Bangkok to Siem Reap By Land

Travelling from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia overland has been one of the most famous backpacking itineraries in South East Asia; not to mention the scams lingering along the route. For this route, we opted to have the longer one, just to experience Thailand's railways system and to see more of their countryside.

Off from our accommodation, we took a taxi going to Hua Lumpong Railway Station. Bought tickets right away, took some pictures of the place then boarded the train.

entrance to Hua Lumpong Railway Station

the outside of the station

station's train platforms

it's a 3rd-class coach with no airconditioning

each coach has their own route labels

the inside of the coach, better choose your coach as they are not similar

There are only two train schedules from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet (border to Cambodia) daily: one in the morning (0555H) and the other in the afternoon. So if you like to be in Siem Reap within the day, better catch the early morning trip. It is scheduled to arrive Aranyaprathet by 1135H but our trip took longer to around 1215H. Getting off the train, flocks of tuktuk drivers will face you and ask you for a trip to the border. 

Here now is the scam-my part. They will drop you not exactly in the border but to somewhat office where you will be ask for your "Visa" processing. We were Asians but still they convince us to get inside. Since I already saw a video about this, we just walked straight towards the immigration office; pretending not to hear them.

look for this sign and enter

look for this arch as the immigration signage is somewhat near to this

During our time, it was a hefty line to the immigration. It took us more than an hour to cross Thailand's immigration officers so better be prepared. Right from there, just walk straight to the bridge and you'll see the Angkor Wat arch; officially, you're now in Cambodia! 

Someone with government ID would probably approach and guide you towards your way to the immigration and the shuttle to the bus station. I've read from blogs that this is official. This shuttle bus is free. Then at the bus station, they might offer you a taxi ride as well for USD48 (versus USD9 per person in bus). They could also convince you to exchange your money to Cambodian Riel though USD is widely accepted in Cambodia; it's your choice here but it's strictly 1USD per 4000 Riel all over the country. 

We then took a cab though it's very expensive. I don't know how was I convinced by the travelmate that time. Anyways, this government official will ask for a tip after he guide us through from the border to the taxi cab; but unhesitantly he accepted my 500 Riel tip, I didn't realized immediately how small that is!

Arriving at Siem Reap, your taxi will drop you off to their so called "stop" wherein tuktuks will drive you towards your accommodation. This hasn't been the agreement beforehand. Anyways, the tuktuk is free and will just humbly ask if you may want to avail their tour services. Since I already reserved with our accommodation, I straight forwardly told him that we already have.

We arrived at our guesthouse in Siem Reap just few minutes before 4pm.

complete itinerary with budget and timeline

Half-day Bangkok City Tour

The day started with our early morning flight from Manila to Bangkok. Arrived Bangkok at around 9am then checked-in at our hostel - Lub d Bangkok Siam Square. We left Lub d past noontime so this would be just a half day city tour. From BTS National Stadium Station, we took BTS to Phaya Thai BTS Station. From there we took a cab going to our first stop - Wat Benchamabophit which is just along the same road, Thanon Si Ayutthaya, so exit the BTS Station going to this road.

entrance ticket booth just at your right upon entering the arc gates; we didn't paid the entrance anymore since we didn't go further inside the temple

Wat Benchamabophit

Next stop is the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat. From Wat Benchamabophit, we took a cab to Wat Suthat which took us only about less than 10 minutes.

the Giant Swing just outside Wat Suthat

the entrance and outside view of Wat Suthat; taken from the Giant Swing  rotunda

signage and ticket booth just at the right when you enter the gates

series of golden Buddhas, fascinating to see

the main temple in the middle

clean and mirror-like marble flooring

the huge Buddha inside the main temple

From Wat Suthat we made our way to the Grand Palace on foot with the aid of our maps and GPS device; it's only about 20 minutes walk.

the long way road to the main entrance

series of temples and flocks of tourists inside the Grand Palace

i don't know what's inside but there's no entrance to it

the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; picture taking inside is not allowed

beautiful cloud formation feat temple architectures

Wat Po is just next to the Grand Palace and is about 5-10 minutes walk.

the entrance to the temple of the Reclining Buddha

the Reclining Buddha from head to toes

the Reclining Buddha from toes to its head

the landscape says it all

the first huge standing Buddha I saw that day

series of Standing Buddhas in various sizes

Just about 5 minutes walking distance from Wat Po is the Chao Phraya River Express terminal and also the boat terminal going to Wat Arun. The original plan was to ride a boat from there to Wat Arun but unfortunately it was closed when we get there due to a fluvial royal procession. Having said this, we just took our dinner at one of the food stalls there and waited till the Wat Arun to be lit at night which is also nice to see.

boat signage going to Wat Arun

Wat Arun beautifully lit at night

taken across the Chao Phraya River

We cap off the tour by touring the river through the Chao Phraya River Express from Tha Tien Terminal to Central Pier Terminal and riding the BTS from Sathorn BTS Station (just outside the Central Pier Terminal) to National Stadium BTS Station. Then you still have a couple of hours to go shopping on malls!

