I have planned for this trip for quite some time now. I have always wanted to see Angkor Wat. I am fascinated with ancient structures like this. When I stood on the Great Wall, I knew I was meant to visit all these wonders of the world... hehe... =D Initially, it was supposed to be with a group of friends but the pricey MAS airfare held us back for a moment. Then, Airasia had a 2 million free seats promotion. I knew then I could not miss this opportunity. Since my parents have not travelled much before, I wanted to bring them on this trip. So, I invited them and my brothers. Before I knew it, they have invited everyone they knew to go on this trip as well. Oh dear! You can imagine all kind of things running through my mind. Anyway, to cut the story short, the delegation now involved 2 of my aunts and my uncle as well.
Now everyone can fly - For FREE! (Almost Free!)
I only paid for the airport tax which is about RM143 for both ways. The air fare is a super duper RM0! That is a lot of savings. I do not know how Airasia does it but for me, it is definitely the deal of the year! Heck, I don't care if there's no on board food or no bells and whistles. I'm a budget traveller and that means, I do not need luxury. The flight takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes on Airasia's new Airbus.
The delegation to Siem Reap. It was supposed to be 9 persons but my brother had to cancel the trip as he has to attend a convention in the States.
Upon exiting the airport, we were greeted by Nat! He's the manager for RedLodge at Angkor. It's a budget accomodation that has surprisingly many of the facilities only found in more expensive establishments. I have booked the place before hand and quite ironically, he actually didn't want to accept any room reservations as he had many bad experiences where people did not inform him that they were cancelling the rooms and had him waiting at the airport. I showed keen interest in his place and assures him that I will definitely stay there. He trust me and I trust him.. it's a man's thing I guess. He told me one time where he was waiting for Natalie (from Malaysia - darn!) at the airport. She arrived at the Airport and another guesthouse was also receiving her there. She decided to take the other one (Golden Temple Guesthouse) which is the guesthouse just beside RedLodge. Bad girl Natalie... So, Nat calls her Nat-A-Lie! Haha... What a bad attitude from Natalie and it shows how some Malaysians are so kia-su.
A few days before I left for Siem Reap, I sent several emails to the other guesthouses to notify them that I will be cancelling the bookings even though I have yet to inform them about my arrival. It's really no good to have the guesthouses booked the room while they could have it let out to someone else. So, the next time you make a trip, just let them know if you are not interested anymore - the earlier the better.
Everyone having a relaxing time after checking in to the room.
One thing I love about the RedLodge is the atmosphere and the kind of people you meet there. Most of them are backpackers and those who can live in a less luxury environment although I must think that it was definitely a luxury for me. We had 2 rooms with airconditioners and bathrooms attached. Each room has 2 beds which could easily fit 2 persons in one bed. Yup, you guess it right! We have 4 to a room and honestly, it was good! The bed was larger than a single and slightly smaller than a double. For 15USD per room per night, it was a steal!
Furthermore, the RedLodge provides free consumption of bread, jam, margarine, tea, coffee and fruits. If you think that it's some cheap stuff, think again =D They provide Lipton tea bags and Nescafe coffee. An average sized fridge is also provided if you need to keep your drinks cold. While other guesthouses charges about USD3 to rent a bicycle, it's free for use at the RedLodge. Now, how cool is that? ;D
While everyone is busy checking in to their rooms. I went to meet Hul who was the driver who picked me up at the airport. Since there were so many people in this trip, I think it'd be best to hire a van. After negotiating the rates, we finally agreed at USD95 for 4 days which includes transportation to all the major attractions in a nice and comfy van. This news is definitely a welcome relieve for everyone as it was initially planned that we will cycle to Angkor Wat every day which is about 9km from where we were staying.
Dusty streets are everywhere
It's always interesting to experience the contrast in 2 different countries. While we are so used to breathing clean air, locals in Siem Reap have to bear with the dusty roads and it doesn't seem to bother them although some have masks put on. It seems that no work is being done to clean up the streets which leads to piles of fine sand along the road sides.
