We started the day early today. Met up with the guide at 5 am to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. This is one of the "must-dos" so many people were already waiting at the pond area when we reached there.
It was nice but not what I imagined it to be. I was expecting a red egg yolk rising behind the temples. We did not see any yolk but the colour of the clouds changed as the sun rose. Still pretty.
We stayed back to explore the temple while majority of the tourists return to their hotels to catch up on their sleep or have breakfast. Angkor Wat was quiet and peaceful and we enjoyed having it to ourselves most of the time or sharing with some fellow tourists. The climb up to the top was easier and less dangerous with the new staircase. We could no longer use the stone steps which are really steep. Blessing in disguise? Maybe.
We returned to the hotel for breakfast at 9 am and took a long, good rest in the room. For the first time, I took a nap while on holiday!
Met up with the guide in the afternoon for Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. They are much smaller in size but very nice. We had Banteay Samre to ourselves. It's a gem often missed out by people due to their tight schedule. I am glad we had time for it.
Dinner was taken at Khmer kitchen restaurant. We ordered amok fish, cashew nuts with chicken and baked sweet potato with chicken. As usual, we over ordered again.
It started pouring when we were about to finish dinner. We had sat for a long while before hopping onto a tuk-tuk to go back to hotel. We redeemed our cocktail at the lotus bar and went back to our room.
This is so far the most relaxing trip we had, with lots of free time and ample sleep. Haha!
Tomorrow we are going to Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom. Am looking forward to it! Oh yes, we need to decide on the place to see sunset. Should we go to the less crowded or nicer one? We have one night to decide.
我的哲學之道
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 1 Siem Reap
After experiencing a bad jam at ECP that nearly caused us our flight, we decided to be kiasu and made more allowance for traveling time. Luckily there was no jam this time and we arrived at terminal 2 safely ahead of schedule.
As we checked in at the counter, the excitement sank in - yes, we are going to Siem Reap. We are going to Angkor Wat FINALLY! Nearly 90% of the people who knew that we are going there this time had the same response, "I thought you have been there?" I don't know why, but many had the impression that we have covered the entire Indochina. No, Laos is the only country we have been to. Even then, I must qualify that we have only set foot on Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
I was looking forward to a relaxing trip at Siem Reap. I can't help but think it's going to be very much like Luang Prabang.
The 140-minute silkair flight was ok, except for the food. I shall keep the complaints to myself. I quite like the airport. The architecture is very Cambodian. To my pleasant surprise, the airport was very quiet, orderly and efficient. My bag was already on the belt, waiting for me to pick it up. Clearing the customs was a breeze- no visa needed for Singaporeans.
We saw the hotel staff as soon as we made a left turn. We checked into the hotel after a 15-minute drive, took a rest in our room before exploring the hotel facilities. We have a complimentary foot massage and cocktail yet to redeem. Perhaps we will do so tomorrow.
Lunch was at a Khmer restaurant about 200 meters from the hotel. We had fried rice, noodles and spring rolls. Beer is cheaper than soft drinks so we ordered a beer Lao. The rice was nice, can't say the same for the noodles. It had a unique taste which wasn't to my liking. Not sure if it's the taste of ghee.
Strong winds started blowing strongly while we were eating. I was wondering if the canvas roof will tear. The waitress was trying to stop the wind from blowing away the glasses. Luckily she succeeded. After a while, it poured very heavily. We decided to wait for the rain to subside. Before 2 pm, we were able to make our way back to the hotel with the help of my mini umbrella. There were puddles of mud water in the potholes and when the cars drove past, the water splashed onto me, slightly. Once again, I was reminded of the flood we have back at home. Haha!
We met up with our guide at 2.30 pm and set off for the lake. The guide spoke really good English. We were so embarrassed with ours.
The boat ride was quite nice despite the slight drizzle. It's amazing how the Cambodians can live in such bad conditions. Though poor, they looked happy. Many were enjoying swinging in their hanmooks, watching tv with their family and the children derived fun waving at the tourists... They have no iPhones, no iPads.... They may not even know that such things exist. Life is hard, but happiness is simple. I thought about myself, my life as the boat moved back to the jetty.... What do I really want? I have no answer....
We asked the guide to drop us off at the old market. He took us around for a while and left when we decided to have dinner there. After walking round and round a few times, we finally settled for Khmer BBQ. Arghhh, another sinful meal! We took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel after a short walk at the night market. Back in the room before 8 pm. That's early!
Tomorrow we are going to watch the sunrise. I hope the weather will be good.
Age is catching up. I'm feeling tired already. It's time to sleep.:)
As we checked in at the counter, the excitement sank in - yes, we are going to Siem Reap. We are going to Angkor Wat FINALLY! Nearly 90% of the people who knew that we are going there this time had the same response, "I thought you have been there?" I don't know why, but many had the impression that we have covered the entire Indochina. No, Laos is the only country we have been to. Even then, I must qualify that we have only set foot on Vientiane, Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang.
I was looking forward to a relaxing trip at Siem Reap. I can't help but think it's going to be very much like Luang Prabang.
