Tra-Abel in the Year 2014

The year 2014 has ended, it’s that time of the year when companies’ trial balances are prepared to be closed and financial statements begin to take its form (optimistically speaking). Well for this blog, it’s time to reminisce and review the places I’ve been to for the past 12 months ended December 31, 2014.

I began blogging about my travels mid-2013, it jump started at El Nido, Palawan in July 2013, the place I’ve been dreaming of ever since I was a kid, and continued on with my work-cum-travel to the CARAGA Region in Mindanao. And the passion to travel still keeps burning. For the year 2014, I've set my goal to travel to 14 different places, both within and outside the Philippines. Fortunately, I made it to most of the places I've listed and some would have to wait this year 2015. So without further ado here are the Top 10 places Tra-Abel has set foot on in the year 2014.

In January 2014, I had to work and stay in the office (Lepanto, Benguet) without much time for travelling. It was all work and no play. I had to endure a month without travel to compensate for my planned 11 days backpacking trip which will be on February. Nevertheless, I was still busy with travel blogging and travel planning. So you see I’m kinda obsessed with traveling. Haha.

Comes the second month of the year, February. I have been excitedly anticipating for this month to come. Big travel plans for my first solo backpacking trip to Thailand and Cambodia. And here’s how it went:

Thailand (#starttheyearwithaBANG-kok)

 

This country holds a special place in my heart since it was where I first experienced solo traveling outside the Philippines. The plane ticket was purchased way ahead of time and the itinerary was planned months before the flight. It was for an 11 days solo backpacking trip to Thailand and Cambodia. I visited the usual tourist sites, stayed in Khao San Road, the backpacking mecca, tried different new food and met a lot of interesting people along the way. Being new to traveling alone in a foreign land, I was able to experience different kind of emotions. One moment I was happy and excited, while some moments I was afraid for my dear life and anxious for the uncertainties this travel entails. Still I was able to enjoy every moment, appreciate every experience and savor every day of this trip.  

Tra-Abel Cambodia Trip: Pub Street and Night Market

I arrived at Cambodia late in the afternoon, so my first day in Siem Reap was spent checking in my hotel and checking out the town. During my 4 days 3 nights stay at Cambodia, I stayed at Mandalay Inn. It was an old budget hotel located in Psar Chaa Area near the Pub Street and Night Market where all the fun is.

After depositing my things at the hotel, I immediately went out to walk around the area and look for a place to eat dinner (this is my usual routine whenever I get to a new place). Some few turns and blocks away, I found myself in Pub Street and Night Market. 

It was a comprehensive collection of stalls and stores selling everything from handicrafts to gadgets, from fresh produce to authentic Khmer cuisines and other things a traveler needs. I made some few notes and memorized store names on which I would be going back to on my last day at Siem Reap to buy souvenir items.

Tra-Abel Cambodia Trip Day 3: Temple Hopping at Angkor Wat - Inner/Small Circuit

“Excuse me! Can you please take a picture of me with the temple as the view?” politely asked by a stranger near me. I looked at her direction, instantly smiled and gladly took a picture of her. I was having second thought to ask her if she is a Filipino since her looks are more of the East Asian descent. But I gave it a shot, “Are you a Filipino?”

And that’s how our friendship started. In a far away land, where I know no one, never did I imagine that I would meet someone who I can share stories and go on a tour sharing beautiful travel experiences with each other.

It was my third day in Siem Reap when I decided to avail of the Tuktuk services of Mandalay Inn. The tuktuk driver whom I talked to during my first day at Siem Reap and paid US$10 in advance left me waiting in vain. It was a long story and I’m not even sure if I want to remember what happened during that time. Anyways, the supposedly 5:30AM start of my tour became 7:30 AM. Left with no choice but to hire a tuktuk from Mandalay Inn for US$12, which turned out to be a better alternative, I began my tour of Angkor Wat Inner Circuit. The US$ 12 tuktuk rental service includes unlimited supply of cold water (a necessity when visiting the temples at Angkor) and driver cum tourist guide.

Tra-abel Cambodia Trip Day 2: Temple Hopping at Angkor Wat - Outer/Grand Circuit

A beautiful view from Neak Poan

On my second day at Siem Reap, I purchased a US$12 tour ticket from Mandalay Inn and Tour. The tour agency is located in the premises of Mandalay Inn, where I was staying. The ticket is for a van tour on the Outer/Grand Circuit of Angkor Wat Archeological Park or those temples far from the main Angkor Wat. The tour includes an English speaking guide, unlimited supply of ice cold bottled water and of course a comfortable ride in a 16-seater air conditioned van.

