#SEAsia_Traveller: Cambodia Part 2

22 July 2015!!!

CHUM REAP SUOR! The day is here.

My boarding pass for my first flight, AK 700, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur

Took the first train from Jurong to Changi Airport. My flight was at 0745 hours. I was praying hard that the train would not play any pranks. Thankfully, I managed to reach airport before the check in counter closes. Haha, too cheapo to take taxi. 

It was a short 45 minute flight from Singapore to KL. It was my second time having transit at KL, but at different airport. I did a web check in for my second leg of the flight, and got my e boarding pass on the spot, thankfully. I did not have to clear immigration thankfully. 

My  7 RM orange juice on board. Honestly speaking, AirAsia charges the lowest for meal purchases on board.

While at KLIA2, I decided to give SAMA SAMA express lounge a try since I have a good 3-4 hours waiting for next flight. The lounge rate was 95 RM which includes buffet meal, shower and internet facilities. Pretty value for money I must say. Hey! For a cheapo like me to say it is pretty value for money, means it indeed is value for money. 

After idling the whole morning at the SAMA SAMA Lounge, time for me to board the second flight to Siem Reap! CHUM REAP SUOR! Cambodia, HERE I COME!

This Air Asia Plane is painted in special ASEAN livery, probably to promote their ASEAN Pass

After two hours of cramp flight, I have finally arrived at Siem Reap. HELLO KINGDOM OF WONDER, HELLO ANGKOR WAT, HELLO ANCIENT TEMPLES!

Siem Reap airport is rather small for an International Airport, lacking proper facilities an international airport should processes such as aero-bridges.

After clearing immigration, I proceeded to arrival area where my "hotel pick up" driver was waiting. He was lamenting about the flight delay. Oops, I did feel sorry for making him wait aimlessly but then it was a fact that the flight was delayed. If you are arriving to Siem Reap, it is advisable that you arrange for a hotel pick up. 

The tuk tuk ride felt quite shiok! Haha, the scenery along the tuk tuk ride to my guest house felt familiar. Initially I asked myself if I was in Myanmar or Cambodia. I felt rather at home while I should be feeling like an alien in Cambodia.

After checking in at guest house (Advisor Angkor Villa) and renting the bicycle, I set out for the journey to Angkor Wat. It was a good 6 - 8 km from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat and I would strongly recommend that you ride the bicycle there. It makes the trip more memorable and adventurous. 

I cycled from National Highway 6 to Charles De Gaulles Expressway. There are three routes to go to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. First being CDG, second one is through Sivatha Bolvd (slightly shorter route) and I forgot the name of the third one (but it connects the airport and Angkor Wat). If you are going to Angkor Wat for the first time on your own, you have to go through Charles De Gaulles as the ticketing center is located along CDG.

If you see this somehow very inappropriate looking statue (sorry la! I am dirty minded xP) aiming his I don't know what thing at the road you are on the correct route. This is the route you have to take to the ticketing center for entrance ticket. 

After cycling for 15 minutes, I arrived at the ticketing center. I suggest you reach there as early as 4 PM as the queue could be horrendously long. The counter opens at 445 PM. There are three type of tickets available, 1 Day pass, 3 Days pass or 7 Days pass. I purchased the ticket for the next day and the ticket purchased in the evening allows you to enter the Angkor National Park on that same evening. Take note that there are countless and random check points everywhere so do not think about entering the park without a ticket. 

 My one day pass.

My trusty bicycle

After purchasing the ticket, it was another 3 - 4 km to Angkor Wat. Take note, never ever trust the locals here with their distance estimation. They told me it is another 5 min to the temple, but it took me 15 minutes. After cycling tirelessly for another 15 minutes, I first saw the glimpse of ancient wonder, THE ANGKOR WAT! HOLY CRAPS! I'VE ARRIVED AT ANGKOR WAT!

To be continued.....

#SEAsia_Traveller: Cambodia

Wanting to fully utilize the remaining days of leave available, yours truly made yet another impromptu decision to travel, alone this time. And Cambodia appeared in my mind, honestly, I would never have thought of traveling to Cambodia for now. Well, since Myanmar and Cambodia has signed Visa Free agreement, why not travel to Kingdom of Wonder to admire the marvelous works of ancient Khmer people. In addition, I thought of cross border into Vietnam as well, since it takes about 6 hours by bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh.

