I Won The Special Prize from History Hidden Cities!!!

The certificate- the only thing I left.Hihi

It was awweesoommee!! I won the special prize from History Asia for winning a Hidden Cities contest back in January 2011. It meant everything for me, where I started to feel confident in writing my own travel experience at least. Hahaha.

I watched the advertisement on the television about 2 weeks before I departed to Cambodia on 17^th of November 2011. I went to Cambodia like for 8 days, covered Phnom Penh as well as Siem Reap. I got the idea to write about the life beyond the Tonle Sap, as for me it is kept hidden from the outer world.

Cambodia is a poor country as Pol Pots Regime not so long ago occupied it. So the people are still trapped under poverty until now. It was some kind of culture shocked for me as I saw so many people at night along the road during the weekends as it was the main and maybe the only entertainment that needed no money.

The best part was when we rode the “tuk-tuk”. It was like … aarrgghh! So funny but scary too! If you have the chance to come to Cambodia, you must try it! I bet you would remember it for the long time. (huuhu)

The proper food is quite difficult to find here, unless you went to the nice proper restaurant which a bit costly (they used US Dollars here).  Please be careful if you wanna buy the street food, but you might try it once J

From Phnom Penh, you might travel to Siem Reap (or vice versa) by air-conditioner buses that run everyday. It took about 6-7 hours, for only 6 USD (I found this very cheap. How about you?).and don’t worry about the hotels here. You may get the best deal; I thought it should be like 30 up to 50 dollars for nice double beds in a room.

In front of Angkor Wat

I’m so sorry, I cant give too much infos for backpacking style here or travel guide. I went there by travel agencies so I didn’t have a chance to survive on my own. Too bad isn’t it?hahah

Fish Spa in Siem Reap

In the Golden Hotel, Phnom Penh

Tuk - tuk in Phnom Penh

The market in Siem Reap

A school in Siem Reap

Nice hotel, Ta Phrom Hotel, Siem Reap

The child, asking for money by polishing the shoes

The sunset, at Tonle Sap, Siem Reap

The market on my way from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Angkor Wat - ancient city

Something i have never seen

Help the needs, i was touched by right

Enjoy the sunset at Tonle Sap

I love this photo!! Very much! the smile i mean

the village beyond the lake