Students riding the bikes home after school.
Notice how they do not need any helmets. As dangerous as it may seems, I think they would have less accidents than we do over here even with so much law enforcements. This is I think due to the fact that they seem to drive at a leisurely pace. Even cars drive at about 40-50km per hour on the main roads. Everyone seems laid back and taking it easy. So contrasting when compared to KL roads.
Trying out the assam fruit
I always believe that travelling is not just about the places. It's also about the food, the people and the culture. My mum who is really crazy about fruits starts scouring for local fruits to try. It's pretty much the typical fruits which you can even find in Malaysia. The difference is in the size. Some are very much smaller and some are bigger. My girlfriend is trying out the assam fruit which they consume raw. This is my first time eating raw assam and it is really GOOD!
We tried this too! Can't remember the name but it's delicious! 4 for a dollar.
Siem Reap town
This is the town area. It's not very big and the whole town is pretty much accessible by foot although this means that you have to bear with the dust that gets thrown up the sky once a car or motorcycle passes by. Furthermore, constructions seems to be everywhere.
Climbing up to see the sunset
After the short walk from the town, we went back to the RedLodge as Hul is waiting there for us with his van. We'll be going to see the sun set! I can't recall the name of this place but it's very close to the South Gate and Angkor Wat. The road up is very steep and uneven. On some parts, both hands are required to push oneself up the narrow stairs. Despite looking dangerous, I see so many elderly enjoying the breathtaking view at the top. It just shows that age is no barrier.
At the top!
It's truly refreshing once you arrive at the top. It took us about 30 minutes which includes numerous stops to take photographs. If you are `Gung ho' about reaching up as quickly as possible, it should only take 15 minutes or less.
A great 1st day
At moments like this, you pause and you think to yourself... What a Wonderful World!
Finally, the sun sets...
Thirst quenching
After an exhausting first day, it's nice to just sit down and order a thirst quenching coconut. Too bad it wasn't served cold. We were definitely in dire need of a cold drink. Each of these coconuts costs USD0.50 and upon your requests, they will open up the coconut so you can feed on the `santan'.
Amok
This is one of their traditional dishes - Amok. It is sometimes also served in a coconut. Very tasty indeed and uniquely Cambodian.
I have seen a thousand pictures on Angkor Wat and nothing is like being there for yourself. The smell of the air, the depth of the visual and the physical contact and interaction with the people added so much more zing to this adventure! Stay tuned for Day 02!
Photo Information:
Camera - Nikon D70 Body
Lens - 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5
Flash - If any, is internal flash
10 comments:
I am a New Zealander. My ancestors came to New Zealand less than 100 hundred years ago from Britain, Germany, Holland and the Middle East. But I don't identify with any of those places - I am a New Zealander, it says so on my passport.
Most Malaysian Chinese and Indians have a connection to Malaysia that far outdates my connection to New Zealand……….so I can't imagine how one could say that Chinese Malaysians should identify with China and not with Malaysia, or Indian Malaysians should identify more closely with India.
If it was natural to go to such extremes then why not just make us all citizens of Africa and be done with it?
Let me tell you, who are malays? Can't they just be some people that came from Indonesia long time ago? Or some Arabs came from Middle East centuries ago?
They do not necessary originate from Malaysia! Malaysia could be part of Indonesia or Thailand! What that in the history book does not necessary be the whole truth!
One friend said: "I am malay. My father was raised in a rural village outside of Kuching. He made it through without any of the bumi-biased aids in question and at one point worked for a multi-national organization. I have never requested for or used any educational aids. It is foolish of me to speak out against a system that would benefit me - but I still choose to do so. Truthfully, I dare go as far as to say, I am harshest against my own race."
My agree point being is that malays can make a difference if they are willing to work hard. Remember, there hardly is any substitute to success. Mahathir himself spoke out against the malays and said that they were lazy and laidback.
