Beguiling Angkor, multi-cultural Kuala Lumpur and back
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The week that was has been a very enriching cultural experience. To be finally able to walk the old stone steps of Angkor was a dream come true. And to visit one of the major cities of South East Asia, Kuala Lumpur and experience its multi-cultural environment was rewarding as well. Allow me to share my brief impressions of both cities.
Let me say this first, that for a third world country, Siem Reap in Cambodia, is a really expensive place to visit. The cheapest food ranges from $2-3 USD. Relatively expensive compared to say Vietnam. Just walking the streets, you’d be hoarded by a slew of vendors and Tuk-tuk drivers that after a few days can get really annoying. Soon you’ll be able to memorize the phrases like “1 dollar!”, “Tuk-tuk sir!”, “Want something cold to drink sir? Something to eat?” But getting used to these nuances and actually dig deeper into their culture and crafts, you’ll find them to be very interesting.
Angkor Wat, the main complex didn’t fully meet up to my expectations. Don’t get me wrong, it’s monumental, the architecture is really impressive and still is an amazing world wonder. But, if you were able to visit the other temples in the park, you’ll try to find the intricate carvings from Bantey Srei and the eerie feeling of someone watching you from all corners at the temple of Bayon in Angkor itself. Still, all in all, the whole park stands as one of the most important structures in the world along with Egypt’s Pyramids.
Kuala Lumpur Cityscape
It’s my second time to visit Malaysia. The first time was when we climbed Mt. Kinabalu in Sabah and the main city of Kota Kinabalu is small and simple. This is the first time I’m visiting West Malaysia and I have never seen a place with so much backpacker concentrated in one area such as Kuala Lumpur. When I say backpacker, I mean those guy’s and gals traveling around the world toting their big bags and a small bag at the front. Probably because KL has one of the best airports in the world and they go here in transit to different points around Asia.
I must admit the city reminds me a bit of Singapore, only a bit messy and dirtier. However, the people are very colorful in terms of culture. Never have I seen such diversity of nationalities in one place. Their railway transit may not be the best but it’s hell of a lot convenient than taking those exploiting taxi drivers and getting stuck in traffic. There is little to see in the city except for the high rise structures of Petronas and Menara Tower, but I’m really impressed that they were able to preserve some lush forest reserves in the city itself. The highway leading into and outside the city is well paved and impressive. Kuala Lumpur though is not a place you stay long but a place you go in transit to different places. Still, if you look further, you might discover some off-the beaten destinations just really close to the city as I did.
Makati Nightscape
That’s it! It’s reality back in Manila once again. I’ll be posting some details of the trip in the next few days since I need to rest for now and catch up with work (argh!). Nothing really bad happened during the trip except that someone stole my unopened SPF 50 sunblock and my new polarized shades as well leaving only the casing at the top compartment of my bag. I lost it at the airport when I checked my stuff. I bet that guy who stole it is headed to the beach right now. And in Cambodia, I suffered some major intestinal rumble (must be something I ate). But that didn’t stop me from exploring the temples which I did after I popped in some medicines. Anyways I’ll be writing more about it later. Belated happy easter by the way!
Tags: Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 at 11:23 pm 
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April 12th, 2007 at 12:58 am
I hope you enjoyed your stay here in Malaysia!
(:
April 12th, 2007 at 11:39 am
ang ganda ng Kuala Lumpur at Cambodia, napag-iiwanan na talaga tayo, tama ba? medyo bitin post mo, kwento pa!
April 12th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
waaah!! inggit ako!!! gusto ko makapunta ng cambodia. konti ng pictures. one each lang. hehe ;p
April 12th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
thats why.. you were out of the country for a week pala… hehe…
wow wow wow. triple wow (so redundant hehe).
hehe. welcome home and happy easter!
April 12th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Wow, sounds like an exhilarating trip. You’re so blessed to be able to travel to Cambodia then Malaysia then Makati! Oops!
Nakakatawa naman yung nagnakaw ng stuff mo.
April 12th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Lucky you!
Wonderful pictures and info as usual.
I love the top picture!