Alright then! Time to do some plannings! Using Skyscanner app, yours truly searched for the cheapest price available. Well, the trick to travelling budget isn't really taking budget airlines. With cheapest one way flights from Singapore to Siem Reap cost 180 SGD (Jetster direct flight: 190 SGD, AirAsia flight transit at Bangkok: 180 SGD), I have to be outsmart the booking system.

So instead of making one booking, I made two separate bookings. You should try this option if you have time for transit flights. It allowed me to get the air ticket at a cheaper price, MUCH MUCH CHEAPER. 

This is the breakdown of my ticket: 

two separate bookings

Singapore to KL: $52 (AirAsia)

KL to Siem Reap: $45 (Airasia)

vs single booking

Singapore to Siem Reap (transit at Bangkok): $180 (AirAsia)

And yes. I saved $83! 

I booked return trip from Ho Chi Minh to Singapore with Tiger Air at $60. My total budget damage for the flight was $157. And it is even cheaper than $180 one way ticket.

And yes it is important to factor in the time of the day that you are booking ticket too. The price is cheaper if you book in the afternoon (2-3 pm per se).

Outsmart the booking system: CHECKED! 

Here comes the accommodation.

Siem Reap: 1N $10 (Advisor Angkor Villa Guest House: Fan)

Phnom Penh: 1N $14 (Pra-Tna Guesthouse: Fan)

Ho Chi Minh: 2N $46 (Hoang Lien Hotel: Air Condition)

I have wanted to try the backpacker hostel in HCM but my instinct told me it was better to stay at hotel. After much searching, I found Hoang Lien hotel. The price was really really value for money. The A/C room has full amenties. I paid less for more service. 

My total budget damage for accommodation: $70 dollars. 

Total budget damage so far: $227. 

I have allowed myself $300 ($200 in Cambodia and $100 in Vietnam) to survive for 6D5N in two countries. Let's see if I can achieve my goal of traveling budget. :)

To be continued...

Dear Readers:

Hey Readers, sorry for being inactive in the blog for ages.

If you have some time to spare, please take a moment to read this. I have chosen as TOP 10, to compete for the Face of World Conference on Youth 2014. The WCY 2014 will be held in Sri Lanka which focuses on youth development 2015 and how can we better achieve them. There will be over 1500 delegates around the world attending this conference. 

I was truly lucky to be chosen as one of the TOP 10 among the hundreds of applicants.

My main focus will be on "Realizing Equal Access to Quality Education" during the event (if I were chosen) and will be representing Singapore as well as voicing out the concerns pertaining equal educational opportunity in the region. My other focuses will be child labor and forced marriage, ending violence and poverty eradication in the region.

So, in order to get selected and chosen as the "Face of WCY 2014" campaign which I am currently contesting with 9 other participants from other countries, I would need really need your help and support. It would really be appreciated.

Follow the steps to vote for this fella here.

1) Click on the link
https://www.facebook.com/wcy2014/app_208195102528120

(If you are wondering why the link doesn't work, you might be accessing the link via smart phone. The link only works on laptop/desktop.)

2) Click on the "Realizing Equal Access to Quality Education" tab

3) Vote for me (Kyaw Zay Linn - Singapore)

Your help is greatly appreciated here. Kindly spread this to your friends and your beloved ones vote for me as well.

Please help me to be able to voice out the concerns of the youth in our region and let their voices be heard on this event in May.

Your time is greatly appreciated.

Logging Off!

Korea - Land of Arirang Part two

Sorry for the long wait.

13 August 2013 - The last day of the forum, Seoul Free and Easy, Closing Ceremony, Farewell!

14th August 2013 - DMZ and F&E time

So, I went to DMZ with Hong. And met Loren at the hostel before meeting Hong. I got lost searching for the place. It's really stressful if you don't know the language of the country you are visiting. Anyway, I was able to find the place after searching in circle after one hour. Thankfully the Korean people are very nice and friendly. But I was late for meeting with Hong, by one hour. :(