If you imply that May 13 will occur all over again just because the malays can't earn their way through things - this will show who the real gangsters are.
To stop whining when things are obviously biased will serve to make the government less accountable to the public. Remember, bumis policy has been around for decades, not days. The "backward" malays should have been already on their feet by now - if not highfliers themselves.
Moreover, about the quota system - if malay entrants are not qualified to enter the university but students of other races are, don't let them enter! That will force them to study harder to earn their way in.
If tertiary institutions compromise as quota system for university, what we would have are mediocre tertiary institutions that may go as far as lowering the passing mark so that more of these non-deserving students may pass. This will only degrade the Malaysia education system further.
In the paragraph mention racial harmony. In fact, the projected image of harmony is not entirely an honest one. There won't be true harmony as long as politicians take advantage by playing the race card. And many Malaysians living in Malaysia know that every dimension of life here is racially politicised.
My point was it is no longer a race issue. It is a class issue. While it is still important to realise that the "crime" of Umno was to make it all seem as if only the malays are at the worst end of development.
In other words, not only do the rural malays suffer……….the rural Indians etc, are denied the opportunities too. Poverty is race-blind.
One cannot possibly aid a group at the expense of those who are affected by discrimination. While discrimination is present in the US, it is still very much a recipient of brain gain, Malaysia on the other hand is a victim of brain drain.
It is getting scarier being a malay in Malaysia today! You would want the other races to be treated fairly because that is how things should be, and that is the only way the other races will look at you like a normal human being that work their way the top……….not an idiot malay who got lucky and receive all the help in the world through the so-called rescuer - Umno.
The infamous crutches are there - I am not the only one saying this, the leaders have repeatedly said that. But let us be clear - none of us with a fair mind would ever point fingers at all malays. This should not be seen as a racial problem, as the political gooiness would like us to think.
Those malays in leadership positions should set the example with their own children. In stead, they chose to take advantage of their status, and teach the children how to exploit and abuse the system.
That to me is the most tragic aspect of malay feudalism. Today, if these kids are challenged, they will wilt and die with drugs.
Corruption involves both giver and taker and here we have a classic case of the giver making a mountain of the taker's taste. Such is the greed of man. He is never satisfied, under whatever circumstances.
Among the malay plunderers are also Indians and Chinese. We know that all too well. Among those who have been taken for a ride are not only the Chinese and Indians but also Malays, the common folks.
I would be denying the truth that all is ok but there are sufficient level headed people who will be able to cushion the racial politics now being staged and played, because none of us are going to benefit from any foolish excesses.
And I also want you to know that capabilities and knowledge do not just belong to any one race - it belongs to everyone. This is a ploy by politicians to indoctrinate us in a way to create animosity among us.
We have a greater task than this petty quarrelling - that our Malaysia country has been monopolised by corrupt and power crazy politicians, and we need to realise that we are all on the same side - not on the opposite as these politicians would want us believe and behave.
More Malaysians will have to change their mindset if we want to make Malaysia a progressive nation.
For too often, there has always been the fear to vote opposition as the government has always managed to create the fear that, if it is overthrown, chaos will ensue.
To me, the opposition should just concentrate on winning two or three state governments and then prove to the rest that "Hey, it is ok to change your government if it does not perform."
Even Indonesia has had a few changes of government and they survive. I am sure Malaysians can do better than that.
I been reading a lot of comments about malays and the government politics, and it all sound so familiar to me. I am foreigner in Malaysia country and everyday I have new perspective for people thoughts and government policies.
It is so sad to see such a nice country going for waste; almost everybody hates malays, atmosphere in so hullabaloo, that sometimes I don't know what to think. But the worst thing is that the Malaysia government is feeding the fear and hate.
I travel quite lot of with taxis and like to chit-chat with shop owners, but peoples fear for government and its officials and police to its enormous. People are truly afraid; maybe somebody can hear……….
