Day 3 was going to be Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
But the day before we were told by our hostess that there was flood at the Angkor Wat and some hundred tourists got trapped in the complex and were rescued by helicopter. So Jecel and I decided to cancel the Angkor Wat from the itinerary and just stay at Phnom Penh, the country's capital. We were both very disappointed. It was our dream to see the Angkor Wat. It's one of the seven wonders of the world and we just can't miss it!
On the day we left Saigon, the weather was really good. It was all so sunny. But since we didn't really get good info of the current situation at Siem Reap / Angkor Wat, we conditioned our minds to stay at Phnom Penh and just enjoy what it has to offer. We thought that it just wasn't meant to be. The night before we already booked a hostel for our overnight stay at the capital.
We took the Mekong Express limousine bus. It's the most recommended bus to take to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. We were suppose to take the direct bus to Siem Reap but since the news of the flood, no direct bus was going to Siem Reap.
Mekong Express gave out some snacks and water and they had a semi-tour guide who explained what the trip will be like, how long it will take, bus stops, and what we were supposed to do at the border. It was a hassle free ride. I would also recommend Mekong Express.
The trip from Saigon to Phnom Penh was about 6 hours. The bus we took left at 730am and we had a 30 min stop for lunch before getting to the border.
On arrival at Phnom Penh, outside the Mekong Express ticket office, we waited for our pick up bus. But since we booked our hostel the night before and we were not able to coordinate properly our transportation from the bus station to the hostel, the waiting was a bit long. And the tuktuk drivers outside were all saying they will take us to our hostel. Not wanting to be charged with high prices by the tuktuk drivers we decided to call the hostel using the mobile phone of one tuktuk driver who offered it to us.
Then these group of Indonesians approached us and asked us if we were going to Siem Reap. Apparently, they got fooled by the one who sold them tickets. They bought tickets for a trip from Saigon to Siem Reap but the bus they took was only up to Phnom Penh. And Mekong Express said that all their buses to Siem Reap were full. They cannot give them the refund as it was an agent who sold them the tickets.
These Indonesians thought we were in the same plight as them, so they asked us. We told them about our situation and that we were supposed to go to Siem Reap but because of the flood we changed plans. They didn't know about the flood! Jecel and I got a bit excited. Now if they were going to Siem Reap and if we get confirmation that there is no more flood and the Angkor Wat is still open for visitors, we will go to Siem Reap with them!
The lady at the Mekong Express ticket office called up their Siem Reap office to confirm the flood situation. She said that there is indeed flooding at the downtown area but not in Angkor Wat and that it wasn't closed. It is still very much open to visitors. Given also that on that day the weather was really sunny, we decided to scrap the Phnom Penh plans and head to Siem Reap.
Mekong Express staff were so kind enough to find us another bus company that can take us to Siem Reap. There was one and it was going to leave around 530pm. That meant we will get to Siem Reap past midnight. Not bad.
It was about 2pm then and we had a bit of time to go around the city. We took one tuktuk to take us around. But first we had to get lunch! All of us were very hungry. We had lunch at a really nice resto which was pretty popular with tourists and it offered Khmer cuisine. This was the time to get to know our new-found friends. They were not really good in English but we all got along really fine. :)
Thus, the beginning of our adventure with the Indonesians - Rama, Tiyo, Yessi, and Adi. Three guys and a lady.
They were really friendly, very funny and were also into budget travel. Pretty much like us! So it was a breeze having them as company!
As we didn't have much time to really roam around, the tuktuk driver just took us to the most important spots in the city. We even saw a group of monks (dressed in orange robes) who were standing outside their temple. The Indonesians were so amazed at them that we approached them and took pictures!
The trip to Siem Reap was really long and the roads were not good. Since it was NOT a luxurious bus like Mekong Express, the bus was really full...some passengers were standing. It was a cramped bus. Nevertheless, it was that lonesome bus that took us to Siem Reap to see the great Angkor Wat. So thanks anyway.
We got to Siem Reap past midnight...and with no place to stay yet...
Next - Siem Reap, Cambodia
