Memories of Siem Reap and Bangkok (Part 1)

Time flies fast. It's been almost a year now since our honeymoon trip in Cambodia and Thailand. Oh yes, we've been married for a year now! One down and more to go... :) 

So I am taking you back to our trip abroad last year with tips for couples who want to try traveling abroad. 

I highly recommend that you do it especially if you don't have a child yet 

(and even if you already have one, you still need some time alone together.)

So here it goes:

#1:  Save. Okay, you really need a lot of money to do it. But you can do it once a year or once every two years depending on your budget. Some people thought Nems and I have a lot of money. NO. We only save a certain amount of money every month for our yearly vacation.

For this travel last year, we were able to have some spare money from the wedding budget and gifts. Some people gave us money for our honeymoon too. :)

Remember that money invested for your relationship is never wasted. So work hard, save and enjoy traveling together.

#2: Plan ahead. Plan it a year before. Book plane tickets in advance and check out itineraries and budget hotels. 8 months before our wedding, we've already had our tickets booked. It only costs us P10,000 (back and forth).

Budget Hotels in Siem Reap ranges from $20-$50/night.
Guest House or Inns in Bangkok ranges from 800-1000 Baht. (The key is to look for a place near the metro train. The trains in Bangkok are interconnected and you'll find it easy to go from one place to another).

Here's our itinerary for that 4-day trip: (It was kinda' fast and we were not able to see a lot of things but we really enjoyed it. We managed to travel by just reading blogs and checking maps!)

Day 1: Angkor Archaeological Park Tour
To enter Angkor, you need to pay $20/person for a day pass (for 3 days-$40, for six days-$60) . They'll give you an ID (with your name and picture) which you'll use for each sightseeing spot. Your hotel can arrange a tuktuk for you. The driver would know the right places to go. That way, your cost will minimize because you don't need a tour guide anymore. (If you're staying for a few days, you might want to hire a bicycle [$3] or motorcycle [$10].)
         

Our tuktuk and manong driver 1891 :)

First, he took us to the South Gate of Angkor Thom and then dropped us in Central Angkor Thom area where we rode an elephant, toured in the different temples and ate Cambodian food.

The Bayon

We also rode an elephant for the first time. While we were at the back of the elephant, both of us realized that we don't want to do it again. Not because it wasn't fun but because we pitied the elephant. :( We paid $15 for that ride. 

After that, we walked to the different temples in teh Angkor Thom area (Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King). 

We ate our lunch in a nearby food store. Little did we know that the food there were really expensive! (Plus there were many teenagers selling souvenir items. Sobrang kulit! They're selling the souvenir items ten times higher than the usual.

From there, our tuktuk driver fetched us in the entrance near the Terrace of the Elephants. He brought us in the Ta Prohm area. I have always been fascinated with Ta Prohm because I've seen many pictures in travel books and magazines. It's a wonder for me how the roots of a huge tree can overpower a building structure.

There were many people in the area and we didn't have a decent picture!

                               

It was really hot but we proceeded to see Angkor Wat. We entered at the back of the magnificent temple so we had to walk a bit.

Pub Street and Night Market:  We weren't able to see the beautiful sunset in Angkor Wat. We were exhausted and we went back to the hotel to get a soothing massage. We spent our remaining hours in the pub street where we ate an authentic Khmer food. We also bought pasalubong in the night market.

Day 2: Crossing Borders from Siem Reap to Bangkok
By just reading blogs and careful planning, we were able to go to Bangkok from Siem Reap without hassle. Read my story here.

The Angkor is really an interesting place to see. One day isn't enough to visit everything. And next time, maybe we'll have the time to see the Phnom Bakheng sunset and Angkor Wat's sunrise. :)

Cont. Part II: Bangkok (Read here)