The 140-minute silkair flight was ok, except for the food. I shall keep the complaints to myself. I quite like the airport. The architecture is very Cambodian. To my pleasant surprise, the airport was very quiet, orderly and efficient. My bag was already on the belt, waiting for me to pick it up. Clearing the customs was a breeze- no visa needed for Singaporeans.
We saw the hotel staff as soon as we made a left turn. We checked into the hotel after a 15-minute drive, took a rest in our room before exploring the hotel facilities. We have a complimentary foot massage and cocktail yet to redeem. Perhaps we will do so tomorrow.
Lunch was at a Khmer restaurant about 200 meters from the hotel. We had fried rice, noodles and spring rolls. Beer is cheaper than soft drinks so we ordered a beer Lao. The rice was nice, can't say the same for the noodles. It had a unique taste which wasn't to my liking. Not sure if it's the taste of ghee.
Strong winds started blowing strongly while we were eating. I was wondering if the canvas roof will tear. The waitress was trying to stop the wind from blowing away the glasses. Luckily she succeeded. After a while, it poured very heavily. We decided to wait for the rain to subside. Before 2 pm, we were able to make our way back to the hotel with the help of my mini umbrella. There were puddles of mud water in the potholes and when the cars drove past, the water splashed onto me, slightly. Once again, I was reminded of the flood we have back at home. Haha!
We met up with our guide at 2.30 pm and set off for the lake. The guide spoke really good English. We were so embarrassed with ours.
The boat ride was quite nice despite the slight drizzle. It's amazing how the Cambodians can live in such bad conditions. Though poor, they looked happy. Many were enjoying swinging in their hanmooks, watching tv with their family and the children derived fun waving at the tourists... They have no iPhones, no iPads.... They may not even know that such things exist. Life is hard, but happiness is simple. I thought about myself, my life as the boat moved back to the jetty.... What do I really want? I have no answer....
We asked the guide to drop us off at the old market. He took us around for a while and left when we decided to have dinner there. After walking round and round a few times, we finally settled for Khmer BBQ. Arghhh, another sinful meal! We took a tuk-tuk back to the hotel after a short walk at the night market. Back in the room before 8 pm. That's early!
Tomorrow we are going to watch the sunrise. I hope the weather will be good.
Age is catching up. I'm feeling tired already. It's time to sleep.:)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