The idea the people being afraid its own government and its officials is chilling. And it is very dangerous too, because one day the all fear and frustration is going to explode.
When I go back home country and tell them about what is happening in Malaysia, they don't believe me!
It is so impossible for them to think the reality about this poster picture country. I have always really hard times to make them understand.
But maybe that is the whole purpose of it. It is far more easier to keep population in place with threats and fear, than really try to tackle the problems in society, being honest and straight is always far more difficult.
The foul play of meritocracy system only can fool the people in a confined environment but not in today's competitive globalization market place. The "blind" attitude has to be changed.
If you are not really selecting the best from the people, then your team can always remain the most as a mediocre one. The so called "among the blind nation, the one eyed man is the king" applies.
You just do not have the competitive edge in the global market. Meanwhile the good woods are flowing out of the country and let our competitors to use them against our advantage.
That explains why 60000 graduates are unemployed. Degree is simply a product of a rubber stamp work. When you do not have the materials, whatever name you have equates to zero.
It is a joke when the graduates are sent back for retraining of how to use a computer, how to speak English, how to learn good manners for interview. When could these people wake up!
The IT graduates are mediocre in their computer works; most of the government websites are poorly maintained such that PM Badawi at one time was so angry about it. The banking system; just a few months ago in the paper, a small branch manager of a bank in Masjid Tanah Melaka could siphon out RM16 millions from the depositors over a couple of year. The bank only knew that when a depositor could not withdraw his own money.
What a system and what a joke! That is the type of our accountants trained under default meritocracy system. There are countless similar examples.
If we still do not wake up, and continue to waste our time and energy in this kind of unproductive prejudice, i.e. default meritocracy system, we will be thrown out far behind others.
As time goes on, the difference will be exponential as we can see today we can't afford even to hire our own experts back if we want to.
If Malaysia has to push forward, they have to rebuild their political system to ensure that discrimination can never ferment in Malaysia.
I personally think that Malaysia is heading to a dead end, where it will meet Indonesia. Both of them might have taken separate ways, but the navigator (government) shares the exact same blood, teaching and thinking.
This Malaysia country is along the way of 48 years of independence has sideline the basic foundation of our government. Won't be surprise that many of our ministers do not even understand our constitution yet even knowing the Rukun Negara.
The purpose of Article 153 of the constitution and the National Economic Policy was to protect the interests of the bumis, in the fields of civil service, public education and public scholarships, as well as empower them economically.
Has this policy translated into tangible benefits for the non-malay bumi communities in Sabah and Sarawak? Not yet, if the economic disparity and the income figures, between the rich Chinese timber tycoons and their malay sidekicks are anything to go by.
We have double standards everywhere. One for the Umno and one for the non-Umno, I weep for the fools who think that their minister is fighting for their right. With every RM1 they give to you, they are taking RM100 away from your kids. Your son will grow up to become suicide bombers, trust me. Because they will think that the West robbed them.
Long-name Isa got kick off of the club for corruption, he was never prosecuted in court. Long-name Osu gambled millions away, in debt and nothing happens. The Rafidah-APs scandal? Last I heard she is still a minister.
Conclusion? We have a bunch of criminals in the parliament, and guess who is the head?
Well, you know what they say. Power corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely - given the chance, should he not watch himself, any politician (or most) would abandon his mission for money and status.
In summary - Malaysians enjoy the being multi-racial, love the country and not hung up on mixing with other races. The politicians (Malays, Indians, Chinese, and others) screw us all up, play up the racial card to protect themselves so that they can plunder the nation and put the blame on the people.
But anyways, it is sad to see the state of the modern Malaysia. I for one believe that Malaysians are very talented, and we can literally take the world by storm. If only we were given the chance and the support to do so!
Being an undergraduate, I have been advised time and time again by my elders, that if it were possible, attain a job oversea (currently in Australia). And don't come back. Except for holiday and the food.
But I still would really like to see its betterment. Fine, perhaps not in my lifetime.
