Temples, Toys, and Tigers, Oh My! (Singapore: Day 13, 12-Apr-09)
I decided to take it a little easier on my first full day in Singapore, leaving most of my sightseeing for the walking tour I was planning to do the next day. Because I was staying right at the heart of Little India, I figured the most natural start of my day was to look...
A Very Nice Bus Trip (Kuala Lumpur and Singapore: Day 12, 11-Apr-09)
I woke up on Saturday morning wondering if I made the right decision to stay for just one full day in Kuala Lumpur. On one hand, I’d already seen all the major sights and destinations that I wanted to visit: Petronas Towers (even if I didn’t get to go up on the skybridge), KL Tower,...
Walk This Way (Kuala Lumpur: Day 11, 10-Apr-09)
The second half of my whirlwind tour of Kuala Lumpur began after the lunchtime rain. While seeking refuge from the rain in a restaurant along Jalan Bukit Bintang, I tried to plot out the rest of my day. The guidebook I borrowed included suggestions for some walking tours around Kuala Lumpur’s Colonial District and Merdeka...
A Tale of Three Airports (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Kuala Lumpur: Day 10, 09-Apr-09)
After three full days in Siem Reap, it was time to head to my next destination: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After breakfast and some last-minute browsing at the markets, my tuk-tuk driver, Mr. Bill, picked me up from the hostel and brought me to Siem Reap Airport. He gave me his contact information, asking me to...
Before Sunset (Tonle Sap: Day 9, 08-Apr-09)
I had spent a good morning at Angkor Wat on my last full day in Siem Reap. After a cloudy sunrise and a wet excursion at the temple itself, I went to Angkor National Museum for a bit of historical and cultural background which, in hindsight, I probably should have done before exploring the temples...
Angkor Wet (Angkor Wat: Day 9, 08-Apr-09)
After a cloudly sunrise at Angkor Wat (which I blogged about), it was time for a quick breakfast before exploring the grounds. I joined the throngs of people leaving the premises and riding their tuk-tuks to one of the many restaurants in the area. As I was wrapping up breakfast, the rain started to fall....
The Sun Will Come Out… (Sunrise at Angkor Wat: Day 9, 08-Apr-09)
Sunrise at Angkor Wat is one of those so-called must-sees that would change your life forever. The sight of the sun rising and slowly revealing the glory of Angkor Wat is supposed to be awe-inspiring and absolutely beautiful. So, despite the fact that it meant waking up early and skipping breakfast, I told my tuk-tuk...
Day 8 (07-Apr-09): Temple Raider (Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, and Temples of Angkor)
My second day in Siem Reap and Angkor was spent exploring the so-called "heavy hitters" of Angkor, which included the magnificent complex of Angkor Thom, as well as the nature-ravaged ruins of Ta Prohm. These were places featured prominently in travelogues, as well as in pop culture, including shows such as The Amazing Race and...
Day Seven (06-Apr-09): Climb Ev’ry Temple (Temples of Angkor)
I woke up on Monday morning ready to start exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor. My Lonely Planet guidebook told me that it was possible to explore the heavy-hitters in one day, but I wanted to take my time and explore some of the lesser-known (and presumably less touristy) temples. After breakfast, Mr. Bill picked...
Day Five (04-Apr-09): Beauty and Madness (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
I had one full day to explore Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. I had some idea of what sights to see, so I deliberately scheduled things so that I start the day with the darker stuff, and end on a relatively high note. After all, I didn’t want to go to bed depressed. I...
Day Four (03-Apr-09): In Transit – Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
On the fourth day of my trip around Southeast Asia, I woke up early, took a shower, and prepared my things. I readied my passport and bus ticket, stuffed my laundry in my one backpack, and made sure I had the essentials on my person. Today, I was going to cross the border from Vietnam...