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  • Phnom Penh for a few hours

    Phnom Penh for a few hours

    I have never booked any trip a week prior to departure, hence the trip in January to both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap is definitely out of the norm. It’s barely a month after my Sydney trip yet the wander-itch acted up while watching a documentary about Ang Kor Wat in Siem Reap and thought why not? A quick check on Google shows November- January being the ‘Cool and Dry’ season. That works well for me!

    But flights’ availability and price altered my plan drastically. Direct flight tickets from Singapore to Siem Reap cost thrice the price from Singapore to Phnom Penh. What the!? Hence, the crazy plan of Flight to Phnom Penh – Bus to Siem Reap – Cambodia Angkor Air back to Phnom Penh – Return Flight to Singapore. And it is still way cheaper than the flight into Siem Reap, seriously? Yes, I lose quite a bit of time but I get to have a preview of Phnom Penh. Perhaps for future plan… For now, I only have Ang Kor Wat in mind.

    Riverside Park and Wat Ounalom Monastery

    It’s a short taxi ride from Phnom Penh International Airport to Giant Ibis Bus office. Most of the Giant Ibis Bus review seems to be good so I was hoping for the best. After collecting the bus ticket, I went on to have a glimpse of the streets of Phnom Penh, starting from the riverside.

    Taxi from Phnom Penh Airport

    Street of Phnom Penh

    Along Riverside of Phnom Penh

    Fishing at Riverside Park

    Riverside Park in Phnom Penh

    Here’s the majestic Decho Meas Decho Yat (The Royal Warrior’s Monument) and Wat Ounalom Monastery near to the riverfront.

    Decho Meas Decho Yat to Wat Ounalom

    Wat Ounalom Monastery

    Compound of Wat Ounalom Monastery

    Stairs to Wat Ounalom Monastery

    Inside Wat Ounalom Monastery

    Preah Thineang Chan Chhaya

    Preah Thineang Chan Chhaya (Moonlight Pavilion) is a beautiful pavilion built along the walls of the Royal Palace and can be seen without entering the palace ground.

    Preah Thineang Chan Chhaya

    Around Preah Thineang Chan Chhaya

    In front of Preah Thineang Chan Chhaya

    Royal Palace gate

    Sleeping vendor in Phnom Penh

    Temple along Phnom Penh street

    Next up will be Wat Botum Park and Wat Botum Vathey.

    Wat Botum Park

    Pagoda of Wat Botum Vathey

    Wat Botum Vathey in Phnom Penh

    Monk at Wat Botum Park

    Also went around a bit the neighbourhood before ending up at the Independence Monument.

    Tuk Tuk in Phnom Penh

    Cambodian kid in Phnom Penh

    Legless man in Phnom Penh

    Housing building in Phnom Penh

    Independence Monument Phnom Penh

    My lunch was a simple yet very well cooked plate of fried rice at one local restaurant. Then it’s time to head back to Giant Ibis Bus office via a Tuk Tuk instead of walking under the fiery afternoon heat. And I do hope that the weather in Siem Reap will be kinder to me.

    Fried rice in Phnom Penh

    Tuk Tuk ride in Phnom Penh

    Giant Ibis Bus Ride to Siem Reap

    The Giant Ibis bus seat is comfortable enough while moving along the bumpy road full of potholes and dust. But I am sure the dusty surrounding will be unbearable if the bus is not air-conditioned. I was so hoping that those riders on the unmarked expressway would put on face masks…

    Then the uneventful journey was delayed due to a flat tyre. It took the driver and his colleagues quite a while to change the punctured one. So I get to see the Cambodia countryside while experiencing all the dust from the road. This went on for almost an hour before the bus journey continues. And I am finally in Siem Reap after 7.5 hours of bus ride.

    Giant Ibis Bus flat tyre

    Cambodia countryside

    Young boys at Cambodia countryside

    Sunset at Cambodia countryside

    STAY: Gloria Angkor Hotel review

    Gloria Angkor Hotel is quite far away from downtown Siem Reap but there is complimentary shuttle service (Tuk-Tuk) available in the evening. The good-sized private room is comfortable though it can get a little noisy since the hotel is alongside a major highway. The Wi-Fi works well but I encountered a few power outages during the stay, which I understand it’s rather common in Siem Reap.

    The staff of Gloria Angkor Hotel are friendly and helpful too, which made it a very pleasant stay. They also helped to arrange a Tuk-Tuk to pick me up early morning next day to Ang Kor Wat. Overall, I think it’s rather good value especially for the price I paid.

    Lobby of Gloria Angkor Hotel

    Room at Gloria Angkor Hotel

    Room of Gloria Angkor Hotel

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    What are your thoughts about Phnom Penh? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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  • Blue Mountains and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Blue Mountains and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Day trip to Blue Mountains from Sydney is very popular given the 2 hours train ride. It transports one from urban cityscape to the historic town of Katoomba, surrounded by the natural beauty of Blue Mountains. The picturesque town is the nearest to the well-known Echo Point which offers an excellent view of the Three Sisters rock formation and Jamison Valley. It’s a good starting point for the visitor information centre is located at the same place. And so I am here to visit the Sisters with the aim of some trekking as well.

    Katoomba railway station

    Katoomba town

    Echo Point lookout of Blue Mountains

    Echo Point of Blue Mountains

    Visitor Centre of Blue Mountains

    Here’s a clear view of the famous Three Sisters from Echo Point.

    Three Sisters of Blue Mountains

    But I think the sky and clouds that morning makes it even more interesting.

    Jamison Valley of Blue Mountains

    Tree of Blue Mountains

    The plan for a leisure walk from Echo Point to Scenic World failed big time when I hurt my left ankle. Uncertain whether it’s a light knock or sprain, I decided to turn back up just in case. Sigh…I was so looking forward to taking the scenic cableway of Scenic World. Oh well.

    Leisure walk in blue mountains

    The walk in blue mountains

    Hence, I went back to Katoomba and had lunch at Old City Bank Brasserie.

    Old City Bank Brasserie Katoomba

    Lunch at Old City Bank Brasserie Katoomba

    One good-looking Bridal Veil Mural at one corner of the street.

    Bridal Veil Mural at Katoomba

    SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    So, I am back at Darling Harbour and paid a visit to SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. It is located in the same building together with Wild Life Sydney Zoo and Madame Tussauds Sydney. I suppose SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium will be one of the things to do with kids in Sydney. That’s especially when there are plenty of interactive learning stuff here for the young ones.

    But hey, I found the child in me while being surrounded by the marine life. LOL

    Marine life tank

    Marine life tank view

    Alley of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Marine fish tank view

    Hey Dory

    The most impressive part of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium is perhaps walking through the underwater tunnel of Shark Valley.

    Shark Valley at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Shark of SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Shark at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Sunset at Darling Harbour

    Since I can’t really do much with a hurting ankle, I stayed around Darling Harbour in hope for a nice sunset view. It did not disappoint.

    Girls and Darling Harbour

    SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium

    Sunset at Darling Harbour

    Evening at Darling Harbour

    Reflections of Darling Harbour

    I had a great dinner at Pancakes on the Rocks before heading back to the hotel for resting. This also marks the end of my short visit to the lovely Sydney. Australia, I will be back!

    Pancakes on the Rocks

    Desserts at Pancakes on the Rocks

    [alert]

    What are your thoughts about the Blue Mountains and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium? Leave a comment and share it with me.

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