CNY trip- Part 3

Machine Gun (Phnom Penh Shooting Range)

after my Vietnam trip, I get to know that there're only two shooting fields in Asia.
One in Vietnam, and another 1 is in Phnom Penh.
so without any hesitation, we went there for our very first machine gun shooting. *YAY*
it takes about 45 minutes or maybe shorter from Royal Palace to reach there by Tuk-tuk, yes it's kind of far.

approaching the shooting field, maybe this's the military's hostel?

armored vehicle outside the centre.

mum and sisters.

you get to do heaps of posing together with the countless guns for photo-taking inside the centre only if you decided to pay and shoot.

they don't allow tourists to take any picture until you have agreed and decided on which gun for you to do shooting.

we actually share the bullets because you have to buy at least 10 bullets for 1 gun and it'll be kind of boring if you played the same weapon for 10 times all by yourself.

don't worry, sharing is allowed!

we chose M16 and AK47.

bullets of M16 are cheaper comparing to AK47's but i couldn't recall the price.

ear muffs are provided.

notice the coconuts on the ground and the target paper on the wall.

M16 and AK47.

strongly suggest guys to give a try on AK47 rather than M16.

the impact of AK47 is much more stronger than M16, which I concluded that M16 suits girls more. personally preferred AK47. damn i feel so boyish here LOL.

lovin' the sparks!

proudly to announce that i shot on my target, COCONUT. YAY!

eh c'mon, it wasn't easy okay? didn't know how good is my shooting ability until that day HAHAHA.

gun-decorated centre. didn't know do they really function or not.

happy siblings!

Killing Field

after completing our shootings, we left for our next destination -> killing field.

oh gosh it took so long for us to reach here, approximately 1 hour or more by tuk-tuk.

and the traffic was so congested on the way, the air quality was very dusty and hazy.

it requires entrance fee, 10USD per pax.

you can actually notice tonnes of skulls through the window.

for me, i don't recommend to visit this place.

it's way too far, and the air quality is low that only Cambodians can bear with it.

nothing much to visit inside.

it's a place where large number of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime, during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979.

Russian Market

this's a market where you can find almost everything, ranging from clothes, shoes, utensils, wood carvings, souvenirs, jewellery, and etc.

operating hours : 7am-5pm

bear in mind that you must BARGAIN with everything you're interested in.

the sisters and I were so good in bargaining that we're actually so proud of this HAHA

if the price they gave couldn't satisfy you, just walk away and some employers might call you back.

even if they don't call you back, just search for it in the following stalls.

there're plenty of stalls selling the same items.

it's extremely stuffy inside there, you will find out how narrow the lanes are between the stalls.

after walking for 1 small part there, i found myself suffocated and you would eventually feel like saluting all the employers.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW DO THEY SURVIVE IN SUCH SUFFOCATE MARKET!!

but i actually love there, so much things to shop for with very reasonable price.

till my next blog post, ciao!

CNY trip - Part 2

before touching down at Phnom Penh International Airport, i kept on peeking at the window, and wanted my sister to assure me that we actually landed at the correct destination.

damn this piece of land looked so abandoned and undeveloped.

but i changed my mind after stepping in into the airport.

everything seemed fine, or maybe GOOD!

exterior design of Phnom Penh International Airport!

TRANSPORTATION
The main transportation in the entire Cambodia is Tuk-tuk!

Tuk-tuk can be seen everywhere there.

just can't help to admit that their riding skills are very good.

bear in mind to bargain with the Tuk-tuk drivers for a better price.

but please make sure that you don't overly bargain because they aren't have comfortable lives that most of them sleep in their own tuk-tuks during the night.

1 tuk-tuk can usually fit in 4 people, but if you have more than 4 travelling mates, don't worry!
they usually allow you to have more than 4 people. like us, we had SIX in 1 tuk-tuk HAHAHA!