For the complete itinerary, you may visit our complete Backpacking Indochina Itinerary with budget and timings.

Lub d Bangkok - Siam Square

Just this month, it was my first time to try dorm type accommodation and Lub d Bangkok was our chosen hostel since it is close to a BTS Station - National Stadium.

Locating the hostel is a breeze, just exit at Exit #1 of the BTS National Stadium station then before you go down the ramp you should see their logo.

Lub d signage just near Exit#1 of BTS National Stadium station

Lub d Bangkok Siam Square at night

Some of my insights for this place:

• Very friendly staff. They even offered their shower rooms to us even if we are on early check-in, though no rooms available yet.
• You may leave your luggage at their store room.
• Very clean, organized and wide corridors, there are trash bins everywhere.
• Haven't tried their theater/entertainment room but I saw a signage leading to it.
• They have 8 desktop units free of use near the reception area.
• Spacious dining area with tables and chairs both outside and inside the ground floor.
• Design of the place is modern contemporary with sort of minimalist type.
• Shower rooms and toilet are clean too. Though found some vandalism on the toilet. Free shower bath gel too and hand soap on their toilets. People also just leave their toiletries there. They also have laundry drying racks near the shower rooms.
• Our room is located on the third floor and can't use the wifi there. We just stayed at the ground floor when using the wifi.
• No elevators but stairs are not that steep and bearable.
• There are electric outlets (2) for each bed. (as for the 4-bed dorm-type)
• You may also hire a thick bath towel for THB50, good for your entire stay.
• You will also be given extra linen upon check-in. I don't know exactly what this is for. 
• No curfews as well. Their reception is open 24hrs.
• You also have security card to access the place.
• Sounds from the corridor can also be heard inside the rooms so when someone is drank and shouting outside, definitely you will be awakened.

Here are the pictures of the place:

the 4-bed dorm-type room upon entering

room view from the window

the four storage compartments, bring your own lock

my pillow and comforter

me at the ground floor - reception and dining area

Backpacking Indochina Itinerary

Last November 6-13, 2012 I went for my first backpacking adventure. I left Manila and started my tour from Bangkok, Thailand then ended it with Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; travelling only by land from one country to the other. It was almost 6 months of planning and research with pre-booked hotel reservations before my trip. By the way, I was with my former office mate on this trip.

My trip summary:

Day 1: Bangkok City Tour

Day 2: Bangkok to Siem Reap

Day 3: Siem Reap's Short Tour Circuit

Day 4: Siem Reap's Grand Tour Circuit

Day 5: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh and Phnom Penh City Tour

Day 6: Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh and Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Day 7: Cu Chi Tunnels Day Tour

Sharing also my detailed trip itinerary with costings:

Pricing on the right-most part is in Philippine Pesos. Conversion rates used are: USD1=PHP42, THB1=PHP1.4, KMR1=PHP0.01, VND1=PHP0.002 Prices with asterisk (*) mean it was divided into two already, so the total price should be multiplied by two on the price shown.

This isn't the original plan/itinerary as well. It was just revised along the way as time permits and due to some delays. So completing this trip would add 4 cities and/or 3 countries to your travel map! Just let me know if you have any inputs. Cheers and happy travelling!

Cebu's Trademarks

Sharing the key chains I got during my recent Cebu trip this year:

Cebu are very known for their quality-made guitar; bought this from the souvenir stalls right beside Magellan's shrine

one major landmark in Cebu is Megallan's Cross; bought this just from the kids selling sorts of key chains outside the Magellan's cross

this was just a freebie for experiencing their one-of-a-kind attraction, famous indeed in the Philippines! (not a key chain though)

I went for an introductory dive in Moalboal, Cebu but haven't found any key chain symbolizing the coastal town aside from this one. Well, the town if know for their diving sites and probably turtles might be found under the waters there.

I would like also to include my two previous key chains, both of course from Cebu as well:

bought this when I was sent to Cebu for work due to a project launch 2-3 years ago

I'm sorry but I already forgot who gave this to me :'(