My honest advise to my fellow countryman, no matter what race you are, save enough money and emigrate. You are doing yourself and your future generation a big favour.
Goodbye Malaysia. I guess there is no longer hope for a better country as long as it is a Muslim country and is governed by the ever corrupted malay system. They suck big time.
If you were prime minister of Malaysia…………I will make -
1. Abolish bumi special rights
2. Abolish racial quotas in the country
3. Abolish the ISA
4. Bring back power to the people
5. Downsize the civil service
6. Establish a true meritocracy system for education
7. Heavier punishment for corruption, drug, rape
8. Revive English as the medium of administration and education
9. Revive true freedom of speech
10. Sack all the corrupted officers and politicians
In reality, although NEP is officially dead, some of the policies remain favoring one race regardless of needs (example: education, housing, loan facility, etc).
The non-bumis feel that NEP is holding them back (this is true in many cases) in order for the bumis to catch up. It is sad to think some bumis believe the best way to catching up with the non-bumis is to hold non-bumis back.
Malaysia has lost many able non-bumis to other competing countries (brain drain) and is unable to see the relative advantage of retaining this pool of talents to help them.
What an irony that I experienced less discrimination in foreign country than in my own soil?
After my studies in the US, I applied for job there and to my surprise it is unlawful to be discriminatory, employers do not ask your race and religion, and the good things, employment is based sorely on merits regardless of your background, a lot of my friends stay back because the incentives are excellent and the R&D facilities are cutting edge reputation, universities there are really centers for breeding new ideas unlike in Malaysia local universities, where freedom of thoughts are controlled by acts.
Frankly, I have no ideas how we can compete with them when our "think outside the box" culture is oppressed. We say one thing but we do the opposite, the government is sending the wrong signal. In this country, even we have the hardware, we lack human-ware.
Border has no meanings nowadays, talents will go where they are demand and appreciated, and one day globalization will break down our affirmative actions whether we like it or not.
While I submit that Malaysia is a net loser in this global "brain drain", I think the country has to re-look at its programs to stem the outflow. The sad truth is that what we attracting are the "lower skilled" or "unskilled" types.
Malaysia is just the only country in the world where special privileges are shamelessly given to, and accepted by the majority of the population.
Migration is not a dirty word and will never be. Even migrating birds migrate for reasons of weather and food.
The long lost word "patriotism" is only an empty world for the politicians to achieve their agenda. If that is not true, then there would not be incidents we heard as follows:
1. Minister got caught in Australian airport with bags of undeclared millions.
2. Minister opens banks in Europe after retirement.
3. Minister son's multimillion mansions in Canada put up for sale after intrusion of thieves.
Well, even he is with a hidden agenda, can it be any worse than the current arrogant and unabashed abuse of power, an indifferent electorate, a muffled and depleted opposition party, a pliant press, rampant corruption and systemic dismantling of the vestiges of judiciary!
Graduates from local "U" need to attend additional training course so that to tailor for the job offered. A figure of 90% unemployed graduates from local "U" and RM20 billion loans not recovered from local graduates.
What is the actual problem of the higher education in Malaysia?
BN has done a lot of damage in our education system. After 48 years of independence, the standard of education in Malaysia is getting lower and lower. The academic standards of local universities are not recognized by the foreign countries. Our local graduates are unemployed totaling to 60000.
What could BN cherish its achievements in education?
Ministers send their children to school overseas meanwhile they want the rest to attend the so-called national schools and they could shamelessly say, that is an individual choice.
People migrate simply for the reason of equal opportunity and education for the children. Initially they have to sacrifice a lot, like business, job income or property. But ultimately they gain a good future for their children.
Education is an important investment for the children and many people will get all means to achieve the end. It is a kind of if we can't get one to the mountain, we will get mountain to the one.
Now with the in competency everywhere in the country, e.g. likes not even one doctor can perform a simple resuscitation among the 50 doctors who attend a so-called medical conference.
