Back in Sin

After 17 days of travelling... I'm finally back home. Couldn't get assess to internet have way thru the trip, thus could only update now. 12 days in Laos, 5 days is Cambodia. The experience has been absolutely fantastic.


The trip was filled with several overland transport, a total of 9 bus trips, averaging 5-6 hrs per trip, shortest being 3hrs, and longest being a night ride 10 hrs. Long hours of travelling is really draining. Often leaving us tired upon reaching the destination. There's still 2 Days of boat ride, practically sitting on the boat, trying hard to appreciate the ' Charming ride ' that the Foot print described. 2 days of having the similar scenary, ( like the lost world , all trees around ) ,makes it hard not to say its ENOUGH.


Mainly staying in budget guesthouses, ranging from USD$1.50 - USD$6 a night. we experienced a major difference in the standard. The best being the USD$5 at Dong Khong Island, Big, Spacious, Airconditioned and quiet. The worst being the USD$1.5 at Dong Dat Island, dirty bed sheet, cramped, no light after 10pm, and accompanied by Chickens, Cows, Rubbish, just outside of our window.


The living standards of Laos was much better than I had expected, less the 4000 islands, the rest were reasonable. Daily expenses would be around USD$25-30 for a OK type of lifestlye there, including accomodations.


There are 2 places that I enjoyed in Laos, they are Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng.

Luang Prabang, a nice small city, with nice infrastructures. The city is under the UNWHCO, self explaining its unique and worth to protect as a World heritage conservation site.


Vang Vieng, A small town, ( Approx 1/3 size of Luang Prabang ) is well known for its Eco tourism. Its where i did a 1 day of kayaking down the Nan Kong river and a 1 hr of trekking into one of the Caves. a Unique experience to explore the caves that's usually flooded when there's high rain fall.








Overall the trip to Laos has brought me to learn and understand more about the way laotians live and the living standards that they are facing. Lucky that I chose to visit this country while I'm still young, cos the travelling is really a killer. Don't think any oldies would want to go through such conditions.


Stay in Cambodia was a short stink of 5 days, spending 2 days in Phnom Penh and 3 days in Siem Reap. Both was interesting in its own aspect.


Phnom Penh, being its capital, is rather developed compared to the rest. However, walking down the streets and alleys, you gets stares from people sitting and standing around. Not a good feeling. And Tuk-Tuk Touting is a serious problem. Sometimes following for 5 mins, refusing to go away, trying to make us board their Tuk Tuks. Living in its hottest stretch of land, its " clarke quay " alike. it was quite a good deal for USD$6 a night. but definitely, good location always come with good prices for everything.


The most memorable part of Phnom Penh is the Genocide Museum and the Genocide mass graves. Its a dark history of the Khmer people, where they lived in fear for a total of 6 yrs, and the Genocide that took place, that wiped out 2 millions Cambodians out of a population of 7 millions,within a matter of 2 yrs, from 1975-1976. Visited the Solemn Mass grave and paid respects to those that died innocently under the inhuman rulers.








Next, Siem Reap was supposed to be the highlight for the trip, because that's where Ang Kor Wat is . One of the Must see listed in the world, for its fantastic architecture and civilizations. It was nice and really amazing how the Wat ( temple ) was built. Ang Kor Wat was the Greatest Wat that the AngKor empire has built over a span of 500 + yrs, from AD. 790 - 1327. The whole Ang Kor covers a huge area, with each ruler building their own Wat at different locations. However, most of the Wats, look a bit similar to each other to a certain extent. It gets kinda bored towards the back. Honestly, a bit disappointing. Was expecting a much grander civilizations, ( as the pictures has always projected it to be ).

All in all, both countries have their own unique sets of cultures, but one common thing is that both countries has a exceptional high concentration of Wat, monuments and statues. Overloading us with it made it a bit boring towards the back.

Just a short overview regarding the trip. Kinda tired now... Will update more details again....