29 Sep
Woke up when I woke up, had breakfast while watching tiny little frogs jump from one place to another just beneath my table and had all the time in the world to decide what I could do for the rest of the day. Then I packed my bags, checked out of Bou Savy and moved into Popular guesthouse. I’d wanted a cheaper room (US$5) and to be closer to where all the action was since it was my last day in Siem Reap.
By the time I checked into Popular guesthouse it was almost noon so I ventured out into the city, browsed around the Old Market and then went in search of Bloom, a shop started by Singaporean, Diana. I’d come across her blog before I left home. Diana gave up a high-flying career to set up a handmade bag store, employing single impoverished Cambodian mothers. Not only does she give the women the means to earn a living, she also helps the environment! All the raw materials used for the products are made from huge recycled sacks used to contain fish food in Vietnam. So you get these quirky designs of fish and mermaids and Vietnamese words in all sorts of bright colours in all shapes and sizes. They have big and small totes, pouches, accessories holders and clothes made from recycled saris. I bought an accessories holder and some pouches. Check out Bloom at www.bloomcambodia.com From the moment I stepped in she recognized that I was a fellow S’porean and we got to talking. It was really nice hearing the familiar Singlish coming from her while she said she was glad to be using it!
After lunch I’d intended to visit the Miniature replicas of Angkor temples which is further away from the main tourist sights. It’s located in the residential area. It was there that a moto driver came up to me asking if I needed a moto ride. I declined and walked on. He tried telling me that I was going the wrong way but I didn’t believe him at first. You can’t blame me for being skeptical; tourists are being accosted by moto and tuk tuk drivers at every corner so I figured this guy just wanted to earn a quick buck, seeing how close I was to my destination. But he went “really, really!” and I relented and hopped on his moto. True enough the Miniature replicas were only about 100m away on an adjacent street. Too bad it was closed for the P’Chum Ben holiday. I quietly laughed at myself for being so skeptical but hey, when you’re traveling alone, it pays to be cautious. So I told him to head for Angkor Wat instead. Now I’m proud to say that I’ve used all possible affordable means to get to the temples – cycling, tuk tuk and moto! After my virgin moto ride in the countryside, this ride was a breeze - I just enjoyed the wind (and dust) blowing in my hair.
Managed to walk around Angkor Wat for the last time and caught the sunset which was quite pretty, although not as spectacular as the sunrise. After that, I headed back to town for dinner followed by a shoulder and neck massage (my body was protesting after all the temple-visiting). As the masseuse worked her magic on my knots, I thought to myself that there was no better way to end my Siem Reap trip J