Do you think you want to ask your children to come back Malaysia to learn from these third rate masters? The country has slowly loosed her skill and knowledge without even realizing it.
Until today, the argument of whether to use Chinese, English or Malay to teach science and mathematics still continues. The difference in knowledge vs. time is exponential and not linear and we have lost so much time already.
We do not have to look far, just look at Singapore and Malaysia since after both got independence.
Thanks to the borderless Internet, ICT and globalization, we could today have more choices and to a certain extent, say what we think that is correct.
We have to consider ourselves that we are global citizens and if we have the extra resources, we are more than willing to contribute to the humanity and those who are in need.
Hello!
I hate to admit this but I do very much agree with you. Malaysia is my home and will always hold a special place in my heart. However, I feel that my future no longer hold in this country due to various reasons, some you have already mentioned and some personal.
I have lived in UK and my heart now is in Europe.
Malay nationalists especially Umno would rather let Malaysia bankrupt than let it progress and prosperous, manage by the Chinese.
They will rather let the people and country suffer than hurting their own ego. That is the fact and this system will remain until Malaysia is bankrupt.
This country is in for very hard times and year 2020 will see the country going down the drain as an even more underdeveloped country.
The NEP is the very reason why I and many of my partners refuse to invest in Malaysia. We know this is a loss of opportunities for us but it is also a loss for Malaysia because it has lost investments and job creation.
For example, we start a business. We take all the risks and do all the hard work. Say, we are successful and have grown sufficiently for us to relax. We do this by listing our shares in the KLSE so that others can share in the fruits of our success.
What happens! The Umno government insists that we reserve at least 30%, for bumis often, at a discounted price. What have the bumis done or contributed towards the success of our company?
Nothing.
They have done nothing towards it! Yet they want to take our success at a discounted price and also have two chances to get the shares. Once at the 30% reserved shares and second, at the general balloting.
Why cannot they buy our shares like all the others? No! Our feeling is that they are robbing us of our hard work and the risks taken by us. To say that this policy is to help the bumis is a lie and rubbish.
It is to enrich the Umno-malays only. The poor of all races do not benefit from this at all.
Shames, shames, shames! We shall always remember that Malaysia citizens is the one who had established such a corrupted administration in the past 30 years from the coffee money to the cop - up to the bribery to the US administration.
So deep rooted the damage in instilling the bribery as a culture such that no wonder Pak Lah and gang find it so difficult to disentangle.
People life is getting more and more difficult and yet all the parasites and cronies still need to be fed. What country is this go? It is truly amazing to know there are so many crooks in our govt. From the very top to the very bottom there are crooks.
The sky is full of black crows and a couple of white crows if any exist, they will be pecked to death. The white crows hence have to watch their backs alertly.
Pak Lah has at times to nod his head as the saying goes, "If you can't fight them, you join them; for survival." What can we do, we taxpayers are the losers. We are advised to change our life style to suit their stupidity or rather greed.
Unfortunately, in the growing global economy, this would devolution and we'd be left far behind. We are behind already, with companies like MAS and Proton and white elephants like the crook bridge and Putrajaya.
Essentially, we have to accept that the Chinese and Indians, and even Malays, who have the opportunity to leave the country, will partly due to the government's policies. You can either change it and attempt to stem the outflow, or accept it and attempt to evolve.
Someone I know is somewhere outside London now, trying to lay the foundation for a better future. He is a Malaysian Chinese just like me. He has just relayed to me his thoughts and concerns about how this future will unfold.
I feel his anxiety, I know it. What is it about Malaysia which drives its people away, to rebuild something which has taken years to successfully create, in Malaysia?
My point? I don't know if given the current rate of development in Malaysia, there would soon be introduced malay quota for parking spaces. Or places for overseas education even. I don't know.
I often think these mongrels are capable of the most stupid and unfair policies, as decades of policies have proven. Yes, it is painful but I guess Malaysians who are tired of fighting stupid battles like these will go, to save their future generations from strives.
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