STREETS

street shot 1

street shot 2

street shot 3

The streets are always busy, EXTREMELY busy.

crossing roads are a major thingy for Malaysians HAHA.

bear in mind that whenever you are about to cross a road, don't really stop because the motorists and motorcyclists are anticipating your moves.

they're all very tolerant and patient for no reasons.

don't be shock or misunderstand whenever hearing them honking, it's a way for them to remind each other to be careful.

unlike Malaysian, honking is considered as rude. LOL

FOOD
as for Malaysians, don't worry about diarrhea here as long as you mustn't try out the street food.
but i don't even think foreigners will try the street food out, they're kind of disgusting.

this wasn't in night market, it's just right beside a minor road so anyone out there dare to give a try?
but hey, there're plenty of hygienic restaurants out there.
my family and I only dined in in restaurants. so 6 of us didn't even get any diarrhea even though we siblings don't have good stomachs.

PHO
this word is pronounced as 'fur'!
they served pho with beef, chicken or seafood and it's so GOOD! *slurp*

pho is kind of like 'kueh tiaw' or something similar.

we found the best pho in town. it's nearby Silver Pagoda and Mekong River riverfront.
the beef slices are really good and fresh, and i think 1 big bowl of pho only costs u 3USD.
if i wasn't wrong, pho isn't originated from Cambodia but Vietnam.


Vietnamese Bread
another food which is originated from Vietnam. this's really my BIG favourite!
it's sorta like french bread stuffed with meat slices and vegetables.

this's it! add the green papaya and meat slices into the bread.

after adding the yummy ingredients.

after adding in all the side ingredients, add some superb sauces that you won't be able to find in the whole Malaysia.

somebody please bring me to Cambodia again please!!

this shop is located nearby Royal Palace. seriously can't remember where is this located.

one of the stalls outside the shop.

i would like to introduce the only street food that we have tried in the entire trip.

i didn't know what does this call but this's nice and very crispy. it's some sort of crepes or kuih sepit.

EXTREMELY cheap some more. only cost less than RM1 for 1 whole plastic bag.

we found this outside Russian Market.

Mum had been observing the man selling this for quite a while until she decided to buy HAHA.

#typicalmum to make sure that he's really hygienic, that man was wearing gloves too.

this's one of the street food too. freaked me out. there's a hole on every egg and you can see some sort of chick feather!

we couldn't figure out what's this. we thought that this's olives at first then after observing up close, it's  shell.

i don't think i have to explain what's this. EEWWWW

c

f'cking COCKROACHES!!!

off to my nap. too sleepy.
ciao! blog again soon.

CNY trip- Part 1

first time ever, my family and I had my Chinese New Year celebration overseas.
kind of excited, yet kind of worry.
because we're going to Cambodia, I didn't even sure do they celebrate this big festival or not.
and I wouldn't be able to celebrate with my friends, I'm going to skip so many annual events!

approximately 1 and a half hour flight time from Kuching to Sinagpore.
it's like you close your eyes for a little while and you're already in Singapore.

Arrived at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 in the afternoon safely.
After checking-in at hotel, we walked to the nearby MRT station, Aljunied.
In Singapore, the cheapest and most convenient transportation is MRT.
just request a MRT route map from the information counter at the MRT station and i assure you won't get lost! *wink*

went to the famous temple in Singapore, Guan Yin Miao.
located near Bugis. get choked by the smoke from the incenses.
and no camera is allowed inside the temple.

and then we went to Bugis Street.
mom had to get a pair of slipper because her sport shoes were killing her feet that time!
the most important thing to get, I LOVE SINGAPORE tee.
it's like a MUST to get it everywhere i went for travelling.
but sadly, i have only collected Kota Kinabalu's, Singapore's, and Cambodia's.
i need an Australia's one, anyone out there please deliver to me PLEASE..........

because of the Chinese New Year was just around the corner, you get to see a lot of stalls set up in Bugis. and there're plenty of sweets and candy!

walked around Bugis Junction and had lunch at the food court there.
love the ambiance there.

seriously i kinda forgot where we actually went next so please allow me to blog about the next day.
our flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia was in the late afternoon and that simply meant we could still walk around the city!

Merlion and me!

had our brunch at Lau Pa Sat and then went back to hotel.
time for Phnom Penh, Cambodia!


till then, ciao!

Chinese New Year trip '13 itinerary

FINALLY!
yes it's absolutely nothing wrong with your eyes, and the title isn't wrong too. HEHEHE
such a procrastinator.
I am currently working for a month-March, from day to night and today is my day-off =D
so yea, finally got the chance to drop a post in my blog.

