietnam and say hello to Cambodia...We left early and started our 5 hour boat ride down the Mekong into Cambodia. As you know, we have to visit immigration and customs in each country for formalities. We docked at the Vietnam station, deboarded and waited for our passports to be stamped. Then we got back on the boat, floated down the river, 50 feet and redocked on the Cambodia side, where we got our entry visas. Next it was smooth sailing down the river.
Here is where we docked in Phnom Penh


We met our new guide and driver, who were nice. It was lunch time, so we headed to a local restaurant for lunch prior to starting the sightseeing
Mike enjoying his Angkor beer at lunch...


It was finally time to see some sites....we headed over to the Royal Palace, which included the silver pagoda. The royal palace was beautiful with all the gold and red colors everywhere, not to mention the details and architecture of the buildings.
Here's a serious of pictures for the Royal Palace





This guy was guarding the room that housed at leat 100 gold and silver elephants.


Next was the Silver Pagoda...



After this site, we headed over to the National Museum where we learned all about the gods and the transformations that happened over time. Pretty neat place with all the stone statues that were recovered...We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but this is of the garden with the museum around it. Very nice


After a long day, we were finally done and Mike and I were surprised as it was only 4:30.
After checking in and getting settled, it was to see what their was to offer. We were staying on the river and by lots of restaurants and bars, so we had choices. We opted for massages, followed by dinner.

Me, trying the local cuisine - chicken with veggies

Mike eating a cheeseburger in Cambodia


We relaxed and then headed to bed...we were quite excited as we did not have to wake up early the next morning!!!!

Day 3 - Afternoon to Night

After the floating market, we made our way back to the bank and then started on our next driving leg. We were headed to Chau Doc, the closest city to the Cambodia border.
About half way there, we stopped at a local restaurant to have lunch and taste more the local food. This place was also a crocodile farm, where they bred crocs and then sold them...We arrived early, so we were able to check out the "farm"

This guy was SCARY...

They were mating in the water...literally


After our visit, it was time for lunch, where we got to try crocodile...hmmmm Actually it wasn't bad at all, just very chewy


After lunch, we continued our drive, but made an additional stop at the town where our guide was born. We visited with some of his family members and even got to see his family burial plot. Interesting. Then we continued on our way and finally arrived at our last hotel in Vietnam, the Chau Doc Victoria.

What a beautiful hotel...here is the view from our balcony looking out onto the Mekong


So we freshened up and then headed out again to visit a fish farm village, where they cultivate the fish by enclosing a giant net around their house. The houses are built on stilts, so there is quite enough room under their house for lots of fish.
Here I am feeding the fish



Next we went to visit the local Cham people, where we had to walk over a wood bridge to get to their village...Well after walking over, we see the village and all these kids come up to us trying to get us to buy their candy things. We thought the village was great until we realized, you could get their by car by the main road. The thought was good....The bridge

Here is Mike crossing the bridge to get back to the boat


As we were leaving, I took this picture....It is one of favorite pictures of local people doing what they do. She was washing something and yes, with water from the Mekong....LOVE IT


The next stop was a mountain we were suppose to climb to see the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. Turns out our mountain was actually a shrine with tons of stairs, but the view was worth it.
The border between the 2 countries is just beyond that row of trees. Crazy how close it was.

Here we are...


Our day was finally over and it was time to head back and say goodbye to our guide and driver. Our Vietnam part of the trip was over.
Guide, us, driver


We parted ways and Mike and I enjoyed the evening with massages followed by dinner. Then off to bed as we had to get up early again to catch another boat.

Day 3 - Floating River Market

After our breakfast, we were picked up again by our guide, and non other than the original driver that we started with. Strange how things worked out and how much he had to drive to be there in the morning...

So off to the floating river market we went. We arrived at the start of the market a little after 7:30 in the morning, which was well past it's peak time, but still busy. I've never seen anything like this and it was amazing. Here we are in our boat approaching the market.


We had to navigate through the various boats to see everything that was going on. Each boat was selling something different and people would come to purchase whatever they needed. Apparently the sellers come from other areas to sell all of their produce and stay on the river for about a week, and then they return home. To determine what each boat is selling, they have their produce on a pole visible in the air for people to see.
Here are a serious of pictures from the market...
Breakfast, anyone?


This boat was sellling lots of stuff...




The family whose boat we stopped at and sat there with them for a bit


Cutting our pineapple...it was absoultely DELISH and so FRESH


Our after breakfast snack...Beer and pineapple at 8am with our guide and boat driver


As you can see the river market was quite lively, with lots of fresh everything. It was really interesting to see and probably one of my favorites things we need on our trip. I swear that pineapple was fantastic and this is coming from a girl who is suppose to eat pineapple. It was also amazing to see another culture, river boat people, and how things work. Definitely worth it.