July 24, 2013 Cross Countrying from Cambodia to Malaysia
The Siem Reap airport is so near from the city center. Our tuktuk driver Mr. Sam fetched us at the hotel at around 7AM. Before checking I took some photos first on the airport.
It was a cloudy day but our trip to the Angkor temples still went through. The night before it rained so hard and the evidence can still be seen early morning. Homer and I arranged a US$25 grand and mini tour around the temples at the hotel front desk, same time we did the Tonle Sap reservation. Come 8AM, the tuktuk driver came to fetch us at the hotel. It turned out that the driver, Mr. Sam, was the same one who fetched us at the airport the other day.
We drove through the streets, passing by some posh hotels and other notable landmarks of Siem Reap like the Angkor National Museum. I felt the cold breeze as we drove by along the streets with my camera on action. The excitement just went up as we saw Cambodian architecture around. And so the adventure continues.
It was already 3PM and I am worried for my friend who was still in Surigao Airport. Weather is not that good in Mindanao that day. Our flight aboard a Cebu Pacific is scheduled to depart from NAIA3 to Siem Reap at 1945H. The turn around plane finally had their passengers boarding as mentioned in the text message I received. Good grief or else my friend will follow to Cambodia the following day. Around two hours later and soon I met my friend Homer at Burger King for some snacks and rest before we checked in. We had our Philippine Peso pocket money changed to US$ at the currency exchange, checked in at the Cebu Pacific open counter, paid the necessary travel tax on the other side of the airport, went back to the Cebu Pacific counter to claim our boarding tickets and proceeded to the immigration counter. This is not my first time to travel abroad so I knew the drill: fill up immigration cards then queue at the immigration for some interview and passport stamping. This is where I had to control my patience because this lady officer is kinda annoying in asking me the usual questions like: where are you going, how many days, what will you do there. I answered honestly with a smile every questions. Then she asked for the return tickets which I showed her also assuring that I will not go TNT there. There were a lot of questions since my entry point is Cambodia but my exit will be Singapore. This trip is a week long adventure from 3 countries, 5 cities... amazing race style. Should have been a real race, Homer and I will still be eliminated with all the bloopers and misadventures. Going back to the lady officer, she asked for some identification cards. I showed her the government ID's I have with me. She then was asked for my company ID which I told her I don't have it. But in the back of my mind, I should have answered that I don't have my company ID since I am going for a vacation. My passport was only stamped after I told her that I am travelling with a friend and he brought with him what she is looking for. Usual immigration stories. Finally I can sit and wait for the plane bound to Siem Reap.
Came boarding time and we slept the whole duration of the flight. The plane touched down Siem Reap airport around 2150H. This time, it really is welcome to the Kingdom of Wonders: Cambodia.