Full Itinerary
Day 1 (05/02/2013)
Kuching to Singapore -- Bugis -- Bugis Junction -- Takashimaya -- Orchard

Day 2 (06/02/2013)
Esplanade -- Marina Bay Sands -- Merlion -- Lau Pa Sat
Singapore to Phnom Penh

Day 3 (07/02/2013)
Breakfast at Street 170 -- Machine Gun -- Killing Field -- Russian Market -- Mekong River -- Dinner at Street 178 -- Royal Palace -- Casino

Day 4 (08/02/2013)
Silver Pagoda -- Breakfast at Street 170 (again) -- Central Market
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Day 5 (09/02/2013)
Tonle Sap Lake -- Reunion Dinner -- Night Market

Day 6 (10/02/2013)
Angkor Wat -- Old Market -- Dinner Show
Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Day 7 (11/02/2013)
Russian Market -- Central Market
Phnom Penh -- Singapore

Day 8 (12/02/2013)
Anchor Point -- Orchard -- Bugis
Singapore to Kuching

Phnom Penh International Airport

There're two important parts of Cambodia, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
and Phnom Penh is the capital.
From Singapore Changi Airport, it takes 2 hours to reach Phnom Penh International Airport.
and to go Siem Reap from Phnom Penh, you can actually go by airplane, minivan or bus.
We chose minivan which they told us it's faster comparing to bus, less than 6 hours.
If I wasn't wrong, it costs 10USD per pax

One important reminder - Cambodians use USD, everywhere.
They have their own currency 'KHR' and the value is very small.
'KHR' is only used as coins.
but of course, you still have to change some 'KHR' for tipping.

so whoever out there who claims that Cambodia is a low expenses country to travel for, YOU ARE WRONG!!
put on your thinking cap and think hard, a country which uses USD and you say it's a low-expenses country, NO WAY!
Cambodia is considered as a low-expenses country, unless you're an American i think.
Ringgit Malaysia to USD is kinda expensive i can say.
We spent so much, especially in tipping.
one hotel receptionist told us that his salary is only 100USD per month.
so we can actually conclude that CAMBODIANS ARE VERY DEPENDING ON TIPPING.

but Cambodians are so worth-tipping. TRUST ME!
unlike the other countries around Cambodia, the people are so kind and helpful.
not just some, but EVERYONE!
EVERYONE is better than Malaysians. (although i'm a Malaysian too)
They may look fierce or unkind, but once you approach them and ask them something, they're so passion and kind.
EVERYONE is the same!
this's a very very EXTREMELY good country to travel for.
i really enjoyed this trip, with passionate people around, except for the stuffy and HOT weather.

TUK-TUK

For Phnom Penh, the ambiance is dusty, very.
i think this's due to most of them using bikes.
The bikes there are like Myvi and Viva in Kuching, overloading.
but don't worry, you won't get sick because of the dust because I'm a major nasal allergy person.
I sneeze like mad once i get in contact with dusts.
but i have got no idea why i didn't even sneeze in the whole trip. really didn't UNDERSTAND.

Phnom Penh has more motorbikes and the traffic is really messy.
but you know whenever everyone is very kind, it doesn't seem to be an issue.
i just don't understand how can they be so tolerant. SURPRISE!
a very normal thingy to hear honking sounds, it's a sign of warning you to be careful. A KIND ONE
if it's in Malaysia, the driver is already scolding foul language in the car if get honked by somebody.

Luxurious cars everywhere. Most of them are new models of Lexus.
The rest would be Toyota or BMW, all branded cars!

For Siem Reap, it's cleaner.
to travel around Siem Reap, you gotta use Tuk-Tuk.
unlike Phnom Penh, the tourist attractions are kind of far which you can't really walk to reach.
there're so many tourists in Siem Reap.

As a conclusion, Phnom Penh is a shopping paradise, Siem Reap is a heritage province.
i like both places, i like this country!

If you're going to Cambodia and you need advice, please contact me at ame_lia1031@hotmail.com.
either Facebook or Hotmail but i seldom check mails so you may have to wait for my replies.
a pleasure to give some informative details to all.
and you NEED NOT tour guide, just a waste of money.

my next few posts are all about my detailed itinerary about the trip.

Phnom Penh 

till then, ciao!