Cebu Pacific Promo to Japan and Korea

For as low as P2,499 (USD52), you can visit Incheon, Korea or Osaka, Japan anytime from January 15 to March 15, 2010. It's a real steal! The deadline for buying the ticket is tomorrow.

I'm itching to go but I'm having second thoughts. First, It's winter season in these places from January to March. Very cold weather. And I may end up spending much more for winter clothes than for the cheap airfare. Second, I'll be away for 6 days with my sister in February 2010. Destinations: Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. My birthday treat for her. This means getting another leave from work early in the year shortly before or after I'm gone for a vacation will be doubly hard, if not impossible.

So, I think I have to let this travel opportunity pass for now. I'm sure there's going to be another promo around the same time next year.

Old Man At Ta Prohm

Cambodian Boy, Man and Monks

Remind Me

When I was in Siem Reap, I left my favorite cap in Angkor Wat and dropped my shades on our way to the temple. Both were lost in the morning of the same day.

The night before that, I left my cellphone on the restaurant table. Good thing our German companion mentioned it to me just when we were about to step out of the place.

I keep on forgetting and losing stuff.

A friend once said that if my head and limbs are not attached to my body, I'd be a rolling ball by now.

Cambodian Girl

Slowly Forward

A boy about four years old paddles a small boat on the waters of the floating village in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Unforgettable Siem Reap

Something I didn't expect happened in Ho Chi Minh. The sole bus that's supposed to bring me to Siem Reap on Saturday won't be allowed to enter Phnom Penh because of Bon Om Touk, Cambodia's water festival. It's the country's largest festival and with a throng of people everywhere, passing through the city to Siem Reap was virtually impossible. The ticketing staff told me that the bus would be stopping seven kilometers outside Phnom Penh and from there I should be able to find alternative means to proceed to my destination, which of course meant a terrible delay in my travel schedule. Not a good option for me at all. Should I then stay in Ho Chi Minh or head to Siem Reap by plane? Since my mind was set on seeing the temple of Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the medieval world, I decided to go for the latter.

The Vietnam Airlines round-trip ticket from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap cost four times as much as my Cebu Pacific round-trip ticket from Manila to Ho Chi Minh. Quite expensive. But every fiber of my being was shouting "Siem Reap! Siem Reap!" I had to obey my instinct and buy the plane ticket.

It turns out that my visit to Siem Reap is, so far, my best Asian travel experience aside from the one to Hong Kong with my sister in 2007. The grandeur of Angkor Wat, the taste of delicious Khmer foods, the mirth of Pub Street, the simple charm of the floating village, the enchantment of the flooded forest, the singsong voices of girls selling souvenir items at the temples, the kindness of newfound friends, the familiar rural feel of the place and the water festival's colorful fireworks beside the bright full moon will be etched in my memory for as long as I live. I have no regrets spending much more than I planned because I had a wonderful time in Siem Reap!


Sunrise at the temple of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Mt. Pulag (cont...)

Mt. Pulag

Travel Checklist

1. Canon camera
2. Camera lenses
3. Camera lens filters
4. Camera lens hoods
5. Spare camera battery
6. Camera battery charger
7. 2GB memory cards (5 pieces)
8. Spare camera bag
9. Passport
10. Cash
11. Other stuff

All check.

So I'm set for Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) and Siem Reap (Cambodia) for the long weekend. Thanks to Lui for the invaluable tips. I'm also indebted to a newfound Cambodian online friend who reserved a $5-a-night hotel room for me. This guy will fetch me at the Siem Reap bus terminal, show me around Angkor Wat and bring me to the best bars and restaurants in town.

I'm excited about the 9-hour bus trip from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap. It's a new adventure for me. I just hope it's not going to rain over the weekend.