Monday, June 8, 2009

Down with Angkor



This weekend, I ventured to Seam Riep for a little R&R. Seam Riep was a very nice place and is where everyone stays that is planning on visiting the sites of Angkor. Seam Riep is very small, but growing rapidly due to the influx of tourism over the past 10 years or so. The city was very clean and most local either rode old school bikes or took motorcycles taxi's (Tuk Tuk's).

On Saturday I enjoyed some site seeing. A purchased a day pass, hired a tour guide and a tuk tul and off we went to many of the sites. A day pass was $20, Tuk Tuk for the day $15 and Tour Guide for the day was $20.

The structures were phoenominal. Defiantly was not aware of all the history surrounding Cambodia. We went to the Over-Grown Temple, Angkor Wat and the old capital city which contained a massive temple current being restored by the Indian Government. Saturday night, we ventured to a local restaurant and enjoyed some local curries, dumplings and Angkor Beer.

We did not do to much on Sunday. In the morning we attempted to go to a famous fortune teller about 30 min outside the city down an extremely bumpy dirt road, but by time we got there it was full with a long wait. Lunch, tic tac toe with local kids and more Angkor beer filled out the rest of Sunday before heading back to Bangkok.


Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Beer of Choice


This is my new beer of choice, Beer Lao brewed in Lao. Beer Lao is not well distributed in Bangkok, so as one would expect I take advantage of the times that I do see it on a menu. Not sure if it is in the USA, but according to a NYT article, it is rather well known throughout the beer community.

Angkor, Cambodia

After spending the last 3 months in Bangkok, I realized that I am in need of some fresh air, stars and quiet nights. As such, I have decided to head to Angkor, Cambodia this weekend with my friend Aom for some intense sightseeing and relaxation. It will be a quick trip, leaving Saturday Morning returning Sunday Evening but I hope it should do the trick.

Angkor Wat is a world heritage site and I have been told it is one of the best.

It is still weird to me living in the East and going to these places that I once thought I would never get to. Never once did I think that I would take a weekend trip to Angkor Wat but its cool and I enjoy it.

I think now after 7 months, I am starting to get the travel bug...Pictures to come early next week.

As always, I remain.