DEATH IN CAMBODIA Part 3

Angkor Wat

"What do you call this?", you point to the photo on your phone, asking the waiter where this big tree is. Though you didn't see Angelina's Tomb Raider.

"Ta Prohm," the Angkor Cafe waiter says and instructs you to just tell your tuktuk driver its name and you should be there in 15 minutes.

Above: Make sure to catch the
sunrise in Angkor Wat

Below: The Giant Tree
in Ta Prohm

Yes, you thought Angkor Wat was just one big complex, with all the temples and the Tomb Raider references. An hour earlier, you were just looking for it (that big tree) in Angkor Wat, but apparently you were wrong. The "Angkor Wat" we know has multiple sites, and public transport may be a hassle, so better hire a tuktuk. You got yours for $12, with pickup from the hotel at 5am, returning after lunch.

You get to Ta Prohm and the tuktuk can't drive you past the gate anymore. TC starts snapping photos again, and the sound of Cambodian music starts to fade in. After 10 minutes of walking, you see what could be the tallest tree you have seen in your entire life.

You and TC take turns in taking each other's photos, with you avoiding to offend the monk in the background. Earlier though, you took some photos of monks, beside the house you believe they live in. You're still in shock though, after seeing a smoking monk.

Past the very organized tour group of Koreans, all obediently following their guide's instructions, you navigate back to the entrance of the compound to say goodbye to your "Angkor Wat" experience, though technically, again, this is not Angkor Wat.

It's just about noon, and while tourists marvel at the history of all these Siem Reap temples, you thought of a different thing to do. While Superman navigates the highway linking  the temples to town, you ask your tuktuk driver while the motorcycle engine roars, "Can you bring us to a market where no tourists go?". He agrees.

Fried Crickets, anyone?

Half an hour later, you and TC try to find souvenirs in a local market in the middle of nowhere. No tourists, save for a Caucasian couple who may have had temple overload too. Everything costs $5, at least that's what the storekeepers tell you. You, however, don't bother how much edible crickets your five dollars could get you. •

DEATH IN CAMBODIA Part 2

TC in a local Siem Reap Market

The Ei8ht Hotel owners, Jason and Kifi, respond to your email that they do not have a pool. And you'd think they will end their reply abruptly with a "Thank You". But you are wrong:

After reading your email, it’s best for you to stay either at the GB Resort or V Hotel (hotel names changed). Both of these 2 places are near to the city center and have swimming pools. They may cost a little more but we are pretty sure you and your companion will  have a really good time there. 

TC at Ei8ht Bar, which is another story

It doesn't end there. They have attached maps, brochures, and other links you and TC may enjoy. And as the Ei8ht Hotel owners say, "There is more to Siem Reap than temples."

You walk to Petit Villa's front desk by the pond, aftet taking a refreshing bath. While TC prepares for today's unplanned adventure, you try to reserve a tuktuk for half of the day. The tuktuk cost can be put on your bill but the receptionist Boray suggests you pay the tuktuk driver directly. He adds, "If you pay him directly, he can buy food for his family before he goes home." So $12 for four hours is not bad. At least you can just roam around the city, wherever you feel like it.

Superman's Tuktuk

Superman, your tuktuk, is already ready by the time you and TC exit Petit Villa. 

Time for another unplanned adventure!

Tuktuks on Pub Street

Khmer Lunch at Pub Street

First stop is to grab lunch at Pub Street. You really, really wish you were as adventurous as others when it comes to food. You didn't try kangaroo or snake last night, though it could have been an experience. You settle for something familiar - rice, and curry, and spring rolls. It's a little expensive, at $20 for two, but it is Pub Street - where backpackers, mostly Caucasians, stay up till the wee hours to party the night away. 

Snake or Kangaroo?
At one of Pub Street's Restaurants

Next stop is the post office to send postcards to your friends who love receiving snail mail. The post office is tucked away in a quiet part of the city. By the river. Scrap that, by the brown river. Scrap that again: By the DARK brown and murky river. And with the closest seaside being about eight hours by bus away, maybe not a good idea to order fish on this trip.

You ask Superman to bring you to the mall. Petit Villa's manager mentions that there IS a mall in Siem Reap. 

Pinoy Products in a Cambodian
Supermarket

Lucky Mall is about ten minutes away by tuktuk from the hotel. It's not much - Lucky Supermarket on the ground floor, Lucky Burger and Lucky Cafe on the second, and random shops on the third. Everything in the supermarket, well almost, is imported, mostly from Thailand. But it was interesting when you found found Skin White, Purefoods Sisig, and MaxiPeel in the supermarket shelves.

Upon your return to Petit Villa, you ask Superman to pick you up for lunch the next day, TC's birthday.

And so he does. Superman is pretty early for lunch. 

The DARK brown river

You at Neary, a Khmer Restaurant

Deep Friend "Serpant" Fish
 and Shrimp

Superman, highly recommends Neary Restaurant, while driving his tuktuk towards the outskirts of the city, past the DARK brown and murky  river. He'd probably get a commission for bringing us there, which us fine by us. 

Lo and behold, TC, who is celebrating his birthday, orders "Serpant Fish Deep Fried", off the menu. 

TC asks if you want to have some. You just smile, imagine where the fish used to live, and imagine how the serpant fish tastes. Welcome to Cambodia •