Thailand: Touchdown at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Because I'm such a sucker for seat sales, I more often than not end up getting the evening flights. This works for me as I can still go to work during the day and go straight to the airport at night. My first time to Thailand was no different, except that this time I snuck out of the office with two other officemates. Barely two weeks after I got back from my Vietnam-Cambodia trip, here I am out of the house again. Fun!




One of the many that will greet you upon arrival



Suvarnabhumi Airport is huge. Getting to the Immigration counter was a bit confusing for us though since even at almost midnight there were so many people and so many shops that you'd think you're already either on your way out of the airport or you're near the pre-departure area waiting for your flight out. I always had this notion that before anything else, the first thing you'd be able to do is pass thru immigrations, no shopping on the side first. Succeeding trips told me otherwise.



Immigrations



Cambodia: The majestic beauty of Angkot Wat and much more.



Sunrise over the Angkor Wat



By 5:00 a.m. our driver and guide Sarath were already waiting for us outside Golden Temple Villa. Since there were 4 of us we decided to rent a van instead. Our van had a small cooler inside with cold water provided for us by the guesthouse. Sarath spoke pretty good english and I think he was getting a bit stressed that we might miss the sunrise. The sun was already breaking out in the horizon when we reached the ticket counter to purchase our Angkor day pass for $20. I could no longer contain my excitement. Going to Angkor Wat has been a dream of mine for a long time. I never thought that I'd be able to see it within my first year of working. Small blessings I'm forever grateful for.

Crossing the moat surrounding Angkor Wat, we could already see how many tourists also wake up this early to witness the majestic sunrise. I read about how busload of tourists would arrive for the sunrise and immediately disappear after to go back to their hotels for breakfast. I didn't think that the articles actually meant hundreds of tourists! The peace and tranquility one would feel walking into the halls of the Angkor Wat immediately disappears at first sight of a huge group of camera-toting, noisy and perky tourists, but they still weren't enough to ruin my mood :-)

Vietnam to Cambodia: Overland Travel

We were to meet up outside Sihn Café to ride the tour bus to Siem Reap. The trip would take approximately 12 hours excluding the stop over at Phnom Penh for lunch. Since there was a ban mi stall right across Sihn Café we decided to buy a few baguettes just in case we get hungry on the road. We exited Vietnam through the MocBai border. We didn’t have to bring our luggage went we went down to pass thru immigrations. Our bus will just meet us at the other side of the building. From the MocBai border you can already see the immigrations building of Cambodia. The difference of structure is immediately apparent. 

Immigration building at the MocBai Border - Vietnam side

YOu can already see the Cambodian Immigration Building on the other side of the gate

Cambodian Immigration Building from the bus window