公幹
每年這個時候都要到中國公幹5天。
今年我們從北京出發，然後南下。第一晚抵達北京後同事提議到俏江南吃飯。我原本是想去大董吃烤鴨的（其實我想了一年⋯⋯），但對最近很紅的俏江南也蠻感興趣的。我們托飯店訂位，卸下行李就出發了。
我們也不知道該點甚麼菜，只憑知覺和靠領班介紹，點了幾道。
最特別的莫過於這道“過橋排骨”。很油膩，但味道不錯。
可能點的菜不對，我並不覺得特別好吃。倒是仍對大董念念不忘⋯⋯明年吧（若我還在這家公司）！
在上海我們意外獲得“套房升級”。一個人住這麼大的房間還真不習慣。
同事很努力地鼓勵我到中國旅行。只是目前還沒這個打算。即使今年應該去不成日本，但中國仍不在我的考慮之內。
今年我們從北京出發，然後南下。第一晚抵達北京後同事提議到俏江南吃飯。我原本是想去大董吃烤鴨的（其實我想了一年⋯⋯），但對最近很紅的俏江南也蠻感興趣的。我們托飯店訂位，卸下行李就出發了。
我們也不知道該點甚麼菜，只憑知覺和靠領班介紹，點了幾道。
最特別的莫過於這道“過橋排骨”。很油膩，但味道不錯。
可能點的菜不對，我並不覺得特別好吃。倒是仍對大董念念不忘⋯⋯明年吧（若我還在這家公司）！
在上海我們意外獲得“套房升級”。一個人住這麼大的房間還真不習慣。
同事很努力地鼓勵我到中國旅行。只是目前還沒這個打算。即使今年應該去不成日本，但中國仍不在我的考慮之內。
Sunday, March 20, 2011
加油
自從搬到小島的中南部之後，我搭地鐵的次數就減少了很多。
那天下班後得到朋友位於西北部的家聚餐，不得不搭地鐵。下班時間人擠人的情況比我想像中還嚴重。整30分鐘都感覺呼吸困難，幸好最後10分鐘有不少乘客相繼下車，情況才好轉。
說真的，在擁擠的車廂內，我有暗暗在心裡罵粗口的衝動⋯⋯
隧道內3G網絡中斷，即使開出隧道，下載速度仍舊緩慢，我也忍不住想抱怨⋯⋯
在2011年3月11日之前，我想，我真的會罵粗口、不停地抱怨。
但在3月11日之後，我感覺世界突然變了。
這樣說或許有些誇張，畢竟我沒有親身經歷這一場浩劫，沒有和死神擦身而過，也不必面對活下來之後重新整頓人生的種種困難⋯⋯
然而，或許災難發生在我喜愛的國度，所以感受特別深⋯⋯
眼看著一個世界強國在大自然的侵襲下淪陷，我們再一次見證了人類的脆弱與無助。無論富裕或貧窮，面對大自然災害的時候，大家同樣無能為力⋯⋯即使比其他國家更據有應對的能力，這一次仍是敗得慘烈⋯⋯
災難發生後傳來的奇蹟，令人振奮，也讓我們看到了生命的頑強。
究竟這是一個怎樣的國家？即使在這種情況下，國人還能井然有序地排隊，冷靜應對困境？如此文明，或許真的只有在這裡才能看見。
讓人感動的，還有犧牲自己，努力拯救核電廠的戰士們⋯⋯只能希望這份偉大的情操可以感動老天，希望能夠制止另一波的浩劫。
若這十天只是一場特長的夢，那該多好？
劫後餘生，未來的日子要怎麼過？我們無法想像⋯⋯
除了捐款，我們能為他們做的，也只有祈禱，從遠方獻上深深的祝福⋯⋯
車廂固然擁擠，沒關係，至少我們還可以去想去的地方，可以安全回到家⋯⋯
流動網絡中斷，沒關係，至少基本的通訊不成問題，還可以發個簡訊，打通電話報平安⋯⋯
這些被我們視為理所當然的事，原來並不理所當然。
活著，比甚麼都重要。以往執著的一些事，突然變得微不足道。
希望我可以永遠記住這一次的頓悟，不要再拘泥於那些有的沒的。
視野放大，心胸放寬，活著就能快樂。
祝福大家，希望我們都能活著，快樂地活著。
加油！
那天下班後得到朋友位於西北部的家聚餐，不得不搭地鐵。下班時間人擠人的情況比我想像中還嚴重。整30分鐘都感覺呼吸困難，幸好最後10分鐘有不少乘客相繼下車，情況才好轉。
說真的，在擁擠的車廂內，我有暗暗在心裡罵粗口的衝動⋯⋯
隧道內3G網絡中斷，即使開出隧道，下載速度仍舊緩慢，我也忍不住想抱怨⋯⋯
在2011年3月11日之前，我想，我真的會罵粗口、不停地抱怨。
但在3月11日之後，我感覺世界突然變了。
這樣說或許有些誇張，畢竟我沒有親身經歷這一場浩劫，沒有和死神擦身而過，也不必面對活下來之後重新整頓人生的種種困難⋯⋯
然而，或許災難發生在我喜愛的國度，所以感受特別深⋯⋯
眼看著一個世界強國在大自然的侵襲下淪陷，我們再一次見證了人類的脆弱與無助。無論富裕或貧窮，面對大自然災害的時候，大家同樣無能為力⋯⋯即使比其他國家更據有應對的能力，這一次仍是敗得慘烈⋯⋯
災難發生後傳來的奇蹟，令人振奮，也讓我們看到了生命的頑強。
究竟這是一個怎樣的國家？即使在這種情況下，國人還能井然有序地排隊，冷靜應對困境？如此文明，或許真的只有在這裡才能看見。
讓人感動的，還有犧牲自己，努力拯救核電廠的戰士們⋯⋯只能希望這份偉大的情操可以感動老天，希望能夠制止另一波的浩劫。
若這十天只是一場特長的夢，那該多好？
劫後餘生，未來的日子要怎麼過？我們無法想像⋯⋯
除了捐款，我們能為他們做的，也只有祈禱，從遠方獻上深深的祝福⋯⋯
車廂固然擁擠，沒關係，至少我們還可以去想去的地方，可以安全回到家⋯⋯
流動網絡中斷，沒關係，至少基本的通訊不成問題，還可以發個簡訊，打通電話報平安⋯⋯
這些被我們視為理所當然的事，原來並不理所當然。
活著，比甚麼都重要。以往執著的一些事，突然變得微不足道。
希望我可以永遠記住這一次的頓悟，不要再拘泥於那些有的沒的。
視野放大，心胸放寬，活著就能快樂。
祝福大家，希望我們都能活著，快樂地活著。
加油！
Sunday, February 27, 2011
胡思亂想
每次從FB窺探她的世界後，都忍不住露出羨慕的眼光。
我知道不該做比較，比較只會讓自己感到不滿足，但就是很不自覺地想到自己的現狀，還有將來⋯⋯
或許對很多人來說，她的人生並不值得羨慕，但我卻很嚮往。物質上雖然不及一般人追求的充裕，精神上卻是豐富的。
看著她的人生，我開始思索如何改變自己的命運。我沒有她的才華，但若勇敢一點，或許也能做些甚麼吧⋯⋯該從何著手呢？
我知道不該做比較，比較只會讓自己感到不滿足，但就是很不自覺地想到自己的現狀，還有將來⋯⋯
或許對很多人來說，她的人生並不值得羨慕，但我卻很嚮往。物質上雖然不及一般人追求的充裕，精神上卻是豐富的。
看著她的人生，我開始思索如何改變自己的命運。我沒有她的才華，但若勇敢一點，或許也能做些甚麼吧⋯⋯該從何著手呢？
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