April 12th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
wahh. astig ng trip mo tsong. ang tagal kong inantay ‘tong entries mo. i was hoping to see more of your Cambodia trip. I’ll be heading there before this year end so i was really hoping to get some first hand insights. sabi sa akin nung kakilala ko na nagpunta ng Cambodia, dapat daw bago ako pumunta dun, alam ko na sa sabihin sa khmer ang “ayokong bumili”…”tigilan mo ko” …”hindi ako interesado”…at “wala akong pera, mahirap lang ako”. reading your entry, now I know. haha. excited ako sa mga photos mo ng angkor.
April 12th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
happy easter bro! wow, angkor is a dream destination of mine. you really go places. while i envy that, i’m happy for you. regale us with more of your captures and stories
April 12th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
hirap ilihim ng secret mo kung saan ka pupunta hehe
i only told sidney na punta nga dun when we met last holy week
sayang di talaga ako nakasama…i have money budgetted for more important things that’s why i can’t travel the way i used to…
bilisan mo post ng pics di gaya ko dami backlog
April 12th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I was simply fascinated of your life now as young traveller….kc at your age you have gone to different countries now..unlike me…still dreaming of becoming a traveller….somewhat a backpack life bah !
April 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Ferdz…….do you design blog templates? if so…bka you can make one for me..if ever………thanks…. bro
April 12th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Wow! What a trip! How interesting that Makati nightscape suddenly makes an appearance at the end … hehehe!
Did you get a chance to hook up with our fellow blogger, Toe?
April 12th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
kaya naman pala eh, nag gala ka na naman… hehehe
sige, we’ll be waiting for your stories and pics…
April 13th, 2007 at 1:04 am
yung KL parang manila pero mas malala grabe ang tao tapos iba-iba ang amoy diba? pero masaya dyan sa baba ng Petronas as in parang Luneta yung park
April 13th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Oh, so you’ve been to Siem Reap na. Did you take this picture from the hill? It looks great. Oh, I didn’t warn you about the food no? Naku, you’re not allowed to eat cheap food here. Baka magka-hepa.
Maybe it’s the crowd… that’s why you were not so amazed. Grabe na yung mga turista jan ngayon. Sort of takes away some of the magic from the place.
@Eric, I live in Phnom Penh which is about 45 minutes away by plane from Siem Reap. Kinukulit ko nga si Ferdz to go to PP as well e.
April 13th, 2007 at 3:22 am
From ancient to modern eh?
We studied both structures in college. Angkor Wat is amazing. One of my fave ancient structures in the world.
(As seen in Tomb Raider)
I remember in one subject, we had to replicate the plans of the whole Petronas Complex. Hard work but well worth it.
(As seen in Entrapment)
hehehe…
April 13th, 2007 at 6:00 am
I’d like to see Angkor too. It reminds me of Tomb Raider. I hate Angelina Jolie. But yes, I like how you captured the nightscape in Makati… Ibang klase.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:22 am
hi ferdz! welcome back
and happy easter..
naks lakwatsa na naman! hehe kakainggit ka talaga… antay na namin yung mga pics ans stories mo… wala ba kami pasalubong?? hehe
astig ang makati nightscape pic !
April 13th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
hi there! it’s my first time here. came to know bout your site in mb when it was featured there. i think i’m gonna hangout here for long. an i add u in my blogroll?
btw on ur KL trip, should have visited putrajaya too
cheers!
April 13th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
super pasyal ka pala. cant wait to see the next pics. excited na ako hahah…
happy weekend
April 13th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
WOW! ang ganda ng anecdote mo…ganda rin ng view ng Makati. Back to base hehehe…
April 13th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Nice trip bro
Look forward to seeing cool shots from your trip. BTW with the tendency to be adventurous with food just like me, next time maybe you should take with you something stronger than Imodium hehe 
April 14th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
sana mkarating din ako sa bangkok…
April 15th, 2007 at 10:02 am
yeah, I was also surprised to hear that a cousin went to teach english in cambodia b/c the pay is better. so i guess i’m not surprised na hindi mura ang pagkain sa cambodia. it looks like their economy is better kasi. anyway, looking forward to the details of the trip esp. the forest in KL.
April 15th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
It made me feel like Kuala Lumpur is a better city than Manila. ;p
April 16th, 2007 at 1:18 am
man! angkor wat!!!! dream place!
April 16th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
watch in the mood for love. it might give you a more interesting view of angkor wat