As indicated in my receipt, the tour starts at 7:00 AM, so I woke up early and had a simple breakfast of chicken noodle soup which I ordered at Mandalay Inn. At exactly the agreed time, the van picked me up and I was welcomed by a Cambodian national inside the van. I was expecting a jam packed van so I was really surprised to only see the tourist guide inside and a middle aged Chinese tourist girl. I introduced myself to the group and told our guide that I still don’t have a visitor’s pass. He then assured me that we will get one later after picking up the rest of the group. Minutes later, we were joined by 2 Japanese girls, same age as mine. Unlike my short conversation with the Chinese girl, I instantly became friends with the Japanese girls not just because we’re of the same age but because they have been to the Philippines, specifically Cebu, where they studied for English.

A group picture before the tour ends!

Moments later, the van stopped at the ticket counter, where I bought my pass for US$40 good for 3 days. The process in buying ticket was simple and fast. After paying for your desired number of days to visit Angkor Wat, your picture will be taken and a visitor’s pass will then be issued to you with your picture on it.

Chasing Sunset at Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple

After a whole day tour of the outer circuit of Angkor Wat, I still have enough energy for a Cambodian sunset adventure. The famous locations for sunset viewing are Pre Rup and Angkor Wat. Since I just got back from Pre Rup, I decided to go to Angkor Wat to experience the sunset on this side of the planet. I hired a tuktuk to take me to Angkor Wat who is willing to wait for me and bring be back after dark or after the sun has completely set. We were a few meters away from the temple when I noticed the massive crowd in front of the temple. The driver told me that this was normal and he suggested if I want to try another site. At first, I was hesitant since I was alone and I don’t normally trust strangers (that’s what my mom taught me LOL). But without much of a choice, rather than squeezing my way through the crowd, I just agreed to the recommendation given by the tuktuk driver.

So off we went to this unheard name of the temple at the top of the hill. We drove past the pub street and night market, along the green rice fields until we reached the foot of a hill where a stairway can be found. It took us around 20 minutes and around 10 kilometers to get there. I was a little worried when we got there, since there were no traces of tourists in the area but mostly locals. The place reminded me of a secluded sitio or barangay in one of the remote provinces in the Philippines. The driver then told me to climb the stairway and follow the path to the hilltop where the temple is located.

Tra-Abel Guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodia, officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia and once known as the Khmer Empire, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. (Source: Wikipedia)

The major tourist hub of Cambodia is Siem Reap while its capital is at Phnom Penh. The original plan for my 11 days backpacking tour around Southeast Asia was to spend 2 days at Siem Reap and 1 day at Phnom Phen before going to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Unfortunately due to time constraints and other factors, I decided to just spend 4 days and 3 nights at Siem Reap and go back to Bangkok,Thailand (Click here for a complete guide).

Border Crossing via the New Direct Bus from Thailand to Cambodia and vice versa

A few years ago, border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia was a real nightmare for tourists! Thanks to the direct bus plying Bangkok-Siem Reap, the border crossing got a lot easier and safer!

The New Direct Bus From Bangkok to Siem Reap (vice versa)!

The first step is to purchase your ticket.

There are two ways for you to do this. You can directly purchase tickets from Mochit Bus Terminal but remember to do it in advance for a safer bet and to ensure your seats. The alternative and more convenient way of purchasing a ticket is online through Thai Ticket Major. Between the two, I chose to book my ticket online through Thai Ticket Major weeks before my trip to Bangkok. This method is more convenient since my estimated time of departure to Siem Reap is the day after my arrival at Bangkok, hence, there might not be enough seats left for me if I personally purchase the ticket at Mochit. If you prefer to purchase your ticket online, like I did, here is the website where you can book ticket and process payments: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/bus/index.

Tra-Abel En Route: First Time Solo Wandering in a Foreign Land

Angkor Wat with Mr. What?

Early morning of February 11, 2014, I was at NAIA Terminal 3 preparing for my departure to Thailand. I was in front of this Miss Minchin (in Sara: A Little Princess) looking immigration personnel. She looks so strict with matching tight lips and eyebrows stretching as high as it can go (Ang iyong kilay na mapagmataas at laging namimintas!). I gave her my passport and she asked me the following questions:

Her:      Is this your first time to go out of the country?

Me:       Nope, this is my third time. It just so happen that I have renewed my passport recently.

Her:      Do you have your old passport with you?

Me:       [I handed her my old passport, I was lucky to have brought it with me]

Her:      What is your work? And how much do you earn?

Me:       Senior Internal Auditor, Php(!@#$%) monthly

Her:      Why are you travelling alone?

Me:       [I just smiled at her (but at the back of mind, I wanted to tell her “I was also asking myself the same                    question”)]

Her:      Why are you alone?

Me:       [I smiled at her again (I was about to sarcastically tell her “why don’t you come with me, so that I won’t                be alone. LOL”)] Hmmmm... I just want to try it.

Her:      [Stamped my passport and gave it back to me]

Me:       [Got my passport and